Minoru Suzuki
Encyclopedia
is a Japan
ese 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. Suzuki returned to regular puroresu in 2003, where he has become a perennial top contender for all major Japanese heavyweight championships. He is currently performing for both All Japan Pro Wrestling
, where he is a former two-time AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, and New Japan Pro Wrestling
.
Suzuki is well noted for his excellence in freestyle wrestling
and catch wrestling
. He was an Olympic
alternate freestyle wrestler for Japan and former Japanese freestyle wrestling
national champion. As good as his wrestling credentials are, Suzuki is even more respected for his excellence in the art of catch wrestling
and submissions. Suzuki has been praised many times by elite fighters such as Josh Barnett
, Bas Rutten
and Ken Shamrock
for his outstanding grappling and submission skills.
dojo and made his pro wrestling debut in 1988, but soon after left with catch wrestling mentor Yoshiaki Fujiwara
for the newborn UWF
. He joined Fujiwara's Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi
but then left the organization to form Pancrase
, one of the first mixed martial arts
organizations in the world, in 1993 with Masakatsu Funaki
.
Despite his significant size disadvantage against most competitors, Suzuki became one of the most successful fighters in Pancrase with his amazing submission skills and top wrestling ability. Suzuki began his MMA career going 7-0, including a huge upset win over Pancrase's #1 fighter Ken Shamrock
in early 1994. He did not lose a match until he lost to Bas Rutten
via Liver shot
KO due to a knee to the body. In 1995, he won the King of Pancrase (now KOP Open-Weight) title to become the second ever King of Pancrase. Suzuki twice defeated Ken Shamrock
and is the only man to hold two wins over Shamrock in the Pancrase era.
Over time, Suzuki's body became damaged and worn down from various injuries and resulted in his skills diminishing. He then decided to focus on the business and training side of Pancrase. He collaborated with the Tekken series of fighting video games
as a motion actor
. His last non-worked fight for Pancrase was against a professional wrestler, Jushin Liger
, whom Suzuki had known as Keiichi Yamada in his first NJPW stint. At the time he competed in grappling matches almost exclusively. Suzuki witnessed the transition Pancrase made from the so-called "hybrid wrestling" style to that of regular MMA and was instrumental in paving the way for mixed martial arts
in Japan.
Suzuki is also erroneously credited on his mixed martial arts record by various MMA websites with a loss to Maurice Smith on the event Pancrase- Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 3. Suzuki did lose the bout with Smith, but the bout was a kickboxing match with kickboxing rules and kickboxing gloves and was not a mixed martial arts match.
and invade promotions under the stable name Pancrase MISSION. Suzuki began competing for New Japan Pro Wrestling
as a freelancer, where he aligned himself with Yoshihiro Takayama
and won the IWGP Tag Team Championship from Hiroyoshi Tenzan
and Osamu Nishimura
on February 1, 2004. They were stripped of the title later in the year, following Takayama's mounting injuries. In 2005, Suzuki began competing in Pro Wrestling Noah
, and would receive a GHC Heavyweight Championship
shot against then Champion Kenta Kobashi
, but he was defeated. After this, he found an unlikely ally in Naomichi Marufuji
, whose style was Lucha Libre
(rather than shoot-style). Nonetheless, Suzuki taught Marufuji some of what he knew and they clicked, winning the GHC Tag Team Titles from 2 Cold Scorpio
and Doug Williams
on June 18, 2005. After losing the belts to Muhammad Yone and Takeshi Morishima in October, Suzuki challenged for the GHC Heavyweight Championship
shot against champion Jun Akiyama
on March 5, 2006, but he was once again unsuccessful.
, attacking then Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion Satoshi Kojima
after he had just defended his title against The Great Muta
. Pundits at once considered Suzuki to have issued a challenge for the Triple Crown. Suzuki participated in the 2006 Champion's Carnival, and made it to the semifinals before being defeated by Taiyō Kea
. On September 3, Suzuki challenged Kea, who had won the Triple Crown from Kojima in July. He was successful in his bid to become the new Triple Crown Champion, and will end up having successful defenses against RO'Z
, Yuji Nagata
, Kojima, Tajiri
and Keiji Mutoh
. Suzuki has formed a grouping called "Minoru Gundan" consisting of himself, Nosawa Rongai
, and MAZADA. In May 2007 he went on a tour of Mexico
's CMLL
with Takayama and experienced Lucha Libre
battles. He lost the Triple Crown Championship to Kensuke Sasaki
on August 26, 2007 at AJPW's PRO WRESTLING LOVE in RYOGOKU pay-per-view event.
At the All Japan FAN APPRECIATION DAY event on December 16, 2007, the Mexico Amigos teamed with "Ray Suzuki" and defeated Ryuji Hijikata, Kikutaro, T28
& Ryuji Yamaguchi. After the match, Ray Suzuki reveled himself as Minoru Suzuki and vowed that El NOSAWA Mendoza would throw his Amigos tights away and return as NOSAWA Rongai, and then kidnapped him to start early training.
On March 1, 2008, Minoru Suzuki made an appearance at the Dory Funk, Jr.
retirement show, providing commentary for the Triple Crown Championship main event (between Kensuke Sasaki and Satoshi Kojima), as well as pledging to participate in the upcoming Champion's Carnival. From April 5 to 9, Suzuki competed in Block B of All Japan's annual Champion's Carnival, finishing the league with 2 wins (over Kensuke Sasaki and Suwama
) and 2 losses (to Osamu Nishimura
and Joe Doering
), as well as teaming with TAKEMURA to defeat Toshiaki Kawada
and Nobutaka Araya on Day 2 (April 6) of the Carnival. During the Hold Out tour, Suzuki confronted a losing-streak Taiyō Kea about joining the stable GURENTAI (alongside NOSAWA, MAZADA and TAKEMURA), which resulted in Kea joining and focusing on winning the tag titles with Suzuki. On June 28, 2008, Suzuki and Kea won the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
from Joe Doering
and Keiji Mutoh. On September 28, 2008 he attacked The Great Muta after Muta had successfully defeated Suwama for the Triple Crown Championship, setting up a match between the two in which he lost on November 3, 2008.
