Masakatsu Funaki
Encyclopedia
, is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler who wrestled in New Japan Pro Wrestling
, PWFG, as well as the UWF
. He is currently performing at All Japan Pro Wrestling
, where he is one half of the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Champions
, along with Keiji Mutoh
. He is also the co-founder of Pancrase
, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations and non-rehearsed shoot wrestling
promotions (following five years after the inception of Shooto
but predating America's Ultimate Fighting Championship
). Funaki was also Pancrase
's biggest star; Josh Barnett
described him as the "symbol of Japan", Frank Shamrock
labeled Funaki "the golden boy" of Pancrase, and Guy Mezger
called Funaki "hands down the smartest and most skilled fighter in Pancrase
next to Ken Shamrock
".
Not only the organization's co-founder, Funaki was also one of Pancrase
's most successful fighters to date, scoring submission victories over numerous MMA champions such as Ken Shamrock
, Frank Shamrock
, Guy Mezger
, Yuki Kondo
, Minoru Suzuki
and Bas Rutten
through the course of his 50-fight career. He is the only fighter in mixed martial arts to hold wins over both Shamrock brothers and Bas Rutten, and was the first man to win the King of Pancrase title twice.
Funaki is widely considered to be one of the greatest Japanese fighters in mixed martial arts
history. Sherdog.com ranked him as the #1 mixed martial artist in the world for the years 1996 and 1997, and also had him ranked as a top 4 pound for pound
fighter from 1993 to 1998.
above all others, but also eagerly devoured the films of Sammo Hung
and Sonny Chiba
. Though his father would ultimately abandon a young Funaki and his family, the exposure to such films left an indelible mark on him, one that would forever influence the course of his life.
Dojo. He was in the same class as Puroresu legends Keiichi Yamada (better known as Jushin Liger
), Shinya Hashimoto
, Minoru Suzuki
, and Masahiro Chono
. The Canadian grappler Chris Benoit
, who went on to fame in the WWE, was also a classmate of his.
The New Japan Dojo had a reputation for being particularly harsh on its trainees, both mentally and physically, with the intent of only graduating the very best of each class. However, Funaki stunned the New Japan trainers with his athleticism, timing and natural talent for submission grappling. Along with the former Olympic alternate Minoru Suzuki
, Funaki formed a strong bond with the dojo's head grappling instructor, Yoshiaki Fujiwara
. Funaki debuted as a Jr. Heavyweight at the age of 15; it was a record for the youngest debut in NJPW.
After debuting for New Japan with a time-limit draw against fellow New Japan Dojo graduate Chris Benoit
, Funaki was not given much of a chance to shine, as the Jr. Heavyweight division was in a transition period. And as such, the owner, Antonio Inoki, decided to shift the focus towards his heavyweight division which dominated the cards. He did, however have many stellar matches with Naoki Sano
& Keiichi Yamada (who would later become Jushin Liger) & was the first person to take the Shooting Star Press from Yamada.
When New Japan top draw Akira Maeda
became so frustrated with backstage politics that he shoot kicked Riki Choshu
and broke his eye socket, he was fired and left to form Newborn UWF. Funaki, seeing a opportunity to shine and showcase what he could do, wanted to follow. And Maeda negotiated the acquisition of his, along with friend Suzuki and mentor Yoshiaki Fujiwara
's contracts for an undisclosed amount of money.
, and their matches had many fast paced strikes & exciting slams. When Newborn UWF folded in December 1990, Funaki decided to sign with mentor Fujiwara's new "Fujiwara Gumi" promotion. Funaki left Fujiwara Gumi in 1993 to form the mixed martial arts promotion Pancrase
.
along with Minoru Suzuki
. Pancrase became immensely popular and paved the way for other mixed martial arts organizations to make their way in Japan, including Pride Fighting Championships. Funaki went on to become one of the greatest fighters in Pancrase history, defeating other MMA legends such as Bas Rutten
, Ken Shamrock
, Frank Shamrock
, Minoru Suzuki
, and Guy Mezger
.
Funaki is known as a master of catch wrestling
. Funaki was so skilled that he often took other Pancrase fighters, including Bas Rutten
, Frank Shamrock
and Ken Shamrock
, under his wing in order to increase his competition. Frank Shamrock said, "Funaki was like a mad scientist. He took the idea of submissions to an even higher level than the rest of the Japanese contingent. He had this insatiable desire to learn more and push his body harder. And as an entertainer he understood the need to entertain."
This realization for the need to entertain often resulted in Funaki (along Minoru Suzuki
) "carrying" some of their opponents during fights. In essence, in order to entertain the crowd, Funaki and Suzuki would occasionally give their opponents opportunities to create drama before finally finishing them off. Josh Barnett said, "when you're that good, you can have a guy thinking he's doing so much better than he expected and have no idea that they're just letting you last like a cat playing with a mouse." Frank Shamrock added, "I know for a fact those guys (Funaki and Suzuki) were light years ahead of everyone else, and they were so good that they would go towards entertainment before they finished a match."
However, this did backfire on Funaki on at least one occasion. In a match against Jason DeLucia
, Funaki allowed Delucia to catch him in a kneebar in order to create drama and planned on using a rope escape once Delucia had the submission locked in. Unfortunately, Funaki mistakenly allowed himself to get too far from the ropes and was forced to tap out. This concern for entertainment helped the young sport of mixed martial arts
to thrive and grow in Japan. Kazushi Sakuraba
would similarly play around with inferior opponents years later.
Funaki retired from Pancrase after a win over Tony Petarra in September 1999 due to accumulated injuries and, according to fellow Pancrase fighter and friend Bas Rutten
, being burnt out from the hectic Pancrase schedule.
at Colosseum 2000 held at the Tokyo Dome
. The show was almost canceled due to Rickson trying to change the rules to make knees and strikes to the head illegal, but the problems were overcome and the show continued. The event was broadcasted to 30 million TV Tokyo viewers. While there was no championship title at stake, Funaki had a lot on the line in his fight against Gracie; if Funaki were to beat the legendary Rickson Gracie he would become a "godlike" figure in Japan and enjoy immense popularity and fame.
Funaki walked to the ring in samurai
attire with a samurai sword which garnered a roaring excitement from the Japanese announcers and crowd. Funaki scored the first takedown of the bout. However, a kick from Gracie blew out his knee. Ultimately, he was taken down and defeated by a rear-naked choke. Funaki refused to submit to the hold, passing out before the referee intervened. After the fight, Funaki stated that he thought he was going to die from the choke.
Funaki then retired from mixed martial arts
competition. He had a retirement ceremony in Pancrase
in late 2000 in which many of his past mentors and training partners emotionally and tearfully embraced the legendary Funaki.
at the K-1 Dynamite event at Kyocera Dome Osaka. Although both fighters were significantly past their primes, this matchup was intriguing because it was a bout between arguably the two greatest Japanese fighters in mixed martial arts history.
After exchanging professional wrestling-inspired entrances, the submission specialists traded strikes. Funaki's arsenal of punches and kicks appeared to be quicker and more powerful, but Sakuraba was able to sneak in a double-leg take down after Funaki committed heavily to a missed right cross. On the ground, Funaki closed guard around Sakuraba before opening it up to spin for a knee-bar. For a moment, Funaki appeared to secure Sakuraba's leg only to be thwarted by a combination of Sakuraba's submission acumen and their position against the ring ropes, which blocked Funaki from rolling with the hold. Sakuraba then maneuvered to Funaki's back, only for the Pancrase founder to roll back into the guard position. Breaking away from the grappling contest, Sakuraba stood up and began to assault the still-prone Funaki's legs with a series of kicks. Funaki answered with a kick of his own, blackening Sakuraba's eye and cutting his face. Sakuraba returned himself to the ground, where Funaki immediately attempted to sweep him. However, Sakuraba blocked the attempt and secured a double wristlock, eventually forcing Funaki to submit.
