▼4th Match / Ganryujima Rules 3 Rounds of 3 Minutes / Open Weight
〇 Hideki “Shrek” Sekine (RIZIN/Japan)
Decision 2-1 ※29-28, 28-29, 28-28 (Must Decision)
● Ruann Visser (Boxing/South Africa)
Sekine holds a unique background as a former police officer, pro wrestler, and jiu-jitsu practitioner. He has competed fiercely in both MMA and pro wrestling arenas.
On the other hand, Visser is a massive 207 cm fighter from South Africa, known as the “Giant King” in his homeland. He boasts an impressive boxing record of 15 wins and 3 losses.
The height difference between the two was a shocking 30 cm, raising questions about how Sekine would approach the fight.
Round 1: As they faced off in the stand-up, Sekine made the first move with a right hook. Visser fended off Sekine’s takedown attempt, but Sekine managed to get on top. However, they ended up outside the ring, and the fight restarted from a standing position. Visser landed several hooks through Sekine’s guard, sending him backward. Sekine invited Visser to fight on the ground, but Visser refused to engage in ground fighting.
Round 2: Sekine went for another takedown, but Visser evaded and countered with hooks. Visser’s one-two punches prompted another takedown attempt by Sekine. Visser momentarily caught Sekine in a guillotine-like position but was able to stand up again. Sekine shot for another takedown, ultimately securing top control and delivering ground-and-pound strikes from above.
Round 3: Right from the start, Sekine scored another takedown, controlling the top position while delivering hammer fists and right punches for 30 seconds until the referee paused the action. Sekine resumed with more takedowns and followed through with strikes from the mount. Despite several breaks in the action, Sekine’s takedown and ground game prevailed, and he kept attacking the body with punches until the match ended.
Although the judges were split, Sekine won by a 2-1 decision. He took the microphone with tears in his eyes and said, “I’m sorry for speaking after only a decision win, but I want you to hear me out. To be honest, I was scared of Ruann Visser and couldn’t sleep every night. I think I’m a coward. But even though I can’t trust myself, I trust the teammates who train with me. It’s because they train with me and support me that I can do my best. If I can protect this stage and pass it on to future generations, then even an old man like me feels like I can keep fighting. I’ll keep doing my best, but at 51, my time may be running out. Please give me more opportunities to fight on this stage.”
Comments from the post-fight press conference
Hideki “Shrek” Sekine (RIZIN/Japan)
I’m relieved. I feel like I made it back alive. (Your opponent was huge)Originally, I was supposed to fight a different opponent, but Mr. Tanigawa offered me a South African fighter, and I agreed without much thought. It turned out he was a monster—someone who spars with guys like Francis Ngannou and Oleksandr Usyk. I couldn’t sleep for days.
(Regarding the punches)
My striking coach, Hiroaki Suzuki, also known as “Kaibutsu-kun,” helped me prepare. We practiced mitt work with him standing on a chair to simulate the reach, and I was trying to catch punches with my forehead. Even his jab had ridiculous power. (You were laughing while getting hit)
The power was just so overwhelming, all I could do was laugh. It was like, ‘Is this really happening?’ It felt like I was nearing my limit.
(You were stopped during a takedown attempt)
I expected that. I thought I could get him down in the scramble, but I didn’t want to waste too much energy. Even if I ended up on the bottom, I could sweep, so I deliberately went to the ground. As you saw, I quickly got to the top. Whether I take him down or end up on the bottom, it’s fine—that’s the BJJ mindset. I wanted him to engage more, but he was more of an out-boxer, so it played out differently.
(Why didn’t you go for an armbar?)
That’s a challenge I need to work on. Against someone of his size, the only people who can submit him are high-level guys like Satoshi, Kleber, or Marcos from Bonsai Jiu-Jitsu. In my training, I don’t have opponents of that size, so it’s hard to picture securing an armbar. The position of the joints is different due to the size difference.
(You didn’t want to risk a failed submission?)
I’m confident in scrambling on the ground, but when I get on top, my focus is on draining my opponent’s stamina.
(You shed tears after the fight)
Once I accepted the fight and learned about his background, I spent every day feeling like I wanted to run away. It was like a character from Kinnikuman wanting to pack up and flee. But I couldn’t run because I have my team. The emotional struggle of facing such a monster was overwhelming, and after the fight, I just felt a huge sense of release.
(How did having Kaibutsu-kun in your corner help?)
I’m a weak person—I have moments when I feel scared. When I took that massive punch and felt like retreating, he kept telling me to move forward. He gave me the courage I needed, like a surge of superhuman power.
(You’ve said you don’t have much time left in your career)
I’m not choosing my stages based on comfort. After I lost to Mikio Ueda, I won a Shoot boxing match, but since then, I haven’t been able to get MMA or kickboxing fights. Grappling is my main discipline, but I feel like striking-based MMA is my true challenge. I want to show kids that it’s possible to keep challenging yourself.
I’ve become a champion in jiu-jitsu, and if I can become a champion in striking, something I’m not strong at, I believe that will inspire others.”
Event Overview
Noto Peninsula Earthquake Charity Event
JAPAN MARTIAL ARTS EXPO PROLOGUE
Event Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Doors Open: 12:30 PM, Event Starts: 2:00 PM
Venue: Yokohama BUNTAI (2-7-1 Furocho, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0032)
Organizer: Japan Martial Arts Consortium
Ticket Prices: Arena Reserved Seats ¥10,000 (excluding tax) / General Admission (Free Seating) ¥3,000 (excluding tax)
Tickets on Sale: From Tuesday, October 1, 2024, via ePlus and other ticketing services.
How to watch：
12:30-（JST) U-NEXT（Only in Japan・Free）
https://video.unext.jp/livedetail/LIV0000006877?rid=FS00040
14:00-（JST) TrillerTV（Worldwide exlculding Japan・PPV）
https://www.trillertv.com/watch/japan-martial-arts-expo-2024/2pfqy/
14:00-（JST) Fight Plus（Worldwide excluding Japan・PPV）
https://fightplus.eu/item.html?id=4949480
Official Website：https://jmaexpo.com/
For the latest updates, please check the official social media channels