Shooto
The name Shooto ( Ateji from Japanese修 斗shūto for learning to fight and English shoot ) is actually the proper name of a Vale Tudo series of events and organization, but is now understood in Japan as an independent mixed martial arts sport.
Combat classes
- D class: amateur (2x2min; head, knee and shin protection)
- C class: Amateur (2x3min; head, knee and shin protection)
- C + class: Amateur (2x3min)
- B class: Semi-Pro (2x5min)
- A class: Pro (3x5min)
In the D / C / C + class, any kind of blows and kicks on the floor (3 point rule = as soon as more than three points of the body touch the ground) are prohibited. In the D class, knee kicks to the head are not permitted in standing combat, but the D class practically does not exist in Europe, almost all fighters begin their careers in the C or C + class. The only difference in the C + class is that no head, knee or shin protection is worn, rules and fighting time are the same.
history
The Shooto Organization was founded in 1984 by wrestling star Satoru Sayama , known as the "Tiger Mask". Mixed martial arts tournaments have been held regularly under the brand name Shooto since 1986 according to a special set of rules. A distinction is made between beginners, advanced and professionals.
Rules and injury protection
In contrast to the traditional Vale Tudo , comparatively thick fist guards are worn during the fight with the Shooto. Particularly injurious attacks such as elbow kicks and elbow strikes, kicks and knees to the head of an opponent lying on the ground, headbuttons, attacking the eyes and / or genitals, biting and tearing the ears or nose are also prohibited.
Otherwise, all punching and kicking techniques, as well as the use of knee kicks and the choking and levering of the opponent are allowed in the shooto. It is characteristic of MMA or Shooto fights that the fight takes place both standing and on the floor. Unlike many other Vale tudo events are available at the Shooto addition to the possibility of winning the fight by forcing the enemy by lever or strangulation mission or him by KO makes incapacitate even the possibility to win by point decision. Often fights are also declared a draw.
Since the thick fist protectors make knockouts more difficult (but still easier than boxing) - many shooto fights - especially the lighter weight classes under 70 kg - are at a very high technical level.
Since the end of the 90s there have been various women MMA events at which the fighters fight against each other according to the Shooto set of rules.
Shooto World champions
| Weight classes | Weight limit | champion | Gym | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surname | Country | |||
| Bantamweight | below 56 kg / 123lbs | Shinichi Kojima |
 Japan
|
Katsumura Dojo |
| Featherweight | below 60 kg / 132lbs | Masakatsu Ueda |
Japan
|
Parestra Tokyo |
| Lightweight | below 65 kg / 143lbs | Hideki Kadowaki |
Japan
|
Wajyutsu Keisyukai |
| Welterweight | below 70 kg / 154lbs | Takashi Nakakura |
Japan
|
Shooto Gym Osaka |
| Middleweight | below 76 kg / 167lbs | Shinya Aoki |
Japan
|
Paraestra Tokyo |
| Light-heavyweight | below 83 kg / 183lbs | Siyar Bahadurzada |
 Netherlands
|
Golden Glory |
Shooto European Amateur Champions
| Weight classes | Weight limit | champion | Gym | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surname | Country | |||
| Bantamweight | below 56 kg / 123lbs | Raby Williams |
 France
|
Haute tension |
| Featherweight | below 60 kg / 132lbs | Patrick Lengelo |
 Belgium
|
Chaput |
| Lightweight | below 65 kg / 143lbs | Jani Ketolainen |
 Finland
|
MMA Imatra |
| Welterweight | below 70 kg / 154lbs | Loïc Korval |
France
|
Kordaf |
| Middleweight | below 76 kg / 167lbs | Antti Toiviainen |
Finland
|
MMA Imatra |
| Light-heavyweight | below 83 kg / 183lbs | Volker Dietz |
 Germany
|
Sparta food |
| Cruiserweight | below 91 kg / 200lbs | Max Djumbo |
France
|
BOCAO team |
| Heavy weight | below 100 kg / 220lbs | Claude Hermann |
Belgium
|
Shihaishinkai |
| Super heavyweight | above 100 kg / 220lbs | Josef Ali Mohamed |
 Sweden
|
Brasa |
Shoot-boxing and shoot-fighting
Shoot-fighting and shoot-boxing have emerged from the shooto over the past 15 years. While Shootfighting is very similar to Shooto (only the set of rules is different) - Shootboxing differs considerably from the actual Shooto.
In shootboxing everything is allowed that is also allowed in shooto in standing combat. It can be hit and kicked. Lever and choke grips are also allowed while standing. The opponent may also be thrown to the ground - but there is no ground fight in shootboxing. The fight is done with boxing gloves. Shootboxing should therefore be assessed more as a variant of kickboxing or Thai boxing and not mixed martial arts .