Three-continent champ! Namika Kawahara breaking floor in quest for international Strawweight greatness

Until you’re one of many few western battle followers deliberately maintaining a tally of the lads’s Strawweight ranks or significantly critical about One Championship fandom, Namiki Kawahara shouldn’t be a well known identify on this aspect of the globe. Maybe that adjustments within the close to future although, as a result of Kawahara is intent on gaining worldwide standing, and his deliberate path entails selecting up as many 115-pound titles as attainable.

Kawahara — whose first and final identify translate to “Wave” and “River” respectively — is carving a novel and unexpectedly international path to the highest of the Strawweight ranks. As a former DEEP Strawweight champion, the Osaka native has captured gold beforehand in Japan and been ranked as excessive as No. 2 by international rankings database FightMatrix. He’s competed in probably the most outstanding Asian promotions like One Championship (at Flyweight) and RIZIN. If he desires extra fights in these promotions, he assures me they’re an e mail away. Relatively than keep in these established waters, nonetheless, Kawahara has opted to chase gold all over the world within the hopes of selling his division and, in fact, growing a little bit of notoriety as well.

For the final week, I’ve been touring alongside Kawahara and served as his cornerman for his Cage Warriors Academy (CWA) title shot reverse champion Charlie Falco, who was marketed within the lead up as “Europe’s No. 1 Strawweight.” In a return to the Gonzo type writing I’ve finished about my very own MMA competitors, this text intends to clarify Kawahara and Staff Alpha Male Japan, discover the unseen logistics of a Strawweight skilled, and recap his great CWA title battle.

Let’s dig into it.

The Lead Up

I’ve educated with Namiki for one thing like seven years now. He’s part of the Staff Alpha Male (TAM) Japan crew, a small group of Japanese fighters who go to Sacramento to coach for a part of the yr that features the likes of UFC veterans Teruto Ishihara and Michinori Tanaka. In “The Land of the Rising Solar,” the TAM Japan boys are unfold out at numerous gyms however typically go to Sactown collectively. Because the begin of my very own time at TAM a decade in the past, I’ve at all times loved coaching with the completely different members of TAM Japan. The language barrier isn’t an issue, as they’re all filled with laughter and provide completely different technical appears to be like than most fighters within the US.

Namiki and I began working collectively extra significantly maybe 5 years in the past. He has an identical construct to myself only a division decrease, so our combating types mesh properly. Already a slick striker due to his Karate background, I primarily have labored with Kawahara on his submission offense and counter wrestling, however he’s additionally been one in every of my most constant sparring companions in return.

The man is fast. Annoyingly elusive and funky from shut quarters, my measurement benefit and jiu-jitsu expertise have bailed me out of multiple fatigued kickboxing match in opposition to Namiki. Through the years within the health club, we’ve turn out to be nice mates as properly. I even took Namiki up a 300-foot rock wall in Northern California a pair years in the past.

Kawahara returned to Sacramento in early September, a month faraway from his CWA title battle. Glad I used to be in a position to contribute to his camp for the primary time in two years, I upped my observe attendance and labored with him one-on-one as properly. We got here up with a little bit of a method for his opponent, with whom I had very, very briefly educated with some years in the past throughout his personal go to to TAM. After I requested if he wanted a nook in Colchester, the plan was instantly set.

We left on a redeye for London on the Tuesday evening of his battle week, precisely six days after I had returned from my very own (unrelated) journey to Japan. On the airport, I started to understand what I’ve signed up for. Namiki’s suitcase is gigantic. The person is at all times wearing many layers — STYLE goes to be a motif on this article — and he’s unbothered by weight restrictions. When his checked bag is 10 kilos over the restrict, we relocated three giant coconut water bottles to my very own baggage.

“You already know they’ve coconut water in England, yeah?” I ask. Namiki is unimpressed. His coconut water is particular. When his suitcase remains to be too heavy, I dig literal weights out of his bag and inquire what the f—okay is going on.

Namiki laughs and grins mischievously. He explains it’s a part of his walkout. He’ll put on the wrist weights on his walkout to the cage, showcase his quick arms, then stun the gang by revealing his weights and dropping them to the ground, Rock Lee-style.

I pack the weights into my bag.

Quickly afterward, we depart. Getting a style of the timezone that may harass me for the remainder of the journey — writing Midnight Mania every day concerned setting a 3:30 AM alarm then making an attempt to sleep once more afterward at 5 A.M. — we arrive in Colchester round 10 P.M. on Wednesday night. CWA lined our keep from Thursday to Sunday morning, that means Namiki was opting to drop about £100 to reach a bit earlier and guarantee his weight minimize went easily.

This brings us to a core little bit of it: Namiki’s purse for this bout was considerably smaller than his latest A-1 and DEEP bouts, a couple of hundred bucks in whole. This isn’t supposed as a knock on CWA. They’re a smaller promotion and ponied up for 2 worldwide roundtrip flights, resort room, taxis and so on to ebook their native man (Falco) an completed opponent and step up for his title protection. They have been nice to work with and ran a really properly organized present. Nonetheless, actuality stands that this was a “free battle” as Namiki sadly put it, solely actually made financially attainable as a result of Namiki has some strong sponsors in Japan.

