"The Grand" feat Lightweight Champion Hanako Takeuchi

I stay around after interviewing Guilliman. This is where I get a little more lay of the land at Real Killas. I won’t speak on the amenities available too long but it was a wow moment for myself. Example, my interview with the UGP Lightweight Champion was held during her short down time at her home. Yes you heard me right, home. They have a whole cul-de-sac lined with homes on each side of the street less than a 10 minute walk to the gym. I meet with Hanako Takeuchi in her extremely well designed home. A touch of class mixed with chaos but done in a very explosive way. It matched her character in my opinion. Very hospitable and welcoming we started right away.

"The Black Rose" Hanako Takeuchi

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TH: There’s nothing that can’t be said that hasn’t been said already. Union GP Lightweight Champion Hanako Takeuchi. What I can ask at this point is how are you feeling? There have been some recent bumps in the road as far as you MMA career is concerned, anything to be concerned about in your opinion?

The Black Rose: Meh. I lost a fight to a 300 pound man and had him out on his feet near the end of a 30 minute fight, and lost only by one point based on Iron Japan’s scoring system. And Union Grand Prix laughed with everyone else who has functioning eyes and didn’t even bother to count that Elite loss. Just a massive waste of time, really. But at the end of the day, what do records really mean? They never convey the whole story. Some cunt walks around going on about being 5-0, but everyone knows they’re a fraud and no company wants anything to do with them. You have fighters who’ve been around for awhile with these impressive records, and everyone sucks them off and they’re allowed to live in their little bubbles, yet I’ve already fought in half the matches they have while maintaining one of the busiest schedules. So am I concerned? No. I’m still in a fantastic place in my MMA career and everyone knows what I can do - what nobody else can do. That’s why 8 Corners just booked me in the main event for their first ever show.

TH: Even with the addition of the Bantamweight division, the Lightweight tournament still shows to be the deepest pool of competition in Union GP. That being known do you feel any extra pressure coming up to walk out of the tournament still champion?

The Black Rose: No. Just taking it one fight at a time. I don’t view it as a tournament. I see defenses.

TH: The stigma of your schedule as both a wrestler and MMA fighter. So much to do and so little time to do it in, do you worry about burning out in the slightest? How do you keep such a demanding schedule?

The Black Rose: What’s funny is that I originally wanted to step away from deathmatches and slowly phase myself out of pro wrestling in favor of MMA. I was always coming back to all that eventually. But I still had those belts in Union Battleground with Masatake. Then DTW booked me for their Saitama Super Arena show in December. Then I was defending those Battalion belts against The Skull Kids in After Dark. Then DTW booked me for their Osaka show so I can draw the locals and help sellout EDION Arena. Things fell a certain way that night, I challenged Josh Kennedy to a DTW World title match, and, well… the rest is history. I didn’t plan to be this woman who does both deathmatch and MMA, yet I push onward like I do because I see battles everywhere in life. Everything is a fight to me. There’s a lot that goes into that - my upbringing in Kamagasaki, being in Japan’s most violent punk band before becoming a wrestler, and how I view wrestling and MMA as extensions of my life as an artist. My life is art - it consumes me, and art is conflict. Art is war. My mind will never burnout because that’s just how I’m made. My body could, for I am human like everyone else, but that’s why I work hard every day to take care of and strengthen it. It’s like a tank that I obsessively upgrade and repair every day to maintain this life.

TH: Let's talk about Boss Fight XI. You will be defending against Jordan Parker-Kane, the only one to defeat you in Union GP. This is also a decider of sorts as it is the third battle between you both. I wanna start with asking how do you feel about Jordan Parker-Kane’s skills as a fighter? The positives and negatives?

The Black Rose: Very quick and agile. I’ve rarely crossed anyone who’s better at those two things than me and that battle inspired me to work hard to become even better in those categories. He’s very good for his age too. Could have a remarkable career when it’s all said and done if he takes care of himself. He needs to work on his Muay Thai though. Like, understand how it fits into his game plan beyond needing to know something when he’s on his feet.

TH: To follow up what have you learned in your two bouts with JPK up to now? About him and yourself?

The Black Rose: Jordan’s a class act. After everything said and done leading up to our two fights, Kato offered him a rematch for the Lightweight Championship and he opted to elect me for that title shot instead. It was heart-warming, especially for someone who’s, well… I’ll admit to being cold and callous. I also hate losing and never forget anything. I don’t know if I could do for anyone else what Jordan did for me.

TH: Also, a note I made because I wanted to make sure I asked you this. The Bantamweight division is a division for 135 lbs. You are at natural weight right around that class. 136 lbs if I remember correctly. Why stay at Lightweight? Simply because you are the belt holder or is there more to it? Being smaller in a larger weight class rarely gives any advantage.

The Black Rose: I want to fight heavier opponents because that’s how I’ll prove myself as the best striker in the world. If not that; then at least the toughest, most fearless, or stupidest or craziest, or whatever. But keep in mind that all my Shoot Crown title opponents - outside of JPK - were a few weight classes above me. Fighting heavier opposition in MMA is nothing new to me. I wish to continue fighting heavier opponents. There’s a challenge. There’s nothing for me to prove at bantamweight.

TH: Certain fighters have already made their statements known through Twitter and other avenues but if you wish, what are your thoughts on these company-wide tournaments and overall reset?

The Black Rose: Sometimes you need to blow shit up and start something new. I’m fine with it.

