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Daijiro Matsui

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Daijiro Matsui
松井大二郎
Born (1972-12-05) December 5, 1972 (age 51)
Mabi, Okayama, Japan
Other namesHonoo no Grappler ("The Flame Grappler")
NationalityJapanese
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight84 kg (185 lb; 13.2 st)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Middleweight
StyleShoot wrestling, judo, hybrid martial arts
Fighting out ofTokyo, Japan
TeamTakada Dojo (formerly)
Teacher(s)Nobuhiko Takada
RankBlack belt in Judo
Years active1998-2002, 2004-2013, 2016-2017
Mixed martial arts record
Total54
Wins16
By knockout2
By submission1
By decision9
By disqualification2
Unknown2
Losses31
By knockout8
By submission3
By decision19
Unknown1
Draws7
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Daijiro Matsui (Japanese: 松井 大二郎, Matsui Daijirō, born December 5, 1972 in Okayama) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. A professional MMA competitor since 1998, he has competed for the PRIDE Fighting Championships, Cage Rage, DEEP, Pancrase, and King of the Cage. As a professional wrestler, Matsui has wrestled for UWF International, Battlarts, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Inoki Genome Federation and most recently GLEAT.

A former longtime training partner of Kazushi Sakuraba, Matsui is known for his toughness, conditioning, wrestling prowess and unorthodox offense. Despite his mixed success, he holds notable victories over former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson, former BAMMA World Middleweight Champion Tom Watson, former world kickboxing champion Jose Landi-Jons, BJJ black belt Rory Singer, and a draw against former Pancrase Light Heavyweight Champion and ADCC gold medallist Sanae Kikuta.

Professional wrestling career

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After training in judo and amateur wrestling at the International Budo University, Matsui joined shoot-style organization Union of Wrestling Forces International, where he trained under the legendary Nobuhiko Takada. He debuted in September 1996 as "Shunsuke Matsui" against Tatsunori Kamiyama, but he couldn't advance up the card as UWFi folded the same year. Matsui then followed the company's members to the new promotion Kingdom, having matches against Kazushi Sakuraba, Yoshihiro Takayama and Hiromitsu Kanehara, until Kingdom fell in 1998. He then transitioned to MMA.

In December 2000, Matsui made a return to pro wrestling at the Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye event, teaming with The Great Sasuke to defeat Akira Shoji and Caol Uno. He also competed in Battlarts, beating Ikuto Hidaka, and in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, wrestling Kendo Kashin in a losing effort for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. The same year, he faced Kashin again in All Japan Pro Wrestling, wrestling under the name of "Mr. Problem" and wearing modified Kendo Kashin attire and mask. Matsui had also stints in Pro Wrestling Zero1 and in Inoki Genome Federation.

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Matsui transitioned to mixed martial arts from pro wrestling and trained at the Takada Dojo for much of his career along with Kazushi Sakuraba. Matsui made himself known for a surprising technical ability and his unorthodox striking, including the use of the shoulder strike from the guard, as well as forward rolls and cartwheel kicks in an attempt to draw his opponents to the ground.[1] He had his first taste of mixed martial arts when he faced American fighter Wayne Haas in a shoot fight for Kingdom in 1997. Matsui won the fight by decision.

PRIDE

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Matsui made his true professional mixed martial arts debut in 1998 at PRIDE 3 against Akira "Mr. Pride" Shoji and the bout ended in a draw. In his next bout at PRIDE 4, he faced future Pancrase Light Heavyweight Champion Sanae Kikuta. This bout also ended in a draw because of the time-limit on bouts in the organization at that time.

At PRIDE 6, Matsui fought against future UFC Welterweight Champion and fan-favorite, Carlos Newton. In an entertaining fight, Matsui fended off increasingly difficult submission attempts from the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist and struck when possible, including a notable haymaker exchange at the end of the bout. However, Newton's superior control lost the fight by decision, handing the Japanese fighter his first professional loss via unanimous decision. Matsui fought again at PRIDE 7 against Dutch kickboxer "Dirty" Bob Schrijber, in a fight in which he performed impressively, holding his own against the striker and taking advantage of his superior wrestling skills. Controversy ensued when Matsui was punched in his face while being attended to by the referee because of a problem with his gloves. The two fighters exchanged heated words had to be prevented from brawling before the fight was continued. Matsui continued with renovated aggressivity, performing a takedown attempt which made Schrijber fall through the ropes and brutally land on a table ringside. Well after the bell marking the end of the first round sounded, Schrijber landed a powerful kick to the back of Matsui, who was still down on the ground. The foul immediately resulted in a disqualification win for Matsui, and the first win of his career.

