Shooto Watanabe

Shooto Watanabe
Born渡部修斗
(1989-02-27) February 27, 1989 (age 35)
Gunma, Japan
NationalityJapanese
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
DivisionBantamweight
StyleJudo, Wrestling
Fighting out ofKawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
TeamStrapple Shinyurigaoka
Years active2012–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total35
Wins26
By knockout2
By submission15
By decision8
By disqualification1
Losses9
By knockout4
By submission3
By decision2
Notable relativesYuichi Watanabe, father
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Shooto Watanabe is a retired Japanese male mixed martial artist who competed in the Bantamweight division.

Background

As the name "Shooto" implies, he is the son of Yuichi Watanabe, the first welterweight champion of Shooto, as his father . He studied judo from the 5th grade of elementary school , belonged to the wrestling club in parallel from junior high school , and entered high school at Ashikaga Institute of Technology, a prestigious school for wrestling. He entered college and stayed away from wrestling for a while, but was impressed by Masato's retirement match and decided to follow the same martial arts path as his father.[1][2]

Career

Debut

He made his debut at Pancrase Progress Tour 4, earning a draw against Yoshifumi Ishiki.[3]

ZST

3 months following his pro debut, he entered ZST's Bantamweight tournament, earning his first victory against Tadayuki Nakamura with what would become his patented rear-naked choke at ZST: Battle Hazard 6.[4] He followed this up by scoring a unanimous decision victory in the semifinals against Nobuyuki Kanaizuka at ZST: SWAT! 47 [5] He met future ZST Flyweight Champion, Seiichiro Ito in the finals, scoring an emphatic submission in just 62 seconds to capture the bantamweight tournament championship at ZST: SWAT! in Face 11 [6] Despite winning a tournament only 5 months into his career, he would face a dip in form, going 2-1-3 in his next 6 fights, with his sole victory coming against Shintaro Kubo at VTJ 2nd in June 2013. He started 2014 off with a stoppage loss to future foe Go Kashiwazaki, but strung together a 7-fight unbeaten streak lasting 2 and a half years, earning a rematch with Kashiwazaki - this time for the ZST Bantamweight Championship. His fate would be nearly identical, losing via stoppage in the 2nd round. This would prove to be his final appearance with ZST, finishing with a 8-3-4 record in the promotion (9-3-5, 1NC overall).[7]

Fighting NEXUS & GLADIATOR

Watanabe would make his Fighting NEXUS debut 3 months following his failed title challenge for the ZST title, kicking off his NEXUS career nearly identical to his ZST debut, a rear-naked choke victory in just 85 seconds. 4 months later he competed under the GLADIATOR banner, scoring a second successive rear-naked choke victory against Yutaka Imamura; a victory which would catapult him to his second title challenge in 12 months. However, he first competed at Fighting NEXUS 9, finishing Jun Ikkyu with a guillotine choke in just 24 seconds. This allowed for a quick turnaround, to face Naritoshi Kakuta for the GLADIATOR Bantamweight Championship. However, once again, Watanabe would come up short, dropping a unanimous decision. He closed out 2017 with a unanimous decision victory of his own, over Kotaro Kazama. This win would spur on a 9-fight unbeaten streak, in which he would capture the vacant Fighting NEXUS Bantamweight Championship in December 2018, and score 2 victories under the DEEP promotion.[8][9][10]

RIZIN Fighting Federation

With an impressive unbeaten streak stretching back 2 and a half years, Japan's premier MMA promotion, Rizin Fighting Federation announced that Watanabe would be facing rising prospect and UFC veteran, Naoki Inoue on August 9, 2020 at Rizin 22.[11] Watanabe was defeated at 1:40 of the first round via rear-naked choke.[12]

On February 16, it was announced that Watanabe would face Takumi Tamaru at Rizin 27 to earn a spot in RIZIN's upcoming Japan Bantamweight Grand Prix, with the winner of the grand prix being expected to face RIZIN Bantamweight Champion, Kyoji Horiguchi in 2022.[13] Watanabe defeated Tamaru by rear-naked choke in the 2nd round.[14]