On January 3, 2009, Suzuki and stable mate NOSAWA Rongai won the restored AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship
, over the course of a 2-day tournament. Later in the year, Suzuki won the 2009 Champion's Carnival beating Kaz Hayashi
in the Finals. He would end up challenging the then Triple Crown Champion, Yoshihiro Takayama, on May 30, 2009, albeit in a losing effort. On September 23, 2009, Suzuki and NOSAWA lost the All Asia Tag Team Championship at the hands of Akebono
and Ryota Hama. On January 3, 2010, Suzuki and Kea lost the Unified World Tag Team Championship at the hands of Masakatsu Funaki
and Keiji Mutoh.
On March 21, 2010, Suzuki lost to long-time rival Masakatsu Funaki in All Japan's First Cage Match. Suzuki then entered the Champion Carnival and won it for the second straight year, being the third man to do so by beating Funaki in the Final - weeks removed from their Cage Match. After the final, Suzuki buried the hatchet with Funaki by shaking his hand, thus ending the decade-long rivalry. Suzuki then declared his GURENTAI stable on hiatus. As a result of his Champion Carnival victory, Suzuki earned a Triple Crown championship match versus Ryota Hama
on May 2. In the match, Suzuki defeated Hama to claim his second Triple Crown championship. He would go on to lose the title to Suwama on August 29, 2010.
and Taka Michinoku had turned on their leader Satoshi Kojima. Later that same month, the newly renamed Suzuki Army was joined by Lance Archer
. On July 18, Suzuki defeated Kojima in a singles match. The two had a rematch on August 1 during the first day of the 2011 G1 Climax, where Kojima managed to pick up the win. Suzuki then went on a six match win streak, but losses to Strong Man
and Shinsuke Nakamura
on the last two days of the tournament, caused him to narrowly miss advancing to the finals. On October 10 at Destruction '11, Suzuki defeated Kojima's number one ally, Togi Makabe
, in a grudge match. In the 2011 G1 Climax Tag League, Suzuki teamed with Lance Archer and, after four wins and one loss, the team finished second in their block, advancing to the semifinals of the tournament. On November 6, Suzuki and Archer first defeated the CHAOS
Top Team (Shinsuke Nakamura and Toru Yano
) in the semifinals and then IWGP Tag Team Champions Bad Intentions (Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson
) in the finals to win the 2011 G1 Climax Tag League. On November 12, Suzuki and Archer failed in their attempt to capture the IWGP Tag Team Championship from Bad Intentions.
| Win
| align="center" | 27–20
|
Jushin Liger
| Submission (rear naked choke)
| Pancrase: Spirit 8
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:48
| Yokohama
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 26–20
|
El Solar
| DQ (groin strikes)
| Deep 4th Impact
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:26
| Nagoya, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 25–20
| Takaku Fuke
| Submission (kneebar)
| Pancrase: 2001 Anniversary Show
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 5:09
| Yokohama
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 24–20
|
Denis Kang
| Submission (back injury)
| Pancrase: 2000 Anniversary Show
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:43
| Yokohama
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 24–19
|
Sean Daugherty
| Submission (kimura)
| Pancrase: Trans 3
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:01
| Yokohama
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 23–19
| Sanae Kikuta
| TKO (arm triangle choke)
| Pancrase: Breakthrough 11
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:39
| Yokohama
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 23–18
| Osami Shibuya
| TKO (hip injury)
| Pancrase: Advance 12
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:31
| Urayasu
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 23–17
|
Omar Bouiche
| Submission (rear naked choke)
| Pancrase: Advance 10
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 0:45
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 23–16
| Kazuo Takahashi
| TKO (lost points)
| Pancrase: 1998 Anniversary Show
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 8:06
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 23–15
| Takaku Fuke
| Decision (lost points)
| Pancrase: Advance 8
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 10:00
| Kobe
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 23–14
| John Lober
| Decision (lost points)
| Pancrase: Advance 7
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 15:00
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 22–14
| Tony Rojo
| Decision (unanimous)
| Pancrase: Advance 5
|
| align="center" | 2
| align="center" | 3:00
| Yokohama
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 21–14
| Kosei Kubota
| Submission
| Pancrase: Advance 4
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:38
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 20–14
| Keiichiro Yamamiya
| Decision (majority)
| Pancrase-Advance 3
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 20:00
| Kobe
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 20–13
|
Semmy Schilt
| KO (knee)
| Pancrase: Advance 1
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 9:52
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 20–12
| Keiichiro Yamamiya
| Decision (lost points)
| Pancrase: 1997 Anniversary Show
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 20:00
| Urayasu
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 20–11
|
Jagjit Singh
| KO
| Pancrase: Alive 6
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 0:21
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 19–11
| Joel Sutton
| Submission
| Pancrase: Alive 5
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 0:48
| Kobe
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 18–11
| Takafumi Ito
| Decision (majority)
| Pancrase: Truth 7
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 10:00
| Nagoya, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 17–11
| Jason Delucia
| KO (palm strike)
| Pancrase: 1996 Anniversary Show
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 4:58
| Urayasu
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 17–10
| Vernon White
| Decision (majority)
| Pancrase: 1996 Neo-Blood Tournament, Round 2
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 15:00
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 17–9
| Yuki Kondo
| Decision (lost points)
| Pancrase: Truth 6
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 15:00
| Fukuoka
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 17–8
| Guy Mezger
| TKO (strikes)
| Pancrase: Truth 5
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 7:59
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 17–7
| Frank Shamrock
| Submission (kneebar)
| Pancrase: Truth 1
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 22:53
| Yokohama
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 17–6
| Guy Mezger
| TKO (doctor)
| Pancrase: Eyes of Beast 7
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 7:15
| Sapporo, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 16–6
| Todd Medina
| Submission (armbar)
| Pancrase: Eyes of Beast 6
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:39
| Yokohama
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 15–6
| Bas Rutten
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Pancrase: 1995 Anniversary Show
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 15:35
