[2011-05-04-DDT] Dick Togo vs Shuji Ishikawa

[aaeo_]

This doesn't have all the high drama of the Togo-Honda classic but it's another good match from Togo's incredible pre-retirement run. This is around the time when I think Ishikawa got good. He still makes some mistakes that people who care more about everything being very crisp would probably point out, and some of his moves are goofy. For instance, there's a Togo dive off the apron which Ishikawa doesn't base for well enough and they botch it. But that's a turning point in that match because Ishikawa starts working Togo's back and Togo's selling and bumping for that is amazing. I think the difference in quality is that Ishikawa's matches started being better structured around him being really fucking big (and then at some point down the line he went from good to incredible). Togo blades after a series of headbutts, because of course he does. Togo briefly takes over with his great punches and some solid submission attempts, Shuji's selling is generally good. The size difference and Togo's empty stare make for amazing visuals. Watching Togo get beat up can really be sublime.