#112: Ken Shamrock vs. Minoru Suzuki, PWFG Legend of the Lion (4/19/1992).
This is the one and only singles match between two of the great pioneers of Mixed Martial Arts.
It’s wild to see these two so young. Even as a young man, Suzuki simply comes to the ring with a towel around his head. This is a year before the inaugural UFC event, so Shamrock hasn’t even started that part of his legacy yet. Also, here he’s known as Ken Wayne Shamrock. They have an intense staredown before the match begins. Shamrock looks determined, while Suzuki has his trademark angry grandpa look before he’s even in his 50s.
The bell sounds, and both quickly come to the middle of the ring. Suzuki strikes first with a leg kick, and Shamrock misses one of his own. Suzuki takes Shamrock down to the mat, and Shamrock quickly looks for a choke hold. They’re back up, and Shamrock tries for a Judo throw. They break away, and we have a stalemate. Shamrock kicks Suzuki in the midsection, and then takes control of the back. He locks around the midsection, and tries to lift Suzuki up.
The crowd is dead silent, very attentive on the action. Shamrock grinds his forearm into Suzuki’s neck. Front facelock by Shamrock, and he rolls Suzuki on the mat. He goes for a guillotine, and it’s in tight. He locks the legs around the gut, and this choke is in full! Suzuki escapes, and takes the guard position. He looks for a leg lock, but Shamrock is doing a great job of defending against it. Suzuki transitions to side control. Shamrock quickly escapes this and mounts Suzuki, dropping all his weight on his chest.
Shamrock grinds his forearm into Suzuki’s jaw. Great control here by Shamrock, as he looks for an opening for a submission. Shamrock looks for a leg submission, but Suzuki slips out and quickly takes the half guard. Shamrock wisely wraps his arms around Suzuki’s back. Suzuki takes the back and looks for an arm submission, and Shamrock tries to counter with a leg submission. They scramble, and both are back to their feet.
Shamrock catches a Suzuki kick, and takes him to the mat. Suzuki traps his leg, and Shamrock does the same. A battle of wits! Shamrock attempts the Ankle Lock, and Suzuki grabs the ropes. They’re back to their feet. A couple of light kicks from both men, followed by a lot of circling. Neither man wants to make a mistake. Suzuki grabs Shamrock, but Shamrock counters with a hard takedown. Suzuki immediately takes the ropes, and both are back up.
Suzuki with a punch to the ribs and a kick, and Shamrock forces all his weight against Suzuki. Suzuki blocks a takedown attempt, and takes control of the back. On the mat, Shamrock traps one of Suzuki’s legs in a kneebar. Suzuki slaps Shamrock right in the nose to try and break this up. Suzuki tries to top Shamrock, but Shamrock applies more pressure to keep him on the mat. Suzuki reverses with a submission of his own, and Shamrock is able to grab the ropes.
Back to their feet, Suzuki pops off with a few kicks that hurt Shamrock’s arms. Shamrock takes the back and hits a nice German Suplex! He’s on top of Suzuki’s back, as he peers for an opening. He grinds his arm into Suzuki’s neck, keeping his eyes to the mat so he can’t see the next transition. Suzuki attempts to roll out of this, and Shamrock catches him in a heel hook. Suzuki grabs the ropes. Both men stand up.
Shamrock looks for a beautiful takedown, but Suzuki catches him out of nowhere with a guillotine! They go to the mat, and Shamrock submits! Suzuki smiles like a little shit, because he knows he got lucky! Post match, both men shake hands and bow to one another.
Fine grappling exchange. I love watching Shoot Style Wrestling now. I can’t say I’m an expert on what exactly is going on, but damn it is fun to watch. The story here is that Shamrock dominated a lot of this match, but Suzuki’s grittiness kept him in the fight, and he simply had to wait for that one moment where he could take the victory. Shamrock’s final takedown attempt may have been a little cocky, and that’s all it took for Suzuki to lock in that choke and take it home. Good little battle between two legends of both pro wrestling and MMA.