Hisaki Kato

Hisaki Kato (加藤久輝, Katō Hisaki, born September 17, 1982) is a Japanese-French professional mixed martial artist and kickboxer who most recently competed in Bellator's Middleweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2013, he has also competed for Rizin.

Hisaki Kato
Born (1982-09-17) September 17, 1982
Paris, France
Other namesThe Japanese Musketeer
ResidenceNagoya, Aichi, Japan
NationalityFrench
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight185.2 lb (84.0 kg; 13.23 st)
DivisionMiddleweight
Reach74 in (188 cm)
StyleKūdō
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofNagoya, Aichi, Japan
TeamAlive MMA
RankBlack belt in Kudo
Years active2013–present
Kickboxing record
Total3
Wins3
By knockout2
Mixed martial arts record
Total11
Wins8
By knockout7
By decision1
Losses3
By knockout2
By decision1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Born and raised in Paris, Kato's father was a Japanese judoka who moved to Paris to pursue a career teaching the martial art, and become one of the top instructors in the country. However, he died when Kato was only a few years old. Kato's mother is French. Growing up, Kato pursued judo but favored the striking techniques of traditional Japanese martial arts such as karate. Kato was also a highly-talented handball player; he began competing in junior high and moved to Japan at the age of 18 where he competed for the national team and attended college. He later returned to his martial arts roots at the age of 23, joining the Kudo Federation of Japan where he competed and won five consecutive national tournaments. After winning his fifth title, Kato was offered a contract by the Japanese MMA promotion HEAT.[1][2]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Kato made his professional debut in March 2013. In the first two years of his career, Kato competed exclusively for the Japan-based promotion, Heat. He compiled a 4–1 record, which included a first-round TKO of Yuki Niimura to win the vacant Heat Middleweight Championship.

Bellator MMA

Kato faced Joe Schilling in his promotional and United States debut at Bellator 139 on June 26, 2015.[3] Despite being a sizable underdog, Kato won the bout in highlight-reel fashion, knocking out the seasoned kickboxer with a superman punch early in the second round.[4]

In August 2015, Kato signed an exclusive, multi-fight contract with the promotion.[5]

Kato faced another experienced kickboxer, Melvin Manhoef, at Bellator 146 on November 20, 2015 in the main event.[6] Kato lost the fight via knockout due to a left hook from Manhoef in the first round.[7]

Kato returned to Bellator in a mixed martial arts bout against A.J. Matthews on October 21, 2016 at Bellator 162. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Kato faced Ralek Gracie at Bellator 170 on January 21, 2017. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[8]

Kato faced Chidi Njokuani at Bellator 189 on December 1, 2017.[9] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. Kato was subsequently released from the promotion.[10]

Kickboxing

Bellator Kickboxing

On June 24, 2016, Kato made his professional kickboxing debut for Bellator Kickboxing. He faced Joe Schilling in a rematch at Bellator Kicking 2. Despite Schilling being the more experienced kickboxer, Kato again won the fight by knockout due to a spinning back fist in the second round.[11]

Championships and accomplishments
  • Heat
    • Heat Middleweight Championship (One time)
  • MMA Junkie