| Tokyo
, Japan
| Lost King of Pancrase title
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 15–5
| Jason Delucia
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Pancrase: 1995 Neo-Blood Tournament Opening Round
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 9:23
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 14–5
|
Larry Papadopoulos
| Submission
| Pancrase: Eyes of Beast 5
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 8:34
| Sapporo, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 13–5
| Ken Shamrock
| Submission (kneebar)
| Pancrase: Eyes of Beast 4
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:14
| Urayasu
, Japan
| Won King of Pancrase title
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 12–5
| Frank Shamrock
| Submission
| Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 3
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:23
| Nagoya, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 12–4
| Gregory Smit
| Submission
| Pancrase: Eyes of Beast 2
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 9:10
| Yokohama
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 11–4
| Manabu Yamada
| Submission (armbar)
| Pancrase - King of Pancrase Tournament Second Round
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 14:46
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 11–3
| Jason Delucia
| Submission
| Pancrase - King of Pancrase Tournament Opening Round
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:04
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 10–3
| Matt Hume
| Decision (lost points)
| Pancrase - King of Pancrase Tournament Opening Round
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 10:00
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 9–3
| Masakatsu Funaki
| Technical submission
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 5
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:51
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 9–2
| Todd Bjornethun
| Submission
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 4
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:11
| Osaka
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 8–2
| Remco Pardoel
| KO
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 3
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 7:16
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 7–2
| Bas Rutten
| KO
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 2
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:43
| Amagasaki, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 7–1
| Maurice Smith
| Submission (armbar)
| Pancrase: Road To The Championship 1
|
| align="center" | 3
| align="center" | 0:36
| Tokyo
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 6–1
| Thomas Puckett
| Submission (armbar)
| Pancrase: Pancrash! 3
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:43
| Osaka
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 5–1
| Takaku Fuke
| Submission
| Pancrase: Pancrash! 2
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 6:31
| Nagoya, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 4–1
| Ken Shamrock
| Submission (heelhook/kneebar)
| Pancrase: Pancrash! 1
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 7:37
| Yokohama
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 3–1
| James Mathews
| Submission (keylock)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 4
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 0:58
| Hakata
, Japan
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 2–1
| Maurice Smith
| KO (punches)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 3
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 6:52
| Kobe
, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 2–0
| Vernon White
| Submission (leg scissors)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 2
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:36
| Nagoya, Japan
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 1–0
| Katsuomi Inagaki
| Submission (rear naked choke)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 1
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:25
| Urayasu
, 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 professional wrestler and mixed martial artist
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...
. Suzuki was 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
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...
organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the 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...
promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion. Suzuki returned to regular puroresu in 2003, where he has become a perennial top contender for all major Japanese heavyweight championships. He is currently performing for both 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 a former two-time AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, and New Japan Pro Wrestling
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...
.
Suzuki is well noted for his excellence in freestyle wrestling
Freestyle wrestling
Freestyle wrestling is a style of amateur wrestling that is practised throughout the world. Along with Greco-Roman, it is one of the two styles of wrestling contested in the Olympic games. It is, along with track and field, one of the oldest organized sports in history...
and 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...
. He was an Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
alternate freestyle wrestler for Japan and former Japanese freestyle wrestling
Freestyle wrestling
Freestyle wrestling is a style of amateur wrestling that is practised throughout the world. Along with Greco-Roman, it is one of the two styles of wrestling contested in the Olympic games. It is, along with track and field, one of the oldest organized sports in history...
national champion. As good as his wrestling credentials are, Suzuki is even more respected for his excellence in the art 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...
and submissions. Suzuki has been praised many times by elite fighters such as 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...
, 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...
and Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
for his outstanding grappling and submission skills.
Pancrase
Suzuki trained at 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 and made his pro wrestling debut in 1988, but soon after left with catch wrestling 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 :...
for the newborn UWF
Universal Wrestling Federation (Japan)
The original Japanese-based Universal Wrestling Federation was a Japanese professional wrestling promotion from 1984 to 1986, formed by wrestlers who had left New Japan Pro Wrestling. It was a pioneer in the shoot-style of pro-wrestling, which emphasized realistic moves. It was revived as the...
. He joined Fujiwara's Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi
Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi
Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Group was a shoot style professional wrestling promotion based in Japan, operating from 1991 to 1995...
but then left the organization to form 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
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...
organizations in the world, in 1993 with Masakatsu Funaki
Masakatsu Funaki
, 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...
.
