YAMATODAMASHII PODCAST
by Enson Inoue
YAMATODAMASHII PODCAST is a podcast brought you by MMA legend Enson Inoue. Together with James Main (Ozkei Jim) they cover everything from Enson's legendary fighting career, to his encounters with with the Yakuza, stories from Hawaii, to thoughts on the current MMA scene and of course joined by some special guests.
Episodes
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#156 CHRIS LEBEN
MMA legend Chris Leben joins Enson Inoue on the Yamatodamashii Podcast ahead of his highly anticipated rematch with Yoshihiro Akiyama, 16 years after their unforgettable battle at UFC 116.Chris opens up about why he's returning to the cage, what he remembers from their original fight, and how his...
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#155 PHIL BARONI FAMILY
Phil Baroni has spent the last three years imprisoned in Mexico, but is everything we think we know about his case true?In this special episode of the YAMATODAMASHII PODCAST, Enson Inoue and Jim sit down with Phil’s sister Kristy and brother-in-law Joe as they share their side of the story and...
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#154 RICH CHOU
Rich Chou joins the YAMATODAMASHII PODCAST to discuss thelaunch of Ki MMA, bringing the spirit of old-school MMA to a new generation, and some of the biggest moments from Rich’s career behind the scenes in the fight game.The conversation then turns to Phil Baroni, as Rich and Enson share their...
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#153 PHIL BARONI
In this episode of the YAMATODAMASHII PODCAST, Enson Inoue shares his personal memories of Phil Baroni and reacts to the recent Dark Side of the Cage episode covering Phil’s life and current situation in Mexico.Enson reflects on their close friendship, training together in Japan and the side of...
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#152 MARK KERR
Enson Inoue looks back on his legendary fight with Mark Kerr at the PRIDE Grand Prix 2000. Enson explains why he specifically asked to face one of the most feared fighters in the world, how he prepared for Kerr's incredible size and strength, and what it was really like to spend 15 minutes in the...
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#151 IAN GARRY/ISLAM MAKHACHEV THOUGHTS
Enson Inoue breaks down Islam Makhachev vs Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 and shares his thoughts on whether Garry showed too much respect when it mattered most. We also discuss Dana White’s criticism of Garry, the importance of killer instinct in MMA, and the controversy surrounding Din Thomas...
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#150 REDBELT
Enson Inoue takes us behind the scenes of his role in David Mamet’s Redbelt. From initially turning down the opportunity to landing a speaking role, earning lifetime royalties and walking the red carpet, Enson shares some incredible stories from his unexpected Hollywood experience.**Follow...
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#149 ANTHONY SMITH ARREST REACTION
In this episode of the Podcast, Enson Inoue gives his initial reaction to the news and shares his thoughts on the Anthony Smith situation, the consequences he could face and why he believes it’s important to hear the full story before passing judgement.Let us know your thoughts on the situation…
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#148 RIZIN LANDMARK 15
Enson and Jim are back talking all the action from RIZIN Landmark 15. Including Danny Sabatello's huge KO over Kashimura, why Enson's not sure about the 'invisible tournament', whether Monday's big announcement is Aoki/Mikuru, some insight into the heavyweight tournament and much more. **Follow...
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#146 BARET YOSHIDA
In this episode of the Yamatodamashii Podcast, Enson Inoue is joined by longtime friend and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Baret Yoshida. They look back on the early days of training in Hawaii and Japan, share never-before-heard stories involving the Yakuza, Kid Yamamoto, Shooto, Helson Gracie, Abu...
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#145 DUSTIN POIRIER ARRESTED
Enson Inoue shares his honest thoughts on Dustin Poirier's recent arrest and explains why his initial reaction completely changed after taking time to reflect on retirement, identity and the mental challenges many fighters face after leaving the sport. Rather than judging the situation, Enson…
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#144 UFC FREEDOM 250 REACTION
Enson Inoue is back to break down one of the most talked-about fight cards of the year as UFC Freedom 250 brought the action to the White House.From Justin Gaethje's incredible performance to the biggest moments, controversies and surprises from the card, Enson gives his unfiltered thoughts on...
