
By Patrick Lujan
It’s been almost 20 years since an old-fashioned scrap took place in Tokyo, Japan.
A small 2000-seat Korakuen Hall inside the Tokyo Dome hosted a Shooto card on March 2, 2001 that featured close Guam and Saipan friend Tetsuji Kato versus Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva.
It was Silva’s sixth pro MMA fight while Kato was a more seasoned warrior at that time going into his 16th bout.
“Still people ask me about that fight,” Kato laughed as he reminisced for this GSPN story. The 5-foot-7 Japanese sported a 13-2 record with Shooto and Super Brawl experience going up against the much taller Brazilian (4-1 record at the time).
“I couldn’t negotiate anything with the Shooto promoter,” Kato remembers. “They asked me, ‘Do you want to fight?’. I said yes.” That was one month out.
With the internet in its infancy and no YouTube or other social media platforms to scout an opponent, the only intel Kato received on The Spider was a short video to watch from the promoter and a note that he was good at Muay Thai.
There was no promotion hype. No press conferences nor media attention. The two came into close proximity for the first time during the weigh-ins in a ‘very small office’. Kato was by himself and Silva had one cornerman.
“We didn’t talk. We didn’t even look at each other.”
There was a group of Guam boys on hand to include Roman Dela Cruz, Stephen Roberto, Will Escobar, Melchor Manibusan and others.
According to Dela Cruz, Kato was playing a huge part in the development of MMA on Guam at that time, teaching for free during numerous lengthy vacations.
As fight day approached, Kato was confident he had the tools to beat Silva in the 170-pound matchup. He was a serious contender for the welterweight belt while Silva was fighting for the first time outside of Brazil.
“My game plan was, he is tall so my hands couldn’t reach his face. I will try to punch his body and kick his legs.”
Watching the fight on YouTube, Kato won the first round with top control and some good old fashioned ground and pound. Silva had the second and third round advantage on the feet, but Kato was right there with him in losing a close decision.
“Kato took so many punches getting into the clinch yet even on the ground, Silva neutralized his strikes with his height and reach advantage,” Dela Cruz mentioned. “He gave a good fight, but was super bummed for days after.”
“I gassed out,” Kato remembers. “I felt disappointed. I was so tired, I just wanted to go back to Guam.”
Like true martial artists, each fighter showed a huge sign of respect after the fight.
“Anderson was respectful. Even after the fight, he shook my hands and my corner men, too.”
Silva went on to become the Shooto champion four months later, fought in Pride and Rumble on the Rock (with promoter Rich Chou) before heading to the UFC in 2006…and the rest is MMA history before ending his career just last weekend against Uriah Hall.
“More than 10 years later, we were all stoked to see an interview before Anderson’s second fight against Chael Sonnen – he mentioned Kato’s name as a pivotal reminder to level up his training,” Dela Cruz added. “In that way, Kato’s loss kind of became a win.”
For Kato, he went on to fight another eight years, including a memorable TKO victory over Joe Camacho at the UOG Field House in PXC 11 in 2007. His career came to a close in Saipan’s Trench Warz where he helped develop mixed martial arts along with Cuki Alvarez.
He’s currently working as a military police officer at a U.S. Naval Base in Japan but still trains with old buddies Enson Inoue and Patrick Ayuyu.
But it is that one fight on his MMA resume that people ask about the most.
“That fight is still influencing me. Some of my co-workers know I fought Anderson from YouTube. They respect me.”
Kato vs. Silva


Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
GPS Sports Calendar
May 2022
- SU
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Events for May
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #4
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
3rd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
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IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL QUARTERFINALS
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Events for May
5th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
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6th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
7th
GPD HOT PURSUIT 5K
MARIANAS OPEN
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
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Events for May
9th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #5
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER All-Star Meeting
IIAAG GIRLS BEACH VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
Events for May
12th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL ALL-ISLAND MEETING
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
12th
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14th
14th JUDICA CRABAO 5K
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ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
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Events for May
16th
ISA TRACK & FIELD ALL-ISLAND MEET
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17th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
18th
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
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19th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
20th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL All-Star Meeting
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
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21st
Pre-Memorial Day 13-Miler
GETTING GUAM HEALTHY 5K BUBBLE RUN/HEALTH FAIR
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD All-ISLAND MEET
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE FINALS
ALPHA WARRIOR ESPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
2022 Guam Track & Field National Championships
Events for May
23rd
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
24th
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26th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
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27th
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Events for May
29th
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30th

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR PLAYERS DRAFTED

Volleyball
TITANS COMPLETE PERFECT 2022 SEASON

Volleyball
ROSARIO: BOYS VOLLEYBALL MVP

Baseball
DODGERS HAND TRITONS FIRST LOSS

Running/Track
FBLG, BMS CONQUER MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD ALL-ISLAND
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
COMING SOON …
- YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE KICKOFF June 4
- Todd Gurley Football Camp on Andersen
- GSPN Boys Volleyball All-Star Game
- Pacific Mini-Games in Saipan