Masakazu "Ashikan Judan" Imanari

This guy looked amazing in the 2 most recent fights ive seen him in. Does anyone know his combat art background (i know its probably grappling, but what type?)

It seems like if the guy gets a hold of your leg/ankle/foot its over, even for BJJ black belts.

Who would you guys pick in a grappling match at 155lbs

Imanari vs. Curran (this match at 145)
Imanari vs. Penn
Imanari vs. Sherk

 

thoughts?

 

Well... I really enjoyed seeing his face smash into hell boy's knee and bounce like a quarter off Vida Guerra's ass

No full fight linking please.

 

Imanari is all over the place really. His background really can't be singled to one form of grappling.

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thanks for the insight, any thoughts on the matchups?

 

Who would you guys pick in a grappling match at 155lbs:

Imanari vs. Curran----- Imanari
Imanari vs. Penn------- Penn
Imanari vs. Sherk------ Sherk


Imanari is sick, and i plan on buying his dvd tonight now that you reminded me.

 

Vs Curran Imanari
Vs Penn Penn
Vs Sherk Imanari if he gets a hold off his leg before the time limit, or Sherk by decision

 

Nice gif

 

Imanari did catch Hansen in a vicious heel hook though, but didn't apply it full force which gave Hansen just enough time/room to roll and pull out.

Imanari was being much too nice to Hansen...

 

Yes. This was the day the leg defeated the Imanari. Karma hurts.

 

i thought Imanari was one of Japan's few (forgot number, 25?) BJJ black belts

 

I always thought his background was shoot wrestling. I guess not.

 

It is. But he's also a BJJ black belt.

 

Actually heard I rumor that he recently starting training under a famous ninjitsu master.

 

That'd be so cool if were true. Shoot-wrestling incorporates so much athleticism, dynamic motion and rolling that I could see it being relevant just for that.

Imanari is a cool guy.

 

if imanari would just work on his striking he would be a beast!

 

Any more thoughts on how he would do in a grappling match against

Curran
Sherk
Penn

 

imanari is dangerous in mma cus he is unpredictable.. In a straight grappling match he tends to be OBVIOUSLY obsessed with leglocks which makes him easier to fight.

 

He does great in no-gi grappling so long as the rules don't favor positioning points over submission attempts. In no-gi grappling, especially Contenders, Combat Wrestling and Kingdom he's had a great career. Only Sato and Yoshida have subbed him. And both happened a while ago.