DEEP 58 - "Tsuki" Is The Answer For Kikuno?

Katsunori Kikuno believes new 'tsuki' he acquired in Okinawa karate would make the difference in the upcoming fight against Satoru KitaokaIts seems like a lethal "tsuki" (jab) Katsunori Kikuno  acquired from Okinawa is going to be the answer against Satoru Kitaoka next weekend.

No one has said this in public yet but its quite natural to assume the winner of this bout will be the next challenger for the DEEP lightweight title. And this 155 lbs title is currently vacant and the new champ will be decided on the same night in the battle between Yasuaki Kishimoto and Daisuke Nakamura.

So, this is a big fight. And if DREAM is active then this match-up is something the Japanese fans probably would have enjoyed at the Saitama Super Arena but the time has changed. Right now, one of the best fights in Japan are being held in DEEP. Therefore Kikuno and Kitaoka is fighting at the Korakuen Hall in front of DEEP fans.

On Friday, Kikuno held a media work out at A-SQUARE gym in Tokyo. He hit pads for few minutes and answers questions from the reporters.

Back in February, Kikuno met Okinawa karate master Yoshitomo Yamashiro and Tomarite which is the ancient Okinawa Karate, "Its completely different from the common practice we are all familiar with. Without committing a hip, you can throw a heavy 'tsuki'. When I first received this 'tsuki' from shihan Yamashiro, I thought I would get murdered."

Kikuno believes having a one lethal shot makes everything different, "The opponent would be more hesitant about coming inside or throwing combinations. I always wanted this type of a lethal one-shot weapon."

However the effectiveness of this 'tsuki' in a real fight situation is something Kikuno himself is not sure, "I feel good in sparring but I can't throw 'tsuki'  in full power I gotta save so I won't hurt my sparring partner. And also, I haven't thrown to the face yet. So for the first time, in this fight, I am going to throw 'tsuki' right to the face."

DEEP Presents
DEEP 58 IMPACT
Friday, June 15th, 2012, at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan2012
Doors Open - 17:30 / Fight Starts - 18:00

Confirmed Cards (Subject to Change):

DEEP Lightweight Title Bout 5 min / 3R
Daisuke Nakamura (Japan / U-FILE CAMP) vs. Yasuaki Kishimoto (Japan / MMA Dojo Cobra-kai)

DEEP Lightweight Bout 5 min / 3R
Satoru Kitaoka (Japan / LOTUS) vs. Katsunori Kikuno (Japan / ALLIANCE)

DEEP Bantamweight Bout 5 min / 3R
DJ taiki (Japan / Freelance) vs. Makoto Kamaya (Japan / Team TOURI)

DEEP Lightweight Bout 5 min / 3R
Naoki Samukawa (Japan / Bungeling Bay) vs. Yuki Ito (Japan / ALLIANCE)

DEEP Featherweight Bout 5 min / 3R
Hideki Kadowaki (Japan / Wajiutsu Keishukai Tokyo Headquarters) vs. Tatsunao Nagakura (Japan / Yoshida Dojo)

DEEP Lightweight Bout 5 min / 3R
Won Sik "Parky" Park  (Korea / CMA KOREA) vs. Kosuke Umeda (Japan / R-BLOOD)

DEEP Featherweight Bout 5 min / 2R
Toshiaki Kitada (Japan / Paraestra Chiba) vs. Katsunori Tsuda (Japan / Tsudanuma Dojo)

DEEP Featherweight Bout 5 min / 2R
Tomohiko Hori (Japan / Wajiutsu Keishukai Yokohama Dojo) vs. Yoshiki Harada (Japan / Mach Dojo)

DEEP Welterweight Bout 5 min / 2R
Yusaku Tsukumo (Japan / Frellance) vs. Shigetoshi Iwase (Japan / T-BLOOD)

DEEP Special MMA Bout 5 min / 2R
Bernard Ackah (République de Côte d'Ivoire / Freelance) vs. TBA *will be revealed on the day of the show.


Photo courtesy of GBR (bring.com)