Zainichi Korean MMA fighter (born 1981)
Kiichi Kunimoto ストラッサー起一 Kiichi Kunimoto, with a holographic collage of him by the artist Takayuki Hibino
Born (1981-05-01 ) May 1, 1981 (age 43) 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 in (190 cm)[ 1] Team Cobra Kai MMA Dojo Trainer Dave Strasser Rank Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [ 2] Years active 2006–present Total 33 Wins 20 By knockout 2 By submission 10 By decision 7 By disqualification 1 Losses 10 By knockout 2 By submission 2 By decision 6 Draws 2 No contests 1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Kiichi Kunimoto (Japanese : 国本 起一 , Kunimoto Kiichi , born May 1, 1981) is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, he has also competed for the RIZIN , UFC , Bellator , and 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] [ 7]
Kunimoto then faced Richard Walsh on September 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 52 .[ 8] He won the fight via split decision.
Kunimoto faced Neil Magny on February 14, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 60 .[ 9] He lost the fight via rear=naked choke submission in the third round.
Kunimoto was expected to face Li Jingliang on September 27, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 75 .[ 10] However, Kunimoto pulled out of the fight in late August citing injury and was replaced by returning veteran Keita Nakamura .[ 11]
After an extended hiatus, Kunimoto was expected to face Warlley Alves on June 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 110 .[ 12] However, Alves pulled out of the fight on May 19 and was replaced by Zak Ottow .[ 13] He lost the fight via split decision.[ 14]
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.[ 15] Kunimoto won the fight by unanimous decision.[ 16]
Bellator MMA
In April 2019, news surfaced that Kunimoto had signed a contract with Bellator MMA .[ 17] In his promotional debut, Kunimoto faced Ed Ruth at Bellator 224 on July 12, 2019 and lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[ 18]
As the sophomore bout of his Bellator tenure, Kunimoto was expected to face Neiman Gracie at Bellator 236 on December 21, 2019.[ 19] However, Gracie had to withdraw from the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Jason Jackson .[ 20] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[ 21]
Rizin FF
Kunimoto returned to Rizin in order to face Takahiro Kawanaka on November 28, 2021 at Rizin Trigger 1 .[ 22] He won the bout via first-round submission.[ 23]
Kunimoto then faced Daichi Abe at Rizin 34 – Osaka on March 20, 2022.[ 24] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[ 25]
On April 1, 2023 at Rizin 41 – Osaka , Kunimoto lost to Keita Nakamura via second round TKO stoppage after being dropped with a right straight and getting finished with a soccer kick.[ 26]
Personal life
Kunimoto and his fiancée have a daughter (born 2019).[ 27]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
33 matches
20 wins
10 losses
By knockout
2
2
By submission
10
2
By decision
7
6
By disqualification
1
0
Draws
2
No contests
1
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Igor Tanabe
Rizin Landmark 9
March 23, 2024
Kobe , Japan
Loss
20–10–2 (1)
Keita Nakamura
KO (punches and soccer kick)
Rizin 41
April 1, 2023
2
0:49
Osaka , Japan
Loss
20–9–2 (1)
Daichi Abe
Decision (unanimous)
Rizin 34
March 20, 2022
3
3:00
Osaka , Japan
Win
20–8–2 (1)
Takahiro Kawanaka
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
Rizin Trigger 1
November 28, 2021
1
4:10
Kobe , Japan
Loss
19–8–2 (1)
Jason Jackson
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 236
December 21, 2019
3
5:00
Honolulu, Hawaii , United States
Loss
19–7–2 (1)
Ed Ruth
TKO (knee and punches)
Bellator 224
July 12, 2019
2
3:49
Thackerville, Oklahoma , United States
Win
19–6–2 (1)
Ryuichiro Sumimura
Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke)
Rizin 12
August 12, 2018
1
4:59
Nagoya , Japan
Win
18–6–2 (1)
Satoru Kitaoka
Decision (unanimous)
Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round
December 29, 2017
2
5:00
Saitama , Japan
Catchweight (75 kg) bout.
Loss
17–6–2 (1)
Zak Ottow
Decision (split)
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt
June 11, 2017
3
5:00
Auckland , New Zealand
Loss
17–5–2 (1)
Neil Magny
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch
February 14, 2015
3
1:22
Broomfield, Colorado , United States
Win
17–4–2 (1)
Richard Walsh
Decision (split)
UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson
September 20, 2014
3
5:00
Saitama , Japan
Win
16–4–2 (1)
Daniel Sarafian
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC 174
June 14, 2014
1
2:52
Vancouver, British Columbia , Canada
Performance of the Night.
Win
15–4–2 (1)
Luiz Dutra Jr.
DQ (elbows to back of the head)
UFC Fight Night: Saffiedine vs. Lim
January 4, 2014
1
2:57
Marina Bay , Singapore
Win
14–4–2 (1)
Edward Faaloloto
Submission (armbar)
Heat 27
July 28, 2013
1
1:55
Hyogo , Japan
Defended the HEAT Welterweight Championship.
Win
13–4–2 (1)
Fumitoshi Ishikawa
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
Heat 26
March 31, 2013
5
1:59
Aichi , Japan
Defended the HEAT Welterweight Championship.
Win
12–4–2 (1)
Lee Gyu-myung
Submission (shoulder choke)
Heat 25
November 18, 2012
1
4:40
Tokyo , Japan
Won the HEAT Welterweight Championship.
Win
11–4–2 (1)
Son Seong-won
Decision (unanimous)
Heat: Heat 23
June 23, 2012
3
5:00
Hyogo , Japan
Loss
10–4–2 (1)
Takenori Sato
Decision (unanimous)
Pancrase: Progress Tour 3
March 11, 2012
3
5:00
Tokyo , Japan
For the Pancrase Welterweight Championship .
