The veteran versus new kid on the block framework continues with Rumina Sato booked to take on Joe Warren at the upcoming Vale Tudo Japan '09, which is scheduled for the JCB Hall in Tokyo on Oct. 30.
Shooto promoter Sustain today confirmed that Warren has been tapped as the opponent for Shooto pioneer and former 143-pound Pacific Rim champion, Rumina Sato, for VTJ '09.
Sato vocalized his wish to fight at 135 pounds at last month's press conference, citing his success and new-found vigor at the exhibition grappling match at UFC 100 fan expo. For the upcoming event, he will settle at the approximate midway point between 143 pounds and the potential new weight class: The fight will be contested at the contracted weight of 138.9 pounds -- the official weight of DREAM's "featherweight" division -- under the previously announced VTJ rules.
Also, unlike the bouts fought by "Lion" Takeshi Inoue and Takanori Gomi, Sato-Warren will be a three-rounder with five minute rounds.
Sato last fought Shooto's 143-pound champion, "Lion" Takeshi Inoue, at Shooto's 20th anniversary event in May, suffering a first-round technical knockout loss. A long-time fan favorite and one of the pioneers of lightwer weight divisions, Sato has experienced a prolonged career ebb and lost six of his last seven fights.
Warren comes off a first-round submission loss against Bibiano Fernandes in the semi-final round of the DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix at DREAM 11. It was the first loss of his nascent but storied career -- he defeated former WEC bantamweight champion, Chase Beebe and Japanese MMA icon, Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto, in his first two MMA fights.
The following is the updated line-up for Vale Tudo Japan '09:
Kenichiro Togashi vs. Willamy Freire
Takanori Gomi vs. Tony Hervey
Takeshi Inoue vs. Alexandre Franca Nogueira
Mamoru Yamaguchi vs. Jesse Taitano
Tito Jones vs. Tenkei Fujimiya
Rumina Sato vs. Joe Warren
Yoichiro Sato vs. Jung Min Kang
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