Vale Tudo Japan
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherTemplate:Main otherScript error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Nihongo". is an annual mixed martial arts competition held in Japan. Originally it was arranged by promoter and former professional wrestler Satoru Sayama; he had previously created a hybrid martial art organization named Shooto in 1985. He arranged VTJ in 1994 with the objective of creating a more rules-free event similar to the early Ultimate Fighting Championship events in the United States and Vale Tudo competitions in Brazil. Until the Vale Tudo Japan tournament, Shooto did not feature striking in ground position. The fighters were composed of the best Japanese MMA fighters drawn from Shooto, the Shoot Wrestling circuit as well as foreign invitees, including illustrious names such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Rickson Gracie.[1][2]
Some other notable fighters to fight at Vale Tudo Japan include Sanae Kikuta, Takanori Gomi, Enson Inoue, João Roque, Carlos Newton, Rumina Sato, Royler Gracie, Dan Severn, Vladimir Matyushenko, Frank Shamrock, Jean Jacques Machado, Randy Couture, Frank Trigg, André Pederneiras, Rafael Cordeiro, Alexandre Franca Nogueira, Hayato Sakurai, and Yuki Nakai. Vale Tudo Japan events ran from 1994 to 1999; a pair of editions held in 1994 and '95 were single-elimination tournaments, both of which were won by Rickson Gracie.[3] Afterwards, from 1996 to 1999 the events were invitationals.[2][4]
Vale Tudo Japan returned in 2009, organized by the Vale Tudo Japan Executive Committee, with semi-annual events and three reunion events in 2009, 2012 and 2016.[2][5]
Early Vale Tudo Japan events were a huge success and led to a boom of popularity and development of MMA and Shooto in Japan. The tournament is considered a predecessor to PRIDE Fighting Championships. VTJ's format and rules would serve as a basis for PRIDE,[2] while Rickson Gracie's impressive victories in VTJ would make him a celebrity in Japan, leading to him being paired with popular Shoot-style professional wrestler Nobuhiko Takada to headline Pride 1 in 1997.[6]
Events and results
Vale Tudo Japan 1994
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Vale Tudo Japan 1994 was held on July 29, 1994, at the Tokyo Bay NK Hall in Urayasu, Japan.
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Vale Tudo Japan 1994 bracket
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* = Lomulder was unable to continue.
Vale Tudo Japan 1995
Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template other Vale Tudo Japan 1995 was held on April 20, 1995, at the Nippon Budokan Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.
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Vale Tudo Japan 1995 bracket
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* = Hays was unable to continue. Kimura defeated Emons to claim his place.
Vale Tudo Japan 1996
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Vale Tudo Japan 1997
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Vale Tudo Japan 1998
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Vale Tudo Japan 1999
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Vale Tudo Japan 2009
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Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 1st
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Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 2nd
Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template other Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 2nd (also known as VTJ 2ND) was held on June 22, 2013, at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
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Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 3rd
Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template other Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 3rd (also known as VTJ 3RD) was held on October 5, 2013, at Ota City General Gymnasium in Ota, Tokyo, Japan. The main event featured longtime # 1 ranked Megumi Fujii in her retirement bout.
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Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 4th
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Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 5th in Osaka
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Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 6th
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Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ in Osaka
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Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 7TH
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Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 7TH
Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template other Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ IN OKINAWA (also known as VTJ IN OKINAWA) was held on September 13, 2015, at Okinawa Prefectural Budokan in Naha, Okinawa, Japan.
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