This one was for love of the sport.

The following day, we trip the rail into Colchester correct, as a result of Namiki has tracked down a store to braid his hair for the battle. We stroll into AB Afro-Carribean Fashion Magnificence Salon, and the hilarious proprietor instantly tells Namiki off, “I informed you I might name you again. Why are you right here?” whereas within the midst of braiding a consumer’s hair.

“I’m fighter, I want to verify I’ve hair for battle,” Namiki explains. He banters along with her about combating, braids, and native delicacies then negotiates her down from the quoted £120 right down to £80 as a result of he “will probably be champion quickly” and showcase her braid. He explains to me that this hustling/negotiating is important “Osaka type” and later regales me with three completely different tales of efficiently speaking himself out of California driving tickets.

Reminder: Namiki doesn’t communicate that a lot English. A part of my function right here is translator, even when that engine is powered by friendship slightly than even the slightest understanding of the Japanese language. Namiki type appears to transcend language, nonetheless. Quite a few occasions all through the journey, Namiki will verbally safe favors and navigate the unknown in a overseas land. Having only recently been helpless at speaking in Japan, I couldn’t assist however be impressed by his highway savvy.

Hair appointment secured, we stroll round Colchester, trying out the native buying space and close by citadel. Namiki responds positively to the ladies of the UK, as a result of “appears to be like Harry Potter” and “Hermione type.” He concludes that, “I believe I would like Colchester spouse.”

The water minimize begins that evening, and Namiki is roughly 6.5 kilos over the 115-pound championship restrict. We go right down to the sauna and in simply half-hour, he’s right down to 117. The final time I minimize 4.5 kilos, it took most likely three hours. “Sashimi” — affectionately nicknamed by a beloved-but-foul-mouthed coach — is just constructed lean. His physique desires to weigh nothing.

15 extra sauna minutes on Friday morning, and Namiki has made the championship restrict with out (figuratively) breaking a sweat. The particular coconut water is drained as we relaxation for a bit, then we Uber again to downtown Colchester for his braids and eat dinner at Nando’s.

It’s nearly time to battle.

THE FIGHT

Exterior of a full English breakfast within the morning and temporary cease on the afternoon guidelines assembly, we spend all the Saturday half asleep. As essential occasion, Namiki gained’t be combating till 10 P.M., so we don’t should arrive till a pair hours earlier than. In an unexpectedly necessary determination, we decide to nap the remainder of the day away.

Backstage, we chat with an area newbie fighter who’s educated with us beforehand at Alpha Male. Namiki then compliments a CWA promoter on the design of their shirt, and we’re gifted three CWA shirts — Osaka type!

To heat up, Namiki skips rope in a monitor swimsuit. He modifies outfits — a substantial process given wrapped arms and his number of layers — then I maintain pads for him earlier than shifting to gentle sparring and a little bit of clinch work. Namiki debates endlessly with himself whether or not he desires to put on small or medium gloves, deciding on medium. Earlier than too lengthy, it’s time to stroll.

Namiki receives devastating information simply previous to precise stroll to the cage. He’s dressed elaborately, adorned with a head band, kimono jacket, non secular beads, his wrist weights, and the flag of Japan. Unceremoniously, CWA tells him to strip backstage away from the digicam and crowd, a part of their routine in holding the present shifting. He’s allowed the flag and nothing else. The wrist weights we hauled throughout the Atlantic are left behind in a pile.

By the point each athletes are within the cage, the gang goes wild in assist of their native champion. In fewer phrases, I inform Namiki that regardless of the environment, the cage belongs to him. He grins evilly.

Inside 20 seconds of the bout beginning, each corners are screaming at their athletes to settle down a contact. The lads have been winging haymakers at each other instantly with nary a priority for pacing or consequence.

When the duo settled down a bit, Namiki employed the sport plan properly. Preventing from each stances, he negated Falco’s stress with some stiff counter punches and jabs. He switched stances and threw together. A Southpaw straight crashed into the middle of Falco’s face. Each males landed exhausting low kicks, however Namiki’s left physique kick was probably the most impactful strike of the spherical. Every time it landed with an audible crack, I may see Falco’s physique curl up in response, which regularly prompted an enormous mixture observe up.

It was a scrappy spherical, however Namiki landed the heaviest blows. I suggested Namiki to feint extra and work the jab up and down the physique to alleviate the stress and management distance. I additionally reminded him to flash the jab then dig a left hook to the physique, one thing we labored in his preparation.

Falco continued to press into the second and located a bit extra success in scoring his takedowns alongside the fence. To my eyes, Namiki nonetheless landed the higher strikes, together with a really loud elbow to the aspect of the pinnacle that momentarily quieted the cacophony of “CHARLIE” cries from the gang. A pair occasions, Namiki reversed place then opted to let Falco stand, ignoring my very own hoarse cries to put on high of him and rack up straightforward management time. Nonetheless, he spent a while on backside, and we have been in enemy territory. I reminded him as a lot between rounds, imploring extra jabs and side-to-side motion when nearing the fence.