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#143 MAN VS WOMEN AT BREAKING DOWN
In this episode of the YAMATODAMASHII PODCAST, Enson Inoue gives his firsthand perspective from inside the arena as Breaking Down staged a man vs woman fight that has divided opinion across Japan.We also discuss:🥊 Dozer's brutal one-punch knockout🥊 Soncho's impressive victory and incredible...
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#142 MVP MMA ON NETFLIX
Enson Inoue gives his thoughts on the debut MVP MMA event on Netflix, including Ronda Rousey’s quick finish, Nate Diaz vs Mike Perry, Francis Ngannou’s performance, the empty arena atmosphere, and whether the overall level matched top UFC competition.The episode also covers Jon Jones comments…
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#141 Strickland vs Chimaev UFC 328 Review
Enson Inoue gives his thoughts on UFC 328 after a wild night of fights featuring Sean Strickland vs Khamzat Chimaev and Tatsuro Taira title fight against Joshua Van.We break down Strickland surviving Chimaev’s early pressure, whether Chimaev gassed himself out trying to force the finish, and the...
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#140 RIZIN 53
Enson Inoue gives his thoughts on RIZIN 53 after a wild weekend of fights in Japan.We talk about Luis Gustavo becoming the new lightweight champion, the emotional story behind his win, Ren Hiramoto’s exhibition boxing match with Koji, and why Enson ended up turning the fight off. We also get into...
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#139 GUAM
In this episode of the podcast, we go back to the early days of MMA in Guam and how the scene really started to grow.Enson shares the story of his first trip to the island in the late 90s, how a chance encounter led to training in a garage, and how a group of guys with no gym, no money, and no…
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#138 UFC 327 & RIZIN LANDMARK 13
In this episode of the YAMATODAMASHII PODCAST, we break down everything from UFC 327 and Rizin Landmark 15.We dive into the main event and that unbelievable performance where a fighter pushed through injury to still find a knockout, showing a level of heart you rarely see . We also react to one…
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#137 SATORU SAYAMA SHOOTO DAYS
In this episode, Enson Inoue shares his experiences from the early days of Shooto—a time when mixed martial arts was still evolving and the standards were very different from today.We dive into what training under the original Tiger Mask, Satoru Sayama, was actually like, separating myth from...
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#136 BMF & DANA WHITE VS EDDIE HEARN
The YAMATODAMASHII Podcast returns with a breakdown of the latest UFC drama, the controversial BMF fight, and the escalating tension between Dana White and boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.In this episode, Enson Inoue gives his take on the latest MMA news and the politics surrounding the UFC…
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#135 IS JAPANESE MMA COMING BACK? RIZIN 52 REACTION
The YAMATODAMASHII Podcast is back with a full breakdown of RIZIN 52, one of the most exciting MMA events of the year.In this episode, we recap the biggest moments from the card and discuss whether Japanese MMA is experiencing a resurgence.The main event saw teenage prospect Kyoma Akimoto shock…
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#134 THE 1998 HAWAII BJJ RIOT
In this episode of the YAMATODAMASHII Podcast, Enson Inoue tells the full story of what happened at the 1998 Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Hawaii — an event that nearly erupted into chaos and changed the course of Hawaii’s BJJ scene.What started as a tournament appearance quickly...
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#133 RELSON GRACIE SAID WHAT!?
In this episode of the YAMATODAMASHII Podcast, Enson Inoue addresses comments made by Relson Gracie in a recent Brazilian podcast interview.Relson was Enson’s first jiu-jitsu teacher in Hawaii, and the two were once extremely close. But decades later, Relson has publicly claimed Enson removed the...
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#132 ENSON RESPONDS TO TOM ASPINALL FANS
In this episode of the Yamatodamashii Podcast, Enson Inoue reads and responds to fan comments after his controversial take on Tom Aspinall, eye pokes, and fighter reactions inside the cage.After posting a clip comparing Tom Aspinall’s reaction to eye pokes with Paddy Pimblett’s, the comments...