4 days later, RIZIN held a press conference where the drawing for the Grand Prix would occur. Former RIZIN Bantamweight Champion Kai Asakura chose the slot to face Watanabe. They faced each other at Rizin 28 on June 13, 2021 at the Tokyo Dome.[15][16] Shooto lost the fight by a first-round technical knockout.[17]

Watanabe was scheduled to face Kuya Ito on October 10, 2021 at Rizin Landmark Vol.1.[18] Ito later withdrew from his bout with Watanabe due to COVID-19 protocols, and was replaced by Nobutaka Naito.[19] He won the bout after choking Naito unconscious via brabo choke in the first round.[20]

Watanabe was booked to face Takuma Sudo on April 16, 2022 at Rizin Trigger 3.[21] He lost the fight by split decision.[22]

DEEP

Watanabe faced Takuma Uchiyama at Deep 108 Impact on July 10, 2022. He won the bout by unanimous decision.[23]

Watanabe faced Rikiya Matsuzawa on February 11, 2023 at DEEP 112, losing the bout via TKO stoppage 27 seconds into the bout.[24]

Personal life

Watanabe is the son of MMA pioneer and Shooto's inaugural Lightweight Champion, Yuichi Watanabe. His mother also competed in Shooto.

Championships and accomplishments

  • Fighting NEXUS
    • Fighting Nexus Bantamweight Championship (One time)
      • One successful title defense
  • Pound For Pound Fighting Championship
    • PFPFC Bantamweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
42 matches 26 wins 9 losses
By knockout 2 4
By submission 15 3
By decision 8 2
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 6
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 26–9–6 (1) Kenta Hayashi Technical Submission (ninja choke) Deep 121 Impact September 16, 2024 1 3:11 Tokyo, Japan Flyweight debut.
Win 26–8–6 (1) Takuya Ogura Decision (majority) Fighting NEXUS vol.32 August 20, 2023 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Won the PFPFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 25–8–6 (1) Kazuki Aoki Submission (rear-naked choke) Fighting NEXUS vol.31 May 21, 2023 1 2:18 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 24–8–6 (1) Rikiya Matsuzawa TKO (punches) Deep 112 Impact February 11, 2023 1 0:27 Tokyo, Japan
Win 24–7–6 (1) Takuma Uchiyama Decision (unanimous) Deep 108 Impact July 10, 2022 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 23–7–6 (1) Takuma Sudo Decision (split) Rizin Trigger 3 Apr 16, 2022 3 5:00 Chōfu, Japan
Win 23–6–6 (1) Nobutaka Naito Technical Submission (brabo choke) Rizin Landmark Vol.1 October 2, 2021 1 1:33 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 22–6–6 (1) Kai Asakura TKO (punches) Rizin 28 June 13, 2021 1 3:22 Tokyo, Japan 2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Opening Round.
Win 22–5–6 (1) Takumi Tamaru Submission (rear-naked choke) Rizin 27 March 21, 2021 2 4:13 Nagoya, Japan
Win 21–5–6 (1) Takashi Terada Submission (rear-naked choke) Fighting NEXUS vol.21×PFC.24 December 27, 2020 1 1:37 Shinjuku, Japan Featherweight bout.
Loss 20–5–6 (1) Naoki Inoue Submission (rear-naked choke) Rizin 22 August 9, 2020 1 1:40 Yokohama, Japan
Win 20–4–6 (1) Hiroto Sakuma Submission (rear-naked choke) Fighting NEXUS vol. 18 November 24, 2019 1 3:48 Tokyo, Japan Defended the Fighting Nexus Bantamweight Championship.
Win 19–4–6 (1) Yoichiro Kuranobu Decision (unanimous) DEEP 91 Impact September 8, 2019 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 18–4–6 (1) Hiroyuki Kobayashi Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) DEEP 90 Impact June 29, 2019 1 1:22 Tokyo, Japan
