Satoru Kitaoka Returns to Pancrase on June 7

by Chris Nelson on Mar 24, 2009 10:11 AM EDT

Fallen lightweight kingpin Takanori Gomi isn't the only one going back to his roots.

After announcing at Sengoku VIII that he will defend his title in August - against, we've come to find out, the winner of May's Santos-Yokota scrap - it appears Sengoku Lightweight Champion Satoru Kitaoka is set to return to the promotion that launched his career at the June 7 "Pancrase Changing" show. Kitaoka had hinted that he would likely fight before the August defense, but the news was confirmed today by Sportsnavi.

No opponent has been named, but Kitaoka has stated that he would like to face Katsuya Inoue. It would be the fourth match between the two, with Inoue taking unanimous (2004) and split (2008) decisions in the first and third bouts with a draw in between (2006). Inoue is the current Lightweight (155 lbs.) King of Pancrase.

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have they announced anything about jorge?

by g spot on Mar 24, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

He was supposed to be fighting in May, but he showed up to Sengoku VII to corner Chris Manuel with a cast on his right arm. Not sure what’s up there.

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by Chris Nelson on Mar 24, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

thanks man, i figured if anyone, you would know. i wish i got to watch more japanese mma so i wouldn’t have to ask dumb questions though

by g spot on Mar 24, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions

As much as I’m generally not a fan of weightclass jumping, in this case I think it makes sense. If Kitaoka is going to have a non-title fight, I’d rather it be in a different promotion and weightclass than in Sengoku’s lightweight division. Maybe he’ll finally win one against Inoue, and if he loses it isn’t nearly as harmful to his standing as it would be if he lost to, say, a Sergey Golyaev.

by FRANKIE on Mar 24, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

Inoue isn’t the interim WW KOP anymore, he’s the LW KOP.

by oOkami on Mar 24, 2009 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

I thought Lion Takeshi was the LW KOP? (Even though it’s really FW.)

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by Chris Nelson on Mar 24, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Lion’s in Shooto.

by FRANKIE on Mar 24, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Dur. I really need to wake up for a little while in the morning before I get on BE.

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by Chris Nelson on Mar 24, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Like oOkami said, Inoue is the LW KOP. Also, WW in Pancrase is 170 lbs, not 165 lbs. Pancrase switched to using the same weightclasses as the Unified Rules last January.

by ilostmydog on Mar 24, 2009 1:25 PM EDT reply actions