World Victory Road: Sengoku X Results & Fight Reviews

The Sengoku experiment of sending an Olympic Medalist into the MMA world head first was not an instant success. While Hiroshi Izumi did show some powerful punching ability, his opponent New Zealand native, Antz Nansen was more prepared in the battle of debuted rookies at the Sengoku X event held early Wednesday morning from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva stayed the course and is putting heavyweights all over the world on alert, defeating “Big” Jim York with a 1st round submission victory. Overall, although lacking many big name stars, the card produced in excitement. Only one main card bout went to a decision and many concluded with dramatic finishes.

Hiroshi Izumi vs. Antz Nansen

In the main event of Sengoku X on Wednesday morning, MMA rookies Hiroshi Izumi (0-1) and Antz Nansen (1-0) made their debuts with an exciting action-filled light-heavyweight bout.

Nansen, a professional kickboxer with a 14-1 record, continually got the better of the striking game, knocking Izumi to the ground on three occasions before the fight was stopped 2:56 into the 1st round. Izumi did show significant power behind his punches, however not enough to slow down the determined Nansen.

Izumi, a 2004 Athens Olympic Silver Medalist, was being touted as one of Sengoku’s prized prospects. Izumi didn’t utilize his judo as well as Nansen utilized his kickboxing and all-around aggressiveness. Nansen was aggressive with his post-fight comments as well, calling out another Japanese Olympian, Satoshi Ishii, who will be making his MMA debut in later this year.

Antonio Silva vs. Jim York

American Top Team heavyweight, Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (13-1) cruised to another 1 st round stoppage by submitting New Zealander, “Big” Jim York (11-3) via arm triangle choke 3:51 into the 1st round of their co-main event bout.

Both heavyweights, athletic in their own right, traded inside thigh and leg kicks before Silva took control with a double leg takedown. After the referee reset the two in the middle of the ring, “Bigfoot” clinched with the Five Rings Dojo fighter then quickly took him back to the canvas. Silva used the dominant position to his advantage, choking out York from side control.

The impressive victory adds fuel to the fire concerning rumors that Silva is on his way back to the United States, possibly to the UFC or rival Strikeforce. The victory is the former Elite XC heavyweight champions’ sixth in a row. With the loss, York falls to 1-2 with organization and has lost two of his last three bouts.

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Makoto Takimoto vs. Jae Sun Lee

The only main card bout to go the distance, Makoto Takimoto (6-5) vs. South Korean, Jae Sun Lee (5-5) proved to be entertaining nonetheless. Using well-timed strikes and numerous Judo throws, Takimoto was able to grind out a unanimous decision victory (30-30, 30-28, 30-29).

The initial round could have gone to either fighter, as both middleweights took turns with the upper hand. Lee spent much of the 1st round on top position of his opponent, even in full-mount position for a short period of time. Takimoto may have edged Lee by converting with a Judo throw as time ran out in the round. There was little doubt as to who won the remaining two rounds with Takimoto controlling all aspects of the fight.

With the victory, Takimoto strings together back-to-back wins and improves his Sengoku record to 2-2. In his promotional debut, Lee fails to claim his first Sengoku victory by dropping his second straight overall and his third out of his last four bouts.

Ryan Schultz vs. Kazunori Yokota

Team Quest’s Ryan “The Lion” Schultz (20-11-1) came into his lightweight bout with Kazunori Yokota (10-2-3) as a considerable favorite. However, the Grabaka fighter surprised many with his powerful punching ability, knocking Schultz out on his feet at the 2:31 mark in the 1st round.

The fight seemed to be heading in the direction of a slow moving fight after the initial 90 seconds showed no hint of mixed martial arts. That paced quickly changed as Yokota surprised everybody, including Schultz, by connecting with a heavy overhand right that knocked the former IFL lightweight champion out before he hit the canvas. Yokota tacked on a couple light hammer-fists until the referee had a chance to halt the action.

The victory is Yokota’s second straight and his fourth, out of five, in his Sengoku career. Overall, he has been victorious eight times in his last ten bouts. The KO was his first in his five year career, he has been to a decision in over half (8) of his 15 career bouts. “The Lion” continues to struggle, losing his third consecutive bout, all coming in the Sengoku promotion. He has yet to earn a victory since his IFL days.

Ryo Kawamura vs. Fabio Silva

Fabio Silva (12-5) knocked out Ryo Kawamura (10-5-2) for the second time in his career, this time as part of the main card of the Sengoku X event. Silva tagged Kawamura, putting his on his back at the 2:28 mark of the 1 st round to earn his second Sengoku victory.

