Born in São Paulo, Brazil, to a Brazilian father of German, Portuguese and Japanese descent and a Japanese mother, Kleber lived in Brazil in his teenage years, until financial troubles led his parents to move to Japan. Erbst initially stayed in Brazil with relatives, but at the age of 14, joined them in Japan. Initially intending to help his parents and return to Brazil, but once he met jiu-jitsu, he decided to stay in Japan. When financial crisis hit Japan, his parents decided to move back to Brazil, leaving behind an 18 years old Erbst who wanted to stay. To finance his fighting career, Erbst took odd jobs such as construction, trash collection, etc. to pay for the sign-up fees.[3][4]
Mixed martial arts career
Bonsai Jiu-jitsu club competitor, submission specialist. His favorite technique is Triangle choke. A holder of a black belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu from the city of Iwata. In 2008–2014 he fought mainly at Japanese galas DEEP and Rings, beating at that time, among others of the former Shooto champion of Hideki Kadowaka.
Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki
At the KSW 30: Genesis defeated Anzor Azhiev by triangle choke in the 1st round.[5] He was also awarded the Submission of the Night bonus award.[6]
After a successful debut for the KSW, he took part in a featherweight tournament organized by the Chinese federation Rebel FC, which won and became a champion, defeating the American Miguel Torres.[7]
At KSW 33: Materla vs. Khalidov, which took place on November 28, 2015, fought a duel with Artur Sowiński for the inaugural KSW Featherweight Championship, eventually losing by the judges' decision.[8] Both were awarded the Fight of the Night bonus award.[9]
After another stint returning to Asia, picking two third round submission wins at Pancrase 277 and Rebel FC 4, Kleber returned to KSW, facing Leszek Krakowski on October 1, 2016, at KSW 36.[10] He won the bout via triangle choke in the first round.[11] He was awarded the Submission of the Night bonus award.[12]
Kleber was to defend his title against Artur Sowiński at KSW 41 on December 23, 2017.[14] However, after missing weight, Erbst was stripped of the belt, meaning only Sowiński was eligible for the title. Erbst won the bout via rear-naked choke in the third round.[15]
Kleber was scheduled to rematch Marcin Wrzosek for the vacant featherweight title on June 9, 2018, at KSW 44.[16] However Wrzosek suffered a pectoral muscle tear and was forced out of the rematch. As a result, Marian Ziółkowski stepped in against Erbst in a catchweight fight. Erbst won the bout via armbar in the first round.[17] He was awarded the Submission of the Month bonus award.[18]
After a first round submission win at ONE Japan Series against Akiyo Nishiura,[21] Kleber made his Rizin debut on December 31, 2020, at during Rizin 26 against Kyle Aguon[22] He won the bout via brabo choke in the first round.[23]
Kleber faced Kazumasa Majima at Rizin 27 on March 21, 2021.[24] He won via triangle choke in the second round.[25]
Kleber headlined Rizin Trigger 2 on February 23, 2022, against Ulka Sasaki.[28] After overcoming a knockdown in the first round, Kleber submitted Sasaki in the second round via rear-naked choke.[29][30]
Kleber faced Kyohei Hagiwara on May 5, 2022, in the main event of Rizin Landmark 3.[31] He won the bout in the first round with a face crank.[32][33]
Rizin FF Featherweight championship
On October 23, 2022, Kleber faced reigning champion Juntaro Ushiku for the Rizin Featherweight Championship at Rizin 39.[34] taking control in the first round with a tackle takedown, and in the second round, he threw him down with a hip throw and set up a triangle choke to win by triangle choke to win the title.[35]
Kleber was set to make his first title defense against Chihiro Suzuki on June 24, 2023, at Rizin 43.[39] At the weigh-ins, Kleber weighed in at 145.88 pounds, 0.88 pounds over the divisional title limit. As a result, upon commencement of the fight, Kleber was officially stripped of the championship, and only Suzuki is eligible to win the title.[40] Although Kleber submitted Suzuki via triangle choke at the 2:59 minute mark of the opening round, the fight result was immediately overturned into a no-contest, due to Kleber's weight miss.[41]
Koike Erbst faced Masanori Kanehara at Rizin 44 on September 24, 2023.[42] He lost the bout via unanimous decision, having his BJJ skills be nullified by Kanehara's wrestling acumen.[43]
Koike Erbst faced Yutaka Saito on December 31, 2023, at Rizin 45,[44] and won the bout via brabo choke in the third round.[45]
Koike Erbst next faced former Bellator and Rizin Bantamweight champion Juan Archuleta at Rizin 47 on June 9, 2024.[46] He won the fight via an inverted heel hook submission in the first round.[47]
Koike missed weight (145.88 lb) and was stripped of the Rizin Featherweight Championship. Only Suzuki was eligible to win the title. Originally a Submission (armbar) win for Erbst; overturned due to Koike missed weight.