Shooto is a combat sport and mixed martial arts organization that is governed by the Shooto Association and the International Shooto Commission. Shooto was originally formed in 1985, first as a particular fighting system and then in 1989 as a mixed martial arts promotion. It is considered one of the first true mixed martial arts competitions, with its Vale Tudo Japan events being essential to the rise of PRIDE Fighting Championships and the development of modern MMA. Many Japanese MMA fighters had their start at Shooto and the organization still holds both professional and amateur tournaments. The list of current and past MMA fighters to come from Shooto roots is quite impressive.
Sanae Kikuta is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 1996, he has competed for the UFC, PRIDE Fighting Championships, Pancrase, DREAM, World Victory Road, DEEP, Shooto, and Vale Tudo Japan. He is the former Pancrase Light Heavyweight Champion (2001–2003) and the winner of the ADCC 88 kg class in 2001.
Enson Shouji Inoue is a Japanese-American jiu-jitsu practitioner and retired professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 1995 until 2010, he fought for the PRIDE Fighting Championships, the UFC, Shooto, and Vale Tudo Japan. He is a former Shooto Heavyweight Champion, and was a finalist in the Lightweight category at UFC 13.
Satoru Sayama is a Japanese professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, MMA and wrestling promoter and writer, best known as the original Tiger Mask. He has wrestled under his real name as well as the names Sammy Lee, and masked Super Tiger, Tiger King, Tiger Mask and The Mask of Tiger. He is the only man to hold the WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship and the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship simultaneously. He is also the founder of Shooto, Seikendo and Real Japan Pro Wrestling. Bret Hart has called Sayama the "Bruce Lee of wrestling" because of his lightning speed, martial arts skills and athleticism.
Yuki Nakai is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist. He currently teaches Shooto and Jiu-Jitsu, and is the president of the Japanese Confederation of Jiu-Jitsu. He competed in Shooto, an early MMA promotion where he won the Shooto World Welterweight Championship, as well as Vale Tudo Japan 1995, where he was outweighed by every opponent in the tournament. Despite this, and despite suffering a severe eye injury in the first bout, Nakai managed to make it to the finals where he lost to Rickson Gracie. Nakai is considered a legend of Shooto by many fighters and fans.
Mitsuhiro Ishida is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist who competed in Shooto, Strikeforce, PRIDE, DREAM, and DEEP. A professional competitor from 2001 until 2011, Ishida also participated in the Yarennoka event in the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
Hideki Kadowaki is a Japanese mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2000, he has competed for Shooto, DEEP, and World Victory Road. He is the former Shooto Lightweight Champion.
Noboru Asahi is a Japanese retired mixed martial artist, a designer, and an owner of MMA gym.
Yuji Sakuragi is a Japanese mixed martial artist, kickboxer, and professional wrestler, currently associated with Real Japan Pro Wrestling's team Seikendo. He is known for his Kyokushin Karate background and his ability to score KO wins. In MMA, he competed for the Pancrase, M-1 Global, and DEEP promotions.
Kozo Urita is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He was associated with Real Japan Pro Wrestling's team Seikendo.
Yasuto Sekishima is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Welterweight division. He was the inaugural Shooto Middleweight Champion.
Yoshimasa Ishikawa is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Lightweight division. He was Shooto's second middleweight champion, defeating Yasuto Sekishima. Ishikawa vacated the title in 1991 to compete as a lightweight.
Naoki Sakurada Japanese: 桜田直樹 is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions. He is a former Shooto Middleweight Champion.
Kazuhiro Sakamoto Japanese: 坂本和弘 is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions. Sakamoto is a longtime Shooto and Vale Tudo Japan veteran and currently serves as a representative and promoter for Shooto and Vale Tudo Japan.
Kenichi Tanaka is a Japanese mixed martial artist and referee. He competed in the Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions. Tanaka is one of the earliest Satoru Sayama trainees under Super Tiger Gym, and was the inaugural Shooto Lightweight 65 kg Champion. He later lost the title to Kazuhiro Sakamoto.
Katsuya Toida, is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions. His real name is Katsuya Toida. He is known for his judo and shoot wrestling expertise.
Naoya Uematsu is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist who competed in the bantamweight, featherweight and lightweight divisions in Cage Force, DEEP and Shooto. He is the head instructor of the NEXUSENSE gym. In addition, Uematsu is a director and referee director of the Japan Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (JBJJF). He is a director and strengthening committee member of the Japan Sambo Federation and chairman of the refereeing committee and the vice Chairman of the Japan MMA Refereeing Organization (JMOC).
Martijn de Jong is a Dutch mixed martial artist. He competed in the Middleweight division.
Ryan Bow is a retired American mixed martial arts fighter from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Bow is a coach, author, and entrepreneur. He fought in both the Lightweight and Welterweight divisions and is a black belt in Kodokan Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Bow was taught by prominent fighters such as former five times UFC Middleweight Champion Frank Shamrock, and was a member of the American Kickboxing Academy's professional fight team.
Shooto Watanabe is a Japanese male mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of RIZIN Fighting Federation.
