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
