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SpiderManDraws WithShootoWorldChampion

January 23, 2009 by admin
Filed under Fury, GlobalGuamMMA, Onra

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TAITANO DRAWS WITH SHOOTO WORLD CHAMPION

On January15th, Jesse “SpiderMan” Taitano flew with a support crew of 8 friends and training partners from Guam for his biggest opportunity to date in Mixed Martial Arts competition. ON January 18^th, Taitano fought at the DifferAriake Hall in Tokyo against Professional Shootos Undisputed 56kg World Champion Shoichi”BJ”Kojima.

With Taitano’s impressive performance last year against number one 56kilo contender Yasuhiro Urushitani, further attention was raised among Japan event promoters to Guam’s flourishing talent in the MMA industry.

PROFESSIONAL Shootos decision to solicit Taitano for competition proved to be fruitful as SpiderMan once again shocked the audience by dropping the World Champion with a left hook not even 2minutes into the first round that again had the normally silent crowd in applause for the underdog competitor.. Stopping all takedown attempts by the applauded Freestyle Wrestler, Taitano was eventually taken to the ground still to be the aggressor as he controlled Kojimas hands and attacked endlessly with a series of strikes from the bottom . Showing no weaknesses from a normally dangerous position. Taitano takes the first round by all judges.

Round 2. A flurry of punches from a raged Kojima was met with an equally aggressive counterattack by Taitano with a standing exchange that once again sent the crowd. Despite landing a few good legkicks, Kojima, apparently realizing that he was down in points, used his wrestling to stop Taitano’s domination on his feet by pinning Taitano against the cage and trying to earn points with small rabid punches that did little damage t a very determined Taitano. With only four seconds left, Kojima finally scores a takedown. With Taitano still in the fight, the bell rings with the end results having two judges determine the fight a draw while a third gave the fight to Taitano.

Quite impressively,With techniques and training 100% Homegrown, (Taitano has never trained abroad like many of Guams other accomplished MMA fighter athletes) Jesse Taitano just drew with Professional Shootos World Champion.

As an underdog with yet another impressive performance, Taitano earns the respect of the audience, Professional Shooto, and again the Guam fans.

Here is an interview with “SpiderMan” after Guams most impressive performance to date in competition in World Mixed Martial Arts.

(INTERVIEW)

WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS BEFORE THE FIGHT?

I tried to keep my mind positive and remind myself that Im at this level. I was trying to come up with a game plan but in the end was just concerned how I could come out at 100%. I should mentin too that there were A lot of signs ,Some inspiring coincidences, that gave me confidence in good results.

AFTER THE FIGHT?

First, I am very grateful for the opportunity to fight the champ. I did good. I felt I didn’t have enough rest and in effect held back abit though to be honest with you. But maybe he did too. Coming in at 100% is not always so easy. I felt the World Champions power! Im very grateful to my partners for preparing me for this. And very grateful for the crew that came out to support me. Guam boys can rock! Im happy to bring good news back to my island and to all my support.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE CONSIDERED A TOP CONTENDER IN SUCH AN
INTERNATIONALLY RESPECTED ORGANIZATION?

It feels awesome. I feel it brings honor to my family, my training partners, my island,my students, my sponsors. It’s a really good nfeeling to make them proud and to bring legitimacy, recognition, and hopefully more opportunity to the island. I want to help harness MMA for more good things inside and outside of competition.

WITH A POSSIBLE WORLD TITLE SHOT IN THE NEAR FUTURE, WHAT ADJUSTMENTS ARE YOU MAKING IN PREPARATION FOR THE OPPORTUNITY?

Im trying to figure out the science of showing up at 100%. Im going to adjust my time management and leverage things to work MMA full time. Looking back at old fights, I can see a lot of holes in my game. Its time to fix those holes. Im going to try to find people to puswh me beyond myself. And try to sharpen my skills in every single aspect f the game. Id like to evolve with Nutrition and rest too. Basically work hard but train smarter. Im going to work to be my best person inside and outside of competition.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AS A PROFFESIONAL FIGHTER?

Id like to be able to use MMA as a source for income and approach it as a full time job. Id love to be able to support my family with this passion. And t eventually use any influence I might gain to leverage opportunities for my island and students.

AFTER YOUR REPEATED EXPOSURE TO WORLD MMA COMPETITION< WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR LOCAL ASPIRING FIGHTERS?

Believe in yourself. Your opponent is always beatable abut so are you. Train hard. Train smart. Experiment with new things. And most importantly, keep learning.

After his second outstanding performance in Japan MMA, Taitano was friendily encountered by Shooto legend and an impressive 6year reign as the 56kg Shooto World Champion, MamoruYamaguchi.

“So When are WE going to fight?” he emphatically asked Taitano.

Before posing for photos, and a sincere hug and laughter, he enthusiastically replied “Anytime!”

For the moment, An established MMA world title is closer than ever. Should that day come for Taitano and for Guam, after a few adjustments in training and living, In full confidence, and aiming at 100%, SpiderMan will be ready.

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