Powergate: Gate 8 - Shiba vs. Hoshiko

Shiba Hiroshi, out of Purebred Kyoto, is my buddy, but he has been in a slump. In 2007 he had been streaking racking up a win over Guy Delameau, among others. But he was coming off of three straight losses. Hoshiko Ryosuke (representing Robot Criminal K)is a fighter I have been hearing a lot about, not just for his improbable, but real, last name (it means Star Child) or his regal mohawk, but for his dedicated striking. I was also told that the whole Robot Criminal thing is made up and he really trains at a karate dojo five minutes from Purebred, and has no ground game whatsoever. Shiba, although a goofball who frequently appears to be taking jiu-jitsu about as seriously as I take Linkin Park, is one of the most dangerous and respected grapplers at grappling-centric Purebred. He is a very strong purple-belt. Strong in technique and strong physically.




Hoshiko (in the mohawk) had a very straight-up fighting style with no head movement. He seemed to have a hard time gauging the distance on the southpaw Shiba, who peppered him with low kicks. Hoshiko tried to take the initiative and get in the pocket. Shiba backed him off with two shots to the face and a hard left-hook to the body. Hoshiko seemed to be phased by Shiba's power and lost confidence and momentum. Shiba cut off the corner and threw a jumping knee.



Hoshiko backed-off and went on the defensive, still unsure of the correct range to use against the long limbed portsider.



Out of options, Hoshiko went for a takedown on the superior grappler, Shiba. It earned him some time in a tight guillotine.



The choke was set tight, but Hoshiko endured.





Shiba gave up on the guillotine and transitioned to a triangle.



As unequal as their ground abilities may be, Hoshiko was no easy submission.





After a triangle that threatened to turn into an armbar, Hoshiko finally made the slip.



The fight went back to standing and again, Hoshiko opted out of standing with Shiba. Which resulted in another triangle/armbar.



Hoshiko showed heart in persevering. Shiba used the triangle to pummel Hoshiko's head and face. The triangle had Hoshiko wheezing and turning purple, but not tapping or going out.
Shiba looked to the ref to see if the fight was going to be stopped. The ref didn't respond. Shiba rolled the triangle over to top position and continued to look to the ref. Seeing no signs of a stoppage, Shiba let go of the triangle, took Hoshiko's back off the scramble and continued to rain down hammer fists while gazing at the ref, one eyebrow raised inquisitively.



The fight was finally called and Shiba celebrated the win. He took the mic, acknowledged his slump and said he spent the New Year's holidays reconsidering his career and was ready to come back to fighting with a new commitment. He also took the opportunity to call out the champ.