After an absolutely humiliating 2007, the Shooto 123-pound world champion showed he had learned nothing in his bout with Eduardo "Dudu" Dantas by taking another fight at 132 pounds against So Tazawa (Pictures). He was thoroughly outworked in the match and saved by the referee in a locked armbar in the third round. Hopefully it signals the end of Kojima's dream to be a two-division champion.
2. Yasuhiro Urushitani (Pictures) (14-3-5)
A rough year got rougher for Urushitani in December. He got a much tougher-than-expected tune-up against Guamanian import Jesse Taitano (Pictures). Though he controlled most of the bout, a knockdown seemingly swayed the judges, who ruled the bout a majority draw, with only one card going to the deserving Urushitani. Thankfully, it appears Urushitani will get his opportunity to take the belt he should already own against BJ Kojima in the Shooto ring in '08.
3. Mamoru Yamaguchi (Pictures) (18-4-3)
With recent losses to Kojima and Urushitani, the road back to the title Yamaguchi owned for three years is uncertain. However, in order for Mamoru to make any progress, he'll have to beat a streaking up-and-comer on Feb. 23 in Yuki Shoujou (Pictures).
4. Yuki Shoujou (Pictures) (7-3-2)
With a perfect record on the year, including wins over Masatoshi Abe (Pictures) and Junji Ikoma (Pictures), Shoujou caught fire in 2007. He'll have the chance to prove himself to be among the upper echelon of Shooto's 123-pounders this month when he meets former champion Mamoru Yamaguchi (Pictures) in what should be an all-action bout.
5. Rambaa Somdet (Pictures) (4-2)
Surreal to say the least, former Thai stadium standout Rambaa "M-16" Somdet, after nearly five years away from MMA, returned to the ring last year. First he demolished 115-pounder Takehiro Harusaki (Pictures) effortlessly in July. Then in November he destroyed a streaking Masaaki Sugawara (Pictures), threatening with both submission attempts and vicious strikes before forcing a doctor's stoppage after the second round. While it's unclear if Somdet will continue campaigning at 115 or 123 pounds, the colorful and unorthodox fighter has commanded the attention of fans with his last two wins.