Issue 086
March 2012
Bantamweight star Takeya Mizugaki is hoping home advantage will finally help him secure his first back-to-back success inside the Octagon at UFC 144
NEED TO KNOW
NAME Takeya Mizugaki
AGE 28
STARTED 2005
TEAM Shooting Gym Hakkei
DIVISION Bantamweight
STYLE Boxing, Shooto
RECORD 15-6-2
Fighters Only: What was your sports background before you started your MMA career?
Mizugaki: “I used to learn kendo (Japanese sword fighting). I think that experience helped me doing MMA in a way.”
How was your time going through the ranks of the amateur MMA programs in Shooto and Pancrase?
“I only fought in amateur Pancrase once before I made the transition into Shooto. I competed in the Pancrase Neo Blood [Rookie] tournament but lost my third fight. In amateur Shooto I was the runner-up at the 2003 East-Japan Shooto Championships and was the 2004 All-Japan Champion.”
The Japanese amateur system is quite structured compared to amateur MMA in the West. Do you think it helps prepare you for a professional career?
“I guess it helped me get used to real striking using open-finger gloves and I also learned how to take position in a real fight.”
Should the UFC and countries in the West develop a more structured amateur system like Shooto, Pancrase and Deep have in Japan?
“That’s a difficult question. There is a danger that fighters can become too accustomed to the amateur rules. Becoming too comfortable with these more forgiving rules can sometimes make it more difficult for them to transition to a professional fight. You don’t get experience learning to deal with things like ground ‘n’ pound in the amateur leagues so it’s difficult to say whether it’s truly beneficial.”
Following you winning the 2005 Shooto rookie tournament and MVP award, you had two losses and two draws against high-level competition. How did you deal with this rough patch and how do you think it changed you as a fighter?
“It was the most difficult time of my career, but I knew the only thing I could do was to continue to fight and train like my life depended on it. I think my attitude toward training changed following that rough patch – I became more serious.”
You eventually moved to Cage Force and won a title there. Why did you choose to switch promotions?
“I just wanted to fight as soon as possible and I heard that Cage Force was able to get me fights.”
Now that Cage Force is no longer operating, do you think Japanese fighters are at a disadvantage with no stable promotion to learn cage fighting in?
“Yes, it helped me a lot. It’s a huge disadvantage for Japanese fighters who wish to fight in the UFC.”
Japan still fights mainly in the ring although Dream and Deep have been experimenting with the cage. Which way do you think Japanese MMA should go?
“UFC is clearly the biggest event in the world at this point. It would be great if Japan could create a system that could lead fighters to the big leagues.”
Why did you choose to go to the UFC and WEC rather than local promotions like Dream or Sengoku?
“I did specifically want to fight in the UFC but I also felt that Dream and Sengoku were not really taking my weight class seriously back then.”
Your WEC debut versus Miguel Torres is still one of the defining fights of your career. Looking back at that fight, what do you think about it now?
“It was fun! It was my first fight in the States and it was a title shot in an opponent’s home town – it was a great experience. I wish I could have won the fight but I became addicted to the American MMA experience after that.”
A lot of fighters from Japan either get nervous or are unable to perform when they go to America to fight, why were you able to put on such a strong performance? What was different for you?
“I went over to the States when I was only 20 years old. I guess that made it easier for me to make the necessary adjustment. I’ve been asked the same question many times, but I don’t really know why to be honest with you.”
Generally, Japanese fighters have had difficulty finding success in the UFC. What is preventing so many great Japanese fighters from being successful in the Octagon?
“The difference in rules might be a disadvantage for fighters who built their career in Japan. When they come to the UFC they have to fight against top fighters who are already used to UFC rules.”
Despite some big wins and great performances you have been unable to string two consecutive wins together. Why is that?
“I keep wishing that I could win back-to-back fights, but I guess that is the limit of my ability as of now. I get a win and then I’m matched with a top-five opponent and I can’t beat him.”
Your recent win over Cole Escovedo is the most impressive of your time with the WEC and UFC and is your first knockout in the West. How did that feel?
“It was awesome! It took me so long to get a knockout victory. I really got a lot of confidence with that win.”
Did anything change in your training or in your mind?
“My mental state was definitely the key. I was so passive in my previous fight against Brian Bowles, I decided to really push the action and fight aggressive against Escovedo.”
Your UFC 144 fight will be your first fight in Japan for more than three years. How does it feel to finally have the home-town advantage for a change?
“I am so happy to finally fight in front of my friends and family, but my intentions are always the same – get another victory in the UFC.”
This is one of the lowest points in Japanese MMA history, why have the Japanese promotions fallen so far from the days of Pride?
“Pride was insanely popular and I guess the present situation is just more of a normal, sustainable level. Japan tends to forget about things quickly.”
How are the Japanese fans reacting to the UFC coming back to Japan?
“A lot more people are talking to me about my fights now that there is ads on TV and everywhere.”
Do you think the UFC can help revive Japanese MMA?
“It would be nice if the UFC could help bring Japanese back to the level it once was. If the UFC can’t help, Japanese MMA will have to ride out this low point for a long time.”
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