Tatsuya Kawajiri
| Tatsuya Kawajiri | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | May 8, 1978 Inashiki, Ibaraki, Japan |
| Other names | Crusher |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)[1] |
| Weight | 64.9 kg (143 lb; 10.22 st) |
| Division | Featherweight Lightweight |
| Reach | 69 in (180 cm) |
| Style | Judo, Kickboxing, Shooto, Wrestling |
| Team | T-BLOOD |
| Rank | A-Class Shootist |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 2 |
| Wins | 1 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Losses | 1 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 39 |
| Wins | 30 |
| By knockout | 12 |
| By submission | 8 |
| By decision | 9 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Tatsuya Kawajiri (Japanese: 川尻達也, born May 8, 1978) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and a former Shooto welterweight champion, currently competing in Dream's lightweight division. He is nicknamed the "Crusher" for his devastating power and ground and pound fighting style.
Kawajiri's Bushido Tournament match with Takanori Gomi was voted as Pride Fighting Championship's Fight of the Year.
During the early stages of 2005, Kawajiri was considered by many mixed martial arts publications to be the #1 Lightweight fighter in the world.[2] He is ranked as of July 2011 the #10 lightweight fighter in the world by MMAWeekly.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Biography
He was born in the Inashiki District of Ibaraki Prefecture.[1] He graduated from Chuo Gakuin University.
[edit] Mixed martial arts career
Kawajiri is nicknamed " The Crusher" for his strength in the clinch and his "Ground and Pound" techniques.
[edit] Shooto
Kawajiri's professional career started in Japan's Shooto organization where he lost to Takumi Nakayama via rear naked choke at 2:44 of the first round. After this loss Kawajiri went on to fight Yohei Suzuki to a Draw at Shooto's "Wanna Shooto 2001." He would then remain undefeated in Shooto until a disappointing decision loss to future Shooto welterweight champion Vitor Ribeiro in 2002. He would then continue on a new winning streak eventually rematching Ribeiro to capture the welterweight crown at Shooto's 2004 Year-End show.
[edit] Pride FC
On 22 May 2005 Kawajiri made his debut in Pride and score a quick TKO over In Seok Kim. He went on to score a one-sided victory over Luis Firmino at Pride Bushido 8 on July 17, 2005. On 25 September, he entered Pride's first ever Lightweight tournament in hopes of eventually being crowned Pride's first Lightweight Champion as well as holding the Shooto championship at the same time. His first match in the tournament was against MMA lightweight superstar Takanori Gomi. Gomi ended up knocking down Kawajiri after a flurry of punches and proceeded to submit him with a rear naked choke 7:42 into the first round.
[edit] In Between Shooto and Pride
Kawajiri went back to Shooto to defend his lightweight championship against Joachim Hansen (one of the five people to have ever beaten Gomi). The match was stopped 8 seconds into the first round when Hansen was disqualified for kicking Kawajiri in the groin, making Kawajiri the victor. Kawajiri came back to Pride in a fight against Charles Bennett whom he submitted by kneebar after 2:30 in the first round. He then made another Pride appearance in which he fought Chris Brennan and scored an even quicker victory 29 seconds in the first round by TKO. His next fight was a non-title bout against Per Eklund in Shooto where he scored a TKO at 4:10 into the first round.
Kawajiri return to Pride was at Pride Shockwave 2006 on New Year's Eve. There he lost a controversial decision to at the time undefeated American fighter and rising star in the lightweight division, Gilbert Melendez.
On January 23, 2007, Tatsuya Kawajiri relinquished his Shooto title because he could not defend his title by the next Shooto event due to a thumb injury that occurred with his fight against Melendez.
[edit] Fighting and Entertainment Group
In March 2008 Kawajiri entered the Dream Lightweight Grand Prix, where he has advanced to the semifinals after back to back victories over Kultar Gill, and Brazilian Top Team fighter Luiz Firmino.
At Dream 5 Kawajiri lost a semi-final match-up to Eddie Alvarez by TKO at 7:35 of the first round. This slugfest with Alvarez saw both men dropping the other repeatedly with punches and the fight was named 2008 Fight of the Year by several MMA outlets, including Sherdog.[4]
On March 5, 2009, at Dream 7, Kawajiri faced EliteXC veteral Ross Ebanez. Kawajiri choked out the Hawaiian with Rear Naked Choke just over 4 minutes into the first round.
On May 26, 2009, Kawajiri defeated Gesias Calvancante via unanimous decision. The "Crusher" used his strong wrestling and ground and pound to great effect, and he was also able to frustrate "JZ" by matching him in the striking game on the feet.
