Enson Inoue: Impossible to run a big MMA promotion in Japan without Yakuza

Enson Inoue: Impossible to run a big MMA promotion in Japan without Yakuza

4 hours ago |

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From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Hello everyone it's Enson Inoue.
I had a successful return to the ring last April and am currently in the process of writing a book
--ENSON ON JMMA TODAY--
lastcall - Enson, How do you think Kid will do in the UFC? Enson, further on Kid in the UFC, what would your main advice for him be?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
I think he will do great!
He needs to use his wrestling to get on top and use his ground and pound! His G n P is ferocious. However most important for Kid is to have confidence that he can kick anyone in this weight class's ass, in the world.
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taruk mak tao - Enson, Can you discuss why you think japanese and asian fighters in general struggle (for the most part) when fighting in the US?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
I think the language and the atmosphere is what affects them most. The energy in the US arena is leaps different from the Japanese ones.
EVILYOSHIDA - hey enson. what do you think japan can do to save its mma industry?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Get the right people to run it who can get the right sponsors then get some of the top fighters back fighting on Japanese soil!
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EVILYOSHIDA - Hey Enson, how prevalent is steroid usage among japanese fighters? is it rare or common?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Very rare
--
nobones - Hey Enson cool to see you on the UG again. What do you think of JMMA scene? Do you think it can revive and do you think the UFC is the promotion to do it considering the FEG president has basically declared FEG dead unless emergency VC arrives soon? Are there any Japanese promotions that could pick up the mantle left by Pride and soon Dream to carry on the JMMA torch and getting it burning again?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Dana is the man that can make it happen and I already have offered him my services if he needs them.
--
Jack Skellington - One last question: When was the last time you spoke to Dana White?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
About a year ago through email.
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nobones - What do you think of JMMA scene? Do you think it can revive and do you think the UFC is the promotion to do it considering the FEG president has basically declared FEG dead unless emergency VC arrives soon? Are there any Japanese promotions that could pick up the mantle left by Pride and soon Dream to carry on the JMMA torch and getting it burning again?

Also, do you think Shinya Aoki was overrated? Maybe he was top ten once in his career, but many pundits had him ranked #2 for several years. Seems ridiculous considering he never fought and beat a top five guy when they were top five.
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Mma in japan is not dead. Maybe K-1s Tanigawa was just talking about himself that fucken crook. he has 2 Y organizations pissed and after him.

Aoki is too 1 dimensional.
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EVILYOSHIDA - tanigawa is a douche. i never hd faith in dream because of his idiocy. mma needs a real leader in japan, bring sakakibara back.
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Yes Tanigawa is a very dishonest who is on his way down hard.
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Wasa-B - Actually, Enson on the JMMA management scene, corruption, yakuza, etc.....im not sure if most people here understand that much of the entertainment industry in Asia is intertwined with organized crime and that breaking out of it may be great but not exactly done at the flick of a switch.

Countries cannot change long historical patterns over night and Japan is an older country than the US.

So, that said, what, in a nutshell, do you think it will take to revive the JMMA scene again? Can a single figure or core management team that is not as crooked as Tanigawa for example lead the way on their own?