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#131 RESPECT EARNED
After a brutal war with Justin Gaethje, the performance — and how Paddy handled adversity — changed a lot of minds. In this episode, we break down the fight, the eye poke controversy, and why this moment showed what real toughness in MMA looks like.From surviving heavy pressure to refusing to…
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#130 MIS MATCH FIGHTS
In this episode of the YAMATODAMASHII Podcast, we question whether the Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua fight was really as straightforward as it looked — and why so many fans came away feeling that something was off.We also give a full breakdown of RIZIN’s New Year’s Eve event, reacting to the...
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#129 SERIOUS INJURY AT BREAKING DOWN
In this episode of the YAMATODAMASHII Podcast, Enson Inoue shares his honest thoughts on a recent Breaking Down incident that raised serious concerns around fighter safety and responsibility.We also discuss how moments like this impact the wider fight culture, where the line should be drawn…
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#128 SUCKER-PUNCHED
Enson discusses exactly what happened at the Breaking Down 18 auditions — including the moment he was sucker-punched in the back of the head by a teenage fighter, the chaos that followed, and why this incident has blown up across Japan.Enson reveals the behind-the-scenes truth:• Who might have…
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#127 SCUMBAG OR MISUNDERSTOOD?
Enson Inoue returns on the YAMATODAMASHII PODCAST to break down some of the biggest controversies in MMA right now.We look back at some of the comments received on the Tom Aspinall’s eye poke podcast, to the ongoing UFC betting scandal and chaos in RIZIN as on of Enson's fighters stormed the...
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#126 ASPINALL EYE POKE
Enson Inoue shares his brutally honest reaction to Tom Aspinall’s eye poke controversy and the decision that’s got the MMA world divided.In this episode of the YAMATODAMASHII PODCAST, we cover everything from audtions for a new Team Yamatodamashii for Breaking Down, Buu's Power Slap debut in…
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#125 SMASHING MACHINE RELEASE WEEKEND
In episode 125 of the YAMATODAMASHII PODCAST, James (Jim) shares his thoughts on the Smashing Machine. The movie hasn't been release in Japan yet so Enson hears how Hollywood has portrayed Pride FC, Mark Kerr’s story, and even Enson’s own fight with Mark. The two also discuss UFC 320, Jiri...
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#124 KOICHI HIRAISHI
In this episode of the YAMATODAMASHII Podcast, Enson Inoue talks with Koichi Hirashi just days after his second professional MMA fight at DEEP. Koichi reflects on battling through a broken nose, what he learned from the experience, and how it fuels his drive toward future goals in RIZIN and the...
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#123 RAJA REACTION
In this episode of the Podcast, Enson reacts to the shocking incident involving Rampage Jackson’s son, Raja, at a pro wrestling event. We break down what happened, why it escalated, and what the consequences could be.The discussion also covers Buu making history as the first Japanese fighter in...
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#122 TEAM SHAKE UP
In this episode of Enson opens up about the biggest shake-up in TEAM YAMATODAMASHII'S history. He reveals why he cut three fighters from the team, the importance of loyalty and character, and how he’s moving forward with a stronger, tighter squad.We also talk about recent fights at Breaking Down...
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#121 AI & SOCIAL MEDIA
We dive deep into the world of social media and AI and how both are reshaping the fight game.Sarah breaks down how she’s helping fighters build a following without losing their focus, while Enson talks about trolls in Japan, egg memes, and why he’d never have bothered with Instagram during his...
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#120 HE WANTS TO FIGHT ME
In this episode Enson shares the full behind-the-scenes story of what went down at the BreakingDown 16 auditions, the tension with real gangsters vs. entertainers, and why this chaotic format is Japan’s most-watched fight show right now. We discuss the episode who appeared and Enson getting…
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#119 DOUBLE FIGHT DAY
Enson and James are back discussing Enson's busy weekend. They break down Yuji’s successful pro MMA debut in GRACHAN and Sattari's high-stakes K-1 title fight, including how Enson made both fights in one day, emotional moments with the team, and the game plans going in.Enson also speaks openly...
