Takeshobo to release book on the history of UWF and the rise of MMA

Takeshobo has announced the release of a new book titled ‘Gunsho UWF 3-ha 1991-2000: The Era of Mixed Martial Arts Created by Professional Wrestlers’, authored by Gantz Horie. Scheduled for release on September 30, 2026, the 480-page volume examines the decade following the 1991 split of the popular UWF organization.

The book tracks the trajectories of the three factions formed by key figures including Nobukazu Maeda, Nobuhiko Takada, and Kiyoshi Fujiwara. It analyzes how the competition between these groups facilitated the transition from professional wrestling to the modern era of mixed martial arts (MMA) in Japan.

A commemorative talk event is scheduled for October 9, 2026, at Shosen Book Tower in Tokyo, featuring author Gantz Horie and Mitsumitsu Miyato.