Vale Tudo Japan
Vale Tudo Japan (VTJ) (Japanese: ヴァーリ・トゥード・ジャパン, Hepburn: Vuāri toūdo Japan) is an annual mixed martial arts competition held in Japan. Originally 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, previously to this tournament, Shooto did not feature striking in ground position. The fighters were composed by the best Japanese MMA fighters drawn from Shooto, the Shoot Wrestling circuit as well as foreign invitees, one of them and most famously begin the older brother of UFC champion Royce Gracie, 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. Afterwards, from 1996 to 1999 the events were invitationals.[2][3]
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Native name | ヴァーリ・トゥード・ジャパン |
---|---|
Industry | Mixed martial arts promotion |
Founded | Japan (1994 ) |
Founder | Satoru Sayama |
Parent | Shooto (1994-1999) Vale Tudo Japan Executive Committee (2009-Present) |
Website | http://www.valetudojapan.com/ |
Vale Tudo Japan returned in 2009, now organizing by the "Vale Tudo Japan Executive Committee", with semi-annual events and three reunion events in 2009, 2012 and 2016.[2][4]
Early Vale Tudo Japan events were a huge success, it led to a boom of the popularity and development of MMA and Shooto in Japan, and 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.[5]

Events and results
Vale Tudo Japan 1994
Vale Tudo Japan 1994 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Information | ||||
Promotion | Vale Tudo Japan | |||
Date | July 29, 1994 | |||
Venue | Tokyo Bay NK Hall | |||
City | ![]() | |||
Event chronology | ||||
|
Vale Tudo Japan 1994 was held on July 29, 1994, at the Tokyo Bay NK Hall in Urayasu, Japan.
Main Card | |||||||
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Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (punches) | 1 | 0:39 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
Draw | 3 | 5:00 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (punches) | 1 | 2:40 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 1 | 2:52 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
KO (punches) | 1 | 1:20 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
KO (punch) | 1 | 3:59 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
TKO (straight punch) | 1 | 0:54 |
Vale Tudo Japan 1995
Vale Tudo Japan 1995 | ||||
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Information | ||||
Promotion | Vale Tudo Japan | |||
Date | April 20, 1995 | |||
Venue | Nippon Budokan Hall | |||
City | ![]() | |||
Event chronology | ||||
|
Vale Tudo Japan 1995 was held on April 20, 1995, at the Nippon Budokan Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.
Main Card | |||||||
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Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 1 | 6:22 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 1 | 6:41 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (armbar) | 1 | 6:29 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 1 | 2:07 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 6:05 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (armbar) | 2 | 7:32 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Technical Submission (rear naked choke) | 3 | 3:49 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 2:55 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (heel hook) | 4 | 2:41 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (arm triangle choke) | 1 | 2:12 |
Vale Tudo Japan 1996
Vale Tudo Japan 1996 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Information | ||||
Promotion | Vale Tudo Japan | |||
Date | July 7, 1996 | |||
Venue | Tokyo Bay NK Hall | |||
City | ![]() | |||
Event chronology | ||||
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Vale Tudo Japan 1996 was held on July 7, 1996, at the Tokyo Bay NK Hall in Urayasu, Japan.
Main Card | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 1 | 5:07 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
TKO (punches) | 1 | 0:44 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
Draw | 3 | 8:00 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (keylock) | 1 | 3:23 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
KO (punches) | 1 | 6:53 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 1 | 0:53 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (keylock) | 2 | 4:14 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (forearm choke) | 1 | 6:27 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Technical Submission (arm triangle choke) | 2 | 6:23 |
Vale Tudo Japan 1997
Vale Tudo Japan 1997 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Information | ||||
Promotion | Vale Tudo Japan | |||
Date | November 29, 1997 | |||
Venue | Tokyo Bay NK Hall | |||
City | ![]() | |||
Event chronology | ||||
|
Vale Tudo Japan 1997 was held on November 29, 1997, at the Tokyo Bay NK Hall in Urayasu, Japan.