Funaki signed a contract with FEG
's MMA promotion, DREAM
. On April 28, 2008, Funaki participated in DREAM's first ever Middle-weight Grand Prix. Funaki was matched against another legendary Japan
ese fighter Kiyoshi Tamura
at the opening round of the DREAM.2
Middleweight Grandprix 2008 in Saitama
, Japan
. After a hard opening exchange between the two, Funaki was staggered by a punch and pulled guard on Tamura, from where he was pounded to an eventual TKO at 0:57 of Round 1. This was his first (T)KO stoppage loss since September 14, 1998, when he was knocked out with a body blow by Semmy Schilt
. Funaki was eliminated from the Middle-weight Grand Prix.
After losing twice in a row since Funaki's comeback to the MMA ring, Funaki was determined to prove that he was still a worthy competitor of the sport and participated again in the DREAM.6
Middleweight Grandprix 2008 Final round event that took place on September 23, 2008 at the Saitama Super Arena
in Saitama
, Japan
. Funaki was matched with one of his former Pancrase students, fan favorite "Minowaman" Ikuhisa Minowa
. Prior to the bout, Funaki suggested that if this fight was going be equivalent to a ritual suicide, there was none he found more worthy than Minowa to assist him in carrying it out.
At the opening seconds of the first round of the match, Funaki came at his former charge with a series of kicks, practically forcing Minowa to catch one of the kicks. The former two-time King of Pancrase capitalized immediately, leaping directly into a heel-hook. Minowa escaped the hold, but Funaki maintained control of his leg and immediately attacked with a heel-hook from the cross-body position, forcing his protege to tap at 52 seconds of the first round.
discussed the possibility of Funaki returning to regular professional wrestling in Mutoh's company, All Japan Pro Wrestling
. On August 31, 2009, Funaki signed a one year contract with All Japan, following a tag team victory with Mutoh against Minoru Suzuki
and Masahiro Chono
.
On January 3, 2010, Funaki and Mutoh won the All Japan Double Cup
tag team title from Suzuki and Taiyo Kea
. On March 21, Funaki defeated Suzuki in a cage match at All Japan's Sumo Hall show.
. According to Sherdog.com's ratings, he was one of the top four mixed martial artists in the world from 1993 to 1998 (being the top-rated mixed martial artist in 1996) and is currently rated as the second most successful Japanese fighter of all-time behind Kazushi Sakuraba
.
| Win
|align=center| 39–13–1
| Ikuhisa Minowa
| Submission (heel hook)
| Dream 6
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:52
| Saitama
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 38–13–1
| Kiyoshi Tamura
| TKO (punches)
| Dream 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:57
| Saitama
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 38–12–1
| Kazushi Sakuraba
| Submission (kimura)
| K-1 PREMIUM 2007 Dynamite!!
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 6:25
| Osaka
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 38–11–1
| Rickson Gracie
| Technical submission (rear naked choke)
| Colosseum 2000
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 12:49
| Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 38–10–1
| Tony Petarra
| Submission (punches)
| Pancrase: 1999 Anniversary Show
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:16
| Urayasu, Chiba
, Japan
|
|-
| Draw
|align=center| 37–10–1
| Ebenezer Fontes Braga
| Draw
| Pancrase: Breakthrough 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 15:00
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 37–10
| John Renken
| Submission (punches)
| Pancrase: Advance 12
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 5:50
| Urayasu, Chiba
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 36–10
| Kiuma Kunioku
| Decision (lost points)
| Pancrase: Advance 10
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 15:00
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 36–9
| Semmy Schilt
| KO (punch to the body)
| Pancrase: 1998 Anniversary Show
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 7:13
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 36–8
| Osami Shibuya
| Submission (arm triangle choke)
| Pancrase: 1998 Neo-Blood Tournament Second Round
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 6:07
| Aomori
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 35–8
| Guy Mezger
| Decision (unanimous)
| Pancrase: Advance 5
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 30:00
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 35–7
| Semmy Schilt
| Decision (lost points)
| Pancrase: Advance 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 15:00
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 34–7
| Katsuomi Inagaki
| Submission
| Pancrase: Advance 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:36
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 33–7
| Yuki Kondo
| Submission (triangle kimura)
| Pancrase: Alive 11
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:20
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 32–7
| Jason Godsey
| Submission (calf slicer)
| Pancrase: Alive 10
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 7:12
| Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 31–7
| Guy Mezger
| Submission (triangle/armbar)
| Pancrase: 1997 Anniversary Show
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:58
| Urayasu, Chiba
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 30–7
| Osami Shibuya
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Pancrase: 1997 Neo-Blood Tournament, Round 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:34
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 29–7
| Wes Gassaway
| Submission
| Pancrase: Alive 7
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:05
| Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 28–7
| Yuki Kondo
| Submission
| Pancrase: Alive 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:34
| Urayasu, Chiba
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 28–6
| Paul Lazenby
| Submission
| Pancrase: Alive 3
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:36
| Nagoya, Aichi
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 27–6
| Semmy Schilt
| Submission (toe hold)
| Pancrase: Alive 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 5:47
| Urayasu, Chiba
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 26–6
| Jason Delucia
| TKO
| Pancrase: Truth 10
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:34
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 25–6
| Yuki Kondo
| Submission
| Pancrase: Truth 9
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:43
| Fukuoka
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 24–6
| Bas Rutten
| TKO (lost points)
| Pancrase: 1996 Anniversary Show
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 17:05
| Urayasu, Chiba
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 24–5
| Takafumi Ito
| Submission
| Pancrase: 1996 Neo-Blood Tournament, Round 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:01
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 23–5
| Vernon White
| Submission
| Pancrase: Truth 6
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:34
| Fukuoka
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 22–5
| August Smisl
| Submission (rear naked choke)
| Pancrase: Truth 5
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:01
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 21–5
| Katsuomi Inagaki
| Submission
| Pancrase: Truth 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:14
| Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 20–5
| Ryushi Yanagisawa
| TKO (armlock)
| Pancrase: Truth 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 8:42
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 19–5
| Takaku Fuke
| Submission
| Pancrase: Eyes of Beast 7
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:31
| Sapporo, Hokkaido
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 18–5
| Frank Shamrock
| Submission (toehold)
| Pancrase: Eyes of Beast 6
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 10:31
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 18–4
| Guy Mezger
| Submission
| Pancrase: 1995 Anniversary Show
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 6:46
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 17–4
| Leon Dijk
| Submission (achilles lock)
| Pancrase: 1995 Neo-Blood Tournament Second Round
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:01
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 16–4
| Gregory Smit
| Submission
| Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 5
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 7:30
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 15–4
| Alex Cook
| Submission (heelhook)
| Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 7:14
| Urayasu, Chiba
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 14–4
| Manabu Yamada
| Submission
| Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 3
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:43
| Nagoya, Aichi
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 14–3
| Frank Shamrock
| Submission
| Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 5:11
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 13–3
| Jason Delucia
| Submission
| Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 9:04
| Nagoya, Aichi
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 12–3
| Ken Shamrock
| Submission
| Pancrase - King of Pancrase Tournament Second Round
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 5:50
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 12–2
| Vernon White
| Submission
| Pancrase - King of Pancrase Tournament Opening Round
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 5:37
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 11–2
| Todd Bjornethun
| Submission
| Pancrase - King of Pancrase Tournament Opening Round
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:20
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 10–2
| Minoru Suzuki
| Technical submission
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 5
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:51
| Newark, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 9–2
| Ken Shamrock
| Submission
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:30
| Osaka
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 8–2
| Scott Sollivan
| Submission
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 3
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:56
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 7–2
| Jason Delucia
| Submission (kneebar)
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:01
| Amagasaki, Hyogo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 7–1
| Gregory Smit
| Submission (rear naked choke)
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:58
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 6–1
| Takaku Fuke
| Submission
| Pancrase: Pancrash! 3
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 6:55
| Osaka
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 5–1
| Vernon White
| KO
| Pancrase: Pancrash! 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:13
| Nagoya, Aichi
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 4–1
| Bas Rutten
| Submission (toehold)
| Pancrase: Pancrash! 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:58
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 3–1
| Kazuo Takahashi
| KO (palm strikes and knees)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:09
| Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 2–1
| Cees Bezems
| Submission (keylock)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 3
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:42
| Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 1–1
| Ryushi Yanagisawa
| Submission (kneebar)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:35
| Nagoya, Aichi
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 0–1
| Ken Shamrock
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 6:15
| Urayasu, Chiba
, Japan
|
New Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
, PWFG, as well as the UWF
UWF
UWF may refer to:*The University of West Florida*The Universal Wrestling Federation , an American professional wrestling promotion, started by Bill Watts...
. He is currently performing at All Japan Pro Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
, where he is one half of the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Champions
AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
The All Japan Pro Wrestling Unified World Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling...
, along with Keiji Mutoh
Keiji Mutoh
is a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. He is mostly known for his work as The Great Muta in New Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s, but he has also competed in United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Taiwan...
. He is also the co-founder of Pancrase
Pancrase
Pancrase is a mixed martial arts promotion company founded in Japan in 1993 by professional wrestlers Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki. Pancrase is taken from Pankration, a sport in the ancient Olympic games. Suzuki and Funaki are particularly skilled in the art of catch wrestling and based the...
, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations and non-rehearsed shoot wrestling
Shoot wrestling
Shoot wrestling is a combat sport that has its origins in Japan's professional wrestling circuit of the 1970s. Professional wrestlers of that era attempted to utilize more realistic or "full contact" moves in their matches to increase their excitement...
promotions (following five years after the inception of Shooto
Shooto
Shooto is a mixed martial arts organization that is governed by the Shooto Association and the International Shooto Commission. Shooto was originally formed in 1985, as an organization and as a particular fighting system derived from shoot wrestling. Practitioners are referred to as shooters,...
but predating America's Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
). Funaki was also Pancrase
Pancrase
Pancrase is a mixed martial arts promotion company founded in Japan in 1993 by professional wrestlers Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki. Pancrase is taken from Pankration, a sport in the ancient Olympic games. Suzuki and Funaki are particularly skilled in the art of catch wrestling and based the...
's biggest star; Josh Barnett
Josh Barnett
Joshua Lawrence Barnett is an American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler who currently fights in the heavyweight division of Strikeforce. Barnett has been an accomplished fighter in mixed martial arts, winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship and the King of Pancrase Openweight...
described him as the "symbol of Japan", Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock is a retired mixed martial arts fighter. Shamrock was the first to hold the UFC Middleweight Championship and retired as the four-time defending undefeated champion...
labeled Funaki "the golden boy" of Pancrase, and Guy Mezger
Guy Mezger
Guy Mezger is a retired American martial artist who competed in professional combat sports ranging from full contact karate, kickboxing, and boxing, but is most recognized as a mixed martial arts fighter . He is associated with Lion's Den Dallas...
called Funaki "hands down the smartest and most skilled fighter in Pancrase
Pancrase
Pancrase is a mixed martial arts promotion company founded in Japan in 1993 by professional wrestlers Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki. Pancrase is taken from Pankration, a sport in the ancient Olympic games. Suzuki and Funaki are particularly skilled in the art of catch wrestling and based the...
next to Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
".
Not only the organization's co-founder, Funaki was also one of Pancrase
Pancrase
Pancrase is a mixed martial arts promotion company founded in Japan in 1993 by professional wrestlers Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki. Pancrase is taken from Pankration, a sport in the ancient Olympic games. Suzuki and Funaki are particularly skilled in the art of catch wrestling and based the...
's most successful fighters to date, scoring submission victories over numerous MMA champions such as Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
, Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock is a retired mixed martial arts fighter. Shamrock was the first to hold the UFC Middleweight Championship and retired as the four-time defending undefeated champion...
, Guy Mezger
Guy Mezger
Guy Mezger is a retired American martial artist who competed in professional combat sports ranging from full contact karate, kickboxing, and boxing, but is most recognized as a mixed martial arts fighter . He is associated with Lion's Den Dallas...
, Yuki Kondo
Yuki Kondo
is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He has a background in Shorinji Kempo and he is a 2nd dan. He was born in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Kondo is a Pancrase and Pride Fighting Championships veteran, as well as three-time veteran in the UFC. Kondo has fought over 60 times for the Pancrase...
, Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
and Bas Rutten
Bas Rutten
Sebastiaan "Bas" Rutten is a retired Dutch mixed martial artist, Karate and Taekwondo blackbelt, and kickboxer. He was a UFC Heavyweight Champion, a three time King of Pancrase world champion, and finished his career on a 22 fight unbeaten streak...
through the course of his 50-fight career. He is the only fighter in mixed martial arts to hold wins over both Shamrock brothers and Bas Rutten, and was the first man to win the King of Pancrase title twice.
Funaki is widely considered to be one of the greatest Japanese fighters in mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
history. Sherdog.com ranked him as the #1 mixed martial artist in the world for the years 1996 and 1997, and also had him ranked as a top 4 pound for pound
Pound for pound
Pound for pound is a term to describe how any two things compare when bearing in mind their varying quantities; for example, a tin of tomatoes weighing 250 g and costing $2.50 is more expensive, pound for pound, than one weighing 500 g and costing $4 .It is used in combat sports such as boxing or...
fighter from 1993 to 1998.
Early life
The son of a movie theater owner, Funaki was exposed to martial arts films at an early age. He idolized Bruce LeeBruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
above all others, but also eagerly devoured the films of Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
and Sonny Chiba
Sonny Chiba
, also known as Sonny Chiba, is a Japanese actor, singer, film producer, film director and martial artist.Chiba was one of the first actors to achieve stardom through his skills in martial arts, initially in Japan and later before an international audience.- Early life :Born in Fukuoka, Fukuoka,...
. Though his father would ultimately abandon a young Funaki and his family, the exposure to such films left an indelible mark on him, one that would forever influence the course of his life.
New Japan Pro Wrestling (1985-1989)
Instead of entering high school, he applied to the New Japan Pro WrestlingNew Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
Dojo. He was in the same class as Puroresu legends Keiichi Yamada (better known as Jushin Liger
Jushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
), Shinya Hashimoto
Shinya Hashimoto
, was a Japanese professional wrestler. Along with Masahiro Chono and Keiji Mutoh, Hashimoto was dubbed one of the "Three Musketeers" that began competing in New Japan Pro Wrestling in the mid 1980s and dominated the promotion in the 1990s....
, Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
, and Masahiro Chono
Masahiro Chono
, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He primarily wrestles for New Japan Pro Wrestling , but has also made appearances for the now defunct World Championship Wrestling, as a member of the New World Order. Chono was also known as Mister Black Jack when he first started as a villain. He is a...
. The Canadian grappler Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit
Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide...
, who went on to fame in the WWE, was also a classmate of his.
The New Japan Dojo had a reputation for being particularly harsh on its trainees, both mentally and physically, with the intent of only graduating the very best of each class. However, Funaki stunned the New Japan trainers with his athleticism, timing and natural talent for submission grappling. Along with the former Olympic alternate Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
, Funaki formed a strong bond with the dojo's head grappling instructor, Yoshiaki Fujiwara
Yoshiaki Fujiwara
is a Japanese actor, and professional wrestler who has worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE, and UWF.-New Japan Pro Wrestling and Universal Wrestling Federation :...
. Funaki debuted as a Jr. Heavyweight at the age of 15; it was a record for the youngest debut in NJPW.
After debuting for New Japan with a time-limit draw against fellow New Japan Dojo graduate Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit
Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide...
, Funaki was not given much of a chance to shine, as the Jr. Heavyweight division was in a transition period. And as such, the owner, Antonio Inoki, decided to shift the focus towards his heavyweight division which dominated the cards. He did, however have many stellar matches with Naoki Sano
Naoki Sano
is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He currently goes by the name Takuma Sano.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :...
& Keiichi Yamada (who would later become Jushin Liger) & was the first person to take the Shooting Star Press from Yamada.
When New Japan top draw Akira Maeda
Akira Maeda
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler, also known as Kwik-kik-Lee for his time on the British Wrestling show World of Sport. He helped develop the shoot-style of professional wrestling during the late 1980s....
became so frustrated with backstage politics that he shoot kicked Riki Choshu
Riki Choshu
Mitsuo Yoshida , better known by his stage name Riki Chōshū , is a Korean-Japanese professional wrestler who is most known for his longtime work in New Japan Pro Wrestling as a wrestler and a booker...
and broke his eye socket, he was fired and left to form Newborn UWF. Funaki, seeing a opportunity to shine and showcase what he could do, wanted to follow. And Maeda negotiated the acquisition of his, along with friend Suzuki and mentor Yoshiaki Fujiwara
Yoshiaki Fujiwara
is a Japanese actor, and professional wrestler who has worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE, and UWF.-New Japan Pro Wrestling and Universal Wrestling Federation :...
's contracts for an undisclosed amount of money.
Newborn UWF and Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi (1989-1993)
With his flashy moves and movie star good looks, Funaki became a top draw and an excellent nemesis to Akira MaedaAkira Maeda
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler, also known as Kwik-kik-Lee for his time on the British Wrestling show World of Sport. He helped develop the shoot-style of professional wrestling during the late 1980s....
, and their matches had many fast paced strikes & exciting slams. When Newborn UWF folded in December 1990, Funaki decided to sign with mentor Fujiwara's new "Fujiwara Gumi" promotion. Funaki left Fujiwara Gumi in 1993 to form the mixed martial arts promotion Pancrase
Pancrase
Pancrase is a mixed martial arts promotion company founded in Japan in 1993 by professional wrestlers Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki. Pancrase is taken from Pankration, a sport in the ancient Olympic games. Suzuki and Funaki are particularly skilled in the art of catch wrestling and based the...
.
Pancrase (1993-2000)
Funaki's MMA career began when he founded PancrasePancrase
Pancrase is a mixed martial arts promotion company founded in Japan in 1993 by professional wrestlers Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki. Pancrase is taken from Pankration, a sport in the ancient Olympic games. Suzuki and Funaki are particularly skilled in the art of catch wrestling and based the...
along with Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
. Pancrase became immensely popular and paved the way for other mixed martial arts organizations to make their way in Japan, including Pride Fighting Championships. Funaki went on to become one of the greatest fighters in Pancrase history, defeating other MMA legends such as Bas Rutten
Bas Rutten
Sebastiaan "Bas" Rutten is a retired Dutch mixed martial artist, Karate and Taekwondo blackbelt, and kickboxer. He was a UFC Heavyweight Champion, a three time King of Pancrase world champion, and finished his career on a 22 fight unbeaten streak...
, Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
, Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock is a retired mixed martial arts fighter. Shamrock was the first to hold the UFC Middleweight Championship and retired as the four-time defending undefeated champion...
, Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
, and Guy Mezger
Guy Mezger
Guy Mezger is a retired American martial artist who competed in professional combat sports ranging from full contact karate, kickboxing, and boxing, but is most recognized as a mixed martial arts fighter . He is associated with Lion's Den Dallas...
.
Funaki is known as a master of catch wrestling
Catch wrestling
Catch wrestling is a style of folk wrestling that was developed and popularised in the late 19th century by the wrestlers of traveling carnivals who incorporated submission holds, or "hooks", into their wrestling to increase their effectiveness against their opponents...
. Funaki was so skilled that he often took other Pancrase fighters, including Bas Rutten
Bas Rutten
Sebastiaan "Bas" Rutten is a retired Dutch mixed martial artist, Karate and Taekwondo blackbelt, and kickboxer. He was a UFC Heavyweight Champion, a three time King of Pancrase world champion, and finished his career on a 22 fight unbeaten streak...
, Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock is a retired mixed martial arts fighter. Shamrock was the first to hold the UFC Middleweight Championship and retired as the four-time defending undefeated champion...
and Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
, under his wing in order to increase his competition. Frank Shamrock said, "Funaki was like a mad scientist. He took the idea of submissions to an even higher level than the rest of the Japanese contingent. He had this insatiable desire to learn more and push his body harder. And as an entertainer he understood the need to entertain."
This realization for the need to entertain often resulted in Funaki (along Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
) "carrying" some of their opponents during fights. In essence, in order to entertain the crowd, Funaki and Suzuki would occasionally give their opponents opportunities to create drama before finally finishing them off. Josh Barnett said, "when you're that good, you can have a guy thinking he's doing so much better than he expected and have no idea that they're just letting you last like a cat playing with a mouse." Frank Shamrock added, "I know for a fact those guys (Funaki and Suzuki) were light years ahead of everyone else, and they were so good that they would go towards entertainment before they finished a match."
However, this did backfire on Funaki on at least one occasion. In a match against Jason DeLucia
Jason DeLucia
Jason DeLucia is a retired American mixed martial artist. . He holds victories over Masakatsu Funaki, Matt Hume, Minoru Suzuki, Yuki Kondo, Ikuhisa Minowa, Kiuma Kunioku, Chris Lytle, and Manabu Yamada...
, Funaki allowed Delucia to catch him in a kneebar in order to create drama and planned on using a rope escape once Delucia had the submission locked in. Unfortunately, Funaki mistakenly allowed himself to get too far from the ropes and was forced to tap out. This concern for entertainment helped the young sport of mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
to thrive and grow in Japan. Kazushi Sakuraba
Kazushi Sakuraba
is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist and former professional wrestler. He has competed in pro-wrestling for New Japan Pro Wrestling, UWFi and Kingdom Pro Wrestling. He has fought in MMA competition in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, PRIDE Fighting Championships, K-1 Hero's and Dream...
would similarly play around with inferior opponents years later.
Funaki retired from Pancrase after a win over Tony Petarra in September 1999 due to accumulated injuries and, according to fellow Pancrase fighter and friend Bas Rutten
Bas Rutten
Sebastiaan "Bas" Rutten is a retired Dutch mixed martial artist, Karate and Taekwondo blackbelt, and kickboxer. He was a UFC Heavyweight Champion, a three time King of Pancrase world champion, and finished his career on a 22 fight unbeaten streak...
