Josh Barnett, Minoru Suzuki announce Bloodsport Bushido event for Tokyo

Josh Barnett and Minoru Suzuki are bringing Bloodsport to Japan. 

At a press conference held on Wednesday, the two Pancrase veterans announced Bloodsport Bushido will take place June 22, 2024, at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. 

Similar to Bloodsport events held in the United States, Bloodsport Bushido will have shoot-style rules, with no ring ropes and matches only ending via knockout or submission. 

Barnett would later say they are looking for professional wrestlers and combat athletes from other sports to take part. Only Barnett and Suzuki have been confirmed for the show thus far. 

Barnett said at today's press conference:

At Bloodsport, we want to express the purest part of wrestling. There are various shows in professional wrestling, and flashy performances are held all over the world, but there are so many different things out there. , athletes sometimes get lost. I want to express what I've learned from so many legends like Antonio Inoki, Karl Gotch, and Matt Hume. I do both combat sports and professional wrestling, but when I'm wrestling...I once thought, 'There's something missing.'' I want to bring that spirit and heart back to professional wrestling, and I want to create a place like that.'

A translation of Suzuki's comments from today's press conference reads:

Actually, I've been participating in Bloodsport since the first tournament.Well, all I can say is that it's just a normal match.It doesn't matter if there are special rules or where it is. "Whether it's on a moving train, in a field, in a ring with barbed wire, or anywhere else, it's just one match for me," he says nonchalantly. I don't know if I'll bring it with me? (lol) I use everything that's there. That's my style.