Akihiro Gono
| Akihiro Gono | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 7, 1974 Higashikurume, Tokyo, Japan |
| Other names | The Magic Man, DJ GOZMA, The Japanese Sensation |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st) |
| Division | Lightweight Welterweight Middleweight |
| Style | Kickboxing |
| Fighting out of | Higashikurume, Tokyo, Japan |
| Team | Team Grabaka |
| Years active | 1994-2012 |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 8 |
| Wins | 4 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Losses | 4 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Draws | 0 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 56 |
| Wins | 31 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| By submission | 8 |
| By decision | 16 |
| Losses | 18 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 9 |
| Draws | 7 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Last updated on: November 5, 2011 | |
Akihiro Gono (郷野聡寛, Gōno Akihiro) (born October 7, 1974 in Tokyo) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist. He is best known for his clever and deceptive fighting style, and for his flashy ring entrances. His fighting style is characterized by skillfully avoiding strikes, using fast counter punches and generally getting the opponent to fight his way. He is only one of two men to beat Bellator Middleweight champion Hector Lombard, and one of three to beat the DREAM Light Heavyweight Champion and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Gegard Mousasi.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Akihiro Gono began fighting mixed martial arts in 1994, beginning with the Lumax Cup: Tournament of Japan '94. He would go on to fight in the Shooto organization, as well as Pancrase. He began fighting in Pride Bushido with Bushido 2 in 2004.
Gono holds wins over such fighters as Gegard Mousasi, Hector Lombard, Yuki Kondo, Ivan Salaverry, Crosley Gracie, Daniel Acacio, and Hayato Sakurai. He has fought many tough opponents, with losses to such fighters as Mauricio Rua, Dan Henderson, Matt Hughes, and Yuki Kondo.
Gono began making his ring entrances in Pride FC more elaborate in 2006 with the creation of a character, DJ Gozma (a parody of Japanese musician DJ OZMA). The entrances have involved Gono wearing a vintage suit, including shoes, an orange wig, and accompanied by oddly dressed male dancers while the song age♂age♂EVERY☆Night by DJ OZMA plays in the background. Also, when the fighters are introduced in the ring, Gono drops his suit's pants to reveal zebra stripped fighting briefs.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Gono defeated Tamdan McCrory at UFC 78, by verbal submission due to an Armbar at 3:19 of the second round. It was reported (first by Dave Meltzer) that he came out to his usual entrance with his DJ GOZMA persona.
Gono then took on Dan Hardy at UFC 89, but suffered defeat via split decision. Gono was left swollen and bloodied by several of Hardy's left hooks.[1] Gono rocked Hardy on more than one occasion.[2] In the third round Gono pushed Hardy to the canvas, and subsequently landed an illegal knee to the face of the downed fighter.[1] This caused the fight to be stopped for a lengthy period. Hardy recovered and went on to win the split decision. The judges saw the bout 29-28 (twice) for Hardy, and 29-28 for Gono. Also to note, Gono was pushed hard to the mat by referee Dan Miragliotta during the fight as he was in the process of landing a flying knee; this is quite commonly highlighted as one of the worst calls made by a referee in UFC history.
Gono lost to Jon Fitch in a preliminary bout at UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn 2. Following his loss to Jon Fitch, Gono was released from the UFC. He left the company with a 1-2 record.
Post UFC
After being released by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Gono fought Dan Hornbuckle at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 9 losing via head kick knockout in the third round.
Gono then fought Yoon Young Kim at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 11 winning the fight via unanimous decision.
Gono fought fellow Pride veteran Hayato Sakurai at Dynamite!! 2009 winning the fight via armbar, late in the second round.
Gono fought Diego Gonzalez at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 12 winning the fight via unanimous decision.
