Shu Utsuki destroys Takayuki Sakai, Tarui, Mioya and Nakai also pick up wins

Earlier today at Korakuen Hall Dangan put on their latest show, which was part of an A and B  Class tournament. Although the card certainly wasn't a huge one it did have several noteworthy bouts on it.

One of the notable bouts on the card saw JBC ranked female fighters face off, in what turned out to be a bit of an upset. Former notable female amateur Sayo Segawa (1-1, 1) [瀬川 紗代] was expected to claim her second professional win as she took on 29 year old Natsuki Tarui (4-6-2) [樽井 捺月]. Instead however the experience of Tarui played dividends as she narrowly took a 6 round split decision. By the end of this one both women looked absolutely shattered following what had been a very high octane and draining bout. Credit to Tarui however for digging that little bit deeper and taking the narrow win.

In a B Class tournament qualifying bout at Bantamweight Koki Mioya (8-1-2, 2) [三尾谷 昂希] took a clear decision win over Daiju Hamaguchi (4-5, 2) [濱口 大樹]. Hamaguchi looked to try and make this a fight, using his physicality, but Mioya was good through out and there was no real arguing with the decision. After 6 rounds the scores were 58-56, 59-55 and 60-54 all to Mioya, who was well worth the win.

In a 5 round Prize Fight, where a bonus is given for scoring a stoppage, Ryo Nakai (2-0-1, 1) [中井 龍] took a decision win over Mirai Naito (8-2, 3) [内藤 未来]. This was a fairly entertaining and well fought bout, but in the end Nakai's amateur pedigree, ring craft and more polished body punching proved to be the difference maker. Despite the loss for Naito we really wouldn't write him off and he certainly has the ability to make a mark on the domestic scene over the coming years.

In the main event, an A Class tournament qualifying bout, fans saw the big punching Shu Utsuki (7-0, 6) [宇津木秀] showcase what he could do as he took the fight to Takayuki Sakai (9-3-2, 6) [酒井 孝之], and took his man out in round 2. Utsuki looked like the boss from the opening seconds and pressed and pressured Sakai around the ring as and when he pleased. In round 2 Utsuki put his foot on the gas and dropped Sakai with a gorgeous short right hand. The referee instantly stopped this one.

Following today's wins Mioya and Sakai will both be in action in January in the their relevant tournament finals.