Win 17–4–6 (1) Kodai Murata Decision (unanimous) Fighting NEXUS vol.15 December 16, 2018 2 5:00 Shinjuku, Japan Won the vacant Fighting Nexus Bantamweight Championship.
Win 16–4–6 (1) Takeya Takemoto DQ (illegal upkick) 1 1:54 Fighting Nexus Bantamweight title eliminator.
Win 15–4–6 (1) Great MajingaZ Submission (rear-naked choke) Fighting NEXUS vol.14 August 11, 2018 1 1:23 Tokyo, Japan
Win 14–4–6 (1) Teppei Suwabe Decision (unanimous) Fighting NEXUS vol. 13 May 6, 2018 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 13–4–6 (1) Takeya Takemoto Draw (split) GLADIATOR 005 in Osaka January 21, 2018 2 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Win 13–4–5 (1) Kotaro Kazama Decision (unanimous) Fighting NEXUS vol. 11 December 3, 2017 2 5:00 Shinjuku, Japan
Loss 12–4–5 (1) Naritoshi Kakuta Decision (unanimous) GLADIATOR 004 August 13, 2017 3 5:00 Wakayama, Japan For the GLADIATOR Bantamweight Championship.
Win 12–3–5 (1) Hitoya Sumisojun Submission (guillotine choke) Fighting NEXUS 9 May 21, 2017 1 0:24 Tokyo, Japan
Win 11–3–5 (1) Yutaka Imamura Submission (rear-naked choke) GLADIATOR 3 in Wakayama March 5, 2017 1 2:09 Wakayama, Japan
Win 10–3–5 (1) Yoshiyuki Sakurazawa Submission (rear-naked choke) Fighting NEXUS 8 November 12, 2016 1 1:25 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 9–3–5 (1) Go Kashiwazaki TKO (punches) ZST 53 August 7, 2016 2 4:59 Tokyo, Japan For the ZST Bantamweight Championship.
Win 9–2–5 (1) Yasuhiro Wakabayashi TKO (punches) ZST 50 April 17, 2016 1 3:42 Tokyo, Japan
NC 8–2–5 (1) Zheng Junfeng No Contest (overturned) WLF E.P.I.C. 2 March 12, 2016 2 3:00 Zhengzhou, China Originally a R2 TKO win for Junfeng; later overturned into a no contest.
Win 8–2–5 Kohei Kuraoka Submission (rear-naked choke) ZST 49: 13th Anniversary November 22, 2015 1 1:43 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 7–2–5 Atsushi Kato Draw (split) ZST 46 May 24, 2015 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 7–2–4 Shintaro Kubo Submission (rear-naked choke) ZST 44 February 22, 2015 1 3:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 6–2–4 Seio Date TKO (punches) ZST 42 August 31, 2014 1 2:47 Tokyo, Japan
Win 5–2–4 Ryutaro Watanabe Submission (rear-naked choke) ZST in Yokosuka Vol. 1 June 29, 2014 1 1:19 Yokohama, Japan
Loss 4–2–4 Go Kashiwazaki TKO (knee) ZST 39 February 9, 2014 2 3:57 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 4–1–4 Kengo Okubo Draw (time limit) ZST 37 September 23, 2013 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 4–1–3 Shintaro Kubo Decision (unanimous) Vale Tudo Japan 2 June 22, 2013 3 3:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 3–1–3 Takao Ueda Draw (time limit) ZST 35 April 7, 2013 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 3–1–2 Toshihiro Shimizu Submission (triangle choke) ZST 34 February 11, 2013 1 3:29 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 3–0–2 Tetsuya Fusano Draw (time limit) ZST 33: 10th Anniversary November 23, 2012 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 3–0–1 Seiichiro Ito Submission (rear-naked choke) ZST: SWAT! in Face 11 September 17, 2012 1 1:02 Tokyo, Japan Won the ZST Bantamweight Tournament.
Win 2–0–1 Nobuyuki Kanaizuka Decision (unanimous) ZST: SWAT! 47 August 12, 2012 2 5:00 Chōfu, Japan ZST Bantamweight Tournament Semifinals.
Win 1–0–1 Tadayuki Nakamura Submission (rear-naked choke) ZST: Battle Hazard 6 July 16, 2012 1 1:54 Tokyo, Japan ZST Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinals.
Draw 0–0–1 Yoshifumi Ishiki Draw (time limit) Pancrase Progress Tour 4 April 1, 2012 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan

[25]

See also

References

  1. ^ James Goyder (May 20, 2021). "Shooto Watanabe's journey from reluctant student to Rizin contender". asianmma.com.
  2. ^ "【Fighting NEXUS】初防衛に臨む親子鷹・渡部修斗「咲間選手の見た目や人生には興味がない」＝11月24日（日）GENスポーツパレス". ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
  3. ^ "Pancrase Progress Tour 4". Tapology.
  4. ^ "ZST: Battle Hazard 6". Tapology.
  5. ^ "ZST: SWAT! 47". Tapology.
  6. ^ "ZST: SWAT! in Face 11". Tapology.
  7. ^ "Out of Obscurity: NEF, Aspera FC 42 and Zst 53". Combat Press. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  8. ^ "【DEEP90】DEEP初勝利を挙げた渡部修斗「分かっているのに掛っちゃうからマジカル。一点突破したい」". MMAPLANET. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  9. ^ "【Gladiator003】名前の持つ意味。今村豊と対戦、渡部修斗「度胸、姿勢、強さが変わった」". MMAPLANET. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  10. ^ "【Gladiator004】角田成建とバンタム級王座を賭けて戦う、渡部修斗「僕が寝技で負けるわけはない」". MMAPLANET. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  11. ^ "RIZIN 22 and RIZIN 23 Officially Announced, Fans Expected to Attend". cagesidepress.com.
  12. ^ Skytte, Mike (2020-08-09). "RIZIN 22 Results". thebodylockmma.com. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  13. ^ "March 14th Tokyo Dome event postponed, Yogibo presents RIZIN.27 takes place at the Nagoya Gaishi Hall. 16-man Bantamweight Japan Grand Prix & 8-man Featherweight tournaments announced". jp.rizinff.com.
  14. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2021-03-21). "RIZIN 27 results, videos: Ayaka Hamasaki retains belt in night of quick finishes". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  15. ^ "Participants and Match-ups for the 16-man Japan Bantamweight Grand Prix 2021 confirmed. Former champion Kai Asakura, title challenger Hiromasa Ougikubo and 2017 Bantamweight Grand Prix finalist Shintaro Ishiwatari confirmed". jp.rizinff.com.
  16. ^ "SHOOTO WATANABE". espn.com.
  17. ^ "【RIZIN】朝倉海「強くなって戻ってきた」　1回TKO勝ち！トーナメントV宣言". sponichi.co.jp. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  18. ^ "【RIZIN】朝倉海に敗れた渡部修斗が再起戦。金太郎を苦しめた伊藤空也と対戦＝10・2新イベント「ランドマーク」開催". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  19. ^ "【RIZIN】伊藤空也がコロナに感染、のび太の弟・内藤頌貴が渡部修斗と対戦＝10月2日（土）「RIZIN LANDMARK vol.1 」全試合順も決定". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  20. ^ "【RIZIN】渡部修斗が内藤頌貴を衝撃的な1R勝利 寝技で捉えて脱出させず（ENCOUNT）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  21. ^ "【RIZIN TRIGGER】スダリオ弟・貴賢神が関根シュレック相手にデビュー戦、４カード発表（イーファイト）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-03-23.
  22. ^ "個性派グラップラー同士の一戦は初参戦の須藤拓真が渡部修斗に際どい判定勝ち【RIZIN TRIGGER】". tokyoheadline.com. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  23. ^ "【DEEP】渡部修斗が判定勝利、盤石の試合運びで内山拓真を撃破（イーファイト）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-07-14.
  24. ^ "【DEEP】「毎日、朝倉未来さんと練習してきました」五明が暫定王座戦、注目のフライ級GP準決勝・伊藤vs.本田、福田vs.宇田、元王者の北岡、住村、しなしも計量パス！（ゴング格闘技）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  25. ^ Sherdog.com. "Kleber Koike Erbst". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-08-07.