Ian Murphy was most definitely in too deep and the fact he was allowed to fight at DREAM.2 in April 2009 against Ronaldo Jacare underscores the profound lack of regulation and oversight of Japanese mixed martial arts. There really is no regulatory oversight of the sport or the actions of individual promoters. The fight culture rooted in sumo and continued in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts is extremely backwards. Fight promoters first, second and third priorities are making money. With the exception of the top stars, fighters are largely viewed as interchangeable and expendable. Mandatory drug testing is completely nonexistent and theres little elective testing by the individual promotions. Even the simplest steps to protect the fighters well being are unenforced or non-existent.
A matchup between Ian Murphy and Ronaldo Jacare would have almost certainly been refused sanctioning in the United States. Murphy, a very young 22, was a standout collegiate wrestler who as of a couple of months ago was completing his senior season at Cal State Fullerton. Despite this impressive background, hed been training seriously in mixed martial arts for just over a month. He'd never had an amateur MMA fight, and the fight against Jacare was his professional debut. Murphy certainly has an athletic background that would suggest potential as a mixed martial artist but at this time hes almost a complete novice.
His opponent at DREAM.2, Ronaldo Jacare Souza, was in no way a novice. Jacare began training in judo at age 14 and later changed his focus to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Now 27, Jacare is a BJJ black belt and has been called one of the most feared submission grapplers in the world. That was evidenced in 2006 when Jacare fought former UFC heavyweight champ Randy Couture to a draw in a submission wrestling event. Jacare's original opponent--tough veteran Frank Trigg--would have found him a difficult matchup. After Trigg was forced to withdraw days before the fight, DREAM management approached Murphy who readily agreed to take the fight.
The fight itself was essentially over before it began. Murphy was visibly nervous to the point of near panic as he made his ring walk. He could be seen taking a few deep breaths to steady his nerves. While any fighter would have felt a few butterflies walking into Saitama Super Arena for the first time, Murphys obvious apprehension transcended this. This underscored the reality that he hadnt any real experience or knowledge competing or even training in a mixed martial arts environment. That training would have taken him to a point where he could at least sublimate the problematic emotional cocktail of fear, excitement, nervousness, uncertainty and confusion. Murphy's amateur wrestling pedigree aside, DREAM might as well have picked someone out of the audience as they would have had a greater familiarity with MMA.
Jacare dominated the fight from start to finish, with Murphy's strength and physical conditioning the only things that kept the fight going as long as it did. Murphy's cornermen were clearly clueless about how to help their fighter. The end came when Jacare made Murphy tap out to a rear naked choke, evidencing that he'd had no experience on how to defend a basic MMA submission.
Ronaldo Jacare may be the only person involved who is above reproach. He did what a fighter is supposed to do, which is show up in shape and try to defeat his opponent to the best of his ability. Everyone else involved shares some degree of blame. FEG should have never booked Murphy against such a dangerous opponent, and Murphy's management team should have never accepted. Even Murphy can't be held from responsibility--he should have known that he wasn't far enough along in his development as a fighter to take on one of the best submission specialists in the world. The good news is that Murphy made it through the fight unharmed, aside from suffering a decent beating. Still, the potential for tragedy by pitting a completely inexperienced fighter is apparent.
A legitimate regulatory body would have never allowed the Murphy/Jacare fight to take place, but unfortunately such oversight doesn't exist in Japanese fight sports. In the US, state athletic commissions regulate mixed martial arts using many of the same rules as boxing. In Japan, it's essentially unregulated and exists in a 'wild west' type environment where literally anything goes.
There have been some incremental changes to the Japanese fight sport world, specifically the creation of a Japanese Mixed Martial Arts Commission to serve as an oversight body for the sport. At this point, however, it is an independent entity and without some government involvement to give their regulatory efforts some 'teeth' they can't have much of an impact.
