12 Facts About Shooto

Shooto was originally formed in 1985, first as a particular fighting system and then in 1989 as a mixed martial arts promotion.

Shooto rules have evolved with time, are different depending on the class, Class C and D are amateur and have more restricted rules more similar to their first events, while professional classes are now true mixed martial arts competitions.

Shooto was established as a "New Martial arts" in 1985 by Satoru Sayama, a Japanese professional wrestler trained in shoot wrestling, who wished to create a sport that revolved around a realistic and effective fighting system.

Shooto founded his own school named the "Super Tiger Gym" for training and development of this new martial art.

Shooto organization hosted the Vale Tudo Japan tournament in the summer of 1994.

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Previously to this tournament, Shooto did not feature punches to the face in a ground position, but after seeing effective usage of punching by foreign participants, Sayama decided to incorporate these striking techniques as well as Brazilian jiu-jitsu into shooto.

Shooto was brought to America in the late 1980s by top student of Satoru Sayama, Yorinaga Nakamura.

Shooto began teaching Shooto at the Inosanto Academy in 1991, and is the instructor of Erik Paulson, Ron Balicki, Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell, and many others.

Shooto has worked with both U S event promoters and state officials to spread the Shooto brand of competition throughout North America.

Previous to 2009, Shooto's rules included a knockdown rule giving knocked down fighters an eight-count to recover as well as allowing strikes to the back of the head.

Shooto envolved parallel with Mixed Martial Arts, including most of its techniques and strategies, to the point that both fighting styles are almost indistinguishable.

Shooto organize most of their events in Japan, although it has organized some amateur tournaments in China.