Kawajiri next faced Guam's Melchor Manibusan, who had not fought in several years in a match that was not expected to be comptetive for Kawajiri. Indeed on October 5, 2009, at Dream 11, Kawajiri overwhelmed his opponent. The "Crusher" easily took down his foe after a wild start in which Manibusan rushed Kawajiri with a flurry of punches, then used his trademark ground and pound to force the TKO via strikes at 3:48 of the very first round. On December 22, 2009, it was announced that Kawajiri would be taking on Sengoku Lightweight Kazunori Yokota in a Sengoku vs. DREAM fight at the annual Dynamite!! event on New Year's Eve in Saitama, Japan.[5] He went on to defeat Yokota via unanimous decision.
Kawajiri faced Champion Shinya Aoki at Dream 15 for the Lightweight title in a highly anticipated match up as the two are both from Pride and were meant to have fought in the now defunct organization. Kawajiri lost via submission at 1:53 into the first round.
Kawajiri faced UFC veteran Drew Fickett at Dream: Japan GP Final. Kawajiri rebounded from his loss against Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez by pounding out Fickett (TKO). Kawajiri finished Fickett with strikes less than five minutes into the fight. It was an important victory for Kawajiri, who has alternated between wins and losses the last couple of years.[6]
Kawajiri next fought Joachim Hansen at Dream 17. He won the fight via submission in the third round.
[edit] K-1
Kawajiri fought K-1 veteran Kozo Takeda at Dynamite!! 2008 winning by 1st round KO. His next K-1 fight was at K-1 World Max 2009 Final 8 against Masato who defeated Kawajiri by TKO at 1:43 in the second round.
[edit] Dynamite!! 2010
At Dynamite!! Kawajiri returned to form against former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Josh Thomson, repeatedly taking him down and unleashing ground and pound, winning a clear unanimous decision.
[edit] Strikeforce
A rematch between Kawajiri and Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez took place on April 9, 2011 at Strikeforce 33.[7] Kawajiri lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
[edit] Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 39 matches | 30 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 12 | 2 |
| By submission | 8 | 3 |
| By decision | 9 | 2 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 30-7-2 | Kazuyuki Miyata | Submission (arm triangle choke) | Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 | December 31, 2011 | 2 | 4:54 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 29-7-2 | Joachim Hansen | Submission (arm triangle choke) | Dream 17 | September 24, 2011 | 3 | 2:30 | Saitama, Japan | Drops to Feathweight |
| Win | 28-7-2 | Drew Fickett | TKO (punches) | Dream: Japan GP Final | July 16, 2011 | 1 | 4:41 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 27-7-2 | Gilbert Melendez | TKO (elbows) | Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley | April 9, 2011 | 1 | 3:14 | San Diego, California, United States | For Strikeforce Lightweight Championship |
| Win | 27-6-2 | Josh Thomson | Decision (unanimous) | Dynamite!! 2010 | December 31, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 26–6–2 | Shinya Aoki | Submission (achilles lock) | Dream 15 | July 10, 2010 | 1 | 1:53 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | For Dream Lightweight Championship |
| Win | 26–5–2 | Kazunori Yokota | Decision (unanimous) | Dynamite!! 2009 | December 31, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 25–5–2 | Melchor Manibusan | TKO (punches) | Dream 11 | October 6, 2009 | 1 | 3:48 | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | |
| Win | 24–5–2 | Gesias Cavalcante | Decision (unanimous) | Dream 9 | May 26, 2009 | 2 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | |
| Win | 23–5–2 | Ross Ebañez | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Dream 7 | March 8, 2009 | 1 | 4:03 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 22–5–2 | Eddie Alvarez | TKO (punches) | Dream 5 | July 21, 2008 | 1 | 7:35 | Osaka, Japan | Semifinal Round of Dream Lightweight Grandprix |
| Win | 22–4–2 | Luiz Firmino | Decision (unanimous) | Dream 3 | May 11, 2008 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | Quarterfinal Round of Dream Lightweight Grandprix |
| Win | 21–4–2 | Kultar Gill | Decision (unanimous) | Dream 1 | March 15, 2008 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | Opening Round of Dream Lightweight Grandprix |
| Win | 20–4–2 | Luiz Azeredo | Decision (unanimous) | Yarennoka! | December 31, 2007 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 19–4–2 | Gilbert Melendez | Decision (unanimous) | Pride Shockwave 2006 | December 31, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 19–3–2 | Per Eklund | TKO (punches) | Shooto: Champion Carnival | October 14, 2006 | 1 | 4:10 | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | |
| Win | 18–3–2 | Chris Brennan | TKO (knee and punches) | Pride Bushido 12 | August 26, 2006 | 1 | 0:29 | Nagoya, Aichi, Japan | |