After some early scrambles, both on the canvas and in the standing position, Brazilian Chute Boxe fighter, Fabio Silva pushed Japanese light-heavyweight King of Pancrase, Ryo Kawamura against the ropes then connected with a beautiful 1-2 combination sending Kawamura crashing to the canvas. The combination in coordination with the speed of Silva’s hands proved deadly for the PANCRASEism fighter, who was on his back for several moments after the decision was rendered.

Kawamura, appearing in his fourth Sengoku bout, was knocked out for just the second time in his career. He has lost two of his last three bouts and has dropped his promotional record to a disappointing 1-3. Silva, a typical aggressive Chute Boxe fighter recorded his ninth career stoppage and improves his record within the organization to a respectable 2-1.

Dan Hornbuckle vs. Nick Thompson

In a battle of American welterweights, Dan Hornbuckle (19-2) continued his resurgence through the Japanese fight circuit with a TKO victory over Nick “The Goat” Thompson (38-12-1) at the 1:30 mark of the 2nd round.

“The Handler” used his proven technical striking game throughout the first and second rounds, landing punches to the face and body of Nick Thompson. Thompson stayed competitive during the 1st round, attempting an armbar, reversing position and landing the occasional uppercut, but never put his opponent in any danger. Hornbuckle, with former WEC bantamweight champion Miguel Torres in his corner, opened up a bad cut above the right eye of Thompson with his left jab, another jab stunned him before finally finishing him off with a flurry of hooks and uppercuts.

Hornbuckle picks up his seventeenth win out of his last eighteen bouts and ninth consecutive stoppage; he is 2-1 within the organization. Hornbuckle, who has now put back-to-back stoppage victories together, looks to be heading for a number one contender’s bout in the very near future. Thompson, who is an original Sengoku fighter, has lost back to back bouts and has dropped his first promotional bout, falling to 2-1.

Takenori Sato vs. Joe Doerksen

Joe “El Dirte” Doerksen (43-12), usually overwhelms opponents with his submissions, however used his striking ability to finish Sengoku newcomer, Takenori (9-6-5) minute. Sato survived only with his takedowns and half-hearted submission attempts, the most effective ending with the close of the 1st round. Sato tried to play it smart, taking the fight to the ground in the 2nd round. After some grappling and reversals, the referee stood the fighters back on their feet. Soon after the reset, Doerksen dropped Sato with a combination then finished him off with ground and pound.

Doerksen has opened up some eyes again and may be gunning for another trip inside of the octagon with his fourth consecutive victory. The win is the 29 year-olds second in as many chances inside of the Sengoku ring. It was the first loss for Sato in five fights, dating back to a July 2008 loss in the DEEP organization.

Tetsuya Yamada vs. Maxi Blanco

ZST veteran, Tetsuya Yamada (3-2) barely survived a one-sided 1 st round beating, in order to receive more punishment from Maxi Blanco (4-2-1) before finally succumbing to a 2nd round TKO at the 1:12 mark.

Yamada got off to a fast start by jumping on the back of the heavy-handed Blanco’s back and going for an armbar. Blanco broke loose then floored Yamada with his powerful punches, adding more strikes to a downed Yamada immediately after. Yamada immediately dropped to the ground to begin the 2 nd round, hoping to avoid the punches of Blanco. However, the strategy failed as Blanco connected with a knee followed by punches to the body of Yamada before the referee jumped in to save him.

The victory is the Venezuelan’s second straight TKO and the fourth of his career. Also, the current lightweight King of Pancrase ups his organizational record to an above average 2-1 mark. After three straight wins to open up his career, Yamada has dropped back-to-back bouts and bringing his Sengoku record to 0-2.

FULL SENGOKU MAIN CARD RESULTS (televised bouts)

• Antz Nansen def. Hiroshi Izumi via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 2:56
• Antonio Silva def. Jim York via submission (arm-triangle choke) - Round 1, 3:51
• Makoto Takimoto def. Jae Sun Lee via unanimous decision
• Kazunori Yokota def. Ryan Schultz via first-round KO (punch) - Round 1, 2:31
• Fabio Silva def. Ryo Kawamura via second-round TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 2:28
• Dan Hornbuckle def. Nick Thompson via second-round TKO (strikes) - Round 2, 1:30
• Joe Doerksen def. Takenori Sato via first-round TKO (strikes) - Round 2, 4:27
• Maximo Blanco def. Tetsuya Yamada via second-round TKO (strikes) - Round 2, 1:12

SENGOKU GOLD CUP RESULTS (not televised)

• Ikuo Usuda def. Woo Hyon Baek via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 4:59
• Shigeki Osawa def. Ki Hyun Kim via unanimous decision
• Jae Hyun So def. Ryosuke Komori via unanimous decision

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer