- World Victory Road
Infobox Company
company_name=World Victory Road
company_logo=
company_type=Private
foundation=October 15 ,2007
founder=
location_country=Japan
location_city=flagicon|JPNTokyo
key_people=Naoya Kinoshita President
industry=Mixed martial arts promotion
parent=Japan Mixed Martial Arts Federation
company_slogan=
homepage=http://www.sengoku-official.com/pc/World Victory Road (WVR) is a
Japan ese MMA promotion formed following the purchase ofPRIDE FC byZuffa , the owners of theUltimate Fighting Championship . In conjunction with the also newly-formed Japan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (JMM), World Victory Road held it's first show, "Sengoku", on5 March . The promotion has signed many famous mixed martial artists, including former PRIDE lightweight champion,Takanori Gomi and formerUFC heavyweight champion,Josh Barnett .cite web|url=http://www.sengoku-official.com/pc/fighters.php|title=SENGOKU OFFICIAL WEBSITE|accessdate=2008-05-19]Broadcast
The promotion received a boost in visibility in their endeavor to compete with DREAM when it reached an broadcast agreement for
Fuji TV to televise matches in Japan. It was significant given the fact that this is the first MMA promotion to be televised on the network since it droppedPRIDE FC from its lineup in mid-2006. The events will be shown live on Fuji TV 739 and then a 2 hour version later in the night on Fuji TV. cite web|url=http://www.mmaontap.com/mma/entry/world-victory-road-on-fuji-tv/|title=World Victory Road on Fuji TV?. MMA on Tap. March 21, 2008|accessdate=2008-04-09]Rules
The rules are different from the North American Unified Rules. Among the differences are the allowance of knees and stomps to the head of downed opponent. However elbows to the head and soccer kicks are prohibited. [ [http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=4959&zoneid=13 Rules of WVR] ]
Fights have 3 rounds each lasting 5 minutes.
WVR Events
Notable Fighters
*flagicon|JPN
Takanori Gomi - Former PRIDE Lightweight Championcite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=11082|title=Gomi to World Victory RoadSherdog.com January 31, 2008|accessdate=2008-04-09]
*flagicon|USAJosh Barnett - Former UFC Heavyweight Champion
*flagicon|BRARoger Gracie - 2005 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Champion and current Jiu-Jitsu World Champion
*flagicon|USAKevin Randleman - Former UFC Heavyweight Champion
*flagicon|USAJorge Santiago - 2007Strikeforce Middleweight Tournament winner
*flagicon|JPNKazuo Misaki - 2006 PRIDE Welterweight Grand Prix winner
*flagicon|JPNHidehiko Yoshida - 1992 Judo Olympic Gold Medalist
*flagicon|JPNMakoto Takimoto - 2000 Judo -81kg Olympic Gold Medalist
*flagicon|USANick Thompson - FormerBodogFight welterweight champion
*flagicon|BRAEvangelista Santos - Former PRIDE fighter
*flagicon|JPNKazuyuki Fujita - Former PRIDE fighter
*flagicon|USATravis Wiuff -YAMMA Pit Fighting Heavyweight Tournament Champion
*flagicon|POLPaweł Nastula - 1995 and 1997 Judo World Champion, 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist
*flagicon|KORSeung Hwan Bang - CurrentDEEP Lightweight ChampionReferences
External links
* [http://www.sengoku-official.com/pc/ Sengoku Official site]
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