Matsui's next appearance for the organization was at PRIDE 8 where he faced future Pride Middleweight Champion and future PRIDE 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion, Wanderlei Silva. Outweighed and outmatched from the beginning of the fight, Matsui was rocked with a series of knees from the clinch and punches from Silva, but he demonstrated his heart and continued to battle despite bleeding profusely, even managing to put Silva on his back and land some strikes from the guard, leaving Silva's right eye swollen. He ultimately lost in a unanimous decision, but he passed to history as one of the few opponents Silva wasn't able to finish, including Matsui's own partner Kazushi Sakuraba. However, Matsui then fought against Ukrainian kickboxer Igor Vovchanchyn at PRIDE 9, and he was finished the first time in his career after the referee called a stop to the bout at 5:03 into the first round by an eye cut. Matsui's next bout for the organization was at PRIDE 10 against former UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament Champion and future UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort. Matsui was handed his third consecutive loss, via unanimous decision.

Matsui returned to PRIDE at PRIDE 14 to fight Brazilian Vale Tudo legend Jose "Pele" Landi-Jons, Matsui being a heavy underdog heading into the fight with a 2-6-2 record. Daijiro started the fight countering a flying knee by catching Pelé mid-air with a front kick, but then he was almost rendered unconscious by another knee strike when he was shooting for a takedown. The Japanese had his back taken with a body triangle, but he recovered from the knee and started countering Pele's submission attempts through sheer heart, driving the Brazilian against the turnbuckle in full runs to fend off rear-naked chokes and dropping him on his head to escape from armbars. Frustrated by his opponent's resistance, Pele landed a series of illegal elbows to the back of Matsui, resulting in a yellow card from the referee which attracted heated words. After the fight was restarted, Matsui took Pelé down and proceeded to attack his guard with ground and pound, throwing shoulder strikes and knees to the tailbone whenever he couldn't throw punches, and also holding Landi-Jons's head and slamming it against the canvas. Through the fight, Matsui's superior wrestling and unorthodox strikes paid off, and he kept control over Pelé while landing consistent punishment from his guard; he also got pops by throwing pro wrestling dropkicks every time the fight went standing. After the match, the judges ruled it a unanimous decision for Matsui, who pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the sport at the time.[2]

Although Daijiro had challenged Wanderlei Silva to a rematch, his next opponent ended up being Ebenezer Fontes Braga at PRIDE 15 and Matsui lost via unanimous decision. In his next bout at PRIDE 16, Matsui faced the future EliteXC Middleweight Champion, Murilo "Ninja" Rua. Matsui was rocked with many stomps and soccer kicks throughout the bout, and the fight was eventually stopped in the beginning of the third round.

Matsui then fought against future UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at Pride 18 and Matsui won via disqualification after he was hit in the groin in the beginning of the fight. Matsui then fought Rodrigo Gracie at PRIDE 19 and lost via guillotine choke submission in the third round. The submission was controversial as Gracie held onto the choke for a significantly long time after Matsui had tapped out. Matsui's next appearance was at PRIDE Shockwave against Dutch kickboxer Jerrel Venetiaan. Matsui lost the bout via split decision after Venetiaan was able to utilize superior striking, especially with powerful kicks. Matsui then fought Rory Singer at PRIDE The Best Vol. 3 and won via unanimous decision, and then followed this up with another unanimous decision win over Kazuki Okubo at PRIDE 24, which would be Matsui's last appearance for the organization.

In March 2006, Matsui left Takada Dojo along with Kazushi Sakuraba, though Matsui remained in the team as a trainer.

Post-PRIDE

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Matsui's next bout was two years later against Ryo Chonan in the DEEP organization and lost in a majority decision before going 0-2-1 in his next three bouts against the likes of Paulo Filho, Brian Foster, and Elvis Sinosic, respectively. In the Pancrase 2005 Neo-Blood Tournament Finals, Matsui picked up his first win in three years with a TKO over Daisuke Watanbe. To date, this is the only TKO/KO win of his career.

