Following close on the heels of the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) inaugural Australian show The Japanese Shooto Fight Series returned to W.A. last weekend. The event was hosted at The Arena Fremantle and featured a 16 bout amateur fight card that provided a good display of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), currently the fastest growing combat sport in the world.
Under the codified rules competitors are allowed full strikes while standing, however once the fight is taken to the ground the competitors are limited to grappling skill sets only. Fought over 2, 3 minute rounds the series is used to prepare fighter that intend moving up to the professional ranks of Mixed Martial Arts. Fighting out of The Arena in Rockingham, 2 local fighters featured on the card with Joel Oliver fighting at 71kgs and Nick Thelan at 81kg. Joels hard work and determined training paid dividends when he offered a clinic in MMA striking and due to his precise punching skills forced a referee stoppage early in the second round. The following match, featuring Nick Thelan, allowed for a brief exchange while standing before Nick took the fight to the ground. His opponent reversed the position allowing the local fighter to setup and finish the fight with a triangle choke submission. Joel was awarded Fighter of the Day for his efforts and both competitors are back in training for upcoming MMA opportunities interstate. These 2 wins takes the local club to a 9 fight winning streak, including 1 World Title, and to further bolster the clubs moral Arena fighters have been awarded fighter of the day in the last 3 fight events. The clubs attention now turns to preparation for 2 local fighters competing in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) World Championships in Los Angeles in June.