Report: Hatsu Hioki Relinquishes Shooto Belt, Paves Way For UFC Debut

It's the news we've all been waiting for as MMA fans of the lighter weight classes: Hatsu Hioki has relinquished his Shooto World Lightweight title. This was the last road block in his long awaited UFC debut and an eventual matchup with Jose Aldo to decide the top Featherweight in the world. Hioki was considered the top Featherweight fighting in Japan and as the last Featherweight champion of the now defunct Sengoku Raiden Championships, he is the last Japanese talent who can prove the market still can produce relevant fighters. 

Hioki holds two wins over Mark Hominick, a decision over Masanori Kanehara, and a decision win over Marlon Sandro at SRC: Soul of Fight. His one loss in recent years was to Michihiro Omigawa in a hard fought fight where he lost by split decision at Sengoku 11. If Hioki chooses to sign with the UFC, it would be considered the last time that JMMA would hold any sort of relevance. 

As for what it means for Shooto? My guess is that this hurts but the organization will endure. Shooto has long been the development league for lighter weight talents and they'll find a replacement to Hioki's crown in short time.