Saeki unveils DEEP-X

Stephen MartinezMay 11, 2007

Summer time in Japan is approaching and many promoters across the country are getting ready to deliver their regular series of shows to regain the pace for the last couple of weeks of inactivity.

With Shooto in the horizon with another mega-card to hardcore fans, Pancrase announcing two upcoming shows in partnership with Bodog and Cage Force officially announcing their line-up for the next two shows, Japanese fans and fans of the Japanese scene alike begin to wonder what was next for Nagoya based promotion DEEP, run by none other than Shigeru Saeki, Perhaps one of the most charismatic figures in The Japanese MMA scene today.

Mr. Saeki, or "Saeki San" as he's commonly know by fans and fighter alike held a press conference today in the promotion run DEEP official gym in Tokyo to announce his new project, a grappling only event under the banner DEEP-X

The new event produced by Shigeru Saeki and the DEEP office and sponsored by Nagoya Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club and Local MMA store Bullterrier will run under similar rules as used in Jiu-Jitsu tournaments with 4 points for mount or back grab, 3 points for passing the guard and two points for take downs and sweeps while victory or defeat will be scored by three judges.

One of the matches announced place current DEEP Featherweight champion Masakatsu Imanari taking on Brazilian Top Team black belt Bruno Frazzato, who placed third in the Feather Black Belt division in the last Mundial 2006.

Between other matches announced, journey man Warhorse Hiroyuki Abe takes on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black belt Mauricio Souza while Grabaka`s jiu-jitsu wizard Takeshi Yamazaki (Pictures) and current DEEP welter-weight champion Hidehiko Hasegawa (Pictures) are expected to participate against opponents to be announced.

DEEP-X
Tokyo, June 17 at Shinjuku FACE.

68kg
Bruno Frazzato vs. Masakazu Imanari (Pictures)
Mauricio Souza vs. Hiroyuki Abe

Expected to participate
Hidehiko Hasegawa (Pictures) (SK absolute/DEEP Welterweight champion)
Takeshi Yamazaki (Pictures) (Grabaka)
Alison "Kiki" Maro (NOVA UNIAO)
Marcos Souza (Bonsai)