The Secret World Of Fixed Japanese MMA Fights

[@anthonyhertlein4629]

Dude this is the stuff you guys excel at. Deep dives like this are what got me to pay attention to this channel years ago. I would love to see you guys go back to doing these types of videos more frequently.

[@Quagigitymire]

anything, absolutely anything is better than the mind-numbingly drull top what countdowns that seemingly fill the gaps between actually interesting and quality content. drop the stupid countdown lists! this is the shit we love.

[@noimspartacus4357]

@@Quagigitymire I understand your gripe, but, their top-ten vids usually come about due to a hot topic(I.e, a poor refereeing decision or a poor display by a fighter) that is being discussed around the time the video gets released. Also, out of all the MMA channels, this has to be the best, there are some very bad ones. Peace, bruv.

[@DontShineForSwine]

If you like deep dives, check out the best MMA deep dive content on KZbin, his name is Napoleon Blownapart. He's the most hilarious, nicest guy that I go to to watch hour long deep dives. He knows his shit and he will entertain you.

[@kd3283]

Deep Dive ? All this information is freely available in a Google search or KZbin search

[@sittingdingo1]

Gaaaaaayyyyyyy!

[@robfinlay8058]

It's weird that everyone talks about Ken Shamrock as being an MMA guy that crossed over into pro-wrestling, when it was really the opposite, he was a pro-wrestler who crossed over into MMA.

[@missmabelbasset4077]

I really like that the birth of MMA was just the world of Pro Wrestling working itself into a shoot.

[@bigbangaries]

Lmao that's such a good way to put it

[@Zack_410]

As a fan of both I've just said MMA is if wrestling was real. I mean they literally used terms like busted open and cutting a promo. A hype package is shown for each fight, they try to set a story for every fight, and guys play characters to make you interested. It's literally the same thing pretty much. Just one is entertainment and the other is a sport.

[@MightyJabroni]

@@Zack_410 All sport is entertainment. And especially fighting has always marketed itself with some form of dramatization. Look at boxing, you see it there as well. And I know quite a few boxing fans, myself included, who are very suspicious of the two Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali vs Liston bouts. To me, there is no doubt that Liston was meant to pass the torch. We have of course the infamous phantom punch bullshit. And in the other fight, Liston retired from the bout while sitting on his stool, which is a classic move in fight fixing, since it provides a plausible way out without having to resort to stunt work. Though, today fight fixing at a prominent level is likely to be very rare. In the age of HD cameras capturing the action from so many angles and a far more knowledgable contingent in the viewer base, it probably is not worth the trouble anymore.

[@Zack_410]

@@MightyJabroni Exactly

[@ned5231]

"jabronie marks without a life that don't know it a work when you work a work and work yourself into a shoot, marks" hulk hogan 2011

[@MrWolf12000]

This was fucking amazing. As one of those hardcore wrestling fans you spoke of I greatly appreciate you tying all the history together in a clear succinct fashion. Not enough people know of Karl Gotch these days.

[@jabrieloliveira8471]

Such an unique video from the hardcore at both MMA and pro-wrestling point of view

[@119Agent]

he settled in Tampa Florida which is one of the reason so many good wrestlers come out of that area or spent time training in that area. I met him at a FCW event in the 80's and he was really great about explaining to young people how to get into wrestling the right way.

[@ShubhamMishrabro]

Now wonder how many know about Karl gotch. First Pro wrestler and indirectly affected mma too

[@tichtran8792]

@@119Agent Well Gotch trained Dean Malenko, Joe Malenko, Debbie Malenko, Norman Smiley, etc. Many of them worked for WCW. They were taught the shoot and worked versions of all the holds. Plus many of them were amateur wrestlers.

[@MrCodystewie]

I agree, he showed so much respect to prowrestling, being a wrestling fan im very appreciative of that.

[@matthewjswider]

Damn, this was some very good mma journalism. Hats off to you guys for this.

[@goligogo923]

Until Meltzer came up.

[@007oskari]

A 30minute tommytoehold video? Don't mind if do🙂

[@jesterbob828]

@@goligogo923 shush child.

