Shishimoto "Jolly" Ryoma performs a synchronized dance routine with a professional dance team to K-pop girl group ILLIT's "It's Me" at RIZIN 54 in Japan on Tuesday. [RIZIN broadcast]
Shishimoto "Jolly" Ryoma performs a synchronized dance routine with a professional dance team to K-pop girl group ILLIT's "It's Me" at RIZIN 54 in Japan on Tuesday. [RIZIN broadcast]

Shishimoto "Jolly" Ryoma, 29, a popular Japanese mixed martial arts fighter, drew attention across borders at RIZIN 54 by delivering two wildly contrasting performances in a single night.

He entered the arena to K-pop girl group ILLIT's global hit "It's Me," performing a sharp, synchronized routine alongside a professional dance team. The song is widely popular in Japan, and the polished choreography — which appeared to have been rehearsed extensively — drew a strong response from the crowd.

Once inside the ring, however, he was finished in just 1 minute and 36 seconds. At the event held Tuesday at Toyota Center in Tokyo, Shishimoto was overwhelmed by Hiramoto Jo, who landed a series of unanswered punches to force a TKO stoppage with 84 seconds remaining in Round 1.

His dance entrance went viral on social media. Some fans praised his choreography and expressed admiration, while others questioned whether he had spent too much energy on the elaborate pre-fight performance before a grueling bout.

Shishimoto also suffered serious injuries in the fight. After the bout, he posted photos on social media showing damaged teeth and a broken jaw, and shared a skull scan that clearly showed fractures around the bones near his mouth.

"I'm embarrassed. My jaw is completely gone. Jo was a truly great fighter and he was strong," he wrote. "I raise the white flag. I'm truly sorry to everyone who cheered me on."

The bout also caught the eye of former UFC star Mike Perry, who commented under a video of Shishimoto's dance entrance: "So how did the fight go?" — a jab at the fighter's spectacular buildup followed by a swift defeat.

Shishimoto built his reputation through the Japanese promotion Gladiator and the popular local MMA audition series "Breaking Down" before advancing to RIZIN. The loss drops his professional record to four wins and one defeat.


yjc@heraldcorp.com