Win
10–3–2 (1)
Yu Shiroi
Submission (guillotine choke)
Pancrase: Impressive Tour 12
November 27, 2011
2
0:40
Osaka , Japan
Win
9–3–2 (1)
Kengo Ura
Decision (unanimous)
Pancrase: Impressive Tour 4
May 3, 2011
3
5:00
Tokyo , Japan
Draw
8–3–2 (1)
Seiki Ryo
Draw (unanimous)
Pancrase: Passion Tour 7
August 8, 2010
2
5:00
Tokyo , Japan
Draw
8–3–1 (1)
Tomoyoshi Iwamiya
Draw (unanimous)
Pancrase: Passion Tour 2
March 22, 2010
3
5:00
Osaka , Japan
Win
8–3 (1)
Yoshifumi Dogaki
TKO (punches)
Pancrase: Changing Tour 7
November 8, 2009
2
0:39
Osaka , Japan
Win
7–3 (1)
Hiroki Tanaka
Decision (unanimous)
Powergate: Octave
April 19, 2009
2
5:00
Osaka , Japan
Win
6–3 (1)
Shingo Suzuki
Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke)
Pancrase: Changing Tour 1
February 1, 2009
1
3:00
Tokyo , Japan
Loss
5–3 (1)
Tomoyoshi Iwamiya
Decision (unanimous)
Pancrase: Shining 9
October 26, 2008
2
5:00
Tokyo , Japan
NC
5–2 (1)
Hirotaka Yoshioka
NC (Yoshioka cut by accident headbutt)
Pancrase: Shining 7
September 7, 2008
1
2:10
Osaka , Japan
An accidental headbutt rendered Yoshioka unable to continue.
Win
5–2
Yu Shiori
Decision (unanimous)
Pancrase: Shining 4
May 25, 2008
2
5:00
Osaka , Japan
Loss
4–2
Sotaro Yamada
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Pancrase: Shining 1
January 30, 2008
1
1:42
Tokyo , Japan
Win
4–1
Yuta Nakamura
TKO (punches)
Pancrase: Rising 7
September 30, 2007
1
2:37
Osaka , Japan
Win
3–1
Mike O'Malley
Submission (triangle choke)
Freestyle Combat Challenge 30
September 1, 2007
1
2:33
Kenosha, Wisconsin , United States
Win
2–1
Tim Ager
Submission (armbar)
Freestyle Combat Challenge 29
August 11, 2007
1
N/A
Kenosha, Wisconsin , United States
Loss
1–1
Masahiro Toryu
Decision (majority)
Pancrase: Rising 1
February 4, 2007
2
5:00
Osaka , Japan
Win
1–0
Arito Kishimoto
Decision (majority)
Double R: 3rd Stage
April 29, 2006
1
5:00
Osaka , Japan
Amateur mixed martial arts record
Amateur record breakdown
2 matches
1 win
1 loss
By knockout
0
1
By submission
1
0
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Win
1–1
Teruyoshi Aoyama
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
Pancrase: Blow 8
October 1, 2006
2
2:58
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. Archived from the original on 2013-11-29. 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 .
^ a b "UFC 174 bonuses: Tae Hyun Bang gets $100K, Kajan Johnson, Kiichi Kunimoto $50K" . MMAjunkie.com . June 15, 2014.
^ 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. Archived from the original on 2015-07-02. 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 .
^ "RIZIN World Grand Prix 2017 2nd Round Results: Horiguchi Victorious, McCall Falls to Kape" . cagesidepress.com. December 29, 2017.
^ "Bellator signs Japanese veteran Kiichi Kunimoto" . mmajunkie.com. April 8, 2019.
^ Anderson, Jay (2019-07-12). "Bellator 224 Results: Ed Ruth Stops Kiichi Kunimoto in Second" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2021-11-22 .
^ Alexander K. Lee (November 13, 2019). "Neiman Gracie to fight Kiichi Kunimoto at Bellator 236" . mmafighting.com.
^ Nolan King (December 16, 2019). "Bellator 236: Neiman Gracie injured, Kiichi Kunimoto meets Jason Jackson" . mmajunkie.com.
^ "Bellator 236 results: Late sub Jason Jackson rolls over Kiichi Kunimoto" . MMA Junkie . 2019-12-22. Retrieved 2021-11-22 .
^ Sherdog.com. "Rizin to Stage First Event in Cage on Nov. 28 Titled Rizin 'Trigger 1st' " . Sherdog . Retrieved 2021-11-22 .
^ Andrew Whitelaw (November 28, 2021). "Kyohei Hagiwara stops Shoji Maruyama in the second round" . asianmma.com .
^ "【RIZIN】萩原京平が弥益ドミネーター聡志と対戦、ストラッサー起一vs.阿部大治、アラン・ヒロ・ヤマニハvs.手塚基伸も! 8カードを発表=3月20日(日)「RIZIN.34」大阪" . news.yahoo.co.jp . Retrieved 16 February 2022 .
^ "RIZIN 34 Full Results" . cagesidepress.com. March 20, 2022.
^ "【RIZIN】皇治が芦澤に敗れ引退へ。ケラモフが堀江に一本勝ち、K太郎がストラッサー下し放送事故級マイク、神龍が北方を失神フィニッシュ、萩原が判定でアグォン越え、石司が金太郎..." ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU . Retrieved 2023-04-10 .
^ Kiichi Kunimoto [@kiichi_kunimoto] (May 13, 2019). "陣痛始まってから24時間後に王切開で無事に産まれました。麻美、本当に頑張ってくれたと思います。ありがとう。" – via Instagram .
External links