OSAKA, July 12, 2025 – Masanari Iida, a popular figure known for his appearances on the combat sports entertainment show BreakingDown, has announced his withdrawal from BreakingDown16 just two days before the scheduled event on July 13 at Ookini Arena Maishima. Iida cited long-standing frustration with the organizers as his reason for pulling out. In response, Yūji Mizoguchi, the COO of BreakingDown, took to social media, sharing excerpts from their private messages and expressing his side of the story.
Dispute Triggered by Private Messages
According to Iida, his decision was spurred by a message exchange with COO Mizoguchi. In a previous interview, Iida had openly stated, “I can’t stand Mizoguchi,” and criticized him for repeatedly breaking promises and treating him poorly. Mizoguchi, in turn, posted a portion of their private LINE messages, suggesting that Iida was viewing everything from his own perspective and should have communicated directly with CEO Mikuru Asakura instead. Iida reportedly made the decision to withdraw shortly after receiving this message.
Mizoguchi’s Blistering Response: “No Intention to Apologize”
Late on July 12, Mizoguchi lashed out on X (formerly Twitter), stating he could no longer tolerate Iida’s one-sided narrative. He accused Iida of using BreakingDown to boost his own YouTube views and revealed this was the third time Iida had canceled on short notice. Mizoguchi added, “He’s just desperate because his sponsorship deal is on the verge of being terminated. Funny how even people who hate you will bow their heads when they’re desperate.”
He stood firm, declaring that he had no intention of apologizing and emphasizing his responsibility to protect staff and other fighters. He also hinted at future public discussions via Instagram Live or Spaces.
SATORU Outraged: “Coward!”
SATORU, the rapper who was scheduled to face Iida, was visibly furious after learning about the cancellation. He posted on Instagram Stories, calling Iida a “coward” and demanding an apology. SATORU had been preparing for the fight, including cutting weight in a sauna just hours earlier.
Online reactions were polarized. While some users said “Just give SATORU the win” or “The organizers should apologize,” others took a more sympathetic stance toward Iida, speculating that the issue might be mental or emotional.
Growing Fan Discontent
Disappointment from fans has been evident across social media. Comments ranged from “This is a betrayal of the fans and sponsors” to “Again? I regret supporting him.” However, others expressed concern for Iida’s well-being, noting that mental stress could be a factor. The incident has raised questions about the trust between fighters and organizers within BreakingDown.
Public Debate May Shift Outside the Ring
With Mizoguchi now calling for an open discussion, the conflict is expected to spill over into livestreams and online debates. BreakingDown16 appears set to begin under a cloud of controversy, drawing attention not just for the fights but for the drama surrounding its marquee fighters.