Main Card | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
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def. | ![]() |
DQ (Egan Inoue ran into the ring) | 2 | 7:17 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (armbar) | 2 | 1:23 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
TKO (punches) | 1 | 0:37 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (armbar) | 1 | 0:41 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
Draw | 3 | 8:00 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 3 | 3:49 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
Draw | 3 | 8:00 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (triangle choke) | 2 | 5:31 |
Vale Tudo Japan 1998
Vale Tudo Japan 1998 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Information | ||||
Promotion | Vale Tudo Japan | |||
Date | October 25, 1998 | |||
Venue | Tokyo Bay NK Hall | |||
City | ![]() | |||
Event chronology | ||||
|
Vale Tudo Japan 1998 was held on October 25, 1998, at the Tokyo Bay NK Hall in Urayasu, Japan.
Main Card | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (armbar) | 1 | 1:39 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
KO (soccer kick and punches) | 1 | 4:20 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (armbar) | 1 | 4:59 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
Draw | 3 | 8:00 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
TKO (corner stoppage) | 3 | 0:20 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
TKO (upkicks) | 1 | 5:26 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
KO (punches) | 1 | 3:10 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (punches) | 3 | 2:03 |
Vale Tudo Japan 1999
Vale Tudo Japan 1999 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Information | ||||
Promotion | Vale Tudo Japan | |||
Date | December 11, 1999 | |||
Venue | Tokyo Bay NK Hall | |||
City | ![]() | |||
Event chronology | ||||
|
Vale Tudo Japan 1999 was held on December 11, 1999, at the Tokyo Bay NK Hall in Urayasu, Japan.
Main Card | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
![]() |
def. | ![]() |
TKO (punches) | 3 | 1:31 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
Draw | 3 | 8:00 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
Draw | 3 | 8:00 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
Draw | 3 | 8:00 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 3 | 1:43 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Submission (punches) | 1 | 7:45 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
Submission (kneebar) | 1 | 0:58 |
Vale Tudo Japan 2009
Vale Tudo Japan 2009 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Information | ||||
Promotion | Vale Tudo Japan | |||
Date | October 30, 2009 | |||
Venue | JCB Hall | |||
City | ![]() | |||
Event chronology | ||||
|
Vale Tudo Japan 2009 was held on October 30, 2009, at the JCB Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Main Card | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
TKO (punches) | 4 | 2:58 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
TKO (punches) | 1 | 3:20 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
TKO (doctor stoppage) | 1 | 2:05 | ||
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def. | ![]() |
TKO (punches) | 1 | 4:41 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
KO (punches) | 1 | 2:48 | ||
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vs. | ![]() |
Draw (majority) | 2 | 5:00 |
Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 1st
VTJ 1ST | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Information | ||||
Promotion | Vale Tudo Japan | |||
Date | December 24, 2012 | |||
Venue | Yoyogi National Gymnasium | |||
City | ![]() | |||
Event chronology | ||||
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Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 1st (also known as VTJ 1ST) was held on December 24, 2012, at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.
Main Card | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Bantamweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
TKO (punches and elbows) | 1 | 0:39 | |
Lightweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Flyweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (split) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Bantamweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Women's Strawweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
TKO (doctor stoppage) | 1 | 2:05 | |
Bantamweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Middleweight | ![]() |
vs. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 1 | 2:09 | |
Welterweight | ![]() |
vs. | ![]() |
Submission (armbar) | 1 | 2:19 |
Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 2nd
VTJ 2ND | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Information | ||||
Promotion | Vale Tudo Japan | |||
Date | June 22, 2013 | |||
Venue | Tokyo Dome City Hall | |||
City | ![]() | |||
Event chronology | ||||
|
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.
Main Card | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Bantamweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
KO/TKO | 5 | 0:41 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
KO/TKO | 1 | 3:21 | |
Catchweight 59 kg | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Submission (heel hook) | 2 | 2:34 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 3 | 1:53 | |
Flyweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (majority) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Bantamweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
KO/TKO | 1 | 2:12 | |
Catchweight 97 kg | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Preliminary card | |||||||
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Bantamweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Lightweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Strawweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Submission (armbar) | 3 | 2:36 |
Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 3rd
VTJ 3RD | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Information | ||||
Promotion | Vale Tudo Japan | |||
Date | October 5, 2013 | |||
Venue | Ota City General Gymnasium | |||
City | ![]() | |||
Event chronology | ||||
|
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.
