Igor Tanabe’s ultimate dream was to win the IBJJF World Championship as a black belt, but that changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Based in Japan, “Fat Ninja” realized life wouldn’t be the same for a while during the pandemic as it was nearly impossible to leave the country to compete elsewhere. On top of that, his wife becoming pregnant altered his career perspective.
“It was insane when COVID hit and I had no reason to keep training anymore, there was no [jiu-jitsu] match for me here, so I decided to fight MMA,” Tanabe said on MMA Fighting’s Trocação Franca podcast. “My wife was a bit scared, getting pregnant during COVID. The scenario was hard. The first thing that popped my head when she found out she was pregnant was, ‘Relax, I’ll fight MMA.’ [Laughs.]”
Tanabe made his MMA debut in October 2021, tapping Hiroyuki Shimizu in less than a minute at HEAT 49 in Nagoya, Japan. An offer to grapple with Tommy Langaker at Polaris the next month kept his jiu-jitsu dreams alive, as he submitted a man that was very successful in major jiu-jitsu competitions, but MMA ultimately took over as his focus.
“I had an offer to fight MMA already so I knew the conditions were completely different from the ones in jiu-jitsu,” Tanabe said. “That desire to be the best in the world in jiu-jitsu, now I can say I have this desire in MMA.”
“Fat Ninja” kept competing under the Polaris banner and other Japanese grappling promotions before receiving an offer to face veteran striker Melvin Manhoef in a MMA bout at INOKI BOM-BA-YE in December 2022. Tanabe agreed to it before realizing it was a light heavyweight contest, but it was too late to walk back. Tanabe secured a heel hook to force the tap in under two minutes, then used the same technique to finish Daichi Abe in a 185-pound match seven months later in his RIZIN debut.
Tanabe returns to the ring at RIZIN 45, which goes down Dec. 31 in Saitama, taking on Shinsho Anzai in a welterweight showdown. The Brazilian talent choked out Koji Shikuwa this past October to improve to 4-0 in the sport, and wants to double that record in 2024.
“I wanna fight at least four times next year to extend that record to 9-0, then I’ll be able to go anywhere,” Tanabe said. “[Anzai] has this wrestling style, something I haven’t faced yet, so it’s going to be a great test for me so I know what’s like to fight out there, you know? This style is difficult for jiu-jitsu fighters, they take you down and just lay on top of you, so it’s a good test. Even though he has some striking, that’s what I think he’ll bring to this fight.”
RIZIN has yet to crown a champion at welterweight, and Tanabe feels he has a responsibility to make things interesting enough for the promotion to create a belt.
“I think it’s all over my shoulders, you know?” Tanabe said. “I’m the youngest athlete in this division, and I’ll have to make that happen. They won’t create a tournament out of nowhere, because sadly, this division doesn’t bring much attention yet. I’ll have to go for it and make it happen, create the appeal, so we have a 170-pound title fight.”
from MMA Fighting - All Posts https://ift.tt/cDyKVPS
0 Comments
Dear valued readers,
I am writing to you today as LaPhezz, an international man of mystery with a passion for technology and a fascination for analytics. I have traveled the world and lived in many different places, and I have experienced a wide range of cultures and perspectives.
Despite my travels and encounters with countless people from all walks of life, I remain something of an enigma. My true identity is known to only a select few, and even those who know me well are often left guessing at my motivations and intentions.
As a tech enthusiast, I am always looking for new ways to leverage data and analytics to solve complex problems and make the world a better place. I believe that technology can be a powerful tool for positive change, and I am constantly exploring the latest trends and innovations in the field.
I am grateful to have such a diverse and engaged readership, and I am always eager to hear your feedback and insights. Whether you have questions about my work, suggestions for new topics to explore, or simply want to connect with a fellow tech enthusiast, I am always here to listen and engage.
Thank you for your continued support and interest in my work. Together, we can use technology and analytics to create a brighter, more connected world.
Best regards,
LaPhezz