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
11 matches 8 wins 3 losses
By knockout 7 2
By submission 0 0
By decision 1 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 8–3 Chidi Njokuani Decision (unanimous) Bellator 189 December 1, 2017 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 8–2 Ralek Gracie Decision (unanimous) Bellator 170 January 21, 2017 3 5:00 Inglewood, California, United States
Win 7–2 A.J. Matthews TKO (punches) Bellator 162 October 21, 2016 1 4:58 Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Win 6–2 Yuta Watanabe TKO (punches) Rizin Fighting Federation 1 April 17, 2016 1 1:05 Nagoya, Japan
Loss 5–2 Melvin Manhoef KO (punch) Bellator 146 November 20, 2015 1 3:43 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 5–1 Joe Schilling KO (superman punch) Bellator 139 June 26, 2015 2 0:34 Mulvane, Kansas, United States
Loss 4–1 Henrique Shigemoto TKO (punches) Heat 35 March 22, 2015 1 4:16 Nagoya, Aichi, Japan Lost Heat Middleweight Championship.
Win 4–0 Yuki Niimura TKO (punches) Heat 31 April 19, 2014 1 0:53 Nagoya, Aichi, Japan Won vacant Heat Middleweight Championship.
Win 3–0 Yusuke Sakashita TKO (head kick and punches) Heat 30 February 23, 2014 2 0:28 Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Win 2–0 Yuta Nakamura TKO (punches) Heat 28 September 29, 2013 1 2:14 Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Win 1–0 Tsukasa Kawaoka TKO (punches) Heat 26 March 31, 2013 1 1:29 Nagoya, Aichi, Japan

Kickboxing record
Professional kickboxing record
4 Wins (2 KO), 2 Losses, 0 draws
DateResultOpponentEventLocationMethodRoundTimeRecord
2020-03-28Loss K-JeeKrush 112Nagoya, JapanKO (Left Hook to the Body)12:104-2
For the Krush Cruiserweight title.
2019-12-28Win K-JeeK-1 World GP 2019 Inaugural Women's Flyweight Championship TournamentNagoya, JapanKO (Left Cross)21:174-1
2019-03-10Loss Sina KarimianK-1 World GP 2019: K’FESTA 2Saitama, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:003-1
For the K-1 World GP Cruiserweight title.
2018-11-03Win RUIK-1 World GP 2018: 3rd Super Lightweight Championship TournamentSaitama, JapanKO (Left Overhand)11:593-0
2018-06-17Win Makoto UeharaK-1 World GP 2018: 2nd Featherweight Championship TournamentSaitama, JapanExtra Round Decision (Split)43:002-0
2016-06-24Win Joe SchillingBellator Kickboxing 2: St. LouisSt. Louis, Missouri, USAKO (spinning back fist)22:591–0

Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

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gollark: Install GTech™ GTeeth™ instead.
gollark: Remove your teeth.
gollark: GTech™ house-uncausing confectioneries™.

See also

References
  1. "Hisaki Kato Pledges to Turn the Tables on KO Artist Joe Schilling at Bellator 139 - MMAWeekly.com". www.mmaweekly.com. 2015-06-25.
  2. "Bellator 146: Hisaki Kato, The Time Is Now (Interview/Article) - TMMAC - The MMA Community Forum". themmacommunity.com.
  3. Marc Raimondi (May 18, 2015). "Joe Schilling gets quick Bellator turnaround, meets Hisaki Kato in June". mmafighting.com.
  4. Newswire (June 26, 2015). "Joe Schilling brutally knocked out with one punch by Hisaki Kato". mmafighting.com.
  5. Tristen Critchfield (August 4, 2015). "Bellator MMA Signs Hisaki Kato to Exclusive, Multi-Fight Contract". sherdog.com.
  6. Staff (September 8, 2015). "Hisaki Kato vs. Melvin Manhoef headlines Bellator 146 in November". mmajunkie.com.
  7. Brian Knapp (November 20, 2015). "Merciless Melvin Manhoef Left Hook KOs Hisaki Kato in Bellator 146 Headliner". sherdog.com.
  8. Steven Marrocco (January 22, 2017). "Bellator 170 results: Tito Ortiz stuns Chael Sonnen, taps him out in first". mmajunkie.com.
  9. "Chidi Njokuani Moves Up To Middleweight, Meets Hisaki Kato at Bellator 189 in Oklahoma".
  10. Nolan King (August 16, 2019). "Chidi Njokuani, Hisaki Kato among nine fighters released by Bellator". mmajunkie.com.
  11. "Bellator Kickboxing 2 Highlights". 2016-08-19.
  12. "MMAjunkie's 'Knockout of the Month' for June: Superman punch, or sick head kick?". 2 July 2015.
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