He is the former Rajadamnern 135 lbs champion, WPMF World Super Featherweight champion, WBC Muaythai World and International Super Featherweight champion, as well as the former M-1 Featherweight Champion.
Career beginnings
Genji Umeno grew up watching combat sports as a kid, which led him to become enthralled by the sport. When he first started his training at a young age, Umeno thought he would be World Champion easily, only to realize how good he would have to be. Instead of giving up, Umeno says he kept working at his skills to become the best he could be.[3]
Umeno says he doesn't really have many hobbies outside of fighting and training.[4]
Muay Thai career
Winning his first titles
Umeno made his professional debut in November 2007, against Hiroaki, winning by decision. Umeno was undefeated in his next eight fights, defeating Hiro, Okami and Hari Nagata by decision and Takaaki Sugano, Meechok Manopganchan, Yusuke Miho, Shinjin and Rajasaklek Sor Vorapin by (T)KO. He suffered his first professional loss to Norasing Kiatpurasanchai at REBELS 2, losing by decision. He rebounded from this loss with a second-round TKO of Yotonyot Ketsiripat. His 10–1 record earned him the chance to fight Yu Saenchaigym for the WPMF Japan Super Bantamweight title at REBELS 3. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[5]
In his next fight, in September 2010, Umeno fought Egkarat for the WBC Muay Thai Japan Super Bantamweight title. He fought his third title fight in a row when he fought Kompayak Weerasakreck for the M-1 Featherweight title. He beat Kompayak by majority decision.[6]
Umeno fought his next three fights with the REBELS organization, defeating Yuya Kiyokawa and Suwannoi Acegym by unanimous decision, and Kaichon Sit Tamsap by a third round low kick knockout. Moving to M-1, Umeno fought Wuttidet Lookprabat, defeating him by a fourth-round knockout. In November 2011, Genji fought Dekkamon Hiraigym for the WPMF World Super Featherweight title, and won by a first-round TKO. This victory was followed by a unanimous decision win against Yosuke Morii.[7]
Lumpinee title fight
In his next fight, Umeno made his Lumpinee Stadium debut, fighting Kongnapa Sirimongkol. Kongnapa would win their fight by unanimous decision. He won his next two fights, before making his K-1 debut as well, being scheduled to fight Chan Hyung Lee. He lost the fight by decision. He rebounded by winning his next three fights, one of them being a rematch with Chan Hyung Lee at RISE 92. Following these three wins, Umeno went on a 2–1 run, that nonetheless earned him the chance to fight Stephen Meleady for the WBC Muay Thai International Super Featherweight title.[8][9] He defeated Meleady by unanimous decision.[10]
After defeating Rungrat Naratrikul at NO KICK,NO LIFE 2015, Umeno was scheduled to fight Phetmorakot Wor Sangprapai for the prestigious Lumpinee Stadium 130 lbs title.[13] Phetmorakot successfully defended his title through a decision win.[14]
Rajadamnern title win
After failing to capture the title, Umeno went on the worst run of his career up to that point, going on a 5-3-2 run, losing both of his Rajadamnern Stadium fights. Following this run, he was scheduled to defend his WBC Muaythai title again Keith McLachlan.[15] He defended the title with a second-round TKO.[16]
After defending his title, Umeno was scheduled to fight Yodlekpet Or. Pitisak at REBELS.46 for the Rajadamnern 135 lbs title. Umeno won the most prestigious title of his career through a unanimous decision.[17][18]
Following this title capture, Umeno won his next two fights, winning decision against Sirimongkol PKsaenchaimuaythaigym and Juan Mario Kaewsamrit. His eight fight undefeated streak was snapped by Rodlek Jaotalaytong at KNOCK OUT vol.2, as Rodlek won a majority decision. After losing to Rodlek, Umeno was scheduled to defend the Rajadamnern title against Sakmongkol Sor.Sommai. Sakmongkol won the fight by unanimous decision.[19]
In his next two fights, Umeno defeated Pinphet Sitjadaeng and Piëtro Doorjé, before dropping a majority decision to Kiatpet Peekmairestaurant, rebounding with a three fight winning streak during which he beat Jeong Kihan, Lu Jun and Gyudong Lee. He then entered the 2019 Rise World Series Super Featherweight tournament.[21] In the semifinals, Umeno faced Chan Hyung Lee, whom he defeated by unanimous decision. In the finals, he fought Taiju Shiratori, and lost by knockout in the first round.[22]
After losing the tournament finals, Umeno fought Sila YZD for the Battle of Muay Thai lightweight title. Umeno won the title with a first-round TKO of Sila.[23]
Umeno next fought Norasing Specialgym at RISE Eldorado 2021. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[24]
Umeno was scheduled to make the first defense of his BOM Lightweight title against Kiewsongsang Flyskygym, at BOM WAVE 04. The fight was a rematch, with Kiewsongsang winning their first fight at BOM WAVE03.[25] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[26]
Umeno faced Koji in the semifinal bout of a four-man tournament, held during the Rizin 29 – Osaka event.[27] Leading into the fight with Kouzi, Umeno says his Thai boxing experience would not play a factor due to the rule differences between Muay Thai and kickboxing.[28] 43 seconds into his fight with Koji, there was an inadvertent clash of heads which left Umeno unable to continue fighting.[29] Umeno later revealed that he had suffered a broken nose due to the head clash.[30]
Umeno was scheduled to face Lompet Y'zd at BOM – ouroboros 2021 – on September 26, 2021. He fight was ruled a majority draw.[31]
Umeno was scheduled to face Taiga Kawabe at RISE World Series Osaka 2 on November 14, 2021. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[32]
Umeno fought a rematch with Kouzi at Rizin 34 – Osaka on March 20, 2022. He lost the fight by majority decision.[33]
Umeno faced Trent Girdham in a kickboxing bout at Rizin 39 on October 23, 2022.[34] He won the bout early in the first round after Girdham went down with a knee injury.[35]
Umeno faced Hiroki Suzuki at Rizin 43 – Sapporo on June 24, 2023.[36] He lost the bout via flying knee in the second round.[37]
Umeno faced Yuto Saito at Rizin Landmark 6 on October 1, 2023, winning the bout via majority decision.[38]
Umeno faced Mamoru Uoi at Rizin 47 on June 9, 2024, winning the bout via unanimous decision.[39]
