Isao Kobayashi is one of only a handful of top Japanese fighters to remain out of the clutches of the top promotions and the current lightweight King of Pancrase will be making his featherweight debut when he takes on Takeshi Inoue at VTJ 6th. Kobayash (15-1-4) has not lost a fight since dropping a 2010 decision to current ONE FC 145-pound champion Koji Oishi, but despite beating some of the best lightweights on the domestic scene in Japan he has decided to test the waters at 145 pounds. Facing him at VTJ 6th, which is set for the Ota City Gymnasium in Tokyo on Oct. 4, will be veteran featherweight Inoue (21-9), who is in urgent need of a first win in almost three years, a period win which he has registered four straight losses. The card will also feature the conclusion of the eight-man 125-pound Grand Prix with Hiromasa Ogikubo (12-3-2) looking to defend local pride when he takes on Czar Sklavos (10-3), who took out both Mamoru Yamaguchi and Ryuichi Miki en route to the final. Former Dream 145-pound champion Hiroyuki Takaya (18-11-2) is also on the card and will be facing an up-and-coming opponent 12 years his junior in the shape of Krazy Bee prospect Ryogo Takahashi (5-2).
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Isao Kobayashi Dropping Down to Featherweight to Face Takeshi Inoue at VTJ 6th – MMA Weekly