Caol Uno

Caol "Uno Shoten" Uno (born May 8, 1975 in Kanagawa, Japan, Japanese: 宇野薫 Uno Kaoru, sometimes transliterated as Kaoru Uno) is a Japanese mixed martial arts fighter. He has a professional MMA record of 20-8-4 as of May 23, 2006.

Fighting Style

Although he has shown great standup techniques in the past, Uno is known primarily for his grappling techniques. He was a former runner up in the submission wrestling world championships at Abu Dhabi (ADCC) losing in the finals to world renowned Jean Jacques Machado. Specifically, Uno is famous for his low single leg takedown and rear naked choke.

Relevant Fighting History

Rumina Sato

Uno would rise through the ranks of the Shooto mixed martial arts organization in Japan. In May of 1999, Uno would fight the then legendary Rumina Sato (who at the time was considered the #1 fighter in the world, both in his weight, and pound for pound). The fight was hailed as "Fight of the Year", an extremely fast-paced back and forth battle with a wide variety of stand-up and grappling exchanges. Eventually, Uno would take the back of the legendary Sato and choke him into submission.

The two would rematch in December of 2000. Again the fight was extremely technical and entertaining. This fight concluded with Uno throwing Sato on his back then striking him with a lighting fast combination of kicks and punches eventually knocking him out.

Jens Pulver

After his second victory over the legendary Rumina Sato, Uno (now considered the top 155 pounder in the world) was recruited to fight for the UFC's first ever lightweight title against Jens Pulver. Uno came in a heavy favorite. However, Pulver had extra motivation for the fight. Just days before the fight, a good friend of Pulver's "Dusty" died of cancer. Pulver promised the dying Dusty that he would win the title for him.

In the fight, Pulver demonstrated what olympic gold metalist Jeff Blatnick called "a different kind of strength" as he fought off Uno's trademark rear naked choke. Throughout the fight, Pulver would stuff Uno's takedown attempts and press the action of the feet. Uno, who had earned a reputation as being "unflappable" began to show frustration for the first time in his career as Pulver neutralized all his offensive efforts. Pulver would take a unanimous decision win in the fight.

The Tournament

After Pulver left the UFC, the lightweight title was vacant. A tournament was put together pitting the top four 155 pounders in the world (B.J. Penn , Din Thomas, Matt Serra, and Caol Uno). In the first round, Uno would face Thomas. Thomas would dominate the first round setting a high pace. However, Uno remained "unflappable" and never slowed taking the second and third rounds to win the fight.

In the finals of the tournament Uno would face Penn (who had previously defeated Uno by knockout in under 12 seconds). Uno used angles, and effective wrestling techniques to frustrate Penn , who appeared tentative from the start. Penn was dominant in spurts, and the fight was called a draw.

This judges decision was a disaster for the UFC management. As a result the division was temporarily abolished.

Sources

Sherdog.com's fight finder http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=283

Personal Interview with world renowned combat sports handicapper David Clopton (www.mmahandicapping.com)

External links

• Official site/store
• Professional MMA record