Ren Hiramoto (born 27 June 1998; Japanese: 平本蓮) is a Japanesemixed martial artist and former kickboxer, currently fighting in the featherweight division of Rizin FF.[4] A professional competitor since 2015, he is the 2016 Krush and 2017 K-1 lightweight tournament runner-up.
Hiramoto faced Yohei Noguchi at K-1 World GP 2015 -70kg Championship Tournament on July 4, 2015. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 30-25 in his favor. He scored two knockdowns in the first round: the first with a right straight, while the second was a standing knockdown due to a series of undefended strikes.[9]
Hiramoto faced the one-time Krush lightweight title challenger Minoru Kimura at K-1 World GP 2015 Survival Wars on September 22, 2015.[10] Kimura won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30-27, 30-26 and 30-27. Hiramoto was knocked down with a left hook at the very end of the second round.[11]
After suffering his first professional loss, Hiramoto fought Massaro Glunder at K-1 World GP 2015 The Championship on November 21, 2015. Hiramoto lost the closely contested bout by majority decision, with scores of 29-29, 30-28 and 30-29.[12]
Title fights
Krush lightweight tournament
Hiramoto participated in the 2016 Krush Lightweight tournament, held to fill the vacant title, following Hideaki Yamazaki's move up to super lightweight. Hiramoto was scheduled to face Yoshiki Harada at Krush 62 on January 17, 2016 in the tournament quarterfinals.[13] Hiramoto won the fight by a second-round knockout. He knocked Harada down with a right straight early in the second round, and quickly followed it up with a left hook. The referee decided to wave the fight off after the second knockdown.[14]
Hiramoto faced Taito in the tournament semifinals, held at Krush 64 on March 20, 2016. Taito advanced to the semifinals with a third-round knockout of Taro Hayasaka.[15] Hiramoto won the fight by a dominant unanimous decision, with scores of 30-26, 30-26 and 30-25. He scored the single knockdown of the fight in the second round, dropping Taito with a left hook.[16]
Hiramoto faced Daizo Sasaki in the tournament finals, held at Krush 66 on June 12, 2016. Sasaki earned his place in the finals with decision victories against Hisaki Higashimoto and Takayuki Minamino. Hiramoto lost the tournament final by majority decision, with scores of 29-28, 29-29 and 29-28.[17]
K-1 lightweight tournament
Hiramoto took part in the 2017 K-1 Lightweight World Grand Prix, held on February 25, 2017. He was scheduled to face the experienced Nak Muay Brice Delval in the tournament quarterfinals.[18] Hiramoto won the closely contested bout by majority decision, with scores of 30-28, 29-29 and 29-28.[19] Hiramoto faced the WMPF World Super Lightweight champion Gonnapar Weerasakreck in the tournament semifinals. Hiramoto knocked Gonnapar with a right straight at the 2:15 minute mark. He knocked Gonnapar down with a left hook at the 1:44 minute mark, after which the referee stopped the fight.[20]
Hiramoto faced the Wu Lin Feng lightweight champion Wei Rui in the tournament finals. Rui advanced to the finals with a stoppage victory against Daizo Sasaki in the quarterfinals and a decision victory against Cristian Spetcu in the semifinals. Rui won the bout by split decision, with scores of 30-28, 30-29 and 28-29.[21]
Hiramoto was scheduled to fight a rematch with Daizo Sasaki at K-1 World GP 2017 Heavyweight Championship Tournament on November 23, 2017. Sasaki won their first meeting, on June 12, 2016, by majority decision.[23] Hiramoto won the rematch through by unanimous decision, with scores of 30-25, 30-26 and 30-26. Hiramoto knocked Sasaki down twice at the very end of the round, although he was unable to finish him.[24]
Hiramoto was scheduled to face the three-time K-1 lightweight Grand Prix winner Kaew Weerasakreck at K-1 World GP 2018: K'FESTA.1 on March 21, 2018. He won the fight by a second-round knockout.[25] Combat Press would later name his win against Kaew as their 2018 "Upset of the Year".[26]
Hiramoto was scheduled to face Takahiro Ashida during the Bellator and Rizin cross-promotion event, Bellator & Rizin: Japan, on December 29, 2019.[27][28] He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout. Subsequently, he retired from kickboxing in order to pursue a career in professional mixed martial arts.[4]
Hiramoto was ranked as a top ten featherweight according to Combat Press from April 2018[29] until July 2020,[30] when he transitioned to mixed martial arts, and signed with Rizin.[31]
Mixed martial arts career
Hiramoto signed a contract with Rizin in June 2020, intending to compete in mixed martial arts.[32] Hiramoto made his professional mixed martial arts debut against Kyohei Hagiwara at Rizin 26 on December 31, 2020.[33] He lost the fight via ground and pound TKO in round 2.[34]
Hiramoto faced Hiroaki Suzuki in the co-main event of Rizin 36 on July 2, 2022.[37] The bout was later promoted to main event status. Hiramoto won the fight by split decision.[38]
Hiramoto faced Satoshi Yamasu in the main event of Rizin Landmark Vol.4 on November 6, 2022.[39] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[40]
Hiramoto faced YA-MAN at Rizin 45 on December 31, 2023, winning the fight by unanimous decision.[43]
Hiramoto faced Mikuru Asakura at Super Rizin 3 on July 28, 2024, under "Last Man Standing" rules, with a symbolic belt on the line. He won the fight by a first-round knockout.[44]
