Kiichi Kunimoto
| Kiichi Kunimoto | |
|---|---|
 Kiichi Kunimoto, with a holographic collage of him by the artist Takayuki Hibino | |
| Born |
May 1, 1981 Osaka, Japan |
| Other names | Strasser |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 77 kg (170 lb; 12.1 st) |
| Division | Welterweight |
| Reach | 73.0 in (185 cm)[1] |
| Team | Cobra Kai MMA Dojo |
| Trainer | Dave Strasser |
| Rank | Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2] |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 29 |
| Wins | 19 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 9 |
| By decision | 7 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Kiichi Kunimoto (国本 起一 Kunimoto Kiichi, born May 1, 1981) is a Japanese mixed martial artist, who previously competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2006, he has also competed for Pancrase.
Background
Born and raised in the Nishinari-ku district Osaka, Japan, Kunimoto was a professional skateboarder from the age of 17 until he was 24, when he began training in mixed martial arts.
Mixed martial art career
Early career
Kunimoto made his professional debut in 2006 for Pancrase, losing via knockout. However, Kunimoto would go on to compile a record of 14-5-2 with one no contest and captured the HEAT Welterweight Championship, subsequently defending his title twice, before being signed by the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Kunimoto was originally scheduled to make his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 34 on June 4, 2014 against Hyun Gyu Lim, but instead faced Luiz Dutra Jr. as Lim was promoted to appear in the main event.[3] Kunimoto won via disqualification due to Dutra Jr. landing multiple elbows to the back of Kunimoto's head in the first round.[4]
Kunimoto made his next appearance at UFC 174 on June 14, 2014, facing Daniel Sarafian.[5] Kunimoto won via rear-naked choke submission in the first round, and earned "Performance of the Night" honors for his performance.[6]
Kunimoto then faced Richard Walsh on September 20, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 52.[7] He won the fight via split decision.
Kunimoto faced Neil Magny on February 14, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 60.[8] He lost the fight via rear naked choke in the 3rd round.
Kunimoto was expected to face Li Jingliang on September 27, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 75.[9] However, Kunimoto pulled out of the fight in late August citing injury and was replaced by returning veteran Keita Nakamura.[10]
After an extended hiatus, Kunimoto was expected to face Warlley Alves on June 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 110.[11] However, Alves pulled out of the fight on May 19 and was replaced by Zak Ottow.[12] He lost the fight via split decision.[13]
Rizin Fighting Federation
Kunimoto made the move and signed with Rizin Fighting Federation. He made his against Satoru Kitaoka on December 29, 2017 at Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round in a 75kg catchweight bout.[14] Kunimoto won the fight by unanimous decision.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Heat
- HEAT Welterweight Championship (One time)
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Daniel Sarafian
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 29 matches | 19 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 1 |
| By submission | 9 | 2 |
| By decision | 7 | 4 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 20–7–2 (1) | Ryuichiro Sumimura | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Rizin 12 | August 12, 2018 | 1 | 4:59 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Win | 19–7–2 (1) | Satoru Kitaoka | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round | December 29, 2017 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 18–7–2 (1) | Zak Ottow | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt | June 11, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Auckland, New Zealand | |
| Loss | 18–6–2 (1) | Neil Magny | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch | February 14, 2015 | 3 | 1:22 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 18–5–2 (1) | Richard Walsh | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson | September 20, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 17–5–2 (1) | Daniel Sarafian | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 174 | June 14, 2014 | 1 | 2:52 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 16–5–2 (1) | Luiz Dutra Jr. | DQ (illegal elbows) | UFC Fight Night: Saffiedine vs. Lim | January 4, 2014 | 1 | 2:57 | Marina Bay, Singapore | |
| Win | 15–5–2 (1) | Edward Faaloloto | Submission (armbar) | Heat: Heat 27 | July 28, 2013 | 1 | 1:55 | Hyogo, Japan | Defended the HEAT Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–5–2 (1) | Fumitoshi Ishikawa | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Heat: Heat 26 | March 31, 2013 | 5 | 1:59 | Aichi, Japan | Defended the HEAT Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–5–2 (1) | Gyu Myung Lee | Submission (shoulder choke) | Heat: Heat 25 | November 18, 2012 | 1 | 4:40 | Tokyo, Japan | Won the HEAT Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–5–2 (1) | Seong Won Son | Decision (unanimous) | Heat: Heat 23 | June 23, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Hyogo, Japan | |
