Toby Imada Returning to Shoot Boxing in June

Nightmare of Battle is reporting that Toby Imada, perennial contender in the Bellator lightweight tournament, is going to return to Japan again this year to compete in the Shoot Boxing S-Cup.  Imada was a finalist in last year's S-Cup, amazing everyone with a semi final victory over Andy Souwer, only to be defeated in the final by the legend Buakaw Por. Pramuk. 

Imada's opponent for the June 5th bout will be Hiroki Shishido.  Shishido has held several Shoot Boxing titles and I'm sure is a heavy favorite to win.  But then, so was Souwer. 

Shoot Boxing's rule set is much like MMA, except that there is no ground game.  Punches, kicks, throws, and standing submissions are allowed.  Imada's decision victory over Andy Souwer has been attributed largely to very effective throws.   The S-Cup is a tournament style event, so by the time he got to the final and faced Buakaw, he had already been through 2 3-round fights that same night.