Unfortunately, there's no real mandate for change within the Japanese political culture. Even should a death occur in Japan, its unlikely that would spur much demand for stricter oversight of mixed martial arts. Perhaps the best near term catalyst for change is the Japanese fight fans who should hold promoters accountable for the way they treat and protect their fighters.
A matchup between Ian Murphy and Ronaldo Jacare would have almost certainly been refused sanctioning in the United States. Murphy, a very young 22, was a standout collegiate wrestler who as of a couple of months ago was completing his senior season at Cal State Fullerton. Despite this impressive background, hed been training seriously in mixed martial arts for just over a month. He'd never had an amateur MMA fight, and the fight against Jacare was his professional debut. Murphy certainly has an athletic background that would suggest potential as a mixed martial artist but at this time hes almost a complete novice.
His opponent at DREAM.2, Ronaldo Jacare Souza, was in no way a novice. Jacare began training in judo at age 14 and later changed his focus to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Now 27, Jacare is a BJJ black belt and has been called one of the most feared submission grapplers in the world. That was evidenced in 2006 when Jacare fought former UFC heavyweight champ Randy Couture to a draw in a submission wrestling event. Jacare's original opponent--tough veteran Frank Trigg--would have found him a difficult matchup. After Trigg was forced to withdraw days before the fight, DREAM management approached Murphy who readily agreed to take the fight.
The fight itself was essentially over before it began. Murphy was visibly nervous to the point of near panic as he made his ring walk. He could be seen taking a few deep breaths to steady his nerves. While any fighter would have felt a few butterflies walking into Saitama Super Arena for the first time, Murphys obvious apprehension transcended this. This underscored the reality that he hadnt any real experience or knowledge competing or even training in a mixed martial arts environment. That training would have taken him to a point where he could at least sublimate the problematic emotional cocktail of fear, excitement, nervousness, uncertainty and confusion. Murphy's amateur wrestling pedigree aside, DREAM might as well have picked someone out of the audience as they would have had a greater familiarity with MMA.
Jacare dominated the fight from start to finish, with Murphy's strength and physical conditioning the only things that kept the fight going as long as it did. Murphy's cornermen were clearly clueless about how to help their fighter. The end came when Jacare made Murphy tap out to a rear naked choke, evidencing that he'd had no experience on how to defend a basic MMA submission.
Ronaldo Jacare may be the only person involved who is above reproach. He did what a fighter is supposed to do, which is show up in shape and try to defeat his opponent to the best of his ability. Everyone else involved shares some degree of blame. FEG should have never booked Murphy against such a dangerous opponent, and Murphy's management team should have never accepted. Even Murphy can't be held from responsibility--he should have known that he wasn't far enough along in his development as a fighter to take on one of the best submission specialists in the world. The good news is that Murphy made it through the fight unharmed, aside from suffering a decent beating. Still, the potential for tragedy by pitting a completely inexperienced fighter is apparent.
A legitimate regulatory body would have never allowed the Murphy/Jacare fight to take place, but unfortunately such oversight doesn't exist in Japanese fight sports. In the US, state athletic commissions regulate mixed martial arts using many of the same rules as boxing. In Japan, it's essentially unregulated and exists in a 'wild west' type environment where literally anything goes.
There have been some incremental changes to the Japanese fight sport world, specifically the creation of a Japanese Mixed Martial Arts Commission to serve as an oversight body for the sport. At this point, however, it is an independent entity and without some government involvement to give their regulatory efforts some 'teeth' they can't have much of an impact.
Unfortunately, there's no real mandate for change within the Japanese political culture. Even should a death occur in Japan, its unlikely that would spur much demand for stricter oversight of mixed martial arts. Perhaps the best near term catalyst for change is the Japanese fight fans who should hold promoters accountable for the way they treat and protect their fighters.
About the Author:
Ross Everett is a staff handicapper for Sports-1 and an authority on UFC betting. He's a noted expert on sports handicapping theory, as well as financial investment strategy. He contributes to a number of online media outlets providing insight on how to bet on CFL football, MMA and boxing.
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