| Loss | 11–5–2 (1) | Takenori Sato | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Progress Tour 3 | March 11, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | For the Pancrase Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–4–2 (1) | Yu Shiroi | Submission (guillotine choke) | Pancrase: Impressive Tour 12 | November 27, 2011 | 2 | 0:40 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 10–4–2 (1) | Kengo Ura | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Impressive Tour 4 | May 3, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 9–4–2 (1) | Seiki Ryo | Draw | Pancrase: Passion Tour 7 | August 8, 2010 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 9–4–1 (1) | Tomoyoshi Iwamiya | Draw | Pancrase: Passion Tour 2 | March 22, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 9–4 (1) | Yoshifumi Dogaki | TKO (punches) | Pancrase: Changing Tour 7 | November 8, 2009 | 2 | 0:39 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 8–4 (1) | Hiroki Tanaka | Decision (unanimous) | Powergate: Octave | April 19, 2009 | 2 | 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 7–4 (1) | Shingo Suzuki | Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Pancrase: Changing Tour 1 | February 1, 2009 | 1 | 3:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 6–4 (1) | Tomoyoshi Iwamiya | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Shining 9 | October 26, 2008 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| NC | 6–3 (1) | Hirotaka Yoshioka | No Contest | Pancrase: Shining 7 | September 7, 2008 | 1 | 2:10 | Osaka, Japan | Yoshioka was cut from an accidental headbutt. |
| Win | 6–3 | Yu Shiori | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Shining 4 | May 25, 2008 | 2 | 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Loss | 5–3 | Sotaro Yamada | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Pancrase: Shining 1 | January 30, 2008 | 1 | 1:42 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 5–2 | Yuta Nakamura | TKO (punches) | Pancrase: Rising 7 | September 30, 2007 | 1 | 2:37 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 4–2 | Mike O'Malley | Submission (triangle choke) | FCC 30: Freestyle Combat Challenge 30 | September 1, 2007 | 1 | 2:33 | Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 3–2 | Tim Ager | Submission (armbar) | FCC 29: Freestyle Combat Challenge 29 | August 11, 2007 | 1 | N/A | Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Loss | 2–2 | Masahiro Toryu | Decision (majority) | Pancrase: Rising 1 | February 4, 2007 | 2 | 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 2–1 | Teruyoshi Aoyama | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Pancrase: Blow 8 | October 1, 2006 | 2 | 2:58 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 1–1 | Arito Kishimoto | Decision (majority) | Double R: 3rd Stage | April 29, 2006 | 1 | 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Masahiro Toryu | KO (head kick) | Pancrase: Blow 2 | March 19, 2006 | 1 | 0:05 | Osaka, Japan |
See also
References
- ↑ "Kiichi "Strasser' Kunimoto Tapology Profile". tapology.com. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
- ↑ "Kiichi Kunimoto - Official UFC fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
- ↑ "Luiz Dutra Jr. replaces Lim, meets Kiichi Kunimoto at UFC Fight Night 34". fightsportasia.com. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
- ↑ "UFC Fight Night 34 results: Illegal elbows give Kiichi Kunimoto DQ win over Luiz Dutra | MMAjunkie". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
- ↑ "Daniel Sarafian drops to 170, fights Kiichi Kunimoto at UFC 174 in Vancouver". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
- ↑ "UFC 174 results, photos: Kiichi Kunimoto taps out Daniel Sarafian for upset win | MMAjunkie". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
- ↑ Neil Rooke (2014-07-17). "Richard Walsh vs. Kiichi Kunimoto Slated for UFC Fight Night 52 in Japan". mmacorner.com. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
- ↑ C.J. Tuttle (2014-12-11). "Magny-Kunimoto added to UFC Fight Night in Colorado". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
- ↑ Akihito Tatematsu (2015-07-02). "UFC Japan adds KID Yamamoto, Kiichi Strasser, and Kyoji Horiguchi". mma-in-asia.com. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
- ↑ Staff (2015-08-28). "With Kunimoto out, Nakamura Keita returns to face Li Jingliang at UFC Fight Night 75". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
- ↑ Staff (2017-04-23). "Warlley Alves vs. Kiichi Kunimoto added to UFC Fight Night 110 lineup in New Zealand". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
- ↑ Danny Segura (2017-05-19). "Warlley Alves injured, Zak Ottow steps in to face Kiichi Kunimoto at UFC Fight Night 110". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
- ↑ Ben Fowlkes (2017-06-10). "UFC Fight Night 110 results: Zak Ottow outpoints Kiichi Kunimoto for narrow split-decision win". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
- ↑ "UFC Vet Kiichi Kunimoto Takes On Satoru Kitaoka At RIZIN World GP 2017: 2nd Round - MMA Today". MMA Today. 2017-12-13. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
