Vale Tudo Japan is an annual mixed martial arts competition held in Japan. Originally arranged by promoter and former professional wrestler Satoru Sayama, he had previously created a hybrid martial art organization named Shooto in 1985. He arranged VTJ in 1994 with the objective of creating a more rules-free event similar to the early Ultimate Fighting Championship events in the United States and Vale Tudo competitions in Brazil, Early Vale Tudo Japan events were a huge success, it led to a boom of the popularity and development of MMA and Shooto in Japan, and the tournament is considered a predecessor to PRIDE Fighting Championships. VTJ's format and rules would serve as a basis for PRIDE, while Rickson Gracie's impressive victories in VTJ would make him a celebrity in Japan, leading to him being paired with popular Shoot-style professional wrestler Nobuhiko Takada to headline Pride 1 in 1997.
Vale Tudo Japan 1999 was held on December 11, 1999, at the Tokyo Bay NK Hall in Urayasu, Japan.
Japan Hayato Sakurai def. Brazil Haroldo Bunn TKO (punches) 3 1:31 Japan Caol Uno vs. Brazil Andre Pederneiras Draw 3 8:00 Japan Uchu Tatsumi vs. Brazil Alexandre Franca Nogueira Draw 3 8:00 Japan Hisao Ikeda vs. Angola João Roque Draw 3 8:00 Japan Takanori Gomi vs. Brazil Johnny Eduardo Submission (rear naked choke) 3 1:43 Japan Tetsuji Kato def. Brazil Angelo Sergio Submission (punches) 1 7:45 Japan Rumina Sato vs. Brazil Rafael Cordeiro Submission (kneebar) 1 0:58
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