The WVR or the World Victory Road is a mixed martial arts organization in Japan that was defunct in 2011. It was promoted by the SRC or the Sengoku Raiden Championship and created in 2007 right after Zuffa purchased PRIDE FC.
The WVR operated together with the JMM or the Japan Mixed Martial Arts and was broadcast on HDNet in the United States and Fuji TV in Japan. Its headquarters was located in Tokyo.
In March 12, 2011, a primary sponsor of the organization, the Don Quijote discount store chain ceased putting funds to the WVR. The very same day, officials of the WVR issued a press release barring the emergence of a replacement of Don Quijot. This press release marked the end of the promotional organization.
WVR Rules
When WVR was still active, it followed rules that are somewhat different from those stipulated under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. Some of the major differences include the allowance of stomps and knees to the head of a downed opponent. Another difference is the prohibition of soccer and head kicks.Though there are differences when it comes to rules, there are also several similarities and one of these is the number of rounds per match, which three that last for five minutes each.
Latest Events and Notable Players of WVR
Since its creation in 2007, the WVR had produced a total of 20 events. The latest ones are those that happened in 2010. These include the World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 12 that was held in the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo in March 7, 2010. The next event after this happened in June 20, 2010, which was held in the same venue as the March event.By July WVR also had an event at Differ Ariake arena. Another event was organized by August 22, 2010 back at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. The same arena hosted an October tournament. Lastly was the World Victory Presents: Soul of Fight, which happened at the Ariake Coliseum in December 30, 2010.
When it comes to notable fighter, WVR has a long list. Among these is Yoshihiro Nakao who was also a former PRIDE fighter and Sanae Kikuta, a former World Champion of the ADCCC Submission Wrestling. Hidehiko Yoshida also was a fighter of WVR. He won a gold medal for Judo in the 1992 Olympics.