Despite his significant size disadvantage against most competitors, Suzuki became one of the most successful fighters in Pancrase with his amazing submission skills and top wrestling ability. Suzuki began his MMA career going 7-0, including a huge upset win over Pancrase's #1 fighter Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
in early 1994. He did not lose a match until he lost to 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...
via Liver shot
Liver shot
A liver shot is a punch, kick, or knee strike to the right side of the ribcage that damages the liver. Blunt force to the liver can be excruciatingly painful, and an especially effective shot will incapacitate a person...
KO due to a knee to the body. In 1995, he won the King of Pancrase (now KOP Open-Weight) title to become the second ever King of Pancrase. Suzuki twice defeated Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
and is the only man to hold two wins over Shamrock in the Pancrase era.
Over time, Suzuki's body became damaged and worn down from various injuries and resulted in his skills diminishing. He then decided to focus on the business and training side of Pancrase. He collaborated with the Tekken series of fighting video games
Fighting game
Fighting game is a video game genre where the player controls an on-screen character and engages in close combat with an opponent. These characters tend to be of equal power and fight matches consisting of several rounds, which take place in an arena. Players must master techniques such as...
as a motion actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. His last non-worked fight for Pancrase was against a professional wrestler, 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...
, whom Suzuki had known as Keiichi Yamada in his first NJPW stint. At the time he competed in grappling matches almost exclusively. Suzuki witnessed the transition Pancrase made from the so-called "hybrid wrestling" style to that of regular MMA and was instrumental in paving the way for 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...
in Japan.
Suzuki is also erroneously credited on his mixed martial arts record by various MMA websites with a loss to Maurice Smith on the event Pancrase- Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 3. Suzuki did lose the bout with Smith, but the bout was a kickboxing match with kickboxing rules and kickboxing gloves and was not a mixed martial arts match.
Return to professional wrestling
In 2003, Suzuki and Yusuke Fuke announced their plan to return to puroresuProfessional wrestling in Japan
Puroresu is the popular term for the predominant style or genre of professional wrestling that has developed in Japan. The term comes from the Japanese pronunciation of "professional wrestling" , which is shortened to puroresu . The term became popular among English-speaking fans due to Hisaharu...
and invade promotions under the stable name Pancrase MISSION. Suzuki began competing for New Japan Pro Wrestling
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...
as a freelancer, where he aligned himself with Yoshihiro Takayama
Yoshihiro Takayama
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Takayama is well known for his ability to endure massive amounts of punishment, especially after his fight at PRIDE 21 against Don Frye...
and won the IWGP Tag Team Championship from Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Hiroyoshi Tenzan
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is better known by his ring name . With Satoshi Kojima, in 2008, they won the Real World Tag League in All Japan Pro Wrestling and the G1 Climax Tag League in NJPW becoming in the only tag team which has done...
and Osamu Nishimura
Osamu Nishimura
Osamu Nishimura is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Nishimura formerly worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling and MUGA World Pro Wrestling.-Early years :...
on February 1, 2004. They were stripped of the title later in the year, following Takayama's mounting injuries. In 2005, Suzuki began competing in Pro Wrestling Noah
Pro Wrestling Noah
is a major Japanese professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2000 by former All Japan Pro Wrestling ace Mitsuharu Misawa. NOAH is broadcast weekly in Japan...
, and would receive a GHC Heavyweight Championship
GHC Heavyweight Championship
The Global Honored Crown Heavyweight Championship is the top professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling Noah. It was created on April 15, 2001 when Mitsuharu Misawa defeated Yoshihiro Takayama in a 16-man tournament final...
shot against then Champion Kenta Kobashi
Kenta Kobashi
Not to be confused with his protégé Kenta Kobayashi is a Japanese professional wrestler currently under contract to Pro Wrestling Noah. He worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling from 1988–2000, where he became one of the promotion's top stars....
, but he was defeated. After this, he found an unlikely ally in Naomichi Marufuji
Naomichi Marufuji
is a Japanese professional wrestler who competes for Pro Wrestling Noah, with occasional appearances in other professional wrestling promotions like Ring of Honor, All Japan Pro Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling, among others. Marufuji is the first of only two Grand Slam Champion in Pro...
, whose style was Lucha Libre
Lucha libre
Lucha libre is a term used in Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries, for a form of professional wrestling that has developed within those countries...
(rather than shoot-style). Nonetheless, Suzuki taught Marufuji some of what he knew and they clicked, winning the GHC Tag Team Titles from 2 Cold Scorpio
2 Cold Scorpio
Charles Scaggs is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name 2 Cold Scorpio . Scaggs has competed in Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling Entertainment and Pro Wrestling Noah...
and Doug Williams
Doug Williams (wrestler)
Douglas Clayton Durdle is an English professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Doug Williams. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Douglas Williams...
on June 18, 2005. After losing the belts to Muhammad Yone and Takeshi Morishima in October, Suzuki challenged for the GHC Heavyweight Championship
GHC Heavyweight Championship
The Global Honored Crown Heavyweight Championship is the top professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling Noah. It was created on April 15, 2001 when Mitsuharu Misawa defeated Yoshihiro Takayama in a 16-man tournament final...
shot against champion Jun Akiyama
Jun Akiyama
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for Pro Wrestling Noah and All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is the current AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion. Akiyama is known for his serious style and outstanding, time-tested work as a tag team wrestler...
on March 5, 2006, but he was once again unsuccessful.
All Japan Pro Wrestling
On March 10, 2006, Suzuki made a surprise appearance in All Japan Pro WrestlingAll 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 :...
, attacking then Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion Satoshi Kojima
Satoshi Kojima
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling. As a singles wrestler, he was the first wrestler to hold NJPW's IWGP Heavyweight Championship and All Japan Pro Wrestling's Triple Crown Championship simultaneously...
after he had just defended his title against The Great Muta
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...
