Kiichi Kunimoto

Kiichi Kunimoto

Kiichi Kunimoto, with a holographic collage of him by the artist Takayuki Hibino
Born (1981-05-01) May 1, 1981
Osaka, Japan
Other names Strasser
Nationality Japanese
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight 77 kg (170 lb; 12.1 st)
Division Welterweight
Reach 73.0 in (185 cm)[1]
Team Cobra Kai MMA Dojo
Rank Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Years active 2006–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 27
Wins 18
By knockout 2
By submission 9
By decision 6
By disqualification 1
Losses 6
By knockout 1
By submission 2
By decision 3
Draws 2
No contests 1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Kiichi Kunimoto (国本 起一 Kunimoto Kiichi, born May 1, 1981) is a Japanese mixed martial artist, who currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2006, he has also competed for Pancrase.

Early career

Kunimoto began training in mixed martial arts at the age of 24 and made his professional debut in 2006 for Pancrase, losing via knockout. However, Kunimoto would go on to compile a record of 14-5-2 with one no contest and captured the HEAT Welterweight Championship, subsequently defending his title twice, before being signed by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Kunimoto was originally scheduled to make his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 34 on June 4, 2014 against Hyun Gyu Lim, but instead faced Luiz Dutra Jr. as Lim was promoted to appear in the main event.[3] Kunimoto won via disqualification due to Dutra Jr. landing multiple elbows to the back of Kunimoto's head in the first round.[4]

Kunimoto made his next appearance at UFC 174 on June 14, 2014, facing Daniel Sarafian.[5] Kunimoto won via rear-naked choke submission in the first round, and earned "Performance of the Night" honors for his performance.[6]

Kunimoto then faced Richard Walsh on September 20, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 52.[7] He won the fight via split decision.

Kunimoto faced Neil Magny on February 14, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 60.[8] He lost the fight via rear naked choke in the 3rd round.

Kunimoto was expected to face Li Jingliang on September 27, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 75.[9] However, Kunimoto pulled out of the fight in late August citing injury and was replaced by returning veteran Keita Nakamura.[10]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 18–6–2 (1) Neil Magny Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch February 14, 2015 3 1:22 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 18–5–2 (1) Richard Walsh Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson September 20, 2014 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Win 17–5–2 (1) Daniel Sarafian Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 174 June 14, 2014 1 2:52 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Performance of the Night.
Win 16–5–2 (1) Luiz Dutra Jr. DQ (illegal elbows) UFC Fight Night: Saffiedine vs. Lim January 4, 2014 1 2:57 Marina Bay, Singapore
Win 15–5–2 (1) Edward Faaloloto Submission (armbar) Heat: Heat 27 July 28, 2013 1 1:55 Hyogo, Japan Defended HEAT Welterweight Championship.
Win 14–5–2 (1) Fumitoshi Ishikawa Submission (arm-triangle choke) Heat: Heat 26 March 31, 2013 5 1:59 Aichi, Japan Defended HEAT Welterweight Championship.
Win 13–5–2 (1) Gyu Myung Lee Submission (shoulder choke) Heat: Heat 25 November 18, 2012 1 4:40 Tokyo, Japan Won HEAT Welterweight Championship.
Win 12–5–2 (1) Seong Won Son Decision (unanimous) Heat: Heat 23 June 23, 2012 3 5:00 Hyogo, Japan
Loss 11–5–2 (1) Takenori Sato Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Progress Tour 3 March 11, 2012 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan For Pancrase Welterweight Championship.
Win 11–4–2 (1) Yu Shiroi Submission (guillotine choke) Pancrase: Impressive Tour 12 November 27, 2011 2 0:40 Osaka, Japan
Win 10–4–2 (1) Kengo Ura Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Impressive Tour 4 May 3, 2011 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 9–4–2 (1) Seiki Ryo Draw Pancrase: Passion Tour 7 August 8, 2010 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 9–4–1 (1) Tomoyoshi Iwamiya Draw Pancrase: Passion Tour 2 March 22, 2010 3 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Win 9–4 (1) Yoshifumi Dogaki TKO (punches) Pancrase: Changing Tour 7 November 8, 2009 2 0:39 Osaka, Japan
Win 8–4 (1) Hiroki Tanaka Decision (unanimous) Powergate: Octave April 19, 2009 2 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Win 7–4 (1) Shingo Suzuki Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) Pancrase: Changing Tour 1 February 1, 2009 1 3:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 6–4 (1) Tomoyoshi Iwamiya Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Shining 9 October 26, 2008 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
NC 6–3 (1) Hirotaka Yoshioka No Contest Pancrase: Shining 7 September 7, 2008 1 2:10 Osaka, Japan Yoshioka was cut from an accidental headbutt.
Win 6–3 Yu Shiori Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Shining 4 May 25, 2008 2 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Loss 5–3 Sotaro Yamada Submission (rear-naked choke) Pancrase: Shining 1 January 30, 2008 1 1:42 Tokyo, Japan
Win 5–2 Yuta Nakamura TKO (punches) Pancrase: Rising 7 September 30, 2007 1 2:37 Osaka, Japan
Win 4–2 Mike O'Malley Submission (triangle choke) FCC 30: Freestyle Combat Challenge 30 September 1, 2007 1 2:33 Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States
Win 3–2 Tim Ager Submission (armbar) FCC 29: Freestyle Combat Challenge 29 August 11, 2007 1 N/A Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States
Loss 2–2 Masahiro Toryu Decision (majority) Pancrase: Rising 1 February 4, 2007 2 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Win 2–1 Teruyoshi Aoyama Submission (arm-triangle choke) Pancrase: Blow 8 October 1, 2006 2 2:58 Osaka, Japan
Win 1–1 Arito Kishimoto Decision (majority) Double R: 3rd Stage April 29, 2006 1 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Loss 0–1 Masahiro Toryu KO (head kick) Pancrase: Blow 2 March 19, 2006 1 0:05 Osaka, Japan

See also

References

  1. "Kiichi "Strasser' Kunimoto Tapology Profile". tapology.com. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  2. "Kiichi Kunimoto - Official UFC fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  3. "Luiz Dutra Jr. replaces Lim, meets Kiichi Kunimoto at UFC Fight Night 34". fightsportasia.com. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
  4. "UFC Fight Night 34 results: Illegal elbows give Kiichi Kunimoto DQ win over Luiz Dutra | MMAjunkie". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  5. "Daniel Sarafian drops to 170, fights Kiichi Kunimoto at UFC 174 in Vancouver". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  6. "UFC 174 results, photos: Kiichi Kunimoto taps out Daniel Sarafian for upset win | MMAjunkie". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  7. Neil Rooke (2014-07-17). "Richard Walsh vs. Kiichi Kunimoto Slated for UFC Fight Night 52 in Japan". mmacorner.com. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  8. C.J. Tuttle (2014-12-11). "Magny-Kunimoto added to UFC Fight Night in Colorado". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
  9. Akihito Tatematsu (2015-07-02). "UFC Japan adds KID Yamamoto, Kiichi Strasser, and Kyoji Horiguchi". mma-in-asia.com. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  10. Staff (2015-08-28). "With Kunimoto out, Nakamura Keita returns to face Li Jingliang at UFC Fight Night 75". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-08-28.

External links

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