Main Card | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Women's Strawweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
TKO (doctor stoppage) | 2 | 5:00 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Submission (inverted triangle choke) | 2 | 2:23 | |
Flyweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (split) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 1 | 1:36 | |
Lightweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Submission (armbar) | 3 | 3:57 | |
Bantamweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (split) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Welterweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Preliminary card | |||||||
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Strawweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Flyweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Submission (armbar) | 1 | 1:35 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
TKO (punches) | 2 | 2:18 |
Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 4th
VTJ 4TH | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Information | ||||
Promotion | Vale Tudo Japan | |||
Date | February 23, 2014 | |||
Venue | Ota City General Gymnasium | |||
City | ![]() | |||
Event chronology | ||||
|
Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 4th (also known as VTJ 4TH) was held on February 23, 2014, at Ota City General Gymnasium in Ota, Tokyo, Japan.
Main Card | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
TKO (punches) | 1 | 1:23 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Lightweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Flyweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | [lower-alpha 1] |
Flyweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 1 | 1:28 | [lower-alpha 2] |
Flyweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (majority) | 3 | 5:00 | [lower-alpha 3] |
Flyweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | [lower-alpha 4] |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Welterweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (split) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Bantamweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 2 | 1:46 | |
Preliminary card | |||||||
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Flyweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
Lightweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
vs. | ![]() |
Draw (majority) | 3 | 3:00 |
- VTJ Flyweight Tournament Quarter Finals
- VTJ Flyweight Tournament Quarter Finals
- VTJ Flyweight Tournament Quarter Finals
- VTJ Flyweight Tournament Quarter Finals
Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 5th in Osaka
VTJ 5TH IN OSAKA | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Information | ||||
Promotion | Vale Tudo Japan | |||
Date | June 28, 2014 | |||
Venue | Bodymaker Colosseum | |||
City | ![]() | |||
Event chronology | ||||
|
Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 5th in Osaka (also known as VTJ 5TH IN OSAKA) was held on June 28, 2014, at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka, Japan.
Main Card | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Bantamweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
TKO (punches) | 2 | 2:24 | |
Flyweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | [lower-alpha 1] |
Flyweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 1 | 1:27 | [lower-alpha 2] |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 2 | 2:28 | |
Bantamweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Preliminary card | |||||||
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Flyweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Submission (guillotine choke) | 3 | 1:25 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (split) | 3 | 3:00 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
vs. | ![]() |
TKO (doctor stoppage) | 1 | 3:00 |
- VTJ Flyweight Tournament Semi Finals
- VTJ Flyweight Tournament Semi Finals
Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 6th
VTJ 6TH | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Information | ||||
Promotion | Vale Tudo Japan | |||
Date | October 4, 2014 | |||
Venue | Ota City General Gymnasium | |||
City | ![]() | |||
Event chronology | ||||
|
Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 6th (also known as VTJ 6TH) was held on October 4, 2014, at Ota City General Gymnasium in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan.
Main Card | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Bantamweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | [lower-alpha 1] |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
KO (punch) | 2 | 0:38 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Submission (rear naked choke) | 2 | 4:33 | |
Lightweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Submission (arm triangle choke) | 2 | 2:33 | |
Flyweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
TKO (referee stoppage) | 2 | 0:25 | |
Bantamweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
TKO (knees and punches) | 1 | 0:35 | |
Bantamweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
KO (punch) | 1 | 2:01 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
TKO (doctor stoppage) | 2 | 2:07 | |
Preliminary card | |||||||
Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
Featherweight | ![]() |
def. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
Women's Atomweight | ![]() |
vs. | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 |
- VTJ Flyweight Tournament Final
References
- "Fight Finder - Mixed Martial Arts Statistics". Archived from the original on March 12, 2007. Retrieved August 28, 2006.
- Sherdog.com. "The Resurrection of Vale Tudo Japan". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
- "Vale Tudo Japan - VTJ (Vale Tudo Japan Executive Committee) | MMA Promoter". Tapology. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
- "Vale Tudo Japan - VTJ (Vale Tudo Japan Executive Committee) | MMA Promoter". Tapology. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
- "Archived Magazine Article". www.japaninc.com. 2006-11-08. Retrieved 2022-01-28.