Cage Rage

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Matsui made his debut for the England-based Cage Rage organization a year later against former Alex Reid and fought to a draw. In his next bout, Matsui faced former UFC veteran Curtis Stout and won via majority decision. Matsui then lost three consecutive bouts before defeating future BAMMA Middleweight Champion and current UFC veteran, Tom "Kong" Watson with an armbar submission, the only submission win of Matsui's career to date. Matsui lost his last fight for the organization against Mark Weir.

Other ventures

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Since the demise of the Cage Rage organization, Matsui has exclusively fought in Japan, mostly for the DEEP organization. However, he has struggled, going 3-11-2 in his last 16 fights.

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
54 matches 16 wins 31 losses
By knockout 3 9
By submission 1 3
By decision 10 19
By disqualification 2 0
Draws 7
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 16–31–7 Young Choi TKO (punches) DEEP: Osaka Impact 2021 April 4, 2021 1 1:29 Osaka, Japan
Loss 16–30–7 Hiroki Tanaka Decision (unanimous) DXFC: Demolition Xtreme Fighting Championship December 17, 2017 3 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Loss 16–29–7 Dae Hwan Kim KO (punch) Wardog Cage Fight 15 October 29, 2017 1 1:51 Osaka, Japan For the vacant WCF Middleweight Championship.
Win 16-28-7 Genya Waku Decision (unanimous) WCF: War Dog Cage Fight April 29, 2017 2 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Win 15–28-7 Koji Yamade Decision (unanimous) Hoost Cup - Kings Osaka October 2, 2016 2 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Win 14–28-7 Tetsuo Kondo KO (punch) ACF 23: Kakutogi no Omochabako July 31, 2016 1 0:17 Osaka, Japan
Draw 13-28-7 Tomoya Suzuki Draw Wardog Cage Fight 10 June 26, 2016 2 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Win 13–28–6 Hideaki Sumi TKO (punches) Wardog Cage Fight 9 April 29, 2016 1 3:30 Osaka, Japan
Loss 12–28–6 Toshikazu Suzuki Decision (unanimous) Grabaka: Grabaka Live! 3 October 27, 2013 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 12–27–6 Kazuhiro Nakamura KO (knee & punches) DEEP: King Kaz Fight in Fukuyama June 30, 2013 1 1:30 Fukuyama, Japan 90 kg bout.
Loss 12–26–6 Keiichiro Yamamiya Decision (points) U-Spirits: U-Spirits Again March 9, 2013 1 15:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 12–25–6 Eiji Ishikawa Decision (unanimous) Grabaka: Grabaka Live! 2 October 27, 2012 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 12–24–6 Hiromitsu Kanehara Draw (majority) DEEP: 57 Impact February 18, 2012 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Light Heavyweight bout.
Draw 12–24–5 Hiroki Ozaki Draw DEEP: Tokyo Impact 2 June 5, 2011 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 12–24–4 Tomoaki Hata Decision (unanimous) DEEP: Cage Impact 2010 in Hamamatsu September 19, 2010 2 5:00 Hamamatsu, Japan
Loss 11–24–4 Dool Hee Lee Decision (split) Gladiator FC 6 April 25, 2010 2 5:00 Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Win 11–23–4 Il Chul Park Decision (split) Gladiator FC: Japan-Korea International Friendship Rally November 3, 2009 2 5:00 Okayama, Japan
Loss 10–23–4 Daniel Madrid Submission (inverted triangle choke) Art of War 14 September 26, 2009 2 4:19 Macau, SAR, China
Loss 10–22–4 Min Suk Heo TKO (punches) DEEP: Grachan 2 July 12, 2009 1 3:08 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 10–21–4 Ichiro Kanai Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) Pancrase: Shining 10 December 7, 2008 1 2:25 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 10–20–4 Lee Eun-Soo Decision (unanimous) DEEP: Gladiator August 16, 2008 3 5:00 Okayama, Japan
Loss 10–19–4 Yuichi Nakanishi Decision (unanimous) DEEP: 35 Impact May 19, 2008 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 10–18–4 Young Choi Decision (split) DEEP: 34 Impact February 22, 2008 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Middleweight debut.
