U-Kei (martial arts)

U-Kei (U系 or ユーけい, eng. U-Series, U-Group or Class U)is a combat sports related term that refers to either a professional wrestling-, martial arts- and/or mixed martial arts organization, programme or a sportsman with either UWF and/or shootwrestling roots.

The U refers to Japanese professional wrestling promotion UWF, that was active from 1984 to 1986. UWF is credited in pioneer in the "shoot-style" of pro-wrestling and has acted as genesis to modern mixed martial arts, in both Japan and overseas.[1][2][3]

During early days of shoot-style pro wrestling in Japan, the professional wrestling and/or mixed martial arts organizations that derived from the idea of UWF are collectively called "UWF-kei", or "U-kei" for short.[4][5][6]

List groups, promotions, gyms referred to as U-Kei

References

  1. Uの青春 ~カッキーの闘いはまだ終わらない ISBN 978-4331519592
  2. ザ・UWF最強伝説―格闘プロレスは永遠に不滅! (1995) ISBN 978-4876892006
  3. 証言UWF 最終章 3派分裂後の真実 ISBN 978-4800283504
  4. Uの青春 ~カッキーの闘いはまだ終わらない ISBN 978-4331519592
  5. ザ・UWF最強伝説―格闘プロレスは永遠に不滅! (1995) ISBN 978-4876892006
  6. 証言UWF 最終章 3派分裂後の真実 ISBN 978-4800283504
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