, being burnt out from the hectic Pancrase schedule.
Masakatsu Funaki vs. Rickson Gracie
Despite Funaki's body being very broken down from injuries, he returned for a fight against the legendary Rickson GracieRickson Gracie
Rickson Gracie is a Brazilian 8th degree black and red belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a retired mixed martial artist. He is a member of the Gracie family: the son of Hélio Gracie, brother to Rorion and Relson Gracie, and half-brother to Rolker, Royce, Robin and Royler Gracie.-Biography:Rickson...
at Colosseum 2000 held at the Tokyo Dome
Tokyo Dome
Tokyo Dome is a 55,000-seat baseball stadium located in Bunkyo Ward of Tokyo, Japan.The stadium opened for business on March 17, 1988. It was built on the site of the Velodrome which was next door to the site of the predecessor ballpark, Kōrakuen Stadium...
. The show was almost canceled due to Rickson trying to change the rules to make knees and strikes to the head illegal, but the problems were overcome and the show continued. The event was broadcasted to 30 million TV Tokyo viewers. While there was no championship title at stake, Funaki had a lot on the line in his fight against Gracie; if Funaki were to beat the legendary Rickson Gracie he would become a "godlike" figure in Japan and enjoy immense popularity and fame.
Funaki walked to the ring in samurai
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
attire with a samurai sword which garnered a roaring excitement from the Japanese announcers and crowd. Funaki scored the first takedown of the bout. However, a kick from Gracie blew out his knee. Ultimately, he was taken down and defeated by a rear-naked choke. Funaki refused to submit to the hold, passing out before the referee intervened. After the fight, Funaki stated that he thought he was going to die from the choke.
Funaki then retired from mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
competition. He had a retirement ceremony in Pancrase
Pancrase
Pancrase is a mixed martial arts promotion company founded in Japan in 1993 by professional wrestlers Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki. Pancrase is taken from Pankration, a sport in the ancient Olympic games. Suzuki and Funaki are particularly skilled in the art of catch wrestling and based the...
in late 2000 in which many of his past mentors and training partners emotionally and tearfully embraced the legendary Funaki.
K-1 and Dream (2007-2008)
On 12/31/2007, Funaki came out of retirement to fight fellow MMA legend Kazushi SakurabaKazushi Sakuraba
is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist and former professional wrestler. He has competed in pro-wrestling for New Japan Pro Wrestling, UWFi and Kingdom Pro Wrestling. He has fought in MMA competition in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, PRIDE Fighting Championships, K-1 Hero's and Dream...
at the K-1 Dynamite event at Kyocera Dome Osaka. Although both fighters were significantly past their primes, this matchup was intriguing because it was a bout between arguably the two greatest Japanese fighters in mixed martial arts history.
After exchanging professional wrestling-inspired entrances, the submission specialists traded strikes. Funaki's arsenal of punches and kicks appeared to be quicker and more powerful, but Sakuraba was able to sneak in a double-leg take down after Funaki committed heavily to a missed right cross. On the ground, Funaki closed guard around Sakuraba before opening it up to spin for a knee-bar. For a moment, Funaki appeared to secure Sakuraba's leg only to be thwarted by a combination of Sakuraba's submission acumen and their position against the ring ropes, which blocked Funaki from rolling with the hold. Sakuraba then maneuvered to Funaki's back, only for the Pancrase founder to roll back into the guard position. Breaking away from the grappling contest, Sakuraba stood up and began to assault the still-prone Funaki's legs with a series of kicks. Funaki answered with a kick of his own, blackening Sakuraba's eye and cutting his face. Sakuraba returned himself to the ground, where Funaki immediately attempted to sweep him. However, Sakuraba blocked the attempt and secured a double wristlock, eventually forcing Funaki to submit.
Funaki signed a contract with FEG
FEG
FÉG stands for Fegyver És Gépgyár, which could be translated as "Arms and Machine Factory". It comes from the Hungarian "Fegyver- és Gépgyártó Részvénytársaság"...
's MMA promotion, DREAM
DREAM (mixed martial arts)
Dream is a mixed martial arts organization promoted by former PRIDE FC executives and K-1 promoter Fighting and Entertainment Group. DREAM replaced FEG's previous-run mixed martial arts fight series, Hero's. The series retains many of the stylistic flourishes and personnel from Pride FC...
. On April 28, 2008, Funaki participated in DREAM's first ever Middle-weight Grand Prix. Funaki was matched against another legendary Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese fighter Kiyoshi Tamura
Kiyoshi Tamura
is a Japanese middleweight professional wrestler and mixed martial artist.Once a student of legendary Pro Wrestler Akira Maeda, Tamura is known for his skill in catch wrestling as well as his ability to deliver exciting and realistic professional wrestling bouts....
at the opening round of the DREAM.2
DREAM.2
Dream.2 Middle Weight Grandprix 2008 1st Round was a mixed martial arts event promoted by Dream. It took place on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama City, Japan....
Middleweight Grandprix 2008 in Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. After a hard opening exchange between the two, Funaki was staggered by a punch and pulled guard on Tamura, from where he was pounded to an eventual TKO at 0:57 of Round 1. This was his first (T)KO stoppage loss since September 14, 1998, when he was knocked out with a body blow by Semmy Schilt
Semmy Schilt
Semmy Schilt , also known as Sem Schilt, is a Dutch Ashihara karateka, kickboxer, mixed martial artist and four time K-1 World GP champion. He is the first and only fighter in K-1 history to win the championship three times in a row, and also shares the record with Ernesto Hoost for most GPs won,...
. Funaki was eliminated from the Middle-weight Grand Prix.
After losing twice in a row since Funaki's comeback to the MMA ring, Funaki was determined to prove that he was still a worthy competitor of the sport and participated again in the DREAM.6
DREAM.6
Dream 6: Middle Weight Grandprix 2008 Final Round was a mixed martial arts event promoted by Fighting and Entertainment Group's mixed martial arts promotion Dream on September 23, 2008...
Middleweight Grandprix 2008 Final round event that took place on September 23, 2008 at the Saitama Super Arena
Saitama Super Arena
is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Chūō-ku, Saitama City, Saitama, Japan. Its spectator capacity is 37,000 at maximum settings.This main arena capacity is between 19,000-22,500 when events such as basketball, volleyball, tennis, ice hockey, gymnastics, boxing, mixed martial arts and...
in Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Funaki was matched with one of his former Pancrase students, fan favorite "Minowaman" Ikuhisa Minowa
Ikuhisa Minowa
is a Japanese mixed martial artist and pro wrestler currently competing in Dream as . He was a long time veteran of Pride Fighting Championships and Pancrase and has also competed in other mixed martial arts promotions such as K-1 HERO'S, Cage Rage, UFC, and DEEP. At 5'9" he is notable for taking...
. Prior to the bout, Funaki suggested that if this fight was going be equivalent to a ritual suicide, there was none he found more worthy than Minowa to assist him in carrying it out.
At the opening seconds of the first round of the match, Funaki came at his former charge with a series of kicks, practically forcing Minowa to catch one of the kicks. The former two-time King of Pancrase capitalized immediately, leaping directly into a heel-hook. Minowa escaped the hold, but Funaki maintained control of his leg and immediately attacked with a heel-hook from the cross-body position, forcing his protege to tap at 52 seconds of the first round.