Loss 9–18–4 Carlos Toyota TKO (punches) DEEP: clubDEEP Kanazawa December 9, 2007 2 2:22 Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
Loss 9–17–4 Mark Weir Decision (unanimous) Cage Rage 21 April 21, 2007 3 5:00 London, England
Win 9–16–4 Tom Watson Submission (armbar) Cage Rage 20 February 10, 2007 1 0:59 London, England
Loss 8–16–4 Flavio Luiz Moura Decision (unanimous) DEEP: 26 Impact October 10, 2006 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan 85 kg bout.
Loss 8–15–4 Yuki Kondo Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Blow 6 August 27, 2006 3 5:00 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Loss 8–14–4 Pierre Guillet TKO (cut) Cage Rage 17 July 1, 2006 2 4:08 London, England
Win 8–13–4 Curtis Stout Decision (majority) Cage Rage 15 February 4, 2006 3 5:00 London, England
Draw 7–13–4 Alex Reid Draw Cage Rage 14 December 3, 2005 3 5:00 London, England
Win 7–13–3 Daisuke Watanabe TKO (doctor stoppage) Pancrase: 2005 Neo-Blood Tournament Finals August 27, 2005 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 6–13–3 Elvis Sinosic Draw Pancrase: Spiral 5 July 10, 2005 2 5:00 Yokohama, Japan
Loss 6–13–2 Brian Foster KO (knee) Shoot Boxing: Ground Zero Fukuoka January 23, 2005 1 2:28 Fukuoka, Japan
Loss 6–12–2 Paulo Filho Decision (unanimous) Gladiator FC: Day 2 June 27, 2004 3 5:00 South Korea
Loss 6–11–2 Ryo Chonan Decision (majority) DEEP: 13th Impact January 22, 2004 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan 90 kg bout.
Win 6–10–2 Kazuki Okubo Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 24 December 23, 2002 3 5:00 Fukuoka, Japan
Win 5–10–2 Rory Singer Decision (unanimous) Pride FC: The Best, Vol. 3|PRIDE FC: The Best, Vol. 3 October 20, 2002 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 4–10–2 Jerrel Venetiaan Decision (split) PRIDE Shockwave August 28, 2002 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 4–9–2 Rodrigo Gracie Submission (guillotine choke) PRIDE 19 February 24, 2002 3 0:28 Saitama, Japan
Win 4–8–2 Quinton Jackson DQ (knee to groin) PRIDE 18 December 23, 2001 1 0:14 Fukuoka, Japan
Loss 3–8–2 Murilo Rua TKO (soccer kicks and stomps) PRIDE 16 September 24, 2001 3 0:51 Osaka, Japan
Loss 3–7–2 Ebenezer Fontes Braga Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 15 July 29, 2001 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Win 3–6–2 Jose Landi-Jons Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 14: Clash of the Titans May 27, 2001 3 5:00 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Win 2–6–2 Rick Kerns Decision (unanimous) KOTC 8: Bombs Away April 29, 2001 2 5:00 Williams, California, United States
Loss 1–6–2 Amir Rahnavardi Decision (unanimous) KOTC 5: Cage Wars September 16, 2000 3 5:00 San Jacinto, California, United States
Loss 1–5–2 Vitor Belfort Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 10: Return of the Warriors August 27, 2000 2 10:00 Saitama, Japan
Loss 1–4–2 Todd Medina Decision (unanimous) KOTC 4: Gladiators June 24, 2000 2 5:00 San Jacinto, California, United States
Loss 1–3–2 Igor Vovchanchyn TKO (doctor stoppage) PRIDE 9 June 4, 2000 1 5:03 Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Loss 1–2–2 Wanderlei Silva Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 8 November 21, 1999 2 10:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 1–1–2 Bob Schrijber DQ (kicked after bell) PRIDE 7 September 12, 1999 1 10:00 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Loss 0–1–2 Carlos Newton Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 6 July 4, 1999 3 5:00 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Draw 0–0–2 Sanae Kikuta Draw (time limit) PRIDE 4 October 11, 1998 3 10:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 0–0–1 Akira Shoji Draw (time limit) PRIDE 3 June 24, 1998 4 10:00 Tokyo, Japan

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Impressive win for Weir". Gloucester Citizen. 2007-05-05.
  2. ^ Pride 14: Clash Of The Titans Results & Fight Summaries
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