Japanese Promoters Unite—To Bring Japanese-Style Martial Arts Events Back to the World!
On October 8, a press conference for the “10.19 JAPAN MARTIAL ARTS EXPO PROLOGUE” was held in Tokyo, where the first match card was announced: “Buakaw Banchamek vs. Kouzi” (Special Boxing Rules: / 3 x 3 min., No Decision / 70 kg Catchweight).
Since 2016, Kouzi has made K-1 his primary arena, where he has fought fierce battles fueled by his exceptional stamina, solidifying his status as a top competitor. In 2020, he made a surprising move to RIZIN, embracing the challenge of MMA.
Buakaw, a two-time champion of the K-1 WORLD MAX Tournament (2004, 2006), showed his enduring power in July 2024 at RIZIN LANDMARK 9. There, he faced off against “Philip” Minoru Kimura, securing a second-round KO with a powerful right straight. At 42, he remains a formidable force, living up to his ironman reputation in the martial arts world.
The upcoming event will feature around 10 matches, spanning MMA, boxing, kickboxing, and Ganryujima, with more fight cards set to be revealed soon.
Below are comments from Kouzi and Sadaharu Tanigawa, producer of Ganryujima, who both spoke at the press conference.
Kouzi
“Fighters using steroids and other substances—what’s happening to martial arts? It’s just shameful. As a kid, I watched fighters like Masato and Buakaw on TV and admired them. They fought with integrity, and that’s the kind of role model I believe kids look up to. It’s wrong that we’ve turned martial arts into a place where anything goes. I want to show what it means to fight clean, regardless of weight class, without relying on steroids.
Buakaw is still incredibly strong, and I’ve seen him take down opponents who used illicit substances. No amount of steroids or illicit substances can strengthen your heart. I want to show Buakaw—and all of Japan—the true spirit of unbreakable Japanese resolve. Of course, I’m aiming to defeat him, and I’m looking forward to a boxing match where we can really go at it.”
【Sadaharu Tanikawa, Ganryujima Producer】
“We’ve received numerous requests from Southeast Asia and beyond to host a Martial Arts EXPO, and starting next year, we’ll be expanding our focus on Asia. RIZIN, K-1, QUINTET, and Ganryujima have united under this shared vision. Japan originally pioneered martial arts globally, with our formats influencing major organizations like UFC, Bellator, ONE FC, and PFL. The martial arts boom we initiated in the 1990s and 2000s continues to resonate worldwide.
Despite this success, it’s disheartening to see Japan fall behind. If only K-1 and PRIDE had joined forces back then, we could have gone toe-to-toe with UFC. We have the content power for that. Now, we’re regrouping to revive Japanese-style martial arts events on the world stage.
At the October 19th event at Yokohama BUNTAI, you’ll see MMA from RIZIN, kickboxing from K-1, grappling from QUINTET, and mixed-style fights from Ganryujima. The first half will feature MMA, boxing, and kickboxing in a cage. After a break, the cage will be removed for QUINTET’s 5-on-5 team matches and about three Ganryujima mixed bouts, totaling around 10 matches.
The EXPO will also include a trade show with 17 booths featuring apparel, therapeutic bodywork, protein supplements, and more. We’ll showcase various martial arts demonstrations, highlighting Japan’s pride in karate, aikido, traditional Japanese weapon arts (kobudo), and ninjutsu.
This event will also serve as a charity for the Noto Peninsula, with VIP seats priced at ¥10,000 and general admission at ¥3,000. Although the venue holds 5,000, tickets are selling fast, so don’t miss out. General admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. In Japan, we’ll stream the event for free with one broadcaster, while it will be available internationally across Southeast Asia, South Korea, Thailand, the Middle East, and Europe.
At this price, you’ll experience matches worth much more. You definitely won’t want to miss it. Thank you.”
Buakaw Banchamek (Muay Thai / Thailand)
Date of Birth: May 8, 1982
Height: 174 cm
Weight: 70 kg
Buakaw is the K-1 WORLD MAX champion in 2004 and 2006. He made his K-1 WORLD MAX debut in 2004 and won the tournament by defeating Masato in the final. He continued his winning streak and claimed his second title in 2006. In 2023, he made his long-awaited return to Japan at RIZIN.42, facing Rukiya Anpo. Although the match ended in a draw, he once again showcased his strength to Japanese fans.
Kouzi (Kickboxing / Japan)
Date of Birth: May 6, 1989
Height: 173 cm
Weight: 61 kg
Kouzi is the 3rd place finisher in the 4th K-1 WORLD GP Super Featherweight Tournament and the ISKA World Lightweight Champion. He started Japanese Kenpo and karate at the age of 4 and achieved excellent results. After turning pro, he competed in various rings in his hometown of Osaka. From 2016, he made K-1 his main stage, showcasing his incredible stamina and establishing his name as “The King of Osaka.” In 2020, he made a surprising move to RIZIN and also challenged MMA.
– Event Details –
Noto Peninsula Earthquake Charity Event
JAPAN MARTIAL ARTS EXPO PROLOGUE
Date & Time: Saturday, October 19th, 2024. Doors open at 12:30 PM, Event starts at 2:00 PM.
Venue: Yokohama BUNTAI
2-7-1 Furo-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0032
Organizer: Japan Martial Arts Consortium
Ticket Prices: Arena Reserved Seating: ¥10,000 (excl. tax) (Reserved Seating)
General Admission: ¥3,000 (excl. tax) (Open Seating)
Ticket Sales: Tickets will be available starting Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, through e-plus and other outlets:
e-plus (from Oct 1st)
Ticket Pia (from Oct 2nd)
Lawson Ticket (from Oct 2nd)
Official Event Website: https://jmaexpo.com/
For the latest updates, be sure to follow our official social media channels!