What were some of your favorite fights that you saw, and why ?
What were some of your favorite smaller shows to go to, whether as a fighter or coach?
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For what it’s worth I know the guy asking the question about Pancrase is not malicious intent. That guy has been a die hard fan since UFC 1. He went to great lengths to watch those Pancrase fights. It cost money and shipping and many days waiting for videotapes to show up in the mail in the 90’s for him. He doesn’t read Japanese either so could not get magazines from Japan. Rainer is solid. And he’s a walking MMA library. He’s just curious like I am. I just didn’t have the minerals to ask but was glad he asked. This is a rare opportunity and prob the only chance we will ever get, Scott has been very good to us. We’re okay with no answer. I just wanted to try and explain why he prob asked.
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IMO – that early Pancrase era has been thoroughly dissected by a smaller percentage of observers with an eye for meticulous detail.
In other words – I think that a fringe group of us understands – within a small but obligatory margin of error – which of those fights were “worked” … especially within the context of this thread.
I don’t like the narrative that a few put-overs somehow erase legit impressive wins.
That’s just me…
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Thank you my brother, I can’t stand when people hold back knowledge out of fear,emmbracment or whatever. I am a no nonsense peel a wig and then go get jimboy tacos. I’m a Viking so I am really glad you posted as sometimes I can let the Lion out and he don’t fuck around
Sooo I cannot tell you anything about the fights I can tell you that Suzuki went to Australia to check out Larry papadupalus. He said to just roll a little so he can see his knowledge of ground control,body positioning, the simple stuff .well papadupalus choked Suzuki flat out.caught him by surprise and put his lights out. So I was fighting papadupalus the next month. I was sliding around the ring in just wet suit like knee braces. I get out sit down and Suzuki comes over and sez ok to wear those in fight. I’m like these? He sez yes. Than tells me to really hurt papadupalus, fuck him up. I was tripping balls. I had finally got the green light to really do what I do best fuck dudes up. doesn’t matter if I Win or lose
You will know without doubt that I was there. So I knocked him out with a Liver punch and broke 2 of his rims,while he had me on the mat wrapped in his guard. Job accomplished. When I fought ito and shibaya Funaki came to me and asked me if I would go easy on them in both fights. To please not hurt them or give them a real beat down. And that he would consider it as a very generous favor to him. I did beat ito with a toehold,he was undefeated, beat shibaya with a choke. Shibaya went to a draw with guy mezger and Bas Ruston both king af Pancrase and ufc title holders but beat him and I really don’t think I kicked,kneed or punched him once,a very odd fight for me to not strike. Hit ito just once just cuz. So there you go nobody would have ever told you that cuz no one else was there. Behind the scenes with real fighters sorting some shit out. I am very enthused that we got to have alot of dialog and it is guys like you who worked so hard to get tapes and everything else you do that with the real OG stuff that keep us alive for the new generation who can also enjoy watching the beginnings of the sport that has become the biggest in the world. I in no way was trying to be harsh with you. I am sure you understand when a man has a line that he has decided he will never cross sworn on the bones of his ansetestors that is final. I hope we are kool,Kool, I would never be a dick on purpose.
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Yeah but not everyone grows up the same or has the same mentality. Myself if you want to tell me something Kool than I’m ready to get into it. If you don’t I really don’t give a flying fuck. In my world a man’s business was was no concern of mine. When guys got into asking around about what a dude was up to what he was providing the neighborhood things got real messy, choppers came to play and shit went seriously sideways. But not everyone has lived that life so wanting to more for them is more about the history of the sport than about business between men. It’s all good.
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Thanks man. lol as I type this response, I’m listening to Logan’s Run and editing a second Masa Funaki interview for my interview books- trust me you will have a wealth of Fujiwara-Gumi and Pancrase knowledge coming in these things…
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Killer my brother.
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As a fortuitous observer over the years – I hope to have the oppertunity to purchase one of the first finished products.
If you confirm that most Pancrace fights were real that’s good enough for me
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One more question regarding Pancrace. It seems like people never wanted to put the hooks in when they took someone’s back. Any good reason for that?
When this hellish project is complete, it is safe to say I will be here screaming from the rooftop that it is available, lol. I desperately want people who respect and have hunger for the history to have a copy of these textbooks.
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Couture and Rizzoli cuz it was nuts one round randy be on top against the fence Pedro blocked in and randy damn near committing attempted murder next round the exact opposite in same corner of the fence with Pedro beating the wholly shit outta of randy like he killed his dog next round switch again at the end they were drenched in blood and their life switch was turned off. They gave the worst beating to the other guy as they could til they had nothing left. They left it in the cage. Awesome fight. Tra and Igor one of the biggest upsets in history and Tra worked him like he owned him. A masterclass of controlling, manipulating and being multiple steps ahead of our opponents next move.
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…which is part of the reason I always appreciate your input.
It’s genuine.
Ok… enough unsolicited compliments for now LOL…
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Never been to one ever just to go. Just the first hook-shoots with Lance Trammell the first one was not even a fight it was Lance just absolutely with every punch breaking his opponent in to pieces,horrific.
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Tra is in some ways an unsung hero IMO.
Can you elaborate a bit on his path through the LD, and what he had to overcome?
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Actually no Tra was just Tra loved having him around respectful, nice,funny,intelligent and funny. Never thought once until you just asked anything about Tra except great Lion’s Den brother and one hell of a banger. For us we never even thought that Tra was any different than us a fighter plain and simple. And thats the way he was a fighter and that about covers it
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What was your thoughts when the ‘wrestling monsters’ showed up on the scene - guys like Coleman and Kerr?
Good for the sport? Would you have want to fight either?
Did you ever chat with Igor V? He seemed like a cool guy. Later had his own cookie bakery I think.
His win over Igor V was amazing. And very surprising. I thought he would get blasted by Igor who was on a big run at the time…
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