Gono made his Lightweight debut against Kyokushin kaikan expert Jadamba Narantungalag at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 14 on August 22, 2010. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
ONE Fighting Championship
Gono was photographed in the VIP area at ONE Fighting Championship: Champion vs. Champion leading to multiple websites speculating that he was about to sign a multi fight deal with ONE Fighting Championship.[3][4]
Retirement from MMA
After losing to Michael Chandler at Bellator 67 on May 4, 2012, Gono retired from MMA.[5]
Mixed martial arts record
| 57 matches | 32 wins | 18 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 5 |
| By submission | 8 | 4 |
| By decision | 16 | 9 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 7 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 32-18-7 |  Michael Chandler
|
TKO (punches) | Bellator 67 | May 4, 2012 | 1 | 0:56 | Rama, Ontario, Canada | Return to Lightweight, Announced retirement at the post fight press conference |
| Loss | 32-17-7 |  Daisuke Nakamura
|
Decision (unanimous) | DEEP - 57th Impact | February 18, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Fought at Welterweight |
| Loss | 32-16-7 |  Jadamba Narantungalag
|
Decision (unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 14 | August 22, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Moved to Lightweight |
| Win | 32-15-7 |  Diego Gonzalez
|
Decision (unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 12 | March 7, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 31-15-7 | Hayato Sakurai
|
Submission (armbar) | Dynamite!! 2009 | December 31, 2009 | 2 | 3:56 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 30-15-7 |  Yoon Young Kim
|
Decision (unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 11 | November 7, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 29-15-7 | Dan Hornbuckle
|
KO (head kick) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 9 | August 2, 2009 | 3 | 2:50 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 29-14-7 | Jon Fitch
|
Decision (unanimous) | UFC 94 | January 31, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 29-13-7 |  Dan Hardy
|
Decision (split) | UFC 89 | October 18, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Birmingham, England | |
| Win | 29-12-7 | Tamdan McCrory
|
Submission (armbar) | UFC 78 | November 17, 2007 | 2 | 3:19 | Newark, United States | Won Submission of the Night honors, Drops to Welterweight |
| Win | 28-12-7 | Yuki Kondo
|
Decision (split) | PRIDE Shockwave 2006 | December 31, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 27-12-7 |  Denis Kang
|
Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE Bushido 13 | November 5, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | PRIDE 2006 Welterweight GP semifinal |
| Win | 27-11-7 |  Gegard Mousasi
|
Submission (armbar) | PRIDE Bushido 12 | August 26, 2006 | 2 | 4:24 | Nagoya, Japan | PRIDE 2006 Welterweight GP quarterfinal |
| Win | 26-11-7 |  Hector Lombard
|
Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE Bushido 11 | June 4, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | PRIDE 2006 Welterweight GP opening round |
| Win | 25-11-7 | Dae Won Kim
|
Submission (armbar) | PRIDE Bushido 10 | April 2, 2006 | 1 | 9:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 24-11-7 | Dan Henderson
|
KO (punch) | PRIDE Bushido 9 | September 25, 2005 | 1 | 7:58 | Tokyo, Japan | PRIDE 2005 Welterweight GP semifinal |
| Win | 24-10-7 |  Daniel Acacio
|
Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE Bushido 9 | September 25, 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | PRIDE 2005 Welterweight GP opening round |
| Win | 23-10-7 | Crosley Gracie
|
Decision | PRIDE Bushido 7 | May 22, 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 22-10-7 | Tim McKenzie
|
TKO (strikes) | Pancrase - Brave 10 | November 7, 2004 | 2 | 2:53 | Urayasu, Chiba, Japan | |
| Win | 21-10-7 | Tsuyoshi Kurihara
|
KO (punch) | Pancrase - Brave 6 | June 22, 2004 | 1 | 2:15 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 20-10-7 | Maurício Rua
|
TKO (soccer kick) | PRIDE Bushido 2 | February 15, 2004 | 1 | 9:04 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 20-9-7 | Nilson de Castro
|
Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase - Hybrid 10 | November 30, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 19-9-7 | Daisuke Watanabe
|
KO (punch) | Pancrase - Hybrid 9 | October 31, 2003 | 2 | 3:49 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 18-9-7 | Nilson de Castro
|
DQ (groin strike) | Pancrase - 10th Anniversary Show | August 31, 2003 | 1 | 0:29 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 17-9-7 | Flavio Luiz Moura
|
Decision (majority) | Pancrase - Hybrid 5 | May 18, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 16-9-7 |  Chris Haseman
