Deep (mixed martial arts)

Deep
Company type	Private
Industry	Mixed martial arts promotion
Founded	2001; 23 years ago
Founder	Shigeru Saeki
Headquarters	Nagoya, Japan
Website	http://www.deep2001.com

Deep (previously Deep2001) is a Japan-based mixed martial arts promoting and sanctioning organization. It is promoted by Shigeru Saeki who is also the former Public Relations Director of Pride Fighting Championships. Their inaugural event took place in 2001 and featured Paulo Filho and Royler Gracie. On May 17, 2008, Deep announced a partnership with ZST to share fighters, co-promote shows and eventually unify the promotions.^[1]

History[edit]

Deep was established in 2000 as "Deep 2001", and the first event was promoted on January 8, 2001. In 2003, Deep 2001 changed its name to Deep.

Deep started playing the role of a subcontractor for Pride Fighting Championships since Dream Stage Entertainment (DSE) started promoting the Pride Bushido series in September 2003, which focused training Japanese fighters at middleweight and lightweight. As a result, a number of Japanese fighters, such as Ryo Chonan and Ikuhisa Minowa, started their careers fighting in DEEP before moving on to larger and more famous MMA promotions.

Deep is also known as one of the few major Japanese organizations to cultivate Korean talent, including Dong Hyun Kim, Chan Sung Jung, and Doo Ho Choi - all of which have moved on to successful careers in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Deep began promoting bouts with female fighters at its 13th event on July 13, 2003.

On February 22, 2008, Deep implemented the weight division system created by Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for its male fighters.

On December 19, 2009, Deep started to use a UFC-style octagon for their Cage Impact events.

At a press conference held in Macau on December 1, 2010, DEEP announced its first international event, which was to be held in Macau in 2011. However, low levels of interest and dismal tickets sales led DEEP to cancel the event.^[2] Deep has yet to host an event outside Japan.

In February 2011, it was announced that Deep and the MMA division of Smash had formed an amateur promotion named the Japan MMA League (JML).^[3]

Deep Jewels[edit]

On May 25, 2013 (2013-05-25) the all-female MMA promotion Jewels announced that it would cease operations as an independent company, with Yuichi Ozono, then head of Jewels, stepping down and Shigeru Saeki from Deep, formerly supervisor, taking the full direction, and transferring fighters and brand to the new Deep Jewels brand, which would be managed by Deep.^[4]^[5]

Events[edit]

As of April 16, 2013, Deep has held a total of 194 events comprising 2202 fights, all of which have taken place in Japan. As of December 23, 2013 (2013-12-23), two events of the all-female fighters brand Deep Jewels have been held.

Current Champions[edit]

Men: Deep
Division	Champion	Since	Defenses
Megatonweight	Roque Martinez	July 15, 2017	3
Heavyweight	Vacant		–
Middleweight	Joao Batista Yoshimura	Jul 4, 2021	0
Welterweight	Shingo Suzuki	Feb 11, 2023	0
Lightweight	Kimihiro Eto	Mar 9, 2024	0
Featherweight	Jin Aoi	Mar 9, 2024	0
Bantamweight	Yoo Soo-young	Sep 18, 2023	0
Flyweight	Makoto Takahashi	March 1, 2020	1
Strawweight	Vacant		–

Women: Deep
Division	Champion	Since	Defenses
Openweight	Amanda Lucas	Febr 18, 2012	0
Atomweight	Vacant	Mar 9, 2019	–
Microweight	Saori Oshima	Sep 20, 2020	1

Broadcasters[edit]

Deep Based out of Nagoya, Japan. Broadcast their fights locally on SKY PerfecTV! (Fighting TV Samurai channel) and streaming on AbemaTV.

References[edit]

^ Deep, ZST Partner Up
^ "DEEP MAYHEM IN MACAO CANCELED!". Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
^ "DEEP&SMASH PRODUCE JML2011 "JAPAN MMA LEAGE [sic]"". Archived from the original on 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2012-03-11.
^ Sargent, Robert; Marchand, Dean; Yamamoto, Go (2013-05-25). "Jewels To Cease Operations, DEEP Restores Women's Divisions". News. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2013-12-23.
^ "【ジュエルス】尾薗代表が辞任、DEEP JEWELSとして再出発". News (in Japanese). Japan: eFight. 2013-05-26. Retrieved 2013-12-23.

External links[edit]

[1] Deep, ZST Partner Up

[2] "DEEP MAYHEM IN MACAO CANCELED!". Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2011-09-24.

[3] "DEEP&SMASH PRODUCE JML2011 "JAPAN MMA LEAGE [sic]"". Archived from the original on 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2012-03-11.

[4] Sargent, Robert; Marchand, Dean; Yamamoto, Go (2013-05-25). "Jewels To Cease Operations, DEEP Restores Women's Divisions". News. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2013-12-23.

[5] "【ジュエルス】尾薗代表が辞任、DEEP JEWELSとして再出発". News (in Japanese). Japan: eFight. 2013-05-26. Retrieved 2013-12-23.

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