[@goligogo923]

​@@jesterbob828 He's a boob! A giant mutant lactating boob! And all who sups on his rotted cheese-nips gets sick! ;P I'm sure he's a good guy, just ...he gets sketchy some times with his opinions

[@studogable]

A tiny correction: the "local plant" at county fairs would not usually BEAT the "champion" catch wrestler, but they would have what looked to be a very competitive match with the champion appearing to come close to losing several times. This encouraged the rubes to take their shots - and almost always get their head handed to them. Great piece.

[@kevcfernandes]

This is an outstanding video , I was hooked throughout the entire thing. We need more of this , top 10 are popular but they are so common. This is fresh

[@alexspelucinleon1717]

Matsunaga was a death match wrestler. This dude fought alligators, with cactuses, glass and electricity, but a couple of Dan Severn slams is where he drew the line. Damn.

[@Chrinoia]

And nowadays... Matsunaga has a really good running Steakhouse in Tokyo. Its an Hot Spot for Wrestlers

[@SuperMutant2099]

Also he had training in martial arts before he got into death matches. They weren't pretending that wasn't a fix fight

[@1911odisea]

One thing worth mentioning is that a fight being fixed doesn't necessarily mean that there is a pre-determined result. It can mean that fighters are told to keep it standing for a certain amount of time, or to not go for a finish until a certain round etc.

[@floivanus]

A lot of Chuck Liddel fights were that way

[@goodyeoman4534]

I wouldn't even class that as a fix. But I think Oleg Taktorev did that in a Vale Tudo match with Marco Ruas. And obviously there's been countless others.

[@BrandonPoirierBlair]

@@goodyeoman4534 it's definitely a fix... Anything along the lines of "do this for more money or to keep your job" being said to a fighter leading up to a bout is fixing. It might not be as bad as outright taking a dive but it most certainly is fixing.

[@naheemquattlebaum2267]

I'm glad there's a video about this. A lot of MMA fans hate on wrestling fail to realize that the majority of their sport came from pro wrestlers with a martial arts background.

[@scarred10]

It certainly didnt, that was specific only to japan, nowhere else

[@gabrielcabutotan]

Me as a wrestling fan when Karl Gotch is mentioned: 😃 Me as a wrestling nerd when the Goldust Trio is mentioned: 😵

[@jjenk911]

Yep. Wrestling promotion Major League Wrestling has talked about the Goldust Trio, the Opera Cup, etc. Not to mention that MLW matches have that big fight feel.

[@InzidenzPanik]

@@jjenk911King Mo had a cool thing going on there. As an AEW follower (yeah, I know…not sorry) I could not stand Dan Lambert there but he was a terrific manager to Mo in MLW.

[@CounterCultureCantCount]

It's so refreshing to see MMA fans getting to know the history of Catch/Pro-Wrestling.

[@lukeblackman6508]

Never thought I would hear a non wrestling channel mention the gold dust trio. Excellent video Tommy

[@thedonofthsht76-58]

Easily the best video MMA On Point has ever made. Holy crap. This is a masters thesis on mma/wrestling history and fight fixing

[@MrNuts70]

Tommy this was INCREDIBLE! Please do more like this! There are for sure more mysteries in the world of MMA! This channels evolution has been so incredible to watch and be a part of!!!!

[@atomicbarbarian7372]

You forgot to mention Ad Santel. He's one of the big reasons the Japanese became fascinated with catch wrestling. He defeated a bunch of Judo fighters and started calling himself the Judo champion of the world. He beat so many of them that a bunch of judoka went to train with him and it ignited Japan's love for wrestling.

[@jackforster7783]

I’ve been seeing a lot of people discussing this since the passing of Antonio Inoki. Such a fascinating aspect of MMA history. Great video 👍

[@croygundelach1459]

Damn, in 15yrs of KZbin I’ve never commented on a single video… this this deserves it. Great job, more of this kind of content please.

[@Djk-cc2sr]

These guys will never know how much we enjoy and appreciate this channel.

