Koji Takeda vs. Juri Ohara III set for DEEP 93 Impact
Two weeks ago, DEEP 92 Impact went down live from the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. In the main event, it was a rematch between Koji Takeda (9-1) and Juri Ohara (25-17-3, 1NC) with Takeda’s DEEP lightweight title on the line. Unfortunately, following a round two foul, Ohara could not continue.
The bout went to a technical decision, meaning the judges were tasked to score round one and the majority of round two so that a winner could be announced. Three judges gave Takeda the unanimous nod, whilst two called for a draw, meaning Koji Takeda retained his title in controversial fashion.
Immediately following the contest, a rematch was confirmed. And now, we have a date.
December 15, DEEP 93 Impact, the two will fight for a third time in their second title fight. Hopefully, we see more conclusive results this time!
Koji Takeda started his career with a perfect record of 7-0 thanks to his utilisation of ridiculous pro-wrestling style slams and suplexes mixed with an absolutely smothering top game and a powerhouse submission game. In his eighth pro fight, Takeda found himself fighting for DEEP gold against a legend in Satoru Kitaoka. A dominant 25-minute showing saw him win the bout.
The 24-year-old then made his RIZIN debut and suffered his first setback by way of unanimous decision against UFC-veteran Damien Brown. Two weeks ago, despite the controversy, Takeda made the first defense of his lightweight title. Can he make it two in December?
Though not even 30-years-old yet, Juri Ohara has solidified himself as a true legend of the DEEP cage considering he has competed over 40 times under the prestigious banner. He has been a professional fighter since 2009 and has a few standout performances in Panrase, Grachan, FOAD Fighting Championship, and Vale Tudo Japanm but DEEP is where Ohara has truly made a home for himself in this span of time.
Prior to the technical decision loss to Takeda, Juri Ohara scored a vicious first-round knockout to rebound from a controversial split decision call.
DEEP 93 Impact also had a few other bouts announced.
RIZIN fighter, and DEEP megaton champion, Roque Martinez (13-5-2) will defend his title against Seigo Mizuguchi (14-17) who also goes by the fitting moniker of “Mr. Megaton.” Returning to DEEP as a two-fight UFC vet, 22-year-old Naoki Inoue (11-2) will make his twelfth promotional appearance against Toshiaki Kitada (22-12-4) a former tournament champion and multi-time world-title challenger.
Also, a veteran of ONE Championship and DREAM, Tatsuya Mizuno (22-12-1) will look for his eighth-straight against Joshua Robison (8-6-2, 1NC) of Kansas. Finally, a true pioneer for women’s mixed martial arts, former champion Satoko Shinashi (38-3-2) returns in a should-be squash match when she faces Mizuki Oshiro (1-1) of Okinawa.
DEEP 93 Impact goes down on December 15, live from the Ota Ward Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.
