Mikuru Asakura’s Breaking Down Leads to Record Sales Highlighting Youth’s Emphasis on Typing Skills in Combat Sports

Will a “time-saving boom” also arrive in the martial arts world?

The one-minute martial arts competition “Breaking Down 12”, led by fighter Mikuru Asakura as CEO, was held on June 2nd at Arena Tachikawa Tachihi.

Amateur braggarts gathered to determine the strongest in a tournament lasting one minute (with possible extensions). In the main event, former K-1 champion Rukiya Anpo clashed with Tsuyoshi Sudario, who competes in RIZIN’s heavyweight division, and Anpo overcame a 44-kilogram weight difference to win by decision. Other participants included regulars like  Junji Urita and Komeo from Breaking Down, as well as Kauan Okamoto, who last year accused Johnny Kitagawa of sexual misconduct. A total of 23 cards were swiftly contested.

While spectators could attend the event in person, it was also available for viewing via the online payment system PPV. According to officials, this event recorded its highest sales ever.

Of course, the organizers are laughing all the way to the bank.

Asakura’s ventures generate annual revenue of over 3 billion yen, and his personal income.

“Surpassing 1 billion yen” (combat sports industry insiders)

Moreover, recently he made headlines by moving from a 300-square-meter luxury apartment, where the rent was 2 million yen, to a 40th-floor tower apartment due to noisy construction sounds.

“Breaking down related YouTube videos also collectively record astonishing view counts, and among combat YouTubers, one dominates. It’s simple: former K-1 champion Anpo’s arrival at Breaking Down is because it’s a place where people and money gather.” (Combat sports writer)

Anpo vs. Sudario bout, with a weight difference, is a match that can only be realized in Breaking Down. Going forward, they aim to establish dream matchups among professional fighters as well.

“I think a wealthy organization is attractive to athletes. After the match, CEO Asakura offered an additional bonus of 1 million yen to Anpo, who headlined this tournament. Despite various criticisms, such as the arrest of participants, there is no doubt that Breaking Down has become a storm in the martial arts world.” (Same combat sports writer)

Moreover, it matches the times.

Among the younger generation, time performance is prioritized over cost performance. On YouTube, short videos are preferred over long ones, and more people are getting their daily news in a simplified manner from TikTok or X (formerly Twitter). While some enjoy the spacing and strategies between professional fighters like in RIZIN, even 3-minute, 3-round matches.

“Long and tedious”

It is also true that there are voices saying so.

Given this, the ones likely to suffer the most are professional wrestling. It’s rare for even preliminary matches to end within five minutes, and title matches often feature ‘no time limit single matches’ or ’60-minute single matches,’ resulting in intense, long battles.

Amid this, the American professional wrestling organization ‘WWE’ has established a new brand specialized for social media called ‘WWE Speed.’ Match durations are three or five minutes. There are no entrance scenes, and the matches are completed on the timeline of X.

As expected, from professional wrestling fans:

“We will not accept this.”

However, the younger generation is generally favorable to the idea.

“The fan base for all sports changes over time. The number of people who can endure a 60-minute one-fall wrestling match is decreasing, and it’s possible that the generation who prefers matches that end in just a few minutes, like a digest version, will become the mainstream in the future. WWE’s new approach will inevitably have to be considered by the Japanese professional wrestling scene as well,” said a sports newspaper reporter.

At Breaking Down 12, professional wrestler Kota Ibushi and women’s pro wrestling legend Shinobu Kandori were seated at the judges’ table. What did they feel about the changing times they are facing?”