Last week saw the official opening night of Tokyo Fight Club, or TFC, a unique new hangout in Shibuya described as a “fight club bar and show restaurant.” The main feature is a hexagon-shaped fighting cage right next to the dining tables! Located just two minutes’ walk from Shibuya Station on the fifth floor of the Chitose Kaikan building, this new hotspot for fight fans offers a place to enjoying drinking, dining and mixed martial arts, all at the same time.
Image: ©TFC Tokyo Fight Club
Welcome to Tokyo Fight Club
With its central location, TFC is hoping to attract an international crowd and promote a new fighting sports culture in Tokyo and around the world. The restaurant aims to recreate the lively atmosphere of Las Vegas with club dancers, live entertainment, DJs and a party ambience in addition to its underground cool and serious fighting power inspired by the movie Fight Club. The 250-capacity space is decorated with colorful street art murals, neon lights and industrial drum seating, a completely unique setting to enjoy the fighting action, with an intimate view you really cannot experience anywhere else.
Live fight events are scheduled between 8pm and 10pm every Friday and Saturday, promising 100% gachinko fights – meaning real authentic fights (as opposed to pre-determined sports entertainment, such as pro wrestling) including MMA (mixed martial arts), wrestling, kickboxing, Muay Thai and boxing. Former K-1 and current Ganryujima promoter Sadaharu Tanikawa is involved in organizing the events, which will feature a mix of top fighters alongside rising stars. MMA bouts will follow similar rules to popular globally known promotions like the UFC and PRIDE.
Image: ©TFC Tokyo Fight Club
Even if you are a fight sports beginner and don’t know a K.O from K-1, you’ll still be welcome here. Confident customers can even get in on the action themselves by participating in arm wrestling contests and sparring sessions with some of the professional fighters.
Opening Night Action – UFC Hall of Famer Kazushi Sakuraba Toasts to Success
Around 500 people crowded into the venue on March 2 for TFC’s official opening night, including a host of famous names from various fighting disciplines. MMA legend Kazushi Sakuraba made the first toast, and was also there to promote his new grappling promotion, QUINTET, which will hold its inaugural event at the Ryogoku Sumo Hall on April 11.
Image: ©TFC Tokyo Fight Club
Image: ©TFC Tokyo Fight Club
Guests crowded around the cage to witness impressive demonstrations and exhibition fights from former K-1 champions Gonnapar Weerasakreck, Yosuke Nishijima, Kazuhisa Watanabe, and Pancrase fighters Rocky Kawamura and Hikaru Sato, along with many more. Representing RIZIN was former UFC fighter Tatsuya Kawashiri, who put on his mitts and invited women and children to challenge him, later saying, “It’s nice to see the fans gathering together with so much excitement and fighting spirit!”
Image: ©TFC Tokyo Fight Club
Admission is ¥3,000, including a ¥1,000 entrance fee and a ¥2,000 food and drink card (any leftover credit can be used on your next visit). The full cards for upcoming events can be viewed on TFC’s social media.
For TFC map and contact details, see our Concierge listing.
Want more articles packing a punch? Check out our feature on the history of MMA in Japan
