TOKYO -- The Deep promotion on Saturday announced plans for its first cage event on Dec. 19 at the Differ Ariake Arena.
Dubbed Deep “Cage Impact 2009,” the show becomes notable, not only as the organization’s first cage event but because elbows and stomps will be permitted. Reigning Deep bantamweight champion Masakazu Imanari and former Deep lightweight titleholder Nobuhiro Obiya will compete, along with Toshikazu Iseno, Tomomi Iwama, Bernard Ackah, Takeshi Yamazaki, Koichiro Matsumoto and Eiji Ishikawa.
The 32-year-old Imanari has won eight of his past 10 bouts. He last competed at Deep “43 Impact” in August, when he defeated Tomohiko Hori by unanimous decision. Obiya, who has dropped three of his last four matches, has not fought since December 2008.