|
Decision (majority) | ZST 2 - The Battle Field 2 | December 21, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 15-9-7 | Chael Sonnen
|
Draw | Pancrase - Hybrid 2 | February 16, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 15-9-6 | Keiichiro Yamamiya
|
TKO (punches) | Pancrase - Spirit 9 | December 21, 2002 | 3 | 3:49 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 14-9-6 | Osami Shibuya
|
Draw | Pancrase - Spirit 6 | August 25, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 14-9-5 | Kousei Kubota
|
Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase - Spirit 4 | May 11, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 13-9-5 | Yuki Kondo
|
TKO (corner stoppage) | Pancrase - Proof 7 | December 1, 2001 | 3 | 0:52 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 13-8-5 | Keiichiro Yamamiya
|
Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase - Proof 6 | October 30, 2001 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 12-8-5 | Dustin Denes
|
Draw | DEEP - 2nd Impact | August 18, 2001 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 12-8-4 | Daisuke Watanabe
|
TKO (cut) | Pancrase - Proof 4 | June 26, 2001 | 2 | 0:52 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 11-8-4 | Murilo Rua
|
Draw | Shooto: To The Top 4 | May 1, 2001 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 11-8-3 | Ivan Salaverry
|
KO (spinning back kick) | Shooto: To The Top 1 | January 19, 2001 | 1 | 3:06 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 10-8-3 | Masanori Suda
|
Decision (unanimous) | Shooto - R.E.A.D. 12 | November 12, 2000 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 9-8-3 | Andy Wang
|
Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: R.E.A.D. 5 | May 22, 2000 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 8-8-3 | Larry Papadopoulos
|
Decision (draw) | Shooto: R.E.A.D. 1 | January 14, 2000 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 8-8-2 | Lance Gibson
|
Decision (majority) | SB 13 - SuperBrawl 13 | September 7, 1999 | 3 | 5:00 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Loss | 8-7-2 | Matt Hughes
|
Decision (unanimous) | Shooto - 10th Anniversary Event | May 29, 1999 | 3 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | |
| Draw | 8-6-2 | Marcos da Silva
|
Draw | Shooto - Devilock Fighters | January 15, 1999 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 8-6-1 |  Adriano de Souza
|
Submission (armbar) | Shooto - Las Grandes Viajes 6 | November 27, 1998 | 1 | 2:46 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 7-6-1 | Matt Rocca
|
Submission (armbar) | Shooto - Shoot the Shooto XX | April 26, 1998 | 1 | 3:12 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 6-6-1 | Larry Papadopoulos
|
Decision (split) | Shooto - Reconquista 4 | October 12, 1997 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 6-5-1 | Jutaro Nakao
|
Draw | Shooto - GIG | June 25, 1997 | 3 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | |
| Win | 6-5 | Tsunemichi Nagano
|
Decision (unanimous) | Daidojuku - WARS 4 | March 11, 1997 | 5 | 3:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 5-5 | Masato Fujiwara
|
Decision (unanimous) | Shooto - Reconquista 1 | January 18, 1997 | 4 | 3:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 4-5 | Kazuhiro Kusayanagi
|
Submission (armbar) | Shooto - Let's Get Lost | October 4, 1996 | 4 | 2:52 | Japan | |
| Win | 4-4 | Masanori Suda
|
Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shooto - Free Fight Kawasaki | July 28, 1996 | 4 | 0:33 | Japan | |
| Loss | 3-4 | Todd Bjornethun
|
Submission (armbar) | Shooto - Vale Tudo Junction 3 | May 7, 1996 | 3 | 1:12 | Japan | |
| Loss | 3-3 | Kazunari Murakami
|
Decision | Lumax Cup - Tournament of J '96 | March 30, 1996 | 2 | 5:00 | Japan | |
| Win | 3-2 | Yasushi Warita
|
Submission (achilles lock) | Lumax Cup - Tournament of J '96 | March 30, 1996 | 1 | 0:54 | Japan | |
| Win | 2-2 | Tatsuharu Doi
|
Decision (majority) | Daidojuku - WARS 3 | February 17, 1996 | 2 | 3:00 | Japan | |
| Loss | 1-2 | Egan Inoue
|
Submission (armbar) | Lumax Cup - Tournament of J '95 | October 13, 1995 | 1 | 1:33 | Japan | |
| Win | 1-1 | Kazunari Murakami
|
KO (kick) | Lumax Cup - Tournament of J '95 | October 13, 1995 | 1 | 2:25 | Japan | |
| Loss | 0-1 | Yasunori Okuda
|
Submission (toe hold) | Lumax Cup - Tournament of J '94 | April 23, 1994 | 1 | 1:51 | Japan |
Kickboxing record
| Kickboxing record | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 wins (1 KO), 4 losses
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See also
References
- ^ a b UFC 89 Play-by-Play
- ^ "UFC 89 LIVE RESULTS, PLAY-BY-PLAY, & PHOTOS". MMAWeekly.com. October 17, 2008.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ "Gono retires following Bellator loss to Chandler". usatoday.com. May 6, 2012.