
Ryan Bow is a retired Mixed Martial Artist from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He moved to Japan alone at the age of 17 to pursue a career in MMA. He’s a veteran of more than 30 professional fights and has competed in events around the world.
A highly motivated and out-of-the-box thinker, Bow possesses bilingual proficiency in the English and Japanese languages and has more than a decade of experience as a gym owner and instructor.
Present-day, Ryan resides in Seattle, WA where he is the owner and head coach at Fight Gods Mixed Martial Arts Academy. An experienced traveler with a passion for teaching, Bow is available for seminars worldwide.
MMA / Catch Wrestling Lineage
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Lineage
under Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira and Rafael Haubert with more than 20 years of experience
as an MMA & BJJ Instructor and as a Professional Mixed Martial Artist with 28 pro fights
in 2004 under the World Shooto Rankings
in Naga’s (North American Grappling Association’s) Expert Division
matches promoted by Contenders
awarded by the Kodokan, the World Headquarters of Judo in Japan
of Icon Sport’s Hawaiian Super Brawl
Anderson Silva (Shooto) and Chael Sonnen (BodogFIGHT)
who trained under 5-time UFC Middleweight Champion Frank Shamrock & trained with current UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Valasquez, as well as Josh Koscheck, Luke Rockhold, & Josh Thompson
Sergio Cunha in Japan
Yoshida Hidehiko and Takimoto Makoto at Yoshida Dojo in Japan
Santien Noi in Thailand
2017 –Present
2014 – 2017
2009 – 2014
2005 –2009
2003 –2004
2005 – 2008
2007
2000 –2004
1999
2020
2014
2010
2010
2001
1996 – 1997
The struggle is real. Experience living in Japan through the eyes of a young Black American MMA fighter that has just arrived in the country for the first time. From culture shock to literally being shocked, this humorous comic puts a funny twist on some of the difficulties foreigners face living in Japan as gaijin; outsiders.
困難は目に見えている。
MMAファイターを目指す黒人アメリカンの青年が贈る、日本生活の初体験の数々。
日本では当たり前の日常が、外国人には理解しがたく、驚くことばかり! 困難は目に見えていても、乗り越える!言語の壁を乗り越えて、初めて日本に来た時のカルチャーショックのみならず、実際に電気ショックまで受けた著者の、面白可笑しく、時には真面目な「日本体験」をコミックでご紹介。 本書の漢字にはふりがなをふっていますので、日本語学習中の方にも楽しんでいただけます。
Part autobiography, part travel narrative, Tunnel Visions: Memoirs of a Mixed Martial Arts Champion is the true story about a young African American’s dream to become a MMA champion in a foreign land.
The author, Ryan Bow, narrates his journey to Japan, Thailand, and other international destinations. His amazing tale will challenge your concept of humanity and make you question your priorities.
From struggling to master the Japanese language, and dealing with complex visa laws to remain in the country legally, to working for the Yakuza (Japanese mafia), and making a living as a professional fighter in Japan, this story is about the author’s struggle to survive in a Japanese culture that has little tolerance for Americans who refuse to just fit in.
Through his eyes, readers will also experience what it’s like to train under Frank Shamrock at the famed American Kickboxing Academy and fight in MMA events on the same cards as UFC stars Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen.
Furthermore, this memoir chronicles how Ryan survived a life threatening medical condition. For the first time ever, Ryan goes into detail about how his contract to fight Jens Pulver, for the first ever UFC Lightweight Championship of the World, fell through.
Live life through the eyes of an MMA insider, learn what really goes on in the mind of a fighter, and see how the world of MMA and Ultimate Fighting really works.
Whether you are new to the sport, or a loyal follower of mixed martial arts, this tale of triumph is as inspiring as it is unique. Readers will walk away knowing what it really means to be a fighter.
STATUS: In Development
FORMAT: Feature Length Film
GENRE: Drama, Sports, True Story, Biopic
COMPARISON FILMS: “Creed” Meets “The Karate Kid Part II”
LOGLINE: After being diagnosed with a deadly brain cyst, a legally blind American MMA fighter emigrates to Japan to pursue his dream of becoming the World Champion.
PREMISE: Japan. 1997 – 2000.
SYNOPSIS:
After a near death experience at birth due to a prenatal stroke, RYAN’S childhood is plagued with hardship. His parents, AMEN and DIANE, learn from a neurologist that he has a deadly brain cyst.
The doctor informs them that most children who survive a stroke like this have permanent neurological problems. Ryan will suffer tunnel vision for the rest of his life. Every opponent will enjoy a powerful visual advantage over him. Worst of all, if the cyst ruptures, Ryan might die…
Interested in knowing more about the film? Reach out to Ryan directly by emailing him here.
Season 83, Episode 4
You Say Dubai and I Say Hello
Ryan and and Adrian returned home to Michigan after years overseas. Ryan was a Mixed Martial Arts professional fighter in Japan for 12 years, and Adrian went to school for veterinary studies in Scotland. They returned home, met and fell in love. Ryan was offered a job teaching at a new gym in Dubai, and both are excited about once more living abroad. They’ll have to decide how much they can really afford to spend on a new place with only one income.
Season 4, Paradise Lost
Episode: 1
Following the overwhelming success of its sophomore and junior series, Bodog Fight returns for the fourth installment in its mixed martial arts series. Swapping the frozen tundra of St. Petersburg for the sunny shores of Costa Rica, Bodog Fight: Paradise Lost promises bigger brawls and smaller bikinis.
A Documentary on the MMA scene in Tokyo
Tokyo, the Mecca for Mixed Martial Arts fans and the home of combat sports. In late 2006, Justin “Juggs” Dee travelled to Tokyo, Japan to explore and film an inside view into the Tokyo Mixed Martial Arts scene. Join him as he finds out what it’s like to live and fight as a professional in Japan with American born, Tokyo resident Ryan Bow.
He’ll take you backstage at a MARS & Shooto event, talk with Yoshida Dojo up & comers Michihiro Omigawa & Ryuichi Murata, train with the pros at WK Network’s Tokyo headquarters, catch some Brazilian Jiu-jitsu action, interview Japanese MMA fashion label owner Tsuyoshi Sugita of Inspirit and finally catch up with legendary Shooto fighter Rumina Sato to find out why he’s never fought in the UFC.