. Pundits at once considered Suzuki to have issued a challenge for the Triple Crown. Suzuki participated in the 2006 Champion's Carnival, and made it to the semifinals before being defeated by Taiyō 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 September 3, Suzuki challenged Kea, who had won the Triple Crown from Kojima in July. He was successful in his bid to become the new Triple Crown Champion, and will end up having successful defenses against RO'Z
Matt Anoa'i
Matthew "Matt" Anoa'i is a professional wrestler, best known for his time on the independent circuit under numerous ring names, and his time in World Wrestling Entertainment , where he competed as Rosey....
, Yuji Nagata
Yuji Nagata
is a Japanese professional wrestler. He was known for his perennial tweener status, currently a solid fan favorite, and his stiff, shoot style wrestling technique....
, Kojima, Tajiri
Yoshihiro Tajiri
, is a Japanese professional wrestler, perhaps best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment. He is currently competing in SMASH as TAJIRI.-Early years :...
and 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...
. Suzuki has formed a grouping called "Minoru Gundan" consisting of himself, Nosawa Rongai
Kazushige Nosawa
, better known by his ring names NOSAWA and NOSAWA Rongai, is a Japanese freelance professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in All Japan Pro Wrestling and various independent promotions.-Career:...
, and MAZADA. In May 2007 he went on a tour of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
's CMLL
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre is a Lucha Libre-style professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico City while running cards in Guadalajara, Puebla and elsewhere in central and southern Mexico...
with Takayama and experienced Lucha Libre
Lucha libre
Lucha libre is a term used in Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries, for a form of professional wrestling that has developed within those countries...
battles. He lost the Triple Crown Championship to Kensuke Sasaki
Kensuke Sasaki
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently wrestles for various promotions through his own agency, Kensuke Office. He is the first of two men ever to hold all 3 of puroresu's major heavyweight titles , the other being Yoshihiro Takayama.-Early years :Kensuke Sasaki...
on August 26, 2007 at AJPW's PRO WRESTLING LOVE in RYOGOKU pay-per-view event.
At the All Japan FAN APPRECIATION DAY event on December 16, 2007, the Mexico Amigos teamed with "Ray Suzuki" and defeated Ryuji Hijikata, Kikutaro, T28
Tetsuya Bushi
Tetsuya Shimizu is a Japanese professional wrestler who has worked under the ring names T28, TETSUYA, Tetsuya Bushi and currently works as the masked BUSHI for All Japan Pro Wrestling . Together with Super Crazy Bushi won AJPW's 2010 Junior Tag League and has previously won AJPW's U-30 Tag Team...
& Ryuji Yamaguchi. After the match, Ray Suzuki reveled himself as Minoru Suzuki and vowed that El NOSAWA Mendoza would throw his Amigos tights away and return as NOSAWA Rongai, and then kidnapped him to start early training.
On March 1, 2008, Minoru Suzuki made an appearance at the Dory Funk, Jr.
Dory Funk, Jr.
Dory Ernest Funk Jr. known professionally as Dory Funk, Jr. is a professional wrestler and wrestling trainer. He is the son of Dory Funk Sr. and brother of Terry Funk. He is credited with the invention of the Texas cloverleaf submission hold and runs the Funking Conservatory, a professional...
retirement show, providing commentary for the Triple Crown Championship main event (between Kensuke Sasaki and Satoshi Kojima), as well as pledging to participate in the upcoming Champion's Carnival. From April 5 to 9, Suzuki competed in Block B of All Japan's annual Champion's Carnival, finishing the league with 2 wins (over Kensuke Sasaki and Suwama
Kohei Suwama
is a Japanese professional wrestler also known simply as . He is best known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling as part of the Voodoo Murders stable, where he is a former two-time All Japan Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion....
) and 2 losses (to Osamu Nishimura
Osamu Nishimura
Osamu Nishimura is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Nishimura formerly worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling and MUGA World Pro Wrestling.-Early years :...
and Joe Doering
Joe Doering
Joe Doering is an Canada professional wrestler, currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. In the past he has worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and was also signed to World Wrestling Entertainment under a developmental deal...
), as well as teaming with TAKEMURA to defeat Toshiaki Kawada
Toshiaki Kawada
is a Japanese professional wrestler who is most known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling. In 2005, he started freelancing in other promotions....
and Nobutaka Araya on Day 2 (April 6) of the Carnival. During the Hold Out tour, Suzuki confronted a losing-streak Taiyō Kea about joining the stable GURENTAI (alongside NOSAWA, MAZADA and TAKEMURA), which resulted in Kea joining and focusing on winning the tag titles with Suzuki. On June 28, 2008, Suzuki and Kea won the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
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...
from Joe Doering
Joe Doering
Joe Doering is an Canada professional wrestler, currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. In the past he has worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and was also signed to World Wrestling Entertainment under a developmental deal...
and Keiji Mutoh. On September 28, 2008 he attacked The Great Muta after Muta had successfully defeated Suwama for the Triple Crown Championship, setting up a match between the two in which he lost on November 3, 2008.
On January 3, 2009, Suzuki and stable mate NOSAWA Rongai won the restored AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship
AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship
The All Japan Pro Wrestling All Asia Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling . It was created on November 16, 1955 in the Japan Wrestling Association when King Kong Czaya & Tiger Jokinder defeated JWA founder Rikidōzan &...
