Jorge Santiago Released by Sengoku

Filed under: FanHouse Exclusive, Sengoku, NewsSengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago has been granted his release by the organization, MMA Fighting has learned from sources close to the promotion.

Santiago’s manager Malki Kawa of Authentic Sport…

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Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago has been granted his release by the organization, MMA Fighting has learned from sources close to the promotion.

Santiago’s manager Malki Kawa of Authentic Sports Management wouldn’t confirm or deny that Santiago is now a free agent when reached for comment, but additional sources say Santiago is looking to sign imminently with a major North American promotion.

Nippon Weekly: Japanese Fighters Preparing for April Strikeforce Event

Filed under: DREAM, Strikeforce, Sengoku, News, JapanFinally, we have some fights again across the Pacific and it looks as though there might be more to come too.

In this edition of Nippon Weekly, Japanese fighters are preparing for an April 9 Strikef…

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Finally, we have some fights again across the Pacific and it looks as though there might be more to come too.

In this edition of Nippon Weekly, Japanese fighters are preparing for an April 9 Strikeforce event in Tokyo despite reports that the fights will be taking place in America, further scandal in the world of Sumo drowns out UFC 126 hype, Pancrase gets its “Impressive Tour” under way with one of its strongest cards in recent times, Shinya Aoki, Masakazu Imanari and others showcase their wares in Deep and Bob Sapp is wrestling while Kimbo Slice is not.

Michihiro Omigawa Fights for Japanese MMA

Filed under: DREAM, UFC, Sengoku, JapanWhen Michihiro Omigawa enters the cage on Saturday at UFC 126 to fight Chad Mendes, the weight of Japanese MMA will be on his shoulders. The judoka will be the only example of a born and bred Japanese fighter that…

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When Michihiro Omigawa enters the cage on Saturday at UFC 126 to fight Chad Mendes, the weight of Japanese MMA will be on his shoulders. The judoka will be the only example of a born and bred Japanese fighter that has fought in the UFC in his prime, and the fight could not come at a more important time.

The days of Pride FC are long gone. We are waiting patiently to see if DREAM is also dead. We are hearing that Sengoku Raiden Championship may be losing their financial backing.

Omigawa is not just fighting for himself. He will be fighting to maintain the relevance of Japanese MMA.

Sengoku 17 Postponed in Response to Media Negativity

Filed under: Sengoku, News, JapanSengoku Raiden Championship promoter World Victory Road released a bizarre statement on Tuesday via their official Web site, announcing the postponement of SRC 17 due to an article written by a member of the Japanese pr…

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Sengoku Raiden Championship promoter World Victory Road released a bizarre statement on Tuesday via their official Web site, announcing the postponement of SRC 17 due to an article written by a member of the Japanese press.

The article in question, a seven-page interview with SRC featherweight champion Hatsu Hioki written by Manabu Takashima in March’s Gong Kakutougi, said that World Victory Road’s end-of-year “Soul of Fight” event was poorly organized, with some fighters not signing their bout agreements until the day of the fight or even post-fight. This is not uncommon, especially in Japanese MMA, and barely deserves any attention.

World Victory Road’s response though, is mind-boggling. Its statement claims that it may lose the support of parent company Don Quijote if it is forced to postpone its April 23 SRC 17 event and is requesting a formal apology.

Nippon Weekly: Strikeforce Considering Heavyweight GP Event in Japan

Filed under: DREAM, Strikeforce, K1, Sengoku, News, JapanThere are still no significant fights on the horizon, but there have been some big moves this week in Japan.

In this edition of Nippon Weekly, Strikeforce is considering holding its second quart…

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There are still no significant fights on the horizon, but there have been some big moves this week in Japan.

In this edition of Nippon Weekly, Strikeforce is considering holding its second quarterfinal round of their Heavyweight GP in Japan, UFC is planning its own Japanese events in 2011 and DREAM co-promoter Real Entertainment and Strikeforce are possibly planning a lightweight tournament sans-FEG.

Nippon Weekly: ‘KID’ Yamamoto Says Dominick Cruz Is Nothing Special

Filed under: DREAM, K1, Sengoku, News, JapanIt has been a week of drama in Japan. No fights, but plenty of drama.

In this edition of Nippon Weekly: Norifumi “KID” Yamamoto sees no challenges in the UFC, Michihiro Omigawa has been training like a man p…

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It has been a week of drama in Japan. No fights, but plenty of drama.

In this edition of Nippon Weekly: Norifumi “KID” Yamamoto sees no challenges in the UFC, Michihiro Omigawa has been training like a man possessed, Shinya Aoki apparently likes MMA again, Yuichiro “Jienotsu” Nagashima is a butt-kicking incarnate, managers get drunk and presidents get angry.