All Japan Pro Wrestling (2009-present)
In August 2007, Funaki and Keiji MutohKeiji Mutoh
is a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. He is mostly known for his work as The Great Muta in New Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s, but he has also competed in United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Taiwan...
discussed the possibility of Funaki returning to regular professional wrestling in Mutoh's company, All Japan Pro Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
. On August 31, 2009, Funaki signed a one year contract with All Japan, following a tag team victory with Mutoh against Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
and Masahiro Chono
Masahiro Chono
, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He primarily wrestles for New Japan Pro Wrestling , but has also made appearances for the now defunct World Championship Wrestling, as a member of the New World Order. Chono was also known as Mister Black Jack when he first started as a villain. He is a...
.
On January 3, 2010, Funaki and Mutoh won the All Japan Double Cup
AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
The All Japan Pro Wrestling Unified World Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling...
tag team title from Suzuki and Taiyo Kea
Taiyo Kea
Maunakea Mossman is an American professional wrestler, better known under his stage name Taiyō Kea . Although he was born in Hawaii, he has spent nearly his entire career as a member of the Japan-based All Japan Pro Wrestling promotion...
. On March 21, Funaki defeated Suzuki in a cage match at All Japan's Sumo Hall show.
Accolades
In 2006, he was elected to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of FameWrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is a professional wrestling hall of fame that recognizes people who make significant contributions to the sport. It was founded in 1996 by Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is not...
. According to Sherdog.com's ratings, he was one of the top four mixed martial artists in the world from 1993 to 1998 (being the top-rated mixed martial artist in 1996) and is currently rated as the second most successful Japanese fighter of all-time behind Kazushi Sakuraba
Kazushi Sakuraba
is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist and former professional wrestler. He has competed in pro-wrestling for New Japan Pro Wrestling, UWFi and Kingdom Pro Wrestling. He has fought in MMA competition in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, PRIDE Fighting Championships, K-1 Hero's and Dream...
.
Anime
- (1994) Street Fighter II: The Animated MovieStreet Fighter II: The Animated MovieStreet Fighter II: The Animated Movie, known as in Japan and Australia, is a 1994 Japanese animated film adaptation of the Street Fighter II fighting games written by Kenichi Imai, directed by Gisaburō Sugii and animated by Group TAC. The film, originally released in Japan on August 8, 1994, has...
: Fei Long - (2001) ShootFighter Tekken: Seiko "Oton" Miyazawa
Movies
- (2000) Gojoe: Spirit War Chronicle: Tankai
- (2001) Electric Dragon 80.000 VElectric Dragon 80.000 VElectric Dragon 80.000 V is a 2001 Japanese film written and directed by Sogo Ishii. The comic-book style story stars Tadanobu Asano and Masatoshi Nagase as electricity wielding super-heroes.-Plot:...
: Narrator - (2001) Shadow FuryShadow Fury-Plot:A discovery in the near future makes it possible to create genetically engineered and enhanced human clones. The consequence of this discovery results in bio-ethical chaos. In order to right this wrong, the World Health Organization imposes a global ban on all human cloning activity...
: Takeru - (2003) Shin karate baka ichidai 2: Kung Fu Fighter
- (2004) Godzilla: Final WarsGodzilla: Final Warsis a 2004 Japanese science fiction-kaiju film directed by Ryuhei Kitamura, written by Wataru Mimura and Isao Kiriyama and produced by Shogo Tomiyama. It is the twenty-eighth film in the Godzilla film series, and the sixth in terms of the series' Millennium era...
: Kumasaka - (2004) RikidōzanRikidozan, better known as Rikidōzan , was a Korean Japanese professional wrestler, known as the "Father of Puroresu" and one of the most influential men in wrestling history. Initially, he had moved from his native country Korea to Japan to become a sumo wrestler...
: Masahiko Kimura - (2006) Like a Dragon: PrologueLike a Dragon: PrologueLike a Dragon: Prologue, known in Japanese as , is a 2006 Japanese crime drama Original Video directed by Takeshi Miyasaka with Takashi Miike as executive director...
: Kazuma Kiryu
Mixed martial arts
- Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling
- King of Pancrase (2 Times)
- 1996 King of Pancrase Championship Tournament Winner
- 1994 King of Pancrase Championship Tournament Semifinalist
Professional wrestling
- All Japan Pro WrestlingAll Japan Pro Wrestlingis a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
- World's Strongest Tag Team LeagueWorld's Strongest Tag Team LeagueThe , more commonly known in the West as the Real World Tag League, is an annual professional wrestling tournament held by All Japan Pro Wrestling since 1977, usually run on the first weeks of December...
(2009) – with Keiji MutohKeiji Mutohis a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. He is mostly known for his work as The Great Muta in New Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s, but he has also competed in United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Taiwan... - AJPW Unified World Tag Team ChampionshipAJPW Unified World Tag Team ChampionshipThe All Japan Pro Wrestling Unified World Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling...
(1 time) – with Keiji Mutoh
- World's Strongest Tag Team League
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him #115 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2010
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of FameWrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of FameThe Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is a professional wrestling hall of fame that recognizes people who make significant contributions to the sport. It was founded in 1996 by Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is not...
(Class of 2006)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
Mixed martial arts record
|-| Win
|align=center| 39–13–1
| Ikuhisa Minowa
Ikuhisa Minowa
is a Japanese mixed martial artist and pro wrestler currently competing in Dream as . He was a long time veteran of Pride Fighting Championships and Pancrase and has also competed in other mixed martial arts promotions such as K-1 HERO'S, Cage Rage, UFC, and DEEP. At 5'9" he is notable for taking...
| Submission (heel hook)
| Dream 6
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:52
| Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 38–13–1
| Kiyoshi Tamura
Kiyoshi Tamura
is a Japanese middleweight professional wrestler and mixed martial artist.Once a student of legendary Pro Wrestler Akira Maeda, Tamura is known for his skill in catch wrestling as well as his ability to deliver exciting and realistic professional wrestling bouts....
| TKO (punches)
| Dream 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:57
| Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 38–12–1
| Kazushi Sakuraba
Kazushi Sakuraba
is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist and former professional wrestler. He has competed in pro-wrestling for New Japan Pro Wrestling, UWFi and Kingdom Pro Wrestling. He has fought in MMA competition in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, PRIDE Fighting Championships, K-1 Hero's and Dream...
| Submission (kimura)
| K-1 PREMIUM 2007 Dynamite!!
K-1 PREMIUM 2007 Dynamite!!
