Pancrase King of Pancrase: Second Round
The King of Pancrase Tournament Second Round, held on December 17, 1994, was a significant event in the history of mixed martial arts. The tournament took place at Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan, and was one of the biggest events in mixed martial arts history to that date. The tournament featured future Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champions and top Japanese fighters, making it a must-watch for any MMA fan.
The tournament’s second day saw the semifinals and finals, with fighters Masakatsu Funaki, Ken Shamrock, Manabu Yamada, and Minoru Suzuki advancing from the first day. The day also included two alternate bouts featuring Katsuomi Inagaki vs. Gregory Smit and Scott Bessac vs. Larry Papadopoulos.
Semifinals
The semifinals were intense, with Ken Shamrock facing off against his trainer and mentor, Masakatsu Funaki. The match was a classic student vs. teacher scenario, with Shamrock emerging victorious via an arm-triangle choke submission in the first round.
The second semifinal saw Manabu Yamada, known for his technical prowess, against Minoru Suzuki. Yamada managed to secure a win with an armbar submission in the first round, demonstrating his superior grappling skills.
Finals
The final match was a showdown between Ken Shamrock and Manabu Yamada. Shamrock, with his raw power and wrestling background, faced Yamada’s technical mastery. After a grueling 30-minute match, Shamrock emerged as the victor, winning by unanimous decision and becoming the inaugural Openweight King of Pancrase.
Alternate Bouts
In addition to the main tournament, the event also featured two alternate bouts. The first saw Katsuomi Inagaki defeat Gregory Smit via a heel hook submission in the first round. The second alternate bout featured Scott Bessac against Larry Papadopoulos, with Bessac securing a win via a body punch knockout in the first round.
Conclusion
The King of Pancrase Tournament Second Round was a landmark event in the history of mixed martial arts. The event set the stage for the future of Pancrase and the sport of MMA, making it a memorable part of the sport’s history.
Sources
PANCRASE official: event results archive; Sherdog; Event results record; Biographical source.
Article Tags
King of Pancrase Tournament Second Round – A Detailed Analysis of the Fierce Fights, Mixed Martial Arts, Sports History
