Training Footage: Kitaoka’s Submission Wizardry

In a quiet suburban corner of Tokyo’s Setagaya ward is the newly opened Lotus-Paraestra gym, headed by Japanese grappling ace Kohei Yasumi. With approximately 250 square feet of blue mats and a wall-spanning, cage-lined window facing the street, this cozy, unsuspecting space away from the bustle of the city plays host to some of Japan’s best names in the sport.

One of these “best names” is Sengoku lightweight champion Satoru Kitaoka, who is set to face Mizuto Hirota in his first title defense at Sengoku 9th Battle on Aug. 2. In an exclusive video shot by Sherdog.com’s Tony Loiseleur, see the guillotining, foot-locking champ training for his title defense alongside other Japanese MMA luminaries such as Caol Uno, Eiji Mitsuoka, Naoya Uematsu and Issei Tamura.

Soundtrack courtesy of Odin Smith.