In the very early days of mixed martial arts (think back to the first UFC fights and Royce Gracie), athletes were allowed to fight in the Gi. However, as the time passed on, the kimono was declared obsolete – for good reasons. Mainly because the outfit gives way to additional grips, which gives a significant advantage to the person not wearing it.
However, a couple of days ago, something different happened… One Rizin fighter decided that MMA should return to fighting in the kimono – and he chose to wear it!
Namely, it was the 40-year old Shinya Kumazawa. At an MMA record of 6-11, he went head-to-head against Tanner Lourenco (this was Lourenco’s debut MMA fight). And, as you may have guessed, things didn’t exactly go all too well for Kumazawa.
Check out what happened below:
The first time a Gi has ever been worn in RIZIN! 🥋
Shinya Kumazawa (@kuma08_HERO) is ready!
Buy the PPV ➡️ https://t.co/JhhgpzcDIT#RIZIN #MMA #RIZIN32 #格闘技 #RIZINFF pic.twitter.com/1zoF8mQiTv
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) November 20, 2021
Using the Gi to get the finish!
Tanner Lourenco wins his MMA debut in style!
Buy the PPV ➡️ https://t.co/JhhgpzcDIT#RIZIN #MMA #RIZIN32 #格闘技 #RIZINFF pic.twitter.com/GkVTvK3MWt
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) November 20, 2021
So… What do you think? Should the Gi be brought back to mixed martial arts yet again – or not?
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