PANCRASE - 09/01/2012: Sato Takes On Yamamiya

Takenori Sato (left) will take on a 40-year old veteran KEI Yamamiya in his fourth title defense.

Pancrase announced welterweight title fight in the upcoming September show.

King of Pancrase at 170 lbs, Takenori Sato, will try to defend his tittle against a veteran from GRABAKA, KEI Yamamiya.

This is going to be Sato's fourth title defense and its against a 40-year old man but Kazushi Sakuraba's student is not taking this fight lightly because, "I have lost to Yamamiya in the past so this is a revenge match for me, so I am not approaching this fight as a champion."

Apparently for Sato, this is not a title defense, "Also fighting a veteran is a good chance for me to step up. Like Yuki Kondo, he is one of those top guys that lead the generation before me so I want to show him younger generation is fighting hard too."

On the other end, for Yamamiya, this is a title opportunity he has waited for over two years. "Sato is a fighter who has beaten all welterweight fighters in Pancrase and right now he is the champion. I have been fighting for a long time and my age is up but not just mental, technique and body, but also, the desire for sleep, eat and sex, I never feel I have slowed down."
Obviously he is pumped up. Yamamiya met Sato once back in April 2010 but "That was a long time ago so that fight won't be a good reference. I am approaching this though I am fighting him for the first time."

PANCRASE  2012 PROGRESS TOUR
At Differ Ariake, Tokyo, Japan 
Saturday, September 1st, 2012 
Doors Open - 14:15 / Fight Starts - 15:30 

Confirmed Cards (Subject to Change):

Welterweight King of Pancrase 5 min / 3R
Takenori Sato (Japan / Laughter7) vs. KEI Yamamiya (Japan / GRABAKA)

Bantamweight Queen of Pancrases Tournament -
Rin Nakai (Japan / Pancrase) 
*three others will be announced soon.

&

Neo Blood Tournament Final for All Six Weight Classes


Ticket Prices:
VIP (including Pamphlet) - 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
Photo courtesy of GBR (gbring.com)