Shooto is a Japanese mixed martial arts (MMA) sport and organization that helped shape modern MMA.
What it is
Founded: 1985
Creator: Satoru Sayama (the original Tiger Mask)
Name meaning: Short for “shoot wrestling”—real, competitive fighting (as opposed to scripted pro wrestling).
Early MMA pioneer: Shooto existed before the UFC and was one of the first systems to combine striking and grappling in regulated competition.
Rule-based sport: Fighters can use punches, kicks, knees, throws, and submissions (chokes, joint locks), with rules for safety.
League + governing body: Shooto functions both as a competition format and as an organization that sanctions events, mainly in Japan.
Influence on MMA
Developed many techniques and rules that influenced modern MMA.
Produced notable fighters who later competed internationally.
Helped legitimize MMA as a sport rather than spectacle.
In short
Shooto = one of the original, technical foundations of modern MMA, blending striking and grappling under structured rules, with deep roots in Japan.
If you’d like, I can also explain how Shooto rules differ from UFC, or its belt system and weight classes