[@Gotchism4Life]

Good video, constructive notes: 1) Greco-Roman had nothing to do with Greeks or Romans. It was created in the 1800s. It basically was like Freestyle, except grappling had to be above the waist. No single legs, doubles legs, etc. The Greeks practiced Pale and Pankration. 2) Antonio Inoki created Strong Style when forming NJPW in 1972, not Shoot Style. Kt was called Strong Style because through Gotch, Inoki believed Catch Wrestling was the Strongest Style of fighting. 3) Shoot Style came about in the early 1980s. Several former NJPW wrestlers like Maeda, Sayama, Takada, Fujiwara (all Gotch disciples) formed UWF with Gotch as a spiritual head. The promotion folded after an argument between Maeda and Syama over in-ring style spilled into the ring with a kick to the groin by Maeda on sayama. That was when Sayama left pro-wrestling and formed Shooto. The UWF folded in 1986, but a reborn UWF came back in 1988. It folded in 1990. From that came RINGS formed by Maeda, Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi led by Fujiwara and Union of Wrestling Forces International led by Takada, all around 1991. Then in 1993 Suzuki and Funaki formed Pancrase.

[@OSW]

SHOOTO? More like WORK-o, am I right? Eh! Eh! Enjoyed this loads, esp delving into carny wrestling. A winner is you! 💚

[@MMAOnPoint]

Much respect, friends!

[@nomad155]

Literally your history on Catch wrestling is what many pro catch wrestling guys know about. Hopefully more are educated so thanks for putting this on a more popular channel

[@gohabs8918]

22:21 yeah no kidding… I can’t imagine Bas Rutten pulling any punches..

[@cejimenez]

This was incredible. Please do more of these videos. The journalistic approach to MMA history is great and nobody else is doing it as well as you guys. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@DIETYDIE]

I don't know what surprises me more the fact you guys do excellent deep dives on less known topics or the fact you get tommytoehold to narrate them much love

[@josephmadrigal9679]

Incredible deep dive into the roots of JMMA, I hope you guys keep this series going. Would love a full look into the origins of the Yakuza and Pride.

[@benschmelzer7748]

That’s the natural sequel to this video, I’ve heard some stories about the relationship between both sides but I wonder if Tommy can get closer to the full story…

[@NiliPFerd]

This video is brilliant. It gave me so much background to MMA in general, which alone made it a joy to watch. Very interesting topic, nicely condensed. I'd definitely watch more if this.

[@TheMikeskillz]

While I knew some of these, I didn’t realise how complex some of the connections were. Fantastic video, Toehold!

[@dawodelyakubi7033]

I've been watching MMA videos on YT for years. I can't recall being this hooked. PLEASE make more of these types of videos. Excellent stuff guys!

[@Americanninjaman]

Glad people are finally starting to figure out how influential Catch wrestling was.

[@CYMotorsport]

6:01 Kimo confirmed on The Hannibal TV’s channel a couple years back that was a private one off promotion from 1 individual. He also confirmed that wasn’t a work with Bam Bam - to be fair it was a shoot, it woulda been pretty cheap literally locked on the fence pinning him but to his point, that’s what makes it a shoot. He was genuinely raining down on him. Bam Bam didn’t have much a shot if it was a shoot. Kimo also confirmed his Sakuraba fight the instruction was no closed fist head shots. He attributes the moment he holds back to satisfy the rule and switches to covering his mouth instead of a punch the moment he learned to get creative as a fighter. Pretty cool story to be honest. From there he said he’d bypass works creatively so if you bar head strikes closed fist, he’ll just head butt the shit out of them haha absolute legend

[@majortom331]

Its cool to actually get confirmation from kimo about the the sakuraba bout.

[@CYMotorsport]

@@majortom331 yeah it’s a little jarring he just kinda comes out with it. I suppose I thought he’d be more cheeky about it but nahhh. I highly recommend you find the video it’s pretty interesting.

[@aron7766]

It's crazy to me to Funaki took a dive to build up Jason Delucia. Funaki was one of the biggest stars in JMMA, and Delucia never really did much of note afterwards. Seems like a weird decision.

[@Harakengard]

It's more complicated : although he carried Jason for a while, he intended to beat him in the end but badly judged how far the ropes were and was forced to tap. Also it injured him for his bout with Rickson.

[@heishinmega]

Yakuza Betting ? The odds mustve been great

[@yankees29]

I still think Funaki was a great fighter. I feel like it was just part of the business in Japan at the time.

[@andrewbryce2707]

That fight wasn't a work. The top guys in pancrase carried fighters in matches as the events were ending too early. This was events in front of crowds who were use to seeing longer Pro-Westling matches so they needed to have matches last longer. Funaki just ended up being caught in submission while relaxing in the fight

[@andrewbryce2707]

@@yankees29 pancrase was always gonna have the Pro-Westling DNA for sure as the organisation was created by Pro-Wrestlers. They knew what was good for business and the times when they had to work some fights. Nothing wrong with this at all and instead was the right thing to do.

