Legendary Mixed Martial Artist Reveals Unparalleled Training of Navy SEALs

In the Navy SEALs, training is conducted on a daily basis on the assumption that actual combat will take place. For example, how to fight when you are suddenly hit from behind by the enemy and attacked while driving a car. Even in training, we make them really rear-end us with their cars to create realistic situations. We also train in total darkness for nighttime combat. The training for “Navy SEALs” is just unbelievable.

Ensen Inoue, 55, a mixed martial arts fighter, said, “The training of the Navy SEALs is just unbelievable. He is a major figure in the martial arts world, known as the first “Shuto” heavyweight champion.

A fourth-generation Japanese-American from Hawaii, Inoue came to Japan at the age of 27 as a racquetball player. However, when he entered a Shuto match as a test of his skills, he won all four of his fights and realized his talent, and began his life as a fighter.

I’ve been fighting on the streets a lot since my days in Hawaii,” he said. When I was young, it was normal to solve problems by fighting. I think the attitude I developed on the streets, not to mention my technique, has been useful in my mixed martial arts career. I have always approached fights with a kill-or-be-killed attitude.

In his private life, he married former Japanese wrestling champion Miu Yamamoto in 2000 (they divorced in 2004). He is also known for teaching mixed martial arts to his brother-in-law, KID Tokuyu Yamamoto.

Today, he continues to teach a variety of fighters, including former sumo wrestler Tsuyoshi Sudario, but fighters are not the only ones who have benefited from Mr. Ensen’s teachings. In fact, he has been invited to teach martial arts to the U.S. Navy SEALs as well.

About seven years ago, I gave a seminar on mixed martial arts at a gym in San Diego. The owner of the gym happened to be a Navy SEAL, and he asked me if I would be interested in being a guest at the training.

The Navy SEALs are an elite unit of the U.S. military, known for the assassination of Bin Laden in 2011. Invited to the Navy base in San Diego, Mr. Ensen sparred with these elite soldiers, taking out knives and guns one after another. The SEALs were so impressed with his fighting techniques that he has since been formally offered the position of instructor.

I’ve been allowed to participate in training as an instructor every year, and I’ve been to the United States a total of 10 times,” he said. Each time, the flights are first class, and they provide us with super-luxury hotels for our local accommodations. It’s amazing. After training, I have even had a “Navy SEAL” coin placed between my hands as I shook their hands. It’s their way of showing their utmost respect and admiration.

Ensen, who has been invited to teach the course, says he has also learned a lot from the Navy SEALs.

They don’t expect you to be in a martial arts match, but in a real war,” he said. Even if you get into a fight with the enemy and you have a good position, if they start shooting at you, it’s over. That’s why I teach while thinking about how to prevent them from pulling out their guns. Sometimes my experience on the street comes in handy, and sometimes I come up with new techniques by asking them questions.

Ensen says he received an offer from the Navy SEALs in mid-June. He plans to travel to the U.S. as early as August to teach.