| Win | 17–3–2 | Charles Bennett | Submission (kneebar) | Pride Bushido 11 | June 4, 2006 | 1 | 2:30 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 16–3–2 | Joachim Hansen | DQ (kick to groin) | Shooto: The Victory of the Truth | February 17, 2006 | 1 | 0:08 | Tokyo, Japan | Defended Shooto World Welterweight (154 lbs.) Championship |
| Loss | 15–3–2 | Takanori Gomi | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Pride Bushido 9 | September 25, 2005 | 1 | 7:42 | Tokyo, Japan | Pride 2005 Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. Voted Pride FC Fight of the Year 2005 |
| Win | 15–2–2 | Luiz Firmino | Decision (unanimous) | Pride Bushido 8 | July 17, 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Nagoya, Aichi, Japan | |
| Win | 14–2–2 | In Seok Kim | TKO (corner stoppage) | Pride Bushido 7 | May 22, 2005 | 1 | 3:28 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 13–2–2 | Jani Lax | TKO (punches) | Shooto 2005: 4/23 in Hakata Star Lanes | April 23, 2005 | 1 | 4:42 | Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan | |
| Win | 12–2–2 | Vitor Ribeiro | TKO (punches) | Shooto 2004: Year-End Show | December 14, 2004 | 2 | 3:11 | Tokyo, Japan | Won Shooto World Welterweight (154 lbs.) Championship |
| Win | 11–2–2 | Mindaugas Laurinaitis | TKO (punches) | Shooto 2004: 9/26 in Korakuen Hall | September 26, 2004 | 2 | 2:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 10–2–2 | Caol Uno | Draw | Shooto 2004: 3/22 in Korakuen Hall | March 22, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 10–2–1 | Ryan Bow | TKO (punches) | Shooto 2003: Year-End Show | December 14, 2003 | 1 | 4:21 | Urayasu, Chiba, Japan | |
| Win | 9–2–1 | Yves Edwards | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto 2003: 8/10 in Yokohama Gymnasium | August 10, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | |
| Win | 8–2–1 | Takumi Nakayama | TKO (punches) | Shooto: Shooter's Dream 2 | May 30, 2003 | 1 | 3:44 | Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 7–2–1 | Vitor Ribeiro | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: 2002 Year-End Show | December 14, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Urayasu, Chiba, Japan | |
| Win | 7–1–1 | Ken Omatsu | Submission (armbar) | Shooto: GIG West 3 | October 27, 2002 | 1 | 4:40 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 6–1–1 | Tsutomu Shiiki | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shooto: Treasure Hunt 8 | July 19, 2002 | 1 | 4:42 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 5–1–1 | Daisuke Sugie | TKO (punches) | Shooto: GIG East 9 | May 28, 2002 | 2 | 4:19 | Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 4–1–1 | Takeshi Yamazaki | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Wanna Shooto Japan | April 21, 2002 | 2 | 5:00 | Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 3–1–1 | Masaya Takita | TKO (swollen eye) | Shooto: Treasure Hunt 4 | March 13, 2002 | 2 | 1:22 | Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 2–1–1 | Kazumichi Takada | Technical Submission (triangle armbar) | Shooto: To The Top 9 | September 27, 2001 | 1 | 3:03 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 1–1–1 | Yohei Suzuki | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shooto: GIG East 2 | May 22, 2001 | 1 | 2:42 | Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 0–1–1 | Yohei Suzuki | Draw | Shooto: Wanna Shooto 2001 | April 8, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 0-1 | Takumi Nakayama | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shooto: R.E.A.D. 4 | April 12, 2000 | 1 | 2:44 | Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan |
[edit] K-1 / Kickboxing record
| 1 Wins (1 (T)KO's), 1 Losses (1 (T)KO's) | |||||||||
| Record | Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Method | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–1 | 2009-07-13 | Loss |  Masato Kobayashi |
K-1 World Max 2009 Final 8 | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | 2 | 1:43 | Yokohama, Japan |
|
| 1–0 | 2008-12-31 | Win | Kozo Takeda |
Dynamite!! 2008 | KO | 1 | 2:47 | Saitama, Japan |
|
[edit] References
- ^ Pride profile
- ^ Fukui, Masa (April 25, 2005). "Q&A Shooto Welterweight Champion Tatsuya Kawajiri". Sherdog.com. http://sherdog.com/news/news/QampA-SHOOTO-Welterweight-Champion-Tatsuya-Kawajiri-2733. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
- ^ "Lightweight MMA Top 10". MMAWeekly.com. July 6, 2011. http://mmaweekly.com/lightweight-division-155-pound-limit-mma-top-10. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
- ^ Probst, Jason (January 8, 2009). "Sherdog's Fight of the Year". Sherdog.com. http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/Sherdogs-Fight-of-the-Year-15709. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
- ^ http://www.k-1.co.jp/en/news/2009/1222_dynamite_01.html
- ^ "Hideo Tokoro Takes Dream Japan Bantamweight Grand Prix; Takaya and Mousasi Retain Belts". MMAWeekly.com. July 16, 2011. http://mmaweekly.com/hideo-tokoro-takes-dream-japan-bantamweight-grand-prix-takaya-and-mousasi-retain-belts. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
- ^ "Nick Diaz and Gilbert Melendez Defend April 9". sports.yahoo.com.com. 2011-03-01. http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=mmaweekly-3b63c0cbcf5ec62e62f4f152f75595d5.