[@Lilsushi352]

been away from the channel for a bit, the name and concept of "MMA Unsolved" is perfect; please make more of these. This was a genius idea. & needless to say, I am hooked once again. Y'all slick bastards.

[@genaditsakov4321]

Loving this new format for the channel, keep up the good work guys!!! Great editing as always.

[@bransen2099]

I LOVE investigating journalism. PLEASE keep on doing these types of videos

[@Shinji91]

As a catch wrestler, I want to say thank you for diving deep into the history of catch and how it relates to modern-day combat sports.

[@Alienjujitsu]

As a fellow combat sports practitioner i highly respect your ability to perform catch, great stuff, stay safe, stay strong, train hard, reap the benefits and peace out love brother from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@gh0rochi363]

Great video please make more like this. I like the top tens, but when you guys take about the history in depth like this is always my favorite videos.

[@MrEasterband]

Didn't expect this piece on Japanese MMA to jump off the deep end, go into a deep dive on the origins of Catch- and Pro Wrestling and tie it together with the MMA we know today. But it makes so much sense looking back at the worked shoot matches you'd even see in Pro Wrestling shows that there'd be worked shoots in the early MMA scene as well. Amazing video. Hope you'll do more deep dives like this.

[@shaecouture7480]

I'm literally writing a detective story rn as a spin-off from my main series, the timing couldn't have been better you guys got me vibin now.

[@wukong6853]

Please do more MMA history type videos, These type of videos are a big part of why I followed a couple years back

[@chloet182]

This video is amazing and the depth of research that went into making it is admirable! It's impressive enough to go back into the early days of what we now know as "MMA" finding grainy VHS footage in some hoarders garage but you went WAY BACK! 😳 Thats makes your content so consistently fantastic and informative I really appreciate all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to bring us even the most obscure facts 😮

[@koberowland9798]

Absolutely amazing video. Blew my mind with the catch wrestling history, and thanks for the great book recommendation.

[@vxDEDxv]

This was excellent for so many reasons. “Worked himself into a shoot” was one of them.

[@BatCaveOz]

Aertem Lobov's 15 MMA losses were all fixed fights.

[@CornPop2]

GOAT

[@champ1159]

Facts

[@ILoveMyBGE]

That was incredibly interesting, informative and entertaining. That is a tough trilogy to pull off. Thank you for making and sharing this wonderful video. This long form must have been a ton of work for you guys but I will tune into any of these you come up with in the future.

[@scriptphase]

This was phenomenal. Huge fan of puroresu, and I knew its influence on MMA in Japan, but lots of revelations here. I don’t know how it happened, but this has become my favorite KZbin channel despite me being a casual MMA fan and most of my free time devoted to playing guitar. Everything you folks release is quality.

[@NgenHD1234]

The amount of research that must've gone into this. Fuck yeah guys this is the shit all of us MMA fans like to see and know about. It's insane to see the connection between Wales, Brazil, Japan, and the US, and any other countries and aspects involved, form MMA into the way we know it today. Keep up the great work! Easily one of the best MMA channels out there.

[@tomnutritionist]

Brilliant video! Great job on putting this together Jason and Tommy 👊💪

[@DOMDZ90911]

Seeing Karelin in an MMA fight is wild. The result is clearly pre-determined since if it was a real fight his opponent would have been dumped on his head in the first minute.

[@Shadowrulzalways]

Actually, Maeda was not just a Judoka but also a Jūjutsuka. He knew classical Jūjutsu which helped make his combat more effective for actual fights as Judo was too sport. Japanese Jūjutsu has dominated various wrestling styles for centuries which is why it became popular in England and helped form Bartitsu and other hybrid arts.

[@procrast3800]

This is journalism tommy. Very well done this is your best work yet.

[@danielcitty6235]

I always figured it was way more than we wanted to accept, but maybe that's what the sport kinda needed at the time 🤷 Who knows

[@hulkman245]

It definitely wasn't what we needed

[@MadMrMatter]

No, fixed fights are not what was needed

[@danielcitty6235]

Just before anyone jumps down my actual throat, I just mean in the sense that the sport was super off putting to the general population, and it did serve the purpose of creating stars, genuine or not. I'm certainly against fixing fights, and it has absolutely no place in the sport today. I'm glad people talk about it at all though.

