A big ticket Sustain-promoted event will often feature a blend of promising rookie talent with the characteristic Shooto pedigree, the pairing of hungry and exciting Class B competitors battling toward Class A licenses, hot prospects and established contenders squaring off, while a champion defends his crown. It is this well-rounded, synthetic approach to matchmaking has become perhaps the most engrossing aspect of pro Shooto for many hardcore fight fans.
However, not every fighter has a sterling amateur record, a fan-friendly fireworks fightstyle, or a spot in the Shooto world rankings. Many Shooto fighters simply have some wins, some losses, and a desire to keep fighting. Furthermore, it's often necessary to pit these fighters of similar circumstance against one another.
And here we are with Hayate Usui (Pictures) and Eiji Murayama (Pictures).
Yes, by no means would this bout be quick to escape the lips of even the most zealous fan if you asked them what was on tap for this card. In fact, it is more than likely that the bout wouldn't be mentioned at all. Even though the division is quickly becoming a favorite of MMA's more ardent followers, Usui and Murayama are virtually anonymous, and perhaps with good reason: they sport a combined record of 9-8-3, and are most recognized for their defeats. For Usui, that means a spectacular plunking at the hands of Lion Takeshi and being choked unconscious by Akitoshi Tamura (Pictures). For Murayama, it means his recent splattering at the hands of Fanjin Son (Pictures).
A stylistic breakdown of the fight is somewhat murky due to the fact that both men appear to be your garden variety Class B Shooto competitors; they're solid, but not spectacular in any one area. Murayama, who may possess a bit of a size advantage, is more prone to stand and trade, and although he was smashed from bell to bell in the stand-up by Fanjin Son (Pictures), Usui's striking is nowhere near as potent as Son's. Usui's striking is serviceable, and he's tightened up his standing defense since earning himself a spot on Lion Takeshi's highlight reel. Murayama throws hard, but not necessarily accurately, and Usui despite being decent on the feet, doesn't throw with considerable power or frequency.
Grappling-wise, Usui is the more dynamic fighter. Murayama is a generally decent wrestler, and has some skills from the body clinch to secure takedowns, but Usui has shown a greater variety of skills from that area, as well as a decent shot from the outside. While proficient in all positions, Usui works best off of the scramble and makes good use of the back crucifix, undoubtedly acquired from training with Hideki Kadowaki (Pictures), for whom the position is often called the "Kadowaki Special" by Shooto fans.
If there is a place for one fighter to take an advantage, it would be Usui taking solid position off the scramble, and combining decent ground-and-pound with submission attempts. As if often the case in Shooto, especially Class B Shooto, where there are only two rounds per fight, a draw is a strong possibility because both fighters are so evenly matched. However, by this same token, because Shooto judges are hip on 10-10 rounds, and this is an evenly matched fight, one spurt of offense could make all the difference in securing a win on the cards. Neither fighter will likely stand out in the stand-up, and the dynamism in the grappling battle belongs to Usui. Usui's chances to take a decision are better than Murayama's, but in order to avoid the dreaded draw, he will have to put together at least one sustained stretch of offense.