SHOOTO - THE MODEL FOR MODERN MMA - Part 2
The True "Father of MMA"...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Satoru-Sayama
The New Jersey Athletic Control Board in 2000, formed a Unified set of rules for MMA, and set the standard for weight classes. Dana White and Lorenzo & Frank Fertitta were also a part of this formation.
This model was not an original. Shooto had established similar rules and weight divisions, long before this, as early as the late 1980's.
Most of the following Shooto weight classes have existed since it's inception...
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Light Heavyweight 183 lb (83 kg; 13.1 st)
Middleweight 168 lb (76 kg; 12.0 st)
Welterweight 154 lb (70 kg; 11.0 st)
Lightweight 143 lb (65 kg; 10.2 st)
Featherweight 132 lb (60 kg; 9.4 st)
Bantamweight 123 lb (56 kg; 8.8 st)
Flyweight 114 lb (52 kg; 8.2 st)
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Shooto has also had amateur & rookie systems established since it's inception...
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Shooto fighters are categorized into four Classes.
Class-D : Amateur (2x2min, Headgear, Special point system)
Class-C : Amateur (2x3min, Headgear, Special point system)
Class-C+: Amateur (2x3min)
Class-B : Pro (2x5min)
Class-A : Pro (3x5min)
Fighters start out as Class-D or Class-C fighters and enter amateur competitions that Shooto hosts together with the help of local gyms all over Japan. Class-D Shooto does not allow knee strikes to the face or striking on the ground. Class-C Shooto does not allow striking on the ground, but knee strikes to the head are allowed. There are regional championships and once a year the All-Japan amateur championship. Then a fighter can get a Class-B pro license, these fights are 2x5 minute long and use the same rules as Class-A fights. For new pros Shooto each year hold a rookie tournament in each weightclass.
When a fighter has gathered enough wins and experience in Class-B he will get awarded with a Class-A license, as a sign that he's part of the elite professional fighters.
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The rules are nearly identical to the rules now used by many U.S. state athletic commissions.
Recently (May 2012), Dana White has made mention that they've been thinking of starting regional events and even UFC gyms, in various countries. He says this as though it was something of his original design. But Shooto has been doing this for over ten years now.
Why do they not get credit for any of this?
Why do Dana and the Fertitta's continue to deny Mr Sayama with any credit for being the TRUE "Father of Mixed Martial Arts"?
The answer is simple...because it would make them look incompetent.
Why didn't Zuffa just try to work out a deal with the Shooto Commission, and help to popularize the sport around the globe?
Now you know the truth.
Back to Part I...