Pancrase 283: Isao vs Takaya - December 18 (OFFICIAL DISCUSSION)

PANCRASE 283
December 18 , 2016
Differ Ariake Arena
Tokyo, Japan

Main Card:
Isao Kobayashi  (19-4)              vs.             (21-13) Hiroyuki Takaya    
Main Event | Featherweight | 145 lbs (66 kg)
Koyomi Matsushima (6-1)          vs.                (26-7)  Marlon Sandro    
Co-Main Event | Featherweight | 145 lbs (66 kg)

Bellator MMA veteran ISAO will be back in Pancrase for the first time since August of last year, and will take on Hiroyuki Takaya.

In Japan, this fight is advertised as “former Pancrase champ vs former DREAM champ.”

ISAO just fought in the main event of VTJ, and defeated SHOOTO world champion Yutaka Saito in a split decision. ISAO went 0-2 in Bellator so this was a good win for him. Now, ISAO is facing a very experienced veteran striker.

Although Takaya is a 39-year old currently on a two-fight losing streak, he still possess a first-rate striking game. And, he will come out banging which always makes him a dangerous opponent.

For ISAO, who is a 27-year old, looking to get back into fighting in North America, this is the fight he simply can’t afford to lose.

Also Last year’s Shooto rookie of the year, Koyomi Matsuhima, is confirmed to fight Marlon Sandro from team Nova Uniao in Pancrase 283.

Matsushima trained wrestling at P’s LAB Yokohama when he was a child. He made a pro debut in Shooto then fought for two other promotions including PXC then signed with Pancrase this year.

In his first fight with 23-year old Japanese MMA promotion, Matsuhima submitted Juntaro Ushiku in the third round. This win placed Matsuhima to number three spot in Pancrase featherweight ranking.

In his last Pancrase appearance, Sandro lost to ISAO in a split decision. He has protested on this decision, however, the result didn’t change.

I think Isao takes this. Wish there was a way to watch this fight.