[@anthonygrizzly6924]

Trust me I get both POVs, so I'm conflicted. Worked fights kill the legitimacy of the sport to the general public ("casuals"), however, working fights to seem more entertaining, and hometown/national heroes if they win the fight especially in places like Japan. The reason Sakuraba was so revered is because Pride was in Japan and most champs were from places everywhere BUT Japan, where Pride was born and was held besides the US. It kept the Japanese people coming to the fights because now they had someone to unite behind and cheer for.

[@anthonygrizzly6924]

@@danielcitty6235 I totally get what you meant in your comment, trust me. Smart people understand what you meant as well.

[@jacobpenn7829]

This may be my favorite video on this entire website. Great work Tommy and co.!

[@chrisganuelas2391]

Brilliant piece, one of the channels best works for sure! The only thing you forgot to mention was Chael's 17 losses were also fixed.

[@jeremyweems4916]

That's common knowledge.

[@davidbrun4762]

Outstanding video. All that information, all the research, condensed and perfectly delivered in such an entertaining way. The Top10 lists and videos like that are nice and good enough to keep a subscriber entertained. But this, THIS is the type of content that you should be making more of and that really makes this channel stand out above others. Beautiful work, guys.

[@CoolToMe_]

And they said the UK doesn't have good wrestling...

[@MMAOnPoint]

Wrastlin

[@Alienjujitsu]

That is a very very good point there brother!

[@delcodel6835]

This is an amazing story. You guys did a high quality piece of work here while still having you’re own semi informal style. 10/10

[@ronswanson1410]

This will probably be my favorite video you guys do this year

[@leoyesyesentertainment4237]

As a Wrestling and MMA fan, I loved the video. Learned a lot with how they did it in Japan with their fights from the 90s

[@coachken6130]

Thank you, Professor Toehold. My mind is sufficiently blown. I've heard people use the term catch-as-catch-can but never knew where it came from

[@texasyoshi]

Great video -- but I'd argue that JMMA's roots in Pro Wrestling goes farther back than just Gotch's proteges. I'd look into Masahiko Kimura, who is the namesake of the Kimura lock. He participated in a lot of the early pro wrestling in Japan, as he was a famed judoka who beat Helio Gracie. As for other influences on Japanese pro wrestling, I'd say Billy Robinson is the 1B to Gotch's 1A. I'd also argue that NJPW had been doing more of a 'worked-shoot' style, but with way more pro wrestling elements. Inoki was a big player in wanting more MMA inspired pro wrestling. Allegedly Gotch hated Inoki, haha. Additionally, I'd say that RINGS specifically was an evolution out of the UWF, which was started by Maeda, as well as the UWFi, which was started by Takada. Takada had an interesting post-wrestling, post-MMA career in HUSTLE. Really glad fans are seeing just how important catch wrestling was to several different industries. Again, excellent video, apologies for rambling.

[@tsunax1400]

This. More of this, Tommy, please

[@JamieCoville]

I will also say this was a really great video. The only small bit that would have made it better would be mentioning that it was more than just Karl Gotch from the catch wrestling world that was involved. Lou Thesz, another catch wrestler was there too. Gotch dropped his pro-wrestling belt to him earlier in his career because he respected him for his legit skills and shared German heritage. "Judo" Gene LeBell was around too. He was the referee for the Inoki vs. Ali fight and also was involved in what some consider to be the first televised MMA fight with him fighting boxer Milo Savage in 1963.

[@ronswanson1410]

Finally! I haven't been able to find nearly enough on this subject. MMA on Point comin through for the fans!

[@almarro5643]

Yes! Love the history of catch wrestling! Though freestyle was derived from catch, USA's (favorite) style is actually folk style which fits the description you used before regarding "catch wrestling with more rules." USA is really the only country (that I know of anyway) that adapted folkstyle which in my opinion has the best wrestling base for mma because of the top control actually placed in the ruleset. Same thing for bottom escapes as well! What a fun video absolutely love your content!

[@FightSceneFilmSchool]

This is my new favourite video on this channel. Fantastic job!

[@plumlineltd7585]

Great video! The Japanese pro wrestling/shoot wrestling/MMA story is fascinating. I trained under a Japanese wrestler, we’d talk a little about these kind of things and it always fascinated me.

