UWF - MINORU SUZUKI vs JOHNNY BARRETT - 1989
first match of a week long series on Minoru Suzuki, someone who, by doing shoot-style, MMA and traditional style, truly embodies the spirit of Straight Shooters. this is a young Suzuki, on his second year as a wrestler (he debuted in 1988). he had left NJPW for the newborn UWF alongside with his trainer Yoshiaki Fujiwara. look at how young he looks here, 21 years old.
Barrett looks like the long lost FAT Hart brother in that pink singlet. bell rings. Barrett gets Suzuki to the corner and throws a kick. surprising. both men start clinching up, testing each other. Suzuki gets hold of a leg and secures the takedown. nicely done by the small guy.
Suzuki works on a sleeper hold but Barrett quickly gets back to his feet. another single leg takedown by Suzuki, transition into a kneebar. Barrett slaps a kneebar of his own as a counter. switch to toe hold by Suzuki but Barrett reaches the ropes and breaks the hold. short, low straight kicks to the kneecap, a technique used rather often in modern MMA.
now Barrett answers back with kicks of his own. Suzuki grabs the leg but the deceptively agile Barrett manages to locks in a kneebar. good stuff.
Suzuki tries to counter with a heel hook but instead goes for an inverted fujiwara armbar of which Barrett eascapes with the most hilariously slow roll i've ever seen. holy shit, did i laugh at this hard. had tears in my eyes. it even makes a loud "thump" when he lands.
well, i laughed but now Barrett got Suzuki's back. he switches to top position and slaps the shit out of Suzuki. now he's trying to go for a single leg boston crab. he gets it but Suzuki rolls out. the japanese is clearly hurt from having Barrett on top of him and has trouble standing up. the ref decides to give him a 10 count. he recovers by 6. now it's Barrett back on the attack, kicking Suzuki's legs. but the small guy comes back with a headbutt and a nice double underhook takedown.
Suzuki working on a kumura now but Barrett powers out of it. Suzuki back on top, now working on a neck crank but both guys get tangled on the ropes and the ref stands them up. Barrett is pissed and jumps on top of Suzuki. Suzuki foes for the double leg but Barrett sprawls and headbutts Suzuki's spine. Barrett with a guillotine, Suzuki escapes. now it's Suzuki on his back but Barrett reverses position with another roll. locks the neck crank, Suzuki counters with a leg scissors choke. Barrett escapes and got a guillotine going. Suzuki counters with a double leg takedown quickly converted into a kneebar.
Barrett reaches the ropes and breaks the submission. both men are standing now. Suzuki tries to use his speed advantage but Barrett nullifies it. Barrett gets Suzuki's back, works on a choke. switch to a neck crank of which Suzuki escapes. Barrett on top again, another choke attempt but Suzuki reaches the ropes and breaks the submission. they clinch up again. Suzuki throws Barrett with a side headlock takedown, quickly gets on top. goes for a kimura but SWERVES Barrett and locks an armbar. extends the arm and Barrett taps. winner via submission, Minoru Suzuki. fun match from Suzuki's early years, 2 years as a wrestler and already looked very solid.
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