, over the course of a 2-day tournament. Later in the year, Suzuki won the 2009 Champion's Carnival beating Kaz Hayashi
Kaz Hayashi
Kazuhiro "Kaz" Hayashi is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. He is also the head booker for the company's junior division.-Career:...
in the Finals. He would end up challenging the then Triple Crown Champion, Yoshihiro Takayama, on May 30, 2009, albeit in a losing effort. On September 23, 2009, Suzuki and NOSAWA lost the All Asia Tag Team Championship at the hands of Akebono
Akebono Taro
is a retired American born-Japanese sumo wrestler from Waimānalo, Hawaii. Joining the professional sport in Japan in 1988, he was trained by pioneering Hawaiian sumo wrestler Takamiyama and rose swiftly up the rankings, reaching the top division in 1990...
and Ryota Hama. On January 3, 2010, Suzuki and Kea lost the Unified World Tag Team Championship at the hands of Masakatsu Funaki
Masakatsu Funaki
, 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...
and Keiji Mutoh.
On March 21, 2010, Suzuki lost to long-time rival Masakatsu Funaki in All Japan's First Cage Match. Suzuki then entered the Champion Carnival and won it for the second straight year, being the third man to do so by beating Funaki in the Final - weeks removed from their Cage Match. After the final, Suzuki buried the hatchet with Funaki by shaking his hand, thus ending the decade-long rivalry. Suzuki then declared his GURENTAI stable on hiatus. As a result of his Champion Carnival victory, Suzuki earned a Triple Crown championship match versus Ryota Hama
Ryota Hama
is a retired Japanese sumo wrestler and current professional wrestler, competing in All Japan Pro Wrestling.-Sumo:Hama joined sumo in July 1995, and he fought for the Hakkaku stable run by former yokozuna Hokutoumi. His shikona was Hokutoarashi and he reached a highest rank of makushita 6 in...
on May 2. In the match, Suzuki defeated Hama to claim his second Triple Crown championship. He would go on to lose the title to Suwama on August 29, 2010.
Return to New Japan Pro Wrestling
On December 12, 2010, Suzuki returned to New Japan Pro Wrestling, attacking old rival Yuji Nagata. On January 4, 2011, at Wrestle Kingdom V in Tokyo Dome, Suzuki faced Nagata in a losing effort. Suzuki made another return to New Japan on May 3, 2011, when he took over the Kojima Army, after its members TaichiTaichi Ishikari
Maki Taichiro is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Taichi Ishikari or simply Taichi, currently performing in New Japan Pro Wrestling...
and Taka Michinoku had turned on their leader Satoshi Kojima. Later that same month, the newly renamed Suzuki Army was joined by Lance Archer
Lance Hoyt
Lance Hoyt is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling as Lance Archer. He is best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time NWA World Tag Team Champion with Kid Kash while the title was under the TNA banner...
. On July 18, Suzuki defeated Kojima in a singles match. The two had a rematch on August 1 during the first day of the 2011 G1 Climax, where Kojima managed to pick up the win. Suzuki then went on a six match win streak, but losses to Strong Man
Jon Andersen
Jon Andersen Reel, normally referred to simply as Jon Andersen is an American bodybuilder, strongman competitor and professional wrestler. Anderson currently splits his time between working for Pro Wrestling Revolution in California and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre in Mexico...
and Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is a former three-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion.-Super Rookie :...
on the last two days of the tournament, caused him to narrowly miss advancing to the finals. On October 10 at Destruction '11, Suzuki defeated Kojima's number one ally, Togi Makabe
Togi Makabe
, better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Tag Team Champion....
, in a grudge match. In the 2011 G1 Climax Tag League, Suzuki teamed with Lance Archer and, after four wins and one loss, the team finished second in their block, advancing to the semifinals of the tournament. On November 6, Suzuki and Archer first defeated the CHAOS
Chaos (professional wrestling)
CHAOS is a Japanese professional wrestling stable formed by Shinsuke Nakamura and Toru Yano in New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Formation:In April 2009, Toru Yano turned on Togi Makabe, costing Makabe the match against Shinsuke Nakamura. As Nakamura continued the attack on Makabe, Tomoaki Honma tried to...
Top Team (Shinsuke Nakamura and Toru Yano
Toru Yano
, is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team Champion.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :...
) in the semifinals and then IWGP Tag Team Champions Bad Intentions (Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson
Karl Anderson
Chad Allegra is an American professional wrestler better known by his stage name Karl "Machine Gun" Anderson currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently one half of the IWGP and GHC Tag Team Champions with partner Giant Bernard.-Personal life:Allegra grew up in Asheville,...
) in the finals to win the 2011 G1 Climax Tag League. On November 12, Suzuki and Archer failed in their attempt to capture the IWGP Tag Team Championship from Bad Intentions.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Gotch-Style Piledriver (Cradle piledriver)
- Saka Otoshi (Inverted facelock takeover followed into a rear naked chokeRear naked chokeThe Rear naked choke is a chokehold in martial arts applied from an opponent's back. Depending on the context, the term may refer to one of two variations of the technique, either arm can be used to apply the choke in both cases...
) - Sleeper hold
- Signature moves
- Hard slapsSlapA slap or "smack" is a broad stroke made with the open hand or the back of the hand, as opposed to a punch that is made with a closed fist. Slaps are frequently made across the face, but can be also made across hands or any other body part, and can use either the palm of the hand or the back of the...
to the opponent's face - Octopus hold, sometimes to a seated opponent
- Running low-angle dropkickDropkickA dropkick is an attacking maneuver in professional wrestling. It is defined as an attack where the wrestler jumps up and kicks the opponent with the soles of both feet; this sees the wrestler twist as he or she jumps so that when the feet connect with the opponent one foot is raised higher than...
to an opponent seated in the corner
- Hard slaps
- Entrance themesMusic in professional wrestlingMusic in professional wrestling serves a variety of purposes. The most common uses of music in professional wrestling is that of the entrance theme, a song or piece of instrumental music which plays as a performer approaches the ring...
