Mamoru Yamaguchi, "Shooto Tradition 2" and This Weekend

via www.cdn.sherdog.com

In case you forgot, this weekend features serious MMA action beyond North America's shores. Specifically, the rubber match between Shinichi Kojimi and Mamoru Yamaguchi at this weekend's "Shooto Tradition 2". Breen has a preview:

Mamoru Yamaguchi (Pictures) began his reign as Shooto 123-pound world champion in 2003, in a time where the UFC struggled to replace Jens Pulver (Pictures) as lightweight champion, and few fans believed 155-pounders, let alone anyone below that, could ever be worthy of interest. Now, Shooto's only two-division champion will try to regain his world title from the man who defeated him, Shinichi "BJ" Kojima, in a radically different MMA world that has embraced the lighter likes of Urijah Faber (Pictures) and Miguel Torres (Pictures).

If you've never seen their previous fights, do yourself a favor and head on over to YouTube. Hardcore MMA fans know the value in lighter weight fighters and will recognize the trilogy of Kojima vs. Mamoru as one for the ages.

And if you're so inclined, peep the Sherdog feature on Mamoru himself. The article delves into Yamaguchi's history, the inspiration of Yoko Gushiken and the story of this upcoming epic fight with "BJ": if Yamaguchi wins, he'll be the first two-time divisional champion in Shooto's 20 year history.

Big stuff, kids. Time to pay attention.