A Rumina Sato Q&A is not something that English speaking only MMA fans have the opportunity of reading everyday. As one of the most prolific lightweights in the world, this cornerstone of the Shooto association is only now, in the later half of his career, rumored to be venturing out into other organizations away from Japan. The king of the lock flow, frequently running like water through submission attempt after submission attempt in MMA bouts, might be coming to the States.

With memorable losses to Uno and a recent loss to Gomi in Shooto’s year end event last December, he once again has to settle with being #2. Rumina is still on a quest for the Shooto Title that has eluded him for so many years. He has made it clear that this is his number one priority. In addition to that, nagging injuries have kept him from competing in All Japan Combat Wrestling for the first time in his long career submission grappling career and has kept him sidelined for most of 2002. Originally rumored to be slated in a UFC this year, his original quest and his injuries might keep him from the American public any time soon.

We would like to preface this interview. We had to conduct this interview through more than one translator, without our ability to follow up on questions where his answers led or did not safice. In anycase, we are greatful to Mr. Hiroaki Tsukamoto and everyone at the Shooto Organization for their help with this task. We hope that it will give some of his English speaking fans a little insight and a little more knowledge about this much loved fighter.

MMARR-Since your last Shooto fight, tell us what you have been doing since then?

Rumina Sato - The days have been the same as usual. Nothing has been changed- Just training!

MMARR-What kept you out of All Japan Combat Wrestling this year?

Rumina Sato - No Comment.

MMARR-Even though you lost a tough decision to Gomi last December, what did you experience from that fight that you think will help you in future competitions?

Rumina Sato - Only that It was indeed one of the greatest experiences in my entire fighting career.

MMARR-Do you think that fighting Gomi might actually prepare you for fighting in the USA, because Gomi has a similar style to many American fighters?

Rumina Sato - I do not think that it is the style only for American fighters but also for Japanese fighters these days here in Japan. I see more Japanese fighters who choose to adopt the similar style, and the opportunity I had with Gomi told me I need to better prepare for it.

MMARR-In your opinion, what makes the distinct styles of Japanese fighters and American fighters so different?

Rumina Sato - I believe that American fighters prefer to punch while Japanese fighters like the submission techniques. That’s because Japanese, in most of martial arts, like to see the series of techniques for the clean finish without seeing blood.

MMARR-With Sakurai and Nakao both losing in the Ultimate Fighting Championships 36 (UFC), many people are wondering, even more now, if Japanese fighters have problems fighting in a cage (octagon) as opposed to a ring. What is your opinion of this?

Rumina Sato - I agree with you. Japanese fighters like us who wishes the fighting opportunity inside UFC octagon have to do everything we could do before entering the cage - in the area of day-to-day training method and tactics development.

But the most important thing is that Japanese fighters should take every opportunity in UFC they can, until it becomes a part of fighting career.

MMARR-Many U.S. gyms are constructing both a ring and a cage into their facilities. Do you think that cages might start appearing in Japanese gyms or schools any time soon?

Rumina Sato - There are very few opportunities here in Japan that the promoters run the show with cages until today. I am not sure how the situation might be changed in the future…
I hope to see some gyms in Japan will start constructing a ring plus a cage into the facilities in the near future as our fever for the UFC is becoming hotter than ever!

MMARR-How do you feel coming to the U.S. to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) at 155 lbs.? What do you think of the weight division right now?

Rumina Sato - Yes....
I only wish that UFC would have 1 or 2 more weight categories so that more Japanese fighter could actively participate in the UFC.

MMARR-I am going to mention a few famous mixed martial artists names. Please comment on them and tell us what you think of them:

Rumina Sato -
· B.J. Penn
Excellent ground techniques and "gifted" punching techniques. I admire his great potential, and have a feeling that BJ would become the top 1 amongst these 5 fighters.

· Matt Serra
Looks very powerful. Probably number 1 fighter in the ground technique area.

· Caol Uno
I admire him-a well-balanced fighter in striking, throwing and submission. Having lost twice in the past, I am looking for another chance for revenge.

· Takanori Gomi
Similar type to Matt Hughes - excellent techniques based with wrestling and punching.

· Jens Pulver
Total fighter just like Caol Uno.
I admire his punching techniques.

MMARR-What is a typical training day like for you?

Rumina Sato - Weight training between 2:00pm - 4:00pm.
Gym work with a spar between 8:00pm - 11:00pm.

MMARR-Specifically, what do you still want to accomplish in this sport?

Rumina Sato - To become Shooto Welter Weight Category Champion and defend the championship as long as I can.
To let the people in the world know how wonderful Shooto is.

MMARR-You’ve been competing since 1994. Most of the fighters that succeeded in the mixed martial arts world from 94’ to 98’ are nowhere to be found and are considered "dinosaurs" or old. What separates you from them?

Rumina Sato - Very difficult question to answer, but my response would be very simple - because I love Shooto!

MMARR -How much longer do you want to spend in the sport as a competitor?

Rumina Sato - I have no idea!

MMARR- Who is your trainer/coach?

Rumina Sato - For the physical trainer it is Mr. Yoshida of The Strongs Co.Ltd. For Shooto it is Mr. Kusayanagi, President of K’z Factory Shooto Gym.

MMARR -Who is the one person you truly respect and owe a lot of your fight success to and why?

Rumina Sato - It is Mr. Noboru Asahi, the former Shooto Light Weight Category Champion. He was the one who trained me when I started Shooto. Without his hard training I could not have come this far.

MMARR -Where in Japan do you come from?

Rumina Sato - I come from Odawara City of Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo metropolitan area. I grew up with a nice view of the Pacific Ocean.

MMARR -Where do you live now?

Rumina Sato - In Yokohama City.

MMARR-Do you feel that Japanese fighters have a harder training discipline than American fighters?

Rumina Sato - No, I do not feel that way. Every strong fighter at the top level would train hard regardless his nationality.

MMARR -What will you do after you are done fighting?

Rumina Sato - I have an unlimited curiosity and interest over almost anything. So I would be busy challenging many things every day.

MMARR -Do you have any comments you would like to add or say to the fight fans outside of Japan?

Rumina Sato - I am looking forward to showing my fighting style in front of you in the near future. Until then I will continue to work hard and stay fit for my best performance. See you then!