Pancrase is a Japanese mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Tokyo. It was founded in 1993 by professional wrestlers Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki. It is one of the oldest continuously operating MMA promotions and played an important role in the development of modern mixed martial arts in Japan. The promotion grew out of the Japanese shoot wrestling scene, combining catch wrestling-derived grappling with striking and a competitive format inspired in part by professional wrestling.