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Special Match: Kiyoshi Tamura (RINGS Japan, 26-8-1, #2) vs. Frank Shamrock (Shamrock Sports, 1-0) |
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Kiyoshi Tamura got a few lucky breaks here that probably cost Frank the win, but that's not even important. What's important is that a pro-wrestler that has been in over 90% worked matches and is the best worker in his style was able to hang evenly with the best shooter in the world. Bow to a real master or keep sucking it. These two are such a pleasure to watch. No matter how long their match is, they are constantly working for submissions as if they have unlimited energy. Their movement is so impressive that it sometimes seems impossible to do the things they do without someone letting you do them. Tamura wasn't intimidated by Frank even though Frank almost beat him in the first minute like he did to Kevin Jackson and Igor Zinoviev. Both men were equally active and aggressive. There was so much movement, but the defense was so awesome that all the attempts were failing. Action on the mat is what you want as a fan, so quick movement even if the opponent reacts makes for the best viewing because that's what the opponent is supposed to do. The most common misconception about real fights used to be that you need a mismatch for it to be exciting, but as people have been exposed to so many even matchups between top fighters, most have realized that several minutes of technical excellence beats the wow factor of the quick glamorous finish you often get from the overmatched jabronie that makes mistakes until they are put out of their misery. There were a lot of solid strikes, actually I was surprised by just how powerful Shamrock's strikes were, but Tamura would always take Frank down so there were never flurries of near finishes. There were definitely some close calls on the mat, but both men react so quickly that the threat is over by the time we recognize it even exists. Frank's flexibility is just amazing. Tamura caught Frank's leg and went for the takedown, but as soon as Frank's back hit the mat he brought his leg over and nearly caught Tamura in an udehishigigyakujujigatame. Luckily, Tamura was able to take a rope escape before Shamrock could extend his arm. Tamura's best chance came just before 11:00 when he had a kesagatame plus an arm scissors, but Frank brought his legs around Tamura's head and pushed back his neck until Tamura released the hold. Frank would have won the decision due to the point Tamura lost right off the bat, but he got a yellow card on a technicality. According to the latest modifications at the time, RINGS rules stated that in order to punch to the body when your opponent is on the mat, your knees have to be touching the mat as well. Frank's knees were off a little bit because that's what you naturally do when you are trying to get leverage for a strike. There's no way of knowing whether he realized he broke the rule or not (assuming he even knew they had this rule in the first place), but it's a stupid rule because it negates a big advantage (albeit for the safety of the fighters) and he was disgusted about being called on it in such a close fight. Frank nearly had an arm bar, but they were in the ropes so they restarted them. I thought this was going to be a lost point for Tamura because I don't remember previous instances of magical restarts when a guy was about to lose if they didn't grab the ropes. Anyway, it was impressive seeing just how hard these guys worked and how much they had left at the 1 minute call. You could see how badly both men wanted to win the match, and Frank nearly pulled it off with an akiresukengatame (Achilles' tendon hold), but Tamura spun out of trouble. With both men losing one point during the match, it was a draw, and a hell of one at that. If you judge matches based on the moves that are pulled off than this wouldn't rate highly, but this was a great match that had more action than pretty much any 20 minute sprint, it's just that it was a different type of nonstop action. In almost all cases, you wouldn't expect the best technical wrestler against the best technical shooter to be much of a shoot because the wrestler is usually wrestling for a reason and working screws up his instincts since his job is to leave openings and go with moves. However, not only were these two even for 20 minutes, but they put on a technical clinic in the process, and that's the best case you can make for Tamura as the best wrestler of his generation. Miko: I really enjoyed this match also. Tamura, Shamrock, and Kosaka are all great at doing exciting long matches because of their energy. Royce Gracie and most of the BJJ guys just lay back and try to outwait their opponents, while Shamrock and co. are so busy when they are on the mat. Shamrock has really made an art out of being aggressive from the bottom. Guys with diverse skills are much more fun to watch. The ground and pound guys can get so boring with the takedown and body punch after body punch. Jerome: I always loved Kiyoshi Tamura the worker. Nobody is better, more dramatic, more gracious, more exciting to watch in a worked shoot. However, who would have bet on his value in a shoot against Franck Shamrock? It appears clearly now that Tamura is the real deal, and the best technical wrestler of the 90's, if not ever. Like he put on a technical clinic with Kohsaka on 6/27/98 in a worked environment, he showed he was nearly Frank's equal as a technician in a shoot environment. Shamrock could have won, should have won, but a simple mistake cost him the match and Tamura got the draw, which can be considered as a victory for him and for RINGS. This is not the kind of fight where you'll mark out for big blows or a lot of near submissions. Aside from the times a hold was nearly applied, there was no big moves because they were always countering each other. Even if pretty much all the fight was contested on the mat, the standup was excellent, with brutal strikes from both sides. It's just amazing how much energy they burned during these 20 minutes, and Tamura was the more tired of the two at the end, which is not surprising. I also was a little surprised when Tamura was nearly locked in the armbar but didn't lose a point because they were under the ropes. Anyway, Tamura more than held his own against Franck Shamrock, and this fight is the greatest evidence of his unlimited talent. Special thanks to: Jerome Denis & Miko Kubota - Michiku Pro 20:00 |
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