Issei Tamura is a talented Krazy Bee product who captured a 2008 Shooto Rookie Championship. Still early in MMA career, Tamura’s shown promise in his strength and wrestling abilities.

Tamura is a compact, powerful Japanese wrestler. He’s equipped with a quick shot, and a good assortment of takedowns including an impressive double leg. Tamura works good trips from in close, and given his low center of gravity, lower body strength and excellent balance is extremely difficult to take down. A methodical grappler, Tamura works very patiently from the top. His first priority is positioning as he controls his opponent very well and keeps out of trouble. Tamura avoids sweeps and submissions intelligently while working in an occasional punch. He’s not known for taking risks and will look to wear his opponent down before working to pass or subs. As he proceeds in his career Tamura will need to diversify his ground game, become more active and continue working on his jiu jitsu.

Tamura is a physical force who possesses the raw tools needed to succeed on his feet. His technical skills will require work however, as Tamura’s striking arsenal is largely made up of a “probing left backed by a big right” .He throws a crisp jab and lead left hook that he uses to set up an overhand right which is thrown with much more force behind it. Tamura has good natural power behind his striking and is equipped with a sturdy chin. Similar to his approach on the mat, Tamura is a patient striker who will look to counter. He’s hesitant about letting his hands go, and will get predictable at times given his limited repertoire. Defensively, Tamura gets caught flat footed and stationary, retreating in a straight line with his chin exposed. He doesn’t utilize much head movement and has found himself in trouble in the clinch. His standup is still very much a work in progress and he will need to work on his technique. Tamura will need to learn to put his punches together, work on his range, and continue tightening up his overall defensive game.