Hiromasa Ogikubo, Koshi Matsumoto Take Shooto World Titles at Finish-Filled ‘Fight & Mosh’

Professional Shooto has two new world champions. Saturday, leading Shooto promoter Sustain and Japanese streetwear company Mobstyles collaborated for another card in their “Fight and Mosh” series inside the Maihama Amphitheater in Urayasu, Japan, with a championship doubleheader. In the headliner, former 135-pound champion Hiromasa Ogikubo earned his second Shooto world title, snatching Masaaki Sugawara’s 125-pound crown with a guillotine choke in the fifth and final frame. Ogikubo (15-3-2) was in control of the title fight from the outset, putting the incumbent titlist on the mat repeatedly with his powerful, driving takedowns. Sugawara (18-11-1) was able to sweep and escape on occasion, but by the championship rounds, the 36-year-old was worn down by Ogikubo’s relentless pressure on top. An arm-triangle choke late in round four was a clear indication of Ogikubo’s increasing dominance in the bout, setting the stage for the Paraestra Matsudo product to seal the deal in the last round. With a swollen and cut right eye, Sugawara tried to get his volume punching attack going, only to end up beneath Ogikubo, desperately trying to scramble to his feet. With 30 seconds left, the champion tried to stand once more, rolling head first into a tight guillotine. Ogikubo tightened his grip, passed into full mount and choked Sugawara unconscious, forcing referee Minoru Toyonaga into action with just 12 seconds left in the 25-minute affair. With the win, Ogikubo has won nine of his last 10 bouts and remains undefeated as a flyweight, with his last loss coming to UFC standout Kyoji Horiguchi in their 135-pound title fight in March 2013. The strap makes Ogikubo just the second man to hold Shooto world title in two weight classes, following after Shooto icon Mamoru Yamaguchi. The fifth-round guillotine also snapped Sugawara’s five-fight winning streak. In the first of the evening’s two Shooto world title bouts, Koshi Matsumoto (16-6-2) upgraded his Shooto Pacific Rim title and earned some revenge over previously unbeaten Yuki …

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