- "Kaze ni Nare" by Ayumi Nakamura
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 :...
- AJPW All Asia Tag Team ChampionshipAJPW All Asia Tag Team ChampionshipThe All Japan Pro Wrestling All Asia Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling . It was created on November 16, 1955 in the Japan Wrestling Association when King Kong Czaya & Tiger Jokinder defeated JWA founder Rikidōzan &...
(1 time) – with Nosawa RongaiKazushige Nosawa, better known by his ring names NOSAWA and NOSAWA Rongai, is a Japanese freelance professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in All Japan Pro Wrestling and various independent promotions.-Career:... - AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- 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 Taiyō KeaTaiyo KeaMaunakea 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... - Champion's CarnivalChampion's CarnivalThe Champion's Carnival is an annual professional wrestling tournament held by All Japan Pro Wrestling, established in 1973. Originally a single-elimination tournament, the Champion's Carnival is currently held as a round-robin, with a victory worth 2 points, a time limit draw worth 1 and a loss,...
(2009, 2010) - Kokomi Sakura Cup (2010)
- AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship
- New Japan Pro WrestlingNew Japan Pro Wrestlingis 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...
- IWGP Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Yoshihiro TakayamaYoshihiro Takayamais a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Takayama is well known for his ability to endure massive amounts of punishment, especially after his fight at PRIDE 21 against Don Frye...
- G1 Climax Tag LeagueG1 Climax Tag LeagueThe G1 Climax Tag League is a professional wrestling round-robin tag team tournament held by New Japan Pro Wrestling as a spin-off of the popular singles tournament, the G1 Climax. It was created in 1991 as the Super Grade Tag League, as a continuation of a regular tag team tournament held since...
(2011) – with Lance ArcherLance HoytLance Hoyt is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling as Lance Archer. He is best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time NWA World Tag Team Champion with Kid Kash while the title was under the TNA banner...
- IWGP Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Yoshihiro Takayama
- 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 #14 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2007
- Pro Wrestling NoahPro Wrestling Noahis a major Japanese professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2000 by former All Japan Pro Wrestling ace Mitsuharu Misawa. NOAH is broadcast weekly in Japan...
- GHC Tag Team ChampionshipGHC Tag Team ChampionshipThe Global Honored Crown Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling Noah. It was created on October 19, 2001, when Scorpio & Vader defeated Jun Akiyama & Akitoshi Saito in a tournament final...
(1 time) – with Naomichi MarufujiNaomichi Marufujiis a Japanese professional wrestler who competes for Pro Wrestling Noah, with occasional appearances in other professional wrestling promotions like Ring of Honor, All Japan Pro Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling, among others. Marufuji is the first of only two Grand Slam Champion in Pro...
- GHC Tag Team Championship
- Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
- Best Tag Team (2004) with Yoshihiro Takayama
- Best Tag Team (2008) with Taiyō Kea
- Most Valuable Player (2006)
- Technique Award (2004)
Mixed martial arts
- PancrasePancrasePancrase 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...
- King of Pancrase Openweight Championship (1 time)
Mixed martial arts record
|-| Win
| align="center" | 27–20
|
Jushin LigerJushin 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...
| Submission (rear naked choke)
| Pancrase: Spirit 8
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:48
| Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
, 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" | 26–20
|
El Solar| DQ (groin strikes)
| Deep 4th Impact
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:26
| Nagoya, 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" | 25–20
|
Takaku Fuke| Submission (kneebar)
| Pancrase: 2001 Anniversary Show
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 5:09
| Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
, 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" | 24–20
|
Denis KangDenis Kang
Denis Kang is a Canadian mixed martial artist of Korean French descent. He was the PRIDE FC welterweight grand prix finalist in which he lost to Kazuo Misaki...
| Submission (back injury)
| Pancrase: 2000 Anniversary Show
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:43
| Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
, 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" | 24–19
|
Sean Daugherty| Submission (kimura)
| Pancrase: Trans 3
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:01
| Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
, 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" | 23–19
|
Sanae KikutaSanae Kikuta
Sanae Kikuta is a Japanese mixed martial artist who rose to popularity fighting in the Pancrase organization, and currently fights for World Victory Road...
| TKO (arm triangle choke)
| Pancrase: Breakthrough 11
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:39
| Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
, 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" | 23–18
|
Osami Shibuya| TKO (hip injury)
| Pancrase: Advance 12
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:31
| Urayasu
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" | 23–17
|
Omar Bouiche| Submission (rear naked choke)
| Pancrase: Advance 10
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 0:45
| 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" | 23–16
|
Kazuo Takahashi| TKO (lost points)
| Pancrase: 1998 Anniversary Show
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 8:06
| 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" | 23–15
|
Takaku Fuke| Decision (lost points)
| Pancrase: Advance 8
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 10:00
| Kobe
Kobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
, 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" | 23–14
|
John LoberJohn Lober
John "The Machine" Lober is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Light Heavyweight division. He lost his last fight at Cage Wars Championship: Nightmare against Lee McKibbin on November 29th, 2009...