[@ForgottenCoalition]

Honestly, favorite video. I definitely want more deep dives into aspects of this violent sport we all love. The back room deals, how a fight is actually negotiated, what happens when you piss off an promoter/advertiser/manager… anyone who is not a fighter that holds some level of control on a fighter.

[@joshthemediocre7824]

As a huge mma fan from the very beginning, I'm not exaggerating when I say this is the best mma documentary I have ever seen. As far as information, subject matter, and watchability, this is top notch. I'll probably rewatch it right now.

[@dyseofficial8412]

Idk about that but I think they would be happy to hear its at least the best short-doc of the topic on youtube (wrestling, mma as well sports history channels included) as far as ive seen. Top top stuff, this.

[@cwood4403]

Check out the documentary by secret base "Fighting in the age of loneliness"

[@vanhattfield8292]

What other documentaries would you compare it to?

[@YouAintGotNoTegridyBoi]

Napoleon Blownapart is the best MMA documentarian. He's funny, informative and his editing style is fantastic.

[@vanhattfield8292]

@@YouAintGotNoTegridyBoi I'll check him out, thanks for the suggestion. 👍

[@Malygosblues]

Hearing the history of catch wrestling come up was so satisfying. Like hearing the medieval history of MMA come up.

[@ClickClack_Bam]

I started watching Pancrase with Ken Shamrock then the UFC came out. It was strange to see Pancrase had rules that you could grab the rope to stop the action & open hand strikes ONLY to the face. It was STILL great stuff to watch. Then Kazushi Sakuraba in Japan came about from a studio wrestling background. Serious guys were from that studio wrestling background. I had read Ken Shamrock's book 'Inside the Lion's Den' where Ken talked about how serious they were in Japan with their studio wrestling backgrounds being used in MMA type fighting. Not enough credit goes towards those guys for putting MMA on the map. I actually like the overseas Japan Pride rules far better than the UFC.

[@Yeezus2295]

Tremendous, love the new series idea. Keep up the good work! Everything was ON POINT.

[@midnightpiledriver]

You can't talk about MMA or its history without talking about Catch and Pro wrestling, no matter how much MMA fans hate pro wrestling, without it, MMA probably wouldn't be the way that it is today, if it would even exist Remember that MMA started only in the last 30 years or so, pro wrestling has existed for a whole century up until that point. Great video guys, I really have to thank you for helping me become a huge MMA fan in the last couple years, if it wasn't for your lists and historical videos idk what I would be doing every saturday night/sunday morning

[@itheuserfirst3186]

Actually, pro wrestling grew out of challenge matches that didn't always please the crowd. So fights became predetermined, and dramatic for entertainment purposes. MMA wouldn't exist today without the Gracies.

[@lukewarmstanhouston9957]

@@itheuserfirst3186 Pro Wrestling started out as legitimate Wrestling and by 1936, pro Wrestling promoters realized they could make more money if they picked the fan favorites to win, because people wouldn't pay money to see their favorite wrestlers lose. And Wrestling became more dramatic and less sport as its progressed.

[@Dexter037S4]

There's a larger cross section of MMA and Pro Wrestling fans out there than you think tbh

[@chilliboy99]

One of the best put pieces of work I've seen on the history of mma in a long time

[@robhill4352]

before i watch this i am a huge sumo wrestling fan and it was a big heartbreak to find out it is statistically impossible and improbable for the scores and rankings to pan out the way they do...plus the big fight fixing scandals of the past. like 30 guys got caught thru texts at once. its shameful but sadly part of Japanese combat sports entertainment.

[@slothretaliation1752]

Tommy just knocks it out of the park with every video he does. I hope this gets way more views, very educational

[@DrBeauHightower]

Great video Tommy 👏🙌

[@barrymccockner6450]

Crazy how all this stuff connects together in one way or another! Great video , would love to see more of these history style documentary videos about mma .

[@elgoat3038]

MMA on point is on point 👉

[@theninjamdm]

Can we just appreciate the work that tommy put in investigating and presenting this? Thank you tommy

[@mrowley7300]

Even as a wrestling fan and heard of Karl Gotch, I didn't realize that he had a hand with the formation of MMA. Edit - Jesus the gold dust trio

[@Switchfork]

This series seems like a gold mine of a concept, though I guess you would eventually run out of prominent mysteries to research. Can't wait for the next one!

