World's oldest MMA promotion debuts live event on digital-streaming service this weekend
Las Vegas, Nevada – UFC FIGHT PASS® announced today a multi-year agreement with SHOOTO Japan, adding the iconic promotion to its ever-growing live-event and on-demand catalogue.
SHOOTO Japan is widely considered the world’s oldest mixed martial arts organization. Founded in 1985 by retired Japanese pro-wrestling legend Satoru “Tiger Mask” Sayama, SHOOTO Japan promoted its first professional show in 1989. Since then, some of the biggest stars in MMA history have competed on its cards, including UFC® icons Anderson Silva, Dan Severn, Nick Diaz, Matt Hughes and Takanori Gomi.
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“We’re excited to announce our deal with the historic SHOOTO Japan organization,” said Eric Winter, UFC Senior Vice-President and UFC FIGHT PASS General Manager. “SHOOTO Japan also joins sister promotion SHOOTO Brazil in our ever-expanding library. Featuring exclusive UFC cards and live events from some of the biggest combat sports promotions around the world, UFC FIGHT PASS represents unbeatable value for fight fans.”
SHOOTO Japan will stream its first live event on UFC FIGHT PASS on Saturday, April 23 at 2 a.m. ET / Friday, April 22 at 11 p.m. PT.
The card will feature two SHOOTO title fights, headlined by 125lbs champion Masaaki Sugawara defending his belt against Hiromasa Ogikubo. In the co-main event, bitter rivals Koshi Matsumoto and Yuki Kawana will rematch for the vacant 155lbs championship.
In addition to streaming live SHOOTO Japan events, UFC FIGHT PASS has also acquired the rights the vast SHOOTO Japan fight library. This includes the legendary Vale Tudo Japan super-shows, which have featured iconic fighters like Rickson Gracie, Dan Severn, Frank Shamrock and Randy Couture.
UFC FIGHT PASS will begin the process of uploading SHOOTO Japan’s fight library later this year. Further details regarding available fights and events will be made in the coming months.
UFC FIGHT PASS is available on personal computers, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Android, Chromecast, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV and Roku devices.
