Retired professional MMA fighter and BJJ Black Belt Enson Inoue talks about his time spent with Grandmaster Relson Gracie, being humble as a black belt, his MMA career and the Yakuza. He also tells the story of the infamous 1998 Pan Ams brawl. Click “read more” for show notes!
SHOW NOTES:
* Origins
* How bullying lead him to martial arts
* Dealing with native Hawaiians as a non-Hawaiian growing up
* His introduction to martial arts and finding Jiu-Jitsu
* Training with Grandmaster Relson Gracie
* The paradigm shift that Jiu-Jitsu caused in martial arts
* His favorite memories with Grandmaster Relson
* The first time he used Jiu-Jitsu in self defense
* His recent self demotion to purple belt
* Being humble as a black belt
* His favorite areas in Jiu-Jitsu to work on currently
* How coming back to BJJ after retirement has improved his health
* The humorous incident at a local UFC Gym
* His bracelet company Destiny Forever
* His return to college
* His charity work with the Fukushima victims in Japan
* Walking across Japan
* The 1998 Pan Ams brawl
* His falling out and rekindling with Grandmaster Relson
* His first MMA fight
* Fighting King Zulu
* Training in Japan with fighters and professional wrestlers
* Yakuza involvement in MMA in Japan
* His Yakuza run-in story
* The best guys in Japan at that time
* Fighting for Pride FC
* Can rules in MMA put in place for safety actually increase injuries?
* The respect fighters get in Japan vs in the US
[powerpress]