How difficult would it be for a major MMA org to run itself on the scale of a Pride or K1 without Yakuza ties?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Yes someone respected by the fighters, fans, and Yakuza will be able to revive JMMA.... and No. It would be impossible to run a big MMA promotion without getting involved with the Yakuza
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thefightnerd - hey enson, just saw this thread on the front page and wanted to also say thanks for the great fights, I remember seeing some of your earlier battles when I used to tape-trade and its impossible not to be a fan of a guy like you. wanted to ask you a little more about JMMA, specifically if you could go in more detail on what the yakuza controls when it comes to the fight scene and how much control they ultimately have? thanks
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
More than control, you have to pay them to work in their territory. So instead of going in with no backing and get eaten up by the sharks... it's smartest to collaborate with a Yakuza group, give them a percentage and they keep all the other sharks away.
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hiptosser - Can you explain to us the position Yazuza hold in Japanese culture/society, I think there is a disconnect with fans in the states when we hear that Yazuza is involved with MMA or entertainment.
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
It's quite common and accepted in Japan. But it's a no no to have it come public.
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theken206 - "1) Why doesn't the Japanese government strip the Yakuza of their influence like the FBI does to the mafia(for the most part) in the States? Is it because of the group culture?"
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
The yakuza cant really be compared that well with Cosa Nostra. Diffrent set up/culture/influences/history etc etc
They are trying. They are cracking down hard.
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theken206 - hmmmm quite intresting...... how are they going about it? Trying to tie illict buisnesses with legit ones? Some crazy japanese version of the RICO act lol?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Harassing them for no reason and changing laws to make life harder for them.
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theken206 - gotcha gotcha. How has the effect been?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Pretty good. The Yakuzas are being squeezed good.
--
Bixby - Hi Enson

I wanted to ask you about the Yakuza and how strong they are involved in the combat scene.

What about Yakuza in general? THe west has probably the false image of these guys due to hollywood movies and such.

How present are they really in all of Japan?

From: Enson Yamato Inoue
They are silently present in every fight promotion.
They are also very present in everyday Japan. For example I hit the town last night randomly saw at least 20 Yakuzas and went drinking with 3 of them.
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DreamerMMA - Damn, some of you are trying to get Enson killed with all the Yakuza questions.
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
No it's all good.

--ENSON ON PAST BATTLES & MAYBE FUTURE--
jittaz - hey enson, you are a legend, and a rolemodel to alot of us, my question in who was your toughest fight against in your career?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
1. Frank Shamrock
2. Igor Vovchanchin
3. Big Nog
4. Mark Kerr
--
kenshamrocktoehold

was mark kerr the strongest fighter you faced Enson?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Physically? Yes!
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mijo - Sensei Enson. I dont want to bring up any bad memories, so hopefully I dont offend you. I always thought you were one the first real MMA guys, but I also thought your submissions were your strong point. Just how shock were you when Nog was putting you in those submission holds?

And what did you say after you fought and lost to Frank Shamrock. I remember you crying.

Im just curious. sorry.
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Felt like I was getting raped! Respect to Nog!

I said, "Franks 100% was better than my 100% tonight. There were days that I took of because I was sore. Losing doesn't necessarily need to be something bad. I can learn from this loss and make it something good. My heart has gotten stronger from this battle."
--
McCorkleRuinedMySN - Enson!! I you could fight anyone who would it be? we'll say one in mma, one not. also, Fedor, GSP, or Anderson? best p4p?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Of course it would be either my favorite fighter Vanderlei or a rematch with Frank.

Toss up between GSP and Cain.
--
leydster - Are you gonna be fighting again?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue

I'm 43 and the clock is ticking but if the right offer comes.
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TheAlchemist - sup Enson! Glad to see you back on the forums. Will we see you in the ring again?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Only if a good opponent and a good offer comes.
--
Lee Conway - Enson, amazing to actually speak to you, just a quick question if you have the time. What would you say was the best win of your career? The one that you're most proud of. Thanks in advance.
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Win for the books, Randy Couture.
Win for my spirit, Igor Vovchanchin.
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Im A Ninja - Thanks for taking the time to respond to the fans. You have always come across as an extremely respectful, and knowledgeable fighter. Many fighters should emulate the attitude that you carry. I think the sport would get a much better image, other than the barbaric, knuckle dragging buffoons that the media so likes to describe fighters.

