Daichi Kitakata (Japanese: 北方大地, Kitakata Daichi; born March 30, 1991) is a Japanese mixed martial artist, currently…Daichi Kitakata (Japanese: 北方大地, Kitakata Daichi; born March 30, 1991) is a Japanese mixed martial artist, currently competing in the strawweight division of Pancrase, where he is the former Strawweight King of Pancrase. As of January 3, 2022, he is ranked as the second best strawweight in the world by Fight Matrix. Fight Matrix furthermore ranks him as the tenth best strawweight in the history of the sport.
Kōji Tanaka (田中宏治, Tanaka Kōji), better known as Kouzi (皇治, Kōji), is a retired Japanese kickboxer, fought out of…Kōji Tanaka (田中宏治, Tanaka Kōji), better known as Kouzi (皇治, Kōji), is a retired Japanese kickboxer, fought out of Japan. As of July 2021, he was the #7 ranked Bantamweight according to Combat Press. He's been ranked since May 2019.
Satoshi Ishii (Japanese: 石井 慧, Ishii Satoshi; born December 19, 1986) is a Japanese-born Croatian retired mixed martial…Satoshi Ishii (Japanese: 石井 慧, Ishii Satoshi; born December 19, 1986) is a Japanese-born Croatian retired mixed martial artist, kickboxer, professional boxer and judoka. Ishii won the gold medal in Olympic Judo at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, a silver medal at the 2006 Asian Games and two All-Japan Judo Championships representing Japan. Ishii made his professional MMA debut at Dynamite!! 2009 losing to fellow Judoka gold medalist Hidehiko Yoshida by unanimous decision, but currently holds a record of 24–12–1. Ishii is currently under contract with Professional Fighters League. A professional mixed martial artist since 2009, Ishii has also competed for Rizin Fighting Federation and Bellator, and is the current HEAT Heavyweight Champion and SBC Heavyweight Champion.
Shintaro Ishiwatari (Japanese: 石渡伸太郎, Ishiwatari Shintarō; born February 21, 1985) is a retired Japanese mixed martial…Shintaro Ishiwatari (Japanese: 石渡伸太郎, Ishiwatari Shintarō; born February 21, 1985) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist and former Pancrase Bantamweight Champion. A professional competitor since 2006, he has also competed in Shooto, RIZIN, Vale Tudo Japan, DEEP, and World Victory Road.
Kenichi Yamamoto (山本 喧一, Yamamoto Ken'ichi) (born June 11, 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional…Kenichi Yamamoto (山本 喧一, Yamamoto Ken'ichi) (born June 11, 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. Known for his pro wrestling career in UWF International, Yamamoto also competed against some of the best MMA fighters of his era in RINGS, Pride and the UFC, taking on Kevin Randleman, Genki Sudo and Pat Miletich, among others. In 1999, Yamamoto won the UFC 23 Middleweight Tournament in Japan. He returned to the ring against former Light Heavyweight King Of Pancrase Keiichiro Yamamiya on October 27, 2012. He lost via unanimous decision. Following his combat sports career, Yamamoto now works as an MMA coach.
Seichi Ikemoto (Japanese: 池本誠知; born August 24, 1975) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He…Seichi Ikemoto (Japanese: 池本誠知; born August 24, 1975) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He is a veteran of Shooto, PRIDE and DEEP. His specialty is a "double punch", in which he puts his hands together and throws them at his opponent.
Yoshihiro Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山 成勲; born July 29, 1975), also known as Choo Sung-hoon (Korean: 추성훈) and by his nickname…Yoshihiro Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山 成勲; born July 29, 1975), also known as Choo Sung-hoon (Korean: 추성훈) and by his nickname Sexyama, is a Japanese mixed martial artist and judoka who won the gold medal at the 2001 Asian Championships for South Korea and for Japan at the 2002 Asian Games. He is the former K-1 HERO's Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion.
Yuka Tsuji (辻結花, Tsuji Yuka; born (1974-12-11)December 11, 1974) is a Japanese female mixed martial artist whose…Yuka Tsuji (辻結花, Tsuji Yuka; born (1974-12-11)December 11, 1974) is a Japanese female mixed martial artist whose nickname is Vale Tudo Queen. Tsuji was a prolific female mixed martial artist in the 2000s. Tsuji is a former Smackgirl tournament winner, Smackgirl Lightweight Champion and Valkyrie Featherweight Champion. MMA ranking system portal Fight Matrix ranked Tsuji as the No. 1 pound-for-pound Female Mixed Martial artist in the world in the years 2002, 2004 and 2005. Between 2002 and her retirement from MMA in 2012, she had frequently placed in the Top 5 of women's MMA fighters in flyweight and strawweight classes.
Hitomi Akano (赤野 仁美, Akano Hitomi; born 27 July 1974) is a retired Japanese female mixed martial artist. She announced…Hitomi Akano (赤野 仁美, Akano Hitomi; born 27 July 1974) is a retired Japanese female mixed martial artist. She announced her formal retirement from MMA on 1 August 2013. Akano used a song she penned herself called "Between the Sky" as her entrance music. She is a former Smackgirl Middleweight Champion at 128 pounds (58 kg).
Takumi Nakayama (Japanese: 中山巧, Nakayama Takumi; born 11 November 1973) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and former…Takumi Nakayama (Japanese: 中山巧, Nakayama Takumi; born 11 November 1973) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and former King of Pancrase Featherweight Champion. He is also the former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion. "Takumi"(タクミ, all katakana) ring name of Nakayama in Japan.
Junji Ikoma (Japanese: 生駒純司)is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist from Osaka, Japan, who competed in the…Junji Ikoma (Japanese: 生駒純司)is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist from Osaka, Japan, who competed in the strawweight and flyweight division. He has fought throughout his career exclusively for the Shooto organization and is currently a part of Shooto's provisional association. Ikoma is a former Shooto World Flyweight (114 lb) Champion. Fight Matrix ranks him as the #15 all time strawweight.
Masaaki Satake (Japanese: 佐竹 雅昭, Satake Masaaki; born August 17, 1965) is a Japanese former heavyweight karateka…Masaaki Satake (Japanese: 佐竹 雅昭, Satake Masaaki; born August 17, 1965) is a Japanese former heavyweight karateka, kickboxer, professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. He is one of the pioneering heavyweight fighters in K-1, having been a member of Kazuyoshi Ishii's Seidokaikan school.
