Before Hulkamania was running wild in the WWF, Hulk Hogan was working technical matches in Japan. And on this date in New Japan Pro Wrestling history (June 2, 1983), he won the first ever International Wrestling Grand Prix tournament by defeating Antonio Inoki in the finals.
Dan Henderson is a UFC star. But before that, he made his mark in Japan. Best known for his fights in Pride, Henderson actually exploded onto the scene in Rings, winning a tournament that helped make his dreams come true.
Jeremy Horn was once a household name in MMA. He is looking to regain that status, starting with a win over Bellator's Bryan Baker. Total MMA author Jonathan Snowden sits down with the MMA legend to talk MMA in Japan, a scuffle between promoters, and a whirlwind tour of England.
Akira Maeda's thug-centric promotion The Outsider now has its own manga (Japanese comic book). Check out some scans here.
In a new interview with Sportsnavi, Akira Maeda discusses plans to hold a special "ZST vs. The Outsider" show at the 5,000-seat Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium this October. Also on the slate for Maeda's renegade promotion: Outsider fighters vs. American troops stationed in Japan, "a 50th anniversary event commemorating the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty," he jokes.
The Pro-Wrestlers Who Shaped MMA, Brock Lesnar Wasn't the First
I know last time I mentioned talking about the entry of olympic wrestlers into MMA but I realized I needed to talk a little more about the evolution of the sport in Japan first. Here's Sam Chan...