What were some camps/fighters that you have prepared you for some of your fights? Can you remember the best training camp you had for preparing for a fight?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
The best training camp I ever had was my comeback fight in April 2010. The combination of my brother Egan overall training(http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1652956946), Fisticuffs Leonard Gabriel's boxing (http://www.fisticuffsgym.com/), and my O2 capsule, was the best training camp I ever had!!!
--
Benwahwah - Hey Enson, I'm wondering who do you wish you had been able to compete against. Also would you ever fight your brother in the cage or any of your students / teammates?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
I always wanted to fight Vanderlei. I would NEVER fight my brother.
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Hel13torm - hey Enson, was just listening to a podcast with Heath Herring and he told an entertaining story about your fight with him in PRIDE. He said he got you in a keylock and was trying to convince you to tapout otherwise your arm would break. He said you basically replied "Do what ya gotta do, man. Just break it". Any other entertaining stories from or about that fight?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Yeah he asked me to give up or he is going to break my arm and I replied, "If you can break it then go ahead and break it." It was cracking and popping so I was wondering if he could actually break it. Then the referee came running over and asked me if I wanted to give up so I answered him by hitting Heath on the back of the head with my free hand. That was a funny situation.
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jbbarne - Much respect for your fights, and thank you very much!

One quick question... do you feel MMA today is too boring, With the wrestling heavy, wall & stall tactics being used recently?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
The lack of Kill or be killed mentality is what's missing from MMA today. But it is doing well much much bigger and popular than when I was an active fighter.

--ENSON ON THE SF GRAND PRIX--
muay_jitsu - Any thoughts on the Strikeforce HW grand Prix? I see you think highly of Cain, how do you think he would do if he was involved? It is a honor to even have the privilege to be able to ask a legend any question. Thanks for the memories and hopefully you will have the opportunities somehow to give us more.
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Cain would do great where ever he goes. Striking, wrestling, ground, stamina, killer instinct, heart of a lion, what else can you ask for?
--
Jack Skellington - Enson, who are you picking as the winner of the Strikeforce GP?
BigFoot Silva vs. Fedor
Alistar Overeem vs. Fabrico Werdum
Andre Arlovski vs. Sergie Kharatonov
Josh Barnett vs. Brett 'Grimm' Rogers
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
I see Fedor vs Barnett in the final.
--
Jack Skellington - Can I quote you on that big man? lol
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Go right ahead. The sleeper will be Alistar!
I must warn you though, my predictions suck.

--ENSON ON TRAINING--
UnzippedAndMcCorkh0led Question - when you are getting guys ready to compete, what do you do, or how do you tell them to handle the butterflies, nerves ?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
I tell them to train as hard as they can because feeling that you are ready for the fight will subside the jitters. I also let them know that the jitters are normal and that they need to help it become aggression to smash their opponent.
--
DPhoenix - wow, the legendary Enson Inoue! I bow to you, sir!

Is it possible if you could please share some advice to a future MMA fighter (me)? I wish to learn anything I can from the best and I dream of going professional and fighting the best!

Thank you so much and best of luck in your book, which I will definitely look out for when it comes out!
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Train BJJ with a BJJ Black belt, kickboxing with a kick boxer, and wrestling with wrestlers.
--
Hunter V - how many black belts have you produced? You still do gi training or is it mainly no gi and muay thai these days?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
I've produced 9 black belts that are better than me now. I train 95% MMA and 5% gi.
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tatamiburns - Hey Enson, it must have been you on subfighter as talking to you on there was how I found Purebred Kyoto. Can you list your nine black-belts just out of curiosity.
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Steve Roberto, Terrence, Shshido Tikita, Yoshioka, Hashi, and 3 other Japanese fighters.

--ENSON GENERAL QUESTIONS--
PitbullMMA - When do you expect your book to be out? What is your favorite book?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Later this year. My favorite book although I can barely understand it is the Holy Bible
--
mandible - Much respect, old school legend of the sport. I recently recalled hearing or reading somewhere that you were on some sort of epic journey by foot across Japan. What happened with that?
From: Enson Yamato Inoue
Came back alive. 1400 kilos by foot and sleeping out every night.

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