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#118 SMASHING MACHINE
In this episode of the YAMATODAMASHII PODCAST, we break down The Smashing Machine trailer and talk all things Pride FC, Hollywood casting, and what it feels like to be portrayed in a movie without being consulted.Enson shares his honest thoughts on The Rock playing Mark Kerr, Satoshi Ishii taking...
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#117 RIZIN OTOKO MATSURI
Enson is fresh off attending RIZIN's epic Tokyo Dome show and ready to break it all down — from the Kleber stoppage and Mikuru's impressive win to sneaking into a VIP box and reacting to RIZIN still affiliating Sudario with YAMATODAMASHII. We cover standout performances, the future of the...
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#116 RIZIN 50 THOUGHTS
Enson and James are back, this time recapping all the action from RIZIN 50 — one of the most exciting cards in recent memory. From championship drama to breakout performances, the guys give their take on what went down and what could be next.They break down the razor-close main event between…
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#115 KOICHI DIDN'T TAP
Enson and James are back with an express edition of the podcast, covering a huge weekend in Japanese MMA. Enson opens up about Koichi’s pro debut loss in Deep, sharing behind-the-scenes details on the preparation, emotional aftermath, and what comes next for the young fighter.They also dive into...
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#114 VICE'S DARK SIDE OF PRIDE
Enson and James are back, this time diving deep into Vice’s Dark Side of the Cage episodes covering the rise and fall of Pride FC. With firsthand experience inside the legendary promotion, Enson gives his unfiltered take on the documentary, shedding light on what Vice got right—and what they...
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#113 TEAM YAMATODAMASHII
Enson, Sarah and James are back talking Team YAMATODAMASHII. In the episode they discuss how the team formed, the characters on the team, the Japanese MMA scene, some of the team's recent and future fights, goals for the team and much more. **Follow the Team**...
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#112 DENIS KANG
Enson and James are back, this time joined by MMA legend Denis Kang. In this episode, Enson and Denis share their favourite Pride FC stories, discussing the differences between fanbases in Korea and Japan, and what it was like fighting in these legendary promotions. Denis opens up about his...
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#111 THEY PUT ME ON TRIAL
Enson and James and Sarah are back with their final episode covering what happened with Enson & Sarah’s arrest this summer. In this episode, they dive deep into the aftermath of the trial, the challenges they faced, and the moments that stood out. They discuss the harsh realities of Japanese…
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#110 IAN MCCALL
Enson and James are back this time with special guest Ian McCall. They discuss the psilocybin mushroom that got Enson arrested, the benefits, who’s taking it, decriminalization across the world, Ian’s recent work with Ayahuasca and athletes, Ian’s conversations with the UFC, who’s helping fund…
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#109 HUSBAND & WIFE JAILED PART 2
Enson and James are back with Sarah for Part 2. They answer the fan questions that came in from the comments, discuss Sarah being told about her release, adjusting to life on the outside, visitation rules, loyalty of a trusted friend, bail requests getting denied and more. **Get a signed copy of...
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#108 HUSBAND & WIFE JAILED
Enson and James are joined by Sarah to look back at the recent arrest. They Discuss the support they’ve had from the previous podcast, what happened when Sarah was arrested, how you get taken to a Japanese jail, the biggest concerns at the time of the arrest, how to deal with the situation…
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#107 MY RECENT ARREST
Enson and James are back after a 5 month hiatus. In this episode they discuss what happened to Enson, why he his social media posts stopped, how and where Enson was arrested, what happened to Sarah, where the magic mushroom chocolate came from, what charges Enson faced, fan reaction, the loyalty...
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#106 MY SECOND BOOK
Enson and James are back talking about Enson’s release of his second book. They discuss what compelled Enson to write the second book, what he learnt from the first book, where most the book was written, whether there will be a third book, feedback so far on the book, structure of the book, what…
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About this show
YAMATODAMASHII PODCAST is a podcast brought you by MMA legend Enson Inoue. Together with James Main (Ozkei Jim) they cover everything from Enson's legendary fighting career, to his encounters with with the Yakuza, stories from Hawaii, to thoughts on the current MMA scene and of course joined by some special guests.
Hosted by
Enson Inoue
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