TH: If you could tell me more about growing up in Kamagasaki. We all tend to not realize how different upbringings and experiences lead to who we are and become. You spoke about growing up there helped to build this very overall dangerous culture you now thrive in. Could you give us some thoughts on what would be considered differences or similarities?

The Black Rose: Kamagasaki is a compact area slightly to the south of central Osaka with about 25,000 people crammed in - most of them day laborers, jobless, or homeless. You won’t find it on a map. The city wishes it didn’t exist because of its reputation, so there’s that feeling of isolation that can forge an “us against them” mentality. Residents get treated like outcasts and aren’t protected very well; so police never step in when somebody gets cheated out of a paycheck, physically abused, or killed. But they love to get all aggro when they do show up to pummel someone for some bullshit reason. That’s why there’s been so many riots. Kamagasaki is a man’s world. Most of them are single. Most of them love getting drunk after a tough day. It’s not a family environment. Put it all together and you’ll see how all that can prepare someone for life in the world’s most wild and dangerous wrestling promotion. Not to say Kamagasaki is entirely bad. I can talk about the comradery or how some of the most optimistic people can be found in places like that. There’s good family people, hard workers, and people who are funny and genuine. Kind. They tend to be the strongest of the lot. It’s like wrestling or MMA. The ones we love most rise above hatred and bloodshed to be positive backstage influences and give back to the fans. It’s not easy and we all have our moments as imperfect humans, but it’s something to strive for nonetheless.

TH: Interesting you said you view the upcoming fights here within the tournament as defenses. The mindset is understandable because you having the belt meaning you are defending the belt. My question is does it add on a level of pressure that you normally wouldn’t have or is it status as usual? The Black Rose: Business as usual.

TH: Do you see yourself eventually making that decision in terms of the wild matches and MMA? Are you in plans to back away from the deathmatch wrestling in favor of MMA or you plan on keeping this balance?

The Black Rose: The plan was to do MMA and eventually go back to ultraviolence. Ya know, prove to everyone I can beat people without weapons and all that shit before returning to where the real fun is at - at least for me anyway. I’m more likely to reduce MMA bookings or leave it entirely to do Death Trip Wrestling exclusively - regardless of whether or not I’m still DTW World Champion by then. Especially with how competition continues to heat up over there. The idea of a rematch with Josh Kennedy or a first encounter with someone like Bryan Laughlin in front of a bloodthirsty Korakuen Hall or even the Tokyo Dome… How can you not get excited about such possibilities? But we’ll see.

TH: On a more personal note, please don’t kick me for asking, you and Masatake. Are you both considered an item still at this point? The rumor mill is getting the better of me with this question but I’d rather ask the source.

The Black Rose: No. The relationship ran its course and we don’t feel the same about each other anymore. We still enjoy the other’s company and we’re still a tag team, but we’re going in different places. On a day-to-day basis, I enjoy the independence and just focusing on myself now.

TH: Some would say you have a bitterness that is unnecessary at times considering your success and overall reputation. That you’re a sore loser and tend to bring the worst out of yourself in a loss. What are you thoughts on that?

The Black Rose: I’ll admit to being a sore loser. I’m the one who introduced that narrative to the public. And yeah, I’m bitter. I know these aren’t the traits of a role model, but I’m a crazy lady with a lot of baggage and tons of fight. Revenge is in the fabric of street life. I’ll lose battles but I always win wars. That’s because I’m already reloading when they’re celebrating. These ways brought me great success so why change?

TH: What does it take for you to notice someone? In terms of in the cage or in the ring? When it came to the actions of many before the break I noticed as well as many others the dismissal of those who desperately wanting your sole attention.

The Black Rose: Put in time and work. Pay your dues. Be consistent. Have longevity. Be an interesting fucking character. Be intelligent. Have actual fucking charisma and not just be some blowhard flinging shit around. Don’t be a walking jack-off dream posting stupid fucking pictures all the time. Don’t live in a fucking bubble where everyone kisses your ass. Don’t be a one-pump chump and stay in one place. Take risks and stick your neck out there - outside your comfort zone. Fight in credible places and get the fuck out if they’re anything but, rather than legitamize them with your continued presence and getting that stink on you. Don’t dance around fool’s gold. Follow all that and you’ll be on the right path to earning my attention.

TH: It’s been said you fight for the fun of it. The danger and overall enjoyment. When it comes to the accolades and championships is it safe to say those are also reasons you fight or those are the perks that come with being at the top?

The Black Rose: Accolades and championships are part of the game we play. Why play the game if you don’t wish to win and get the big prize at the end? Having championships also adds to the danger. Every defense is like loosely holding a toy out the car window as it’s driving. There’s a risk of losing it. I’m not afraid to take such risks because I’m not afraid to lose my title belts. But I want to keep them because then I can live that same danger and risk all over again. And because they pay you more when you’re the champion. TH: You know how we end The Grand Muay Thai Momma, feel free to take the floor. Give them something to think about if you wish. The Black Rose: That’s Muay Thai Murder Momma. I’m also doing deathmatch shit this weekend all throughout Yamashi Promotions’ Violence Dream. I’m defending the DTW World Championship in a Tokyo’s Burning Steel Cage Deathmatch. You can watch all 20-something fucking hours of Violence Dream… It’s actually 30 hours now that I think about it. I don’t know. Just do a bunch of speed and watch wrestling on the Battleground Network all Sunday. Don’t forget to drive to the liquor store beforehand in a Ford - official sponsors of Real Killas MMA. Then fill the back of your Ford with Asahi Super Dry because they’re my new main sponsor and they give me a lot of money to wear their logo on my gear aaaaand… I think that’s it.