Ten minutes of excessive motion and excessive output had each males feeling the battle by the third. Namiki’s ft have been a bit slower, and his mouth was dripping blood. On the opposite aspect, Falco’s lead leg was purpling and his cheekbone swelling badly along with the fatigue. The tempo didn’t gradual, nonetheless, as Falco continued to press however struggled to floor Namiki.

The deciding second got here with a few minute remaining, and you may watch it under.

The knockdown sequence sealed the unanimous determination win, incomes Namiki Kawahara his third skilled title on his third continent. After some pictures within the cage, I went about amassing all of Namiki’s clothes and met him within the medical room. Backstage, he slides out of his glove to disclose a bulbous and clearly damaged left hand.

“Spherical one,” he tells me. “Southpaw straight. That’s why I no jab, solely line up proper hand.” I can inform he’s upset, so I attempt to play the “It won’t be damaged” card then speak s—t to him for failing to tell me between rounds. I additionally inform him for all his glove waffling, he settled on the flawed glove measurement, which will get amusing regardless of the ache. With the occasion over, the ambulance on standby has to drive again to the native hospital anyway, so we trip within the again. Namiki, who has damaged his different hand beforehand in comparable vogue, appears to be like at me sadly from the gurney and says once more, “Free battle bro.”

We stroll into the emergency room round 11 P.M. and I mentally put together for what’s to return: it’s going to be an extended one. Namiki, sadly, doesn’t perceive. He’s accustomed to Japanese effectivity, not zombie moans all through the halls and ungodly wait occasions. The preliminary x-ray was fast sufficient, however then we needed to watch for a health care provider to assessment outcomes. As hours tick by and I stroll over to a merchandising machine for the fourth time, Namiki is rising upset at being shuffled round numerous ready rooms with no finish or progress in sight.

He debates leaving however is satisfied to remain. At about 5 A.M., we lastly see the physician, who confirms two critical fractures. An orthopedic specialist is introduced in, and he explains {that a} reset will be tried. The docs give Namiki an odd pipe to inhale some type of knockout gasoline, then each the physician and nurse are yarding on reverse sides of his arm, pulling the bones again into place as he struggles to remain acutely aware.

All of it felt like medieval quackery to me, however what do I do know.

A short lived solid is utilized, and at last, we depart the NHS. We arrive again at our resort at precisely 6:30, exactly when the breakfast buffet begins. We go for full English breakfast plates along with pancakes and two full packets of honey and a few further hash browns slightly than a bathe or checkout preparation. I sneak a pair hours of sleep earlier than our time is up, whereas Namiki chooses to remain awake and speak with all his family and friends on-line.

In our room, Namiki learns he gained “Battle of the Evening” honors. I ask him if that entails any further monetary compensation, and once more the sly grin returns as he guarantees, “I’m gonna ask!” The cash talks proceed as Namiki learns that it’ll value him £65 if he desires entry to the picture gallery from his battle. This observe of charging fighters for photos of their very own blood shouldn’t be distinctive to CWA, however we discover it distasteful nonetheless.

Namiki’s full Instagram publish above features a video of his hand being reset … in the event you’re into that type of factor.

AFTERMATH

Previous to the battle, I booked us a resort room in London for 2 nights afterward. We each wished to see the town, and I used to be greater than keen to purchase myself a possible window to go to the famed gritstone climbing of the Peaks district a pair hours to the north. Naturally, the low cost resort I picked didn’t have an elevator and Namiki’s hand was nonetheless jacked, so I find yourself stumbling by way of three flooring value of tight corridors together with his monster suitcase, wrist weights, and the remainder of our baggage.

On the flight residence, Namiki type throws us a last curveball. He’s carrying, per ordinary, an undershirt, lengthy sleeve, jacket, pants, and denims. Safety on the Gatwick Airport is positively baffled at his double pants scenario, and no quantity of my imploring “Japan type!” helps alleviate their concern. Namiki is taken right into a aspect room, compelled out of his further denims, and searched totally. Upon our reunion, he exclaims, “That man loves me! He loves me an excessive amount of. He loves his job.”

Terrorist risk averted, good job UK safety.

On the journey residence, Namiki and I talked about what’s subsequent. His damaged hand delays the earlier plan of staying in Sacramento and defending his A-1 belt in January. His final dream is for a UFC Strawweight class, however I haven’t a clue methods to make that occur. I argue that there are nonetheless continents remaining within the international quest for gold, and we focus on our attainable connections in South Africa’s EFC and Brazil’s Jungle Battle promotions. We glance up the present FightMatrix Strawweight rankings and set a goal on their No. 1 ranked fighter, who at present competes completely for a promotion in Indonesia known as One Delight MMA.

Someplace, there’s one other title ready to be gained.

Namiki Kawahara wish to thank his sponsors, Again Channel Clothes, Hottarakashi Tenting Discipline, and Lyvecap Probiotics for enabling him to give attention to his coaching and chase Strawweight glory.