K-1 PREMIUM 2007 Dynamite!! was an annual kickboxing and mixed martial arts event held by K-1 and Hero's on New Year's Eve, Monday December 31, 2007 at the Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, Japan...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 6:25
| Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 38–11–1
| Rickson Gracie
Rickson Gracie
Rickson Gracie is a Brazilian 8th degree black and red belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a retired mixed martial artist. He is a member of the Gracie family: the son of Hélio Gracie, brother to Rorion and Relson Gracie, and half-brother to Rolker, Royce, Robin and Royler Gracie.-Biography:Rickson...
| Technical submission (rear naked choke)
| Colosseum 2000
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 12:49
| Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 38–10–1
| Tony Petarra
| Submission (punches)
| Pancrase: 1999 Anniversary Show
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:16
| Urayasu, Chiba
Urayasu, Chiba
is a city located in the far western corner of northern Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 164,822 and a population density of 9530 persons per km²...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Draw
|align=center| 37–10–1
| Ebenezer Fontes Braga
Ebenezer Fontes Braga
Ebenezer "Pitbull" Fontes Braga is a Brazilian retired mixed martial artist. He competed in the Light Heavyweight division...
| Draw
| Pancrase: Breakthrough 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 15:00
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 37–10
| John Renken
| Submission (punches)
| Pancrase: Advance 12
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 5:50
| Urayasu, Chiba
Urayasu, Chiba
is a city located in the far western corner of northern Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 164,822 and a population density of 9530 persons per km²...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 36–10
| Kiuma Kunioku
Kiuma Kunioku
is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently fighting at welterweight.His hometown is Osaka, but he is currently living and training in Tokyo as freelance...
| Decision (lost points)
| Pancrase: Advance 10
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 15:00
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 36–9
| Semmy Schilt
Semmy Schilt
Semmy Schilt , also known as Sem Schilt, is a Dutch Ashihara karateka, kickboxer, mixed martial artist and four time K-1 World GP champion. He is the first and only fighter in K-1 history to win the championship three times in a row, and also shares the record with Ernesto Hoost for most GPs won,...
| KO (punch to the body)
| Pancrase: 1998 Anniversary Show
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 7:13
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 36–8
| Osami Shibuya
| Submission (arm triangle choke)
| Pancrase: 1998 Neo-Blood Tournament Second Round
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 6:07
| Aomori
Aomori, Aomori
is the capital city of Aomori Prefecture, in the northern Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the city had an estimated population of 302,068 and a density of 366 persons per km². Its total area was 824.52 km².- History :...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 35–8
| Guy Mezger
Guy Mezger
Guy Mezger is a retired American martial artist who competed in professional combat sports ranging from full contact karate, kickboxing, and boxing, but is most recognized as a mixed martial arts fighter . He is associated with Lion's Den Dallas...
| Decision (unanimous)
| Pancrase: Advance 5
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 30:00
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 35–7
| Semmy Schilt
Semmy Schilt
Semmy Schilt , also known as Sem Schilt, is a Dutch Ashihara karateka, kickboxer, mixed martial artist and four time K-1 World GP champion. He is the first and only fighter in K-1 history to win the championship three times in a row, and also shares the record with Ernesto Hoost for most GPs won,...
| Decision (lost points)
| Pancrase: Advance 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 15:00
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 34–7
| Katsuomi Inagaki
| Submission
| Pancrase: Advance 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:36
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 33–7
| Yuki Kondo
Yuki Kondo
is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He has a background in Shorinji Kempo and he is a 2nd dan. He was born in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Kondo is a Pancrase and Pride Fighting Championships veteran, as well as three-time veteran in the UFC. Kondo has fought over 60 times for the Pancrase...
| Submission (triangle kimura)
| Pancrase: Alive 11
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:20
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 32–7
| Jason Godsey
| Submission (calf slicer)
| Pancrase: Alive 10
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 7:12
| Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 31–7
| Guy Mezger
Guy Mezger
Guy Mezger is a retired American martial artist who competed in professional combat sports ranging from full contact karate, kickboxing, and boxing, but is most recognized as a mixed martial arts fighter . He is associated with Lion's Den Dallas...
| Submission (triangle/armbar)
| Pancrase: 1997 Anniversary Show
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:58
| Urayasu, Chiba
Urayasu, Chiba
is a city located in the far western corner of northern Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 164,822 and a population density of 9530 persons per km²...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 30–7
| Osami Shibuya
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Pancrase: 1997 Neo-Blood Tournament, Round 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:34
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 29–7
| Wes Gassaway
| Submission
| Pancrase: Alive 7
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:05
| Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 28–7
| Yuki Kondo
Yuki Kondo
is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He has a background in Shorinji Kempo and he is a 2nd dan. He was born in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Kondo is a Pancrase and Pride Fighting Championships veteran, as well as three-time veteran in the UFC. Kondo has fought over 60 times for the Pancrase...
| Submission
| Pancrase: Alive 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:34
| Urayasu, Chiba
Urayasu, Chiba
is a city located in the far western corner of northern Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 164,822 and a population density of 9530 persons per km²...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 28–6
| Paul Lazenby
| Submission
| Pancrase: Alive 3
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:36
| Nagoya, Aichi
Nagoya, Aichi
is the third-largest incorporated city and the fourth most populous urban area in Japan.Located on the Pacific coast in the Chūbu region on central Honshu, it is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and is one of Japan's major ports along with those of Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Yokohama, Chiba, and Moji...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 27–6
| Semmy Schilt
Semmy Schilt
Semmy Schilt , also known as Sem Schilt, is a Dutch Ashihara karateka, kickboxer, mixed martial artist and four time K-1 World GP champion. He is the first and only fighter in K-1 history to win the championship three times in a row, and also shares the record with Ernesto Hoost for most GPs won,...
| Submission (toe hold)
| Pancrase: Alive 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 5:47
| Urayasu, Chiba
Urayasu, Chiba
is a city located in the far western corner of northern Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 164,822 and a population density of 9530 persons per km²...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 26–6
| Jason Delucia
Jason DeLucia
Jason DeLucia is a retired American mixed martial artist. . He holds victories over Masakatsu Funaki, Matt Hume, Minoru Suzuki, Yuki Kondo, Ikuhisa Minowa, Kiuma Kunioku, Chris Lytle, and Manabu Yamada...
| TKO
| Pancrase: Truth 10
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:34
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 25–6
| Yuki Kondo
Yuki Kondo
is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He has a background in Shorinji Kempo and he is a 2nd dan. He was born in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Kondo is a Pancrase and Pride Fighting Championships veteran, as well as three-time veteran in the UFC. Kondo has fought over 60 times for the Pancrase...
| Submission
| Pancrase: Truth 9
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:43
| Fukuoka
Fukuoka
Fukuoka most often refers to the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture.It can also refer to:-Locations:* Fukuoka, Gifu, a town in Gifu Prefecture, Japan* Fukuoka, Toyama, a town in Toyama Prefecture, Japan...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 24–6
| Bas Rutten
Bas Rutten
Sebastiaan "Bas" Rutten is a retired Dutch mixed martial artist, Karate and Taekwondo blackbelt, and kickboxer. He was a UFC Heavyweight Champion, a three time King of Pancrase world champion, and finished his career on a 22 fight unbeaten streak...
| TKO (lost points)
| Pancrase: 1996 Anniversary Show
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 17:05
| Urayasu, Chiba
Urayasu, Chiba
is a city located in the far western corner of northern Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 164,822 and a population density of 9530 persons per km²...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 24–5
| Takafumi Ito
| Submission
| Pancrase: 1996 Neo-Blood Tournament, Round 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:01
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 23–5
| Vernon White
Vernon White
Vernon Verdell White is a professional mixed martial arts fighter who has fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship , Pride Fighting Championships, Strikeforce, King of the Cage, Pancrase, and the International Fight League . He lives in California, and belongs to the fighting team The Lion's...
| Submission
| Pancrase: Truth 6
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:34
| Fukuoka
Fukuoka
Fukuoka most often refers to the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture.It can also refer to:-Locations:* Fukuoka, Gifu, a town in Gifu Prefecture, Japan* Fukuoka, Toyama, a town in Toyama Prefecture, Japan...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 22–5
| August Smisl
| Submission (rear naked choke)
| Pancrase: Truth 5
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:01
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 21–5
| Katsuomi Inagaki
| Submission
| Pancrase: Truth 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:14
| Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 20–5
| Ryushi Yanagisawa
Ryūshi Yanagisawa
Ryūshi Yanagisawa is a Japanese professional wrestler, mixed martial artist and kickboxer. His real name is Atsushi Yanagisawa . As a martial artist, he competed in K-1, Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling and Fighting Network RINGS and holds victories over Oleg Taktarov, Paul Varelans, Vernon White, Jason...
| TKO (armlock)
| Pancrase: Truth 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 8:42
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 19–5
| Takaku Fuke
| Submission
| Pancrase: Eyes of Beast 7
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:31
| Sapporo, Hokkaido
Sapporo, Hokkaido
is the fourth-largest city in Japan by population, and the largest city on the island of Hokkaido. It is the capital of Hokkaidō Prefecture, located in Ishikari Subprefecture, and an ordinance-designated city of Japan....
