Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings
Flyweight
Aug 10, 2007
FLYWEIGHT (125-115)
1. Shinichi "BJ" Kojima (Pictures) (8-1-4)
There can be no debate about who rules Shooto's 123-pound division. However, that is not to say that all is rosy for BJ: after the gift of the year in his first title defense against Yasuhiro Urushitani (Pictures), the champion was less than stellar in his July non-title bout with Yasuhiro Akagi (Pictures). With two judges having draws on their cards through two rounds, BJ's vigorous ear-boxing from back-control caused one of Akagi's cauliflowers to explode and bleed profusely, prompting a doctor stoppage late in the final frame. BJ's departure from the Abi Ani Combat Club doesn't quite seem like the best idea in hindsight, especially with Mamoru and Urushitani both out for blood.
2. Mamoru Yamaguchi
(Pictures) (18-3-3)
The longtime ruler of the 123-pounders, Shooto's afroed ace returned to the ring in June for his first bout since his shocking title loss to BJ last October. Mamoru's potent striking proved far too much for the green-but-always-game Yusei Shimokawa (Pictures), as the former champ took a lopsided unanimous decision. Mamoru is now set for a Sept. 22 rematch with Yasuhiro Urushitani (Pictures), the man he defeated to become the first 123-pound king of pro Shooto in Dec. 2003. The winner will likely be the next challenger to BJ's throne.
3. Yasuhiro Urushitani (Pictures) (13-3-4)
Good grief for "Good Lacquer." Urushitani was completely and utterly victimized by the judges in his March title bout with BJ, who inexplicably ruled the fight a split draw after 15 minutes of technical striking domination from Urushitani. One of the most slick and stylish fighters in MMA, Urushitani will have a chance to kill two birds with one stone Sept. 22, as he rematches Mamoru, likely with another title shot hanging in the balance.
4. Masaaki Sugawara (Pictures) (6-1-0)
Masatoshi Abe (Pictures)'s upset loss to Yuki Shoujou (Pictures) last month opened the door for new blood to take a jump up in the ranks. Perhaps none of the division's up-and-comers are more deserving than lanky and exciting Sugawara, who sports quality wins over the aforementioned Shoujou, and Toshimichi Akagi (Pictures), whom he punched out in the first round in June.
5. Yusei Shimokawa (Pictures) (5-3-0)
Numbers can't tell the whole story for Shimokawa. Since '05, he's lost only to BJ and Mamoru, while picking up quality wins over the likes of Yuki Shoujou (Pictures), Toshimichi Akagi (Pictures) and Yasuhiro Akagi (Pictures), in one of 2006's most sensational bouts.
1. Shinichi "BJ" Kojima (Pictures) (8-1-4)
There can be no debate about who rules Shooto's 123-pound division. However, that is not to say that all is rosy for BJ: after the gift of the year in his first title defense against Yasuhiro Urushitani (Pictures), the champion was less than stellar in his July non-title bout with Yasuhiro Akagi (Pictures). With two judges having draws on their cards through two rounds, BJ's vigorous ear-boxing from back-control caused one of Akagi's cauliflowers to explode and bleed profusely, prompting a doctor stoppage late in the final frame. BJ's departure from the Abi Ani Combat Club doesn't quite seem like the best idea in hindsight, especially with Mamoru and Urushitani both out for blood.
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The longtime ruler of the 123-pounders, Shooto's afroed ace returned to the ring in June for his first bout since his shocking title loss to BJ last October. Mamoru's potent striking proved far too much for the green-but-always-game Yusei Shimokawa (Pictures), as the former champ took a lopsided unanimous decision. Mamoru is now set for a Sept. 22 rematch with Yasuhiro Urushitani (Pictures), the man he defeated to become the first 123-pound king of pro Shooto in Dec. 2003. The winner will likely be the next challenger to BJ's throne.
3. Yasuhiro Urushitani (Pictures) (13-3-4)
Good grief for "Good Lacquer." Urushitani was completely and utterly victimized by the judges in his March title bout with BJ, who inexplicably ruled the fight a split draw after 15 minutes of technical striking domination from Urushitani. One of the most slick and stylish fighters in MMA, Urushitani will have a chance to kill two birds with one stone Sept. 22, as he rematches Mamoru, likely with another title shot hanging in the balance.
4. Masaaki Sugawara (Pictures) (6-1-0)
Masatoshi Abe (Pictures)'s upset loss to Yuki Shoujou (Pictures) last month opened the door for new blood to take a jump up in the ranks. Perhaps none of the division's up-and-comers are more deserving than lanky and exciting Sugawara, who sports quality wins over the aforementioned Shoujou, and Toshimichi Akagi (Pictures), whom he punched out in the first round in June.
5. Yusei Shimokawa (Pictures) (5-3-0)
Numbers can't tell the whole story for Shimokawa. Since '05, he's lost only to BJ and Mamoru, while picking up quality wins over the likes of Yuki Shoujou (Pictures), Toshimichi Akagi (Pictures) and Yasuhiro Akagi (Pictures), in one of 2006's most sensational bouts.
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