For the first time in about 10 months, Seiya Kawahara is
coming back to Pancrase's ring.
He is basically undefeated against all Japanese fighters except one guy -
Manabu Inoue, the former King of Pancrase at 135 lbs. Kawahara is very
aggressive, and got heavy hands that can drop anyone yet he hasn't received any
"recognition" from the media and the fans, because, basically, Inoue
is in his way. He is 0-2 against Inoue. On top of this, although it was at 145
lbs, fighting in the Sengoku GP and losing to Nick Denis in less than three
minutes didn't impress anyone.
But he is only 24 years old and already got 13 fights under his belt. Very
experienced for a young fighter.
Kawahara defeated Takumi Murata via 2nd round KO in a title qualifier back in
February 6th, 2011, however, Inoue lost to Shintaro Ishiwatari in December of
last year, but for some reason Tashiro Akai is challenging the new champ in
March, therefore, Kawahara is now in a position to beat Numakura and make an
appeal for his title shot.
Also another bantamweight battle is added to the bill and that is Motonobu
Tezuka from Cobra-kai and Tatsuya So from team Toushin.
PANCRASE
Sunday, March 11, 2012
at Differ Ariake, Tokyo, Japan
Doors Open - 14:45 / Fight Starts - 15:15
Confirmed Cards:
Welterweight King of Pancrase Title Bout 5 min / 3R
Takenori Sato (Japan /
Laughter 7) vs. Strasser Kiichi (Japan
/ MMA Dojo Cobra-kai)
Lightweight Bout 5 min / 2R
Masahiro Toryu (Japan /
Pancrase-ism) vs. Juntaro Ami (Japan
/ Wajitu Keishu-kai AKZA)
Weltertweight Bout 5 min / 2R
Shingo Suzuki (Japan /
ALLIANCE) vs. Kenta Takagi (Japan
/ PUREBRED)
Flyweight Bout 5 min / 2R
Toshimitsu Ishii (Japan /
Wajiutsu Keishu-kai Yokohama Dojo) vs. Suguru Hayasaka (Japan / CORE)
Light-heavyweight Bout 5 min / 2R
Yuji Sakuragi (Japan /
Pancrase-ism) vs. Animal Anzai (Japan
/ TEAM TACKLER)
Bantamweight Bout 5 min / 3R
Seiya Kawahara (Japan /
Pancrase TEAM FIGHT SUNS) vs. Yuta
Numakura (Japan / TRIAL)
Bantamweight Bout 5 min / 3R
Motonobu Tezuka (Japan /
MMA Dojo Cobra-kai) vs. Tatsuya So (Japan
/ Toushin)
Ticket Prices:
VIP - 12,000 yen / SS - 10,000 yen / A - 8,000 yen / B - 6,000 yen
*500 yen more at the door.
Report
by Shu Hirata