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 18–5
| Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock is a retired mixed martial arts fighter. Shamrock was the first to hold the UFC Middleweight Championship and retired as the four-time defending undefeated champion...
| Submission (toehold)
| Pancrase: Eyes of Beast 6
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 10:31
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 18–4
| Guy Mezger
Guy Mezger
Guy Mezger is a retired American martial artist who competed in professional combat sports ranging from full contact karate, kickboxing, and boxing, but is most recognized as a mixed martial arts fighter . He is associated with Lion's Den Dallas...
| Submission
| Pancrase: 1995 Anniversary Show
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 6:46
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 17–4
| Leon Dijk
| Submission (achilles lock)
| Pancrase: 1995 Neo-Blood Tournament Second Round
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:01
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 16–4
| Gregory Smit
| Submission
| Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 5
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 7:30
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 15–4
| Alex Cook
| Submission (heelhook)
| Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 7:14
| Urayasu, Chiba
Urayasu, Chiba
is a city located in the far western corner of northern Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 164,822 and a population density of 9530 persons per km²...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 14–4
| Manabu Yamada
Manabu Yamada
Manabu Yamada Is a retired Japanese mixed martial arts fighter. He is best known for his participation in the Pancrase fighting organization. He holds notable wins over Frank Shamrock, Masakatsu Funaki, Minoru Suzuki, Matt Hume, Jason Delucia, and Vernon White. Yamada has also fought Ken...
| Submission
| Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 3
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:43
| Nagoya, Aichi
Nagoya, Aichi
is the third-largest incorporated city and the fourth most populous urban area in Japan.Located on the Pacific coast in the Chūbu region on central Honshu, it is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and is one of Japan's major ports along with those of Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Yokohama, Chiba, and Moji...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 14–3
| Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock is a retired mixed martial arts fighter. Shamrock was the first to hold the UFC Middleweight Championship and retired as the four-time defending undefeated champion...
| Submission
| Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 5:11
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 13–3
| Jason Delucia
Jason DeLucia
Jason DeLucia is a retired American mixed martial artist. . He holds victories over Masakatsu Funaki, Matt Hume, Minoru Suzuki, Yuki Kondo, Ikuhisa Minowa, Kiuma Kunioku, Chris Lytle, and Manabu Yamada...
| Submission
| Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 9:04
| Nagoya, Aichi
Nagoya, Aichi
is the third-largest incorporated city and the fourth most populous urban area in Japan.Located on the Pacific coast in the Chūbu region on central Honshu, it is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and is one of Japan's major ports along with those of Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Yokohama, Chiba, and Moji...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 12–3
| Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
| Submission
| Pancrase - King of Pancrase Tournament Second Round
Pancrase - King of Pancrase Tournament Second Round
Pancrase: King of Pancrase Tournament Second Round was a mixed martial arts event held by Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling. It took place at Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan on December 17, 1994...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 5:50
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 12–2
| Vernon White
Vernon White
Vernon Verdell White is a professional mixed martial arts fighter who has fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship , Pride Fighting Championships, Strikeforce, King of the Cage, Pancrase, and the International Fight League . He lives in California, and belongs to the fighting team The Lion's...
| Submission
| Pancrase - King of Pancrase Tournament Opening Round
Pancrase - King of Pancrase Tournament Opening Round
-External links:* *...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 5:37
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 11–2
| Todd Bjornethun
| Submission
| Pancrase - King of Pancrase Tournament Opening Round
Pancrase - King of Pancrase Tournament Opening Round
-External links:* *...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:20
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 10–2
| Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
| Technical submission
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 5
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:51
| Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 9–2
| Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
| Submission
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:30
| Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 8–2
| Scott Sollivan
| Submission
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 3
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:56
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 7–2
| Jason Delucia
Jason DeLucia
Jason DeLucia is a retired American mixed martial artist. . He holds victories over Masakatsu Funaki, Matt Hume, Minoru Suzuki, Yuki Kondo, Ikuhisa Minowa, Kiuma Kunioku, Chris Lytle, and Manabu Yamada...
| Submission (kneebar)
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:01
| Amagasaki, Hyogo
Amagasaki, Hyogo
is an industrial city located in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on April 1, 1916. Its population is around 460,000, below its peak of over 554,000 in 1971.-History:...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 7–1
| Gregory Smit
| Submission (rear naked choke)
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:58
| Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 6–1
| Takaku Fuke
| Submission
| Pancrase: Pancrash! 3
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 6:55
| Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 5–1
| Vernon White
Vernon White
Vernon Verdell White is a professional mixed martial arts fighter who has fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship , Pride Fighting Championships, Strikeforce, King of the Cage, Pancrase, and the International Fight League . He lives in California, and belongs to the fighting team The Lion's...
| KO
| Pancrase: Pancrash! 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:13
| Nagoya, Aichi
Nagoya, Aichi
is the third-largest incorporated city and the fourth most populous urban area in Japan.Located on the Pacific coast in the Chūbu region on central Honshu, it is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and is one of Japan's major ports along with those of Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Yokohama, Chiba, and Moji...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 4–1
| Bas Rutten
Bas Rutten
Sebastiaan "Bas" Rutten is a retired Dutch mixed martial artist, Karate and Taekwondo blackbelt, and kickboxer. He was a UFC Heavyweight Champion, a three time King of Pancrase world champion, and finished his career on a 22 fight unbeaten streak...
| Submission (toehold)
| Pancrase: Pancrash! 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:58
| Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 3–1
| Kazuo Takahashi
Kazuo Takahashi
Kazuo Takahashi, ring name Yoshiki Takahashi is a Japanese former mixed martial artist. He has competed in many large MMA promotions, including the UFC, Pancrase, and Pride Fighting Championships. Takahashi is best known for his incredible toughness, heart, and will to win...
| KO (palm strikes and knees)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:09
| Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 2–1
| Cees Bezems
| Submission (keylock)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 3
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:42
| Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 1–1
| Ryushi Yanagisawa
Ryūshi Yanagisawa
Ryūshi Yanagisawa is a Japanese professional wrestler, mixed martial artist and kickboxer. His real name is Atsushi Yanagisawa . As a martial artist, he competed in K-1, Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling and Fighting Network RINGS and holds victories over Oleg Taktarov, Paul Varelans, Vernon White, Jason...
| Submission (kneebar)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:35
| Nagoya, Aichi
Nagoya, Aichi
is the third-largest incorporated city and the fourth most populous urban area in Japan.Located on the Pacific coast in the Chūbu region on central Honshu, it is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and is one of Japan's major ports along with those of Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Yokohama, Chiba, and Moji...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 0–1
| Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 1
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 6:15
| Urayasu, Chiba
Urayasu, Chiba
is a city located in the far western corner of northern Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 164,822 and a population density of 9530 persons per km²...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|