Shooto

Shooto
Native name
修斗
FormerlyShin-kakutōgi
Company typePrivate
IndustryMixed martial arts
PredecessorUniversal Wrestling Federation
Founded1985; 39 years ago (1985)
FounderSayama Satoru
Headquarters
Websitewww.shooto-mma.com
Shooto (修斗)
FocusHybrid
HardnessFull-contact
Country of originJapan
CreatorSatoru Sayama
Famous practitioners
Ancestor artsShoot Wrestling, Catch Wrestling, Boxing, Kickboxing, Full contact karate, Muay Thai, Sambo, Judo
Descendant artsMixed Martial Arts, Seikendo

Shooto (Japanese: 修斗, Hepburn: shūto) is a combat sport and mixed martial arts organization that is governed by the Shooto Association and the International Shooto Commission (ISC). Shooto was originally formed in 1985, first as a particular fighting system and then in 1989 as a mixed martial arts promotion. It is considered one of the first true mixed martial arts competitions, with its Vale Tudo Japan events being essential to the rise of Pride Fighting Championships and the development of modern MMA. Many Japanese MMA fighters had their start at Shooto and the organization still holds both professional and amateur tournaments.

As a fighting system, Shooto is considered a hybrid martial art derived from shoot wrestling. It is focused on all aspects of fighting: striking, stand-up grappling and ground fighting. Practitioners are referred to as shooters or shootists. 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.[1] Shooto weight classes are different from those of the United States Association of Boxing Commissions, which are used by most MMA promotions.[2][3][4]

Although modern Shooto is indistinguishable from MMA, in Japan promoters, fighters and fans still see it as its own standalone combat sport. While outside it is mostly seen as a system of MMA promotions, organizing events from amateur grassroots to professional levels.[5]

  1. ^ "『修斗とは』日本修斗協会公認サイト | PRO SHOOTO MMA JAPAN - 修斗 - サステイン". www.shooto-mma.com. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Shooto". Full Contact Martial Arts. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Shooto Brazil adopts new weight classes, will crown super lightweight champion". MMAFighting.com. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Shooto Brasil". Tapology. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference A Blood was invoked but never defined (see the help page).