| Decision (lost points)
| Pancrase: Advance 7
|
| 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" | 22–14
|
Tony Rojo| Decision (unanimous)
| Pancrase: Advance 5
|
| align="center" | 2
| align="center" | 3:00
| Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
, 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" | 21–14
|
Kosei Kubota| Submission
| Pancrase: Advance 4
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:38
| 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" | 20–14
|
Keiichiro YamamiyaKeiichiro Yamamiya
Keiichiro Yamamiya is a Japanese mixed martial artists. After regularly competing in the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions, Yamamiya now competes in the welterweight division...
| Decision (majority)
| Pancrase-Advance 3
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 20:00
| Kobe
Kobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
, 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" | 20–13
|
Semmy SchiltSemmy 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 (knee)
| Pancrase: Advance 1
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 9:52
| 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" | 20–12
|
Keiichiro YamamiyaKeiichiro Yamamiya
Keiichiro Yamamiya is a Japanese mixed martial artists. After regularly competing in the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions, Yamamiya now competes in the welterweight division...
| Decision (lost points)
| Pancrase: 1997 Anniversary Show
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 20:00
| Urayasu
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" | 20–11
|
Jagjit Singh| KO
| Pancrase: Alive 6
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 0:21
| 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" | 19–11
|
Joel Sutton| Submission
| Pancrase: Alive 5
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 0:48
| Kobe
Kobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
, 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" | 18–11
|
Takafumi Ito| Decision (majority)
| Pancrase: Truth 7
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 10:00
| Nagoya, 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" | 17–11
|
Jason DeluciaJason 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...
| KO (palm strike)
| Pancrase: 1996 Anniversary Show
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 4:58
| Urayasu
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" | 17–10
|
Vernon WhiteVernon 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...
| Decision (majority)
| Pancrase: 1996 Neo-Blood Tournament, Round 2
|
| 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" | 17–9
|
Yuki KondoYuki 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...
| Decision (lost points)
| Pancrase: Truth 6
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 15:00
| 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" | 17–8
|
Guy MezgerGuy 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...
| TKO (strikes)
| Pancrase: Truth 5
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 7:59
| 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" | 17–7
|
Frank ShamrockFrank 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 (kneebar)
| Pancrase: Truth 1
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 22:53
| Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
, 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" | 17–6
|
Guy MezgerGuy 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...
| TKO (doctor)
| Pancrase: Eyes of Beast 7
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 7:15
| Sapporo, 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" | 16–6
|
Todd Medina| Submission (armbar)
| Pancrase: Eyes of Beast 6
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:39
| Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
, 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" | 15–6
|
Bas RuttenBas 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 (guillotine choke)
| Pancrase: 1995 Anniversary Show
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 15:35
| 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...
| Lost King of Pancrase title
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 15–5
|
Jason DeluciaJason 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 (guillotine choke)
| Pancrase: 1995 Neo-Blood Tournament Opening Round
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 9:23
| 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" | 14–5
|
Larry Papadopoulos| Submission
| Pancrase: Eyes of Beast 5
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 8:34
| Sapporo, 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" | 13–5
|
Ken ShamrockKen Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
| Submission (kneebar)
| Pancrase: Eyes of Beast 4
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:14
| Urayasu
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...
| Won King of Pancrase title
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 12–5
|
Frank ShamrockFrank 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 3
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:23
| Nagoya, 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" | 12–4
|
Gregory Smit| Submission
| Pancrase: Eyes of Beast 2
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 9:10
| Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
, 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" | 11–4
|
Manabu Yamada| Submission (armbar)
| 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" | 14:46
| 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" | 11–3
|
Jason DeluciaJason 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 - King of Pancrase Tournament Opening Round
Pancrase - King of Pancrase Tournament Opening Round
-External links:* *...
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:04
| 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" | 10–3
|
Matt HumeMatt Hume
Matt Hume is an American mixed martial artist. He currently trains fighters for the Ultimate Fighting Championship and DREAM.The son of a policeman, Hume's father briefly trained with Bruce Lee...
| Decision (lost points)
| Pancrase - King of Pancrase Tournament Opening Round
Pancrase - King of Pancrase Tournament Opening Round
-External links:* *...
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 10:00
| 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" | 9–3
|
Masakatsu FunakiMasakatsu Funaki
, 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...
| Technical submission
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 5
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:51
| 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" | 9–2
|
Todd Bjornethun| Submission
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 4
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:11
| 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
|
Remco Pardoel| KO
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 3
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 7:16
| 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
|
Bas RuttenBas 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...
| KO
| Pancrase: Road to the Championship 2
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:43
| Amagasaki, 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
|
Maurice Smith| Submission (armbar)
| Pancrase: Road To The Championship 1
|
| align="center" | 3
| align="center" | 0:36
| 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
|
Thomas Puckett| Submission (armbar)
| Pancrase: Pancrash! 3
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:43
| 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
|
Takaku Fuke| Submission
| Pancrase: Pancrash! 2
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 6:31
| Nagoya, 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
|
Ken ShamrockKen Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
| Submission (heelhook/kneebar)
| Pancrase: Pancrash! 1
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 7:37
| Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
, 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
|
James Mathews| Submission (keylock)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 4
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 0:58
| Hakata
Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
is one of the seven wards of Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is best known as the location of Fukuoka's main train station, Hakata Station.-Geography:...
, 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" | 2–1
|
Maurice Smith| KO (punches)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 3
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 6:52
| Kobe
Kobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
, 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" | 2–0
|
Vernon WhiteVernon 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 (leg scissors)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 2
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:36
| Nagoya, 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" | 1–0
|
Katsuomi Inagaki| Submission (rear naked choke)
| Pancrase - Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 1
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:25
| Urayasu
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...
|
External links
- Official blog
- Profile at PancrasePancrasePancrase 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...