Shooto
Shooto · 1985 –
Active
- Founded
- 1985 as a fighting system; first pro event 1989 (Korakuen Hall)
- Founders
- Satoru Sayama
- Home base
- Japan
- Fate
- Active.
Notable Eras
- Amateur era, 1986–1989
- Pro era from 1989: one of the first true MMA promotions
Key Events
- First professional Shooto (1989)
- Vale Tudo Japan shows (from 1994)
The Full History
1985–1989: A New Sport
Former pro wrestler Satoru Sayama created Shooto as a fighting system in 1985. Amateur events began in 1986, and the first pro show was held at Korakuen Hall in 1989.
1990s–today: The Training Ground
Shooto developed early rules and weight classes and ran the Vale Tudo Japan shows. It remains active today.
Legacy
Shooto wrote some of the sport's first real rules and weight classes, and it remains a breeding ground for Japanese talent.