[@jare11jonas]

Many people discredit catch wrestling when they don’t even know its significance. This video is too good👍 “Pro wrestling is strong.” - Kazushi Sakuraba

[@pawlee77]

Great Video, I love learning about the history of martial arts. Keep videos like these coming.

[@michaelstagar4254]

I already knew most of this but it was nice to see it in a video. Dont forget the importance that Billy Robinson, and Wigans snake pit personnell did in training guys in japan too. Sakuraba is by lineage linked to Wigan by Robinson.

[@DJ4x]

Tommy Toe Hold talking to Dave Meltzer and chatting up on the early history of pro wrestling can go directly into my veins, thanks. Would love to see more Tommy Toe Hold wrestling vids. It's obvious he did serious research for this one.

[@libertarianrevolution7026]

RINGS started out in the early 1990's as mostly doing works, but the promotion shifted toward doing more and more legit shoots, and the last few years of RINGS it was all legit shoots, with the exception of Alexander Karelin vs Akira Maeda, which was advertised as being an exhibition.

[@x420weedkillaSmOkA69]

This is probably the highest quality video I have seen on your channel. Thank you for the history lesson

[@CapybaraMMA]

I tweeted at Meltzer once asking about his opinion on fixed Pride fights and he just responded “don’t ask” haha

[@luigidicianni6462]

Bas ruten is the man,straight to the point,very underrated

[@jondoe5651]

Amazingly well researched video thank you Tommy. Really, really appreciate your work. This reminds me very much of the series Connections by James Burke which used to be shown on BBC2, I think in the 80s, which drew a line through history in a very similar way regarding developments in science and technology. I loved that show and I heap high, high praise on your work comparing it with Mr Burke's series. Thank you very, very much for all the hard work that went into this 👍🙂 Here is a link to an episode of Connections kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpbXoZ9-mLJql7M

[@lbc281]

The analytics that you put into all of your videos Tommy, are the very best.... and you have the personality to have been super over in the wrestling business. Bravo!! Now if you could ever just have some damn TTTHS videos semi common, I would personally pay to keep watching you. Perfect video, once again!

[@nostrollerslife]

I love all combat sports, I also love pro wrestling. Appreciate the love in this video

[@norrisgilham6304]

Look up a video calld MMA fighter falcone get's in a fight at gas station then gets put in a coma he was a sport fighter?, & just look wat happened to him in a Street fight altercation, even BJ pen hot drop just buy a Fat drunk out side of a bar, so just because you train for sport fighting Don't mean you got good self awareness, & know wat to do in every situation?.

[@DomMazz]

Best video you guys have uploaded in years. And i still love the top 10 list type videos!

[@justinbt]

Don’t be naive to think this doesn’t happen in the UFC Chael Sonnen vs Silva was a huge work

[@mattyctill]

Absolutely fascinating, wish the video was longer as I am already loving this new series! The top tens are great for easy viewing and I watch them all but these deep dives are just another level. Surely a history of PED usage has to feature in this series. Anyway, keep up the good work lads!

[@-blakethesteak-]

Ok now do the fixed fights in the ufc

[@FNHot]

Look into how the first UFC, and a handful of bouts since then have been works. The first UFC every fighter involved was hand picked by the gracies, to lose, and the UFC still fixes bouts by bringing back old talent, paying them huge, to convincingly lose, or they put people into fights they dont have a chance of winning based on skill or experience. They're trickier about it, but it's still fixed from time to time.

[@SilkywoodsRL]

You guys are basically already the best mma yt channel out here but these types of videos just made it even better!

[@kitbradley2689]

Yeah, Japan's competitive culture is a little strange to Western eyes. Like, there's this kind of bicycling, keirin, which is an Olympic sport! But in Japan, it is understood that young riders will defer to seasoned professionals with the understanding that later on, they will be the seasoned professionals to whom young riders will defer. Is... is it cheating? To most people in the West, yeah. If the old guys can't ride, well, all competitive sports are a young person's game. You want to see THE BEST, we pay to see THE BEST, but in Japan, there is a culture where even in competitive sports, a certain degree of curation goes on. The same is true in sumo, as far as I can tell, too, and I believe in other Japanese sports about which I know nothing.