It was a qualifier for the Shoot Boxing World Tournament 1997, featuring four elimination fights with all bouts fought under Shoot Boxing Rules (70kg/154lbs weight class) involving eight fighters from across the world.

In total there were twenty fighters at the event, representing eleven countries.

The four elimination fight winners would qualify for the semi-final stage of the Shoot Boxing World Tournament 1997 - to be held the following year.

Defeated elimination fighter Dany Bill would also be invited to take part in a 'Super Fight' against up and coming shoot boxer Kenichi Ogata.

The event was held at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday, 14 July 1996.