Kiichi Kunimoto

Kiichi Kunimoto (国本 起一, Kunimoto Kiichi, born May 1, 1981) is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the welterweight division of Bellator. A professional competitor since 2006, he has also competed for the RIZIN, UFC and Pancrase.

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 namesStrasser
NationalityJapanese
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight77 kg (170 lb; 12.1 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Reach73 in (190 cm)[1]
TeamCobra Kai MMA Dojo
TrainerDave Strasser
RankBrown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Years active2006–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total32
Wins20
By knockout2
By submission10
By decision7
By disqualification1
Losses9
By knockout2
By submission2
By decision5
Draws2
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Born and raised in the Nishinari-ku district Osaka, Japan, Kunimoto was a professional skateboarder from the age of 17 until he was 24, when he began training in mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial art career

Early career

Kunimoto 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 submission in the third 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]

After an extended hiatus, Kunimoto was expected to face Warlley Alves on June 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 110.[11] However, Alves pulled out of the fight on May 19 and was replaced by Zak Ottow.[12] He lost the fight via split decision.[13]

RIZIN Fighting Federation

Kunimoto made the move and signed with Rizin Fighting Federation. He made his against Satoru Kitaoka on December 29, 2017, at RIZIN World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round in a 75kg catchweight bout.[14] Kunimoto won the fight by unanimous decision.

Bellator MMA

In April 2019, news surfaced that Kunimoto had signed a contract with Bellator MMA.[15] In his promotional debut, Kunimoto faced Ed Ruth at Bellator 224 on July 12, 2019 and lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

As the sophomore bout of his Bellator tenure, Kunimoto was expected to face Neiman Gracie at Bellator 236 on December 21, 2019.[16] However, Gracie had to withdraw from the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Jason Jackson.[17] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
31 matches 19 wins 9 losses
By knockout 2 2
By submission 9 2
By decision 7 5
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 2
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 20–9–2 (1) Jason Jackson Decision (unanimous) Bellator 236 December 21, 2019 3 5:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Loss 20–8–2 (1) Ed Ruth TKO (punches) Bellator 224 July 12, 2019 2 3:49 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 20–7–2 (1) Ryuichiro Sumimura Submission (arm-triangle choke) RIZIN 12 August 12, 2018 1 4:59 Nagoya, Japan
Win 19–7–2 (1) Satoru Kitaoka Decision (unanimous) RIZIN World Grand Prix 2017: Second Round December 29, 2017 2 5:00 Saitama, Japan Catchweight (75 kg) bout.
Loss 18–7–2 (1) Zak Ottow Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt June 11, 2017 3 5:00 Auckland, New Zealand
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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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
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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. Archived from the original on 2013-11-29. 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. Archived from the original on 2015-07-02. 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.
  11. Staff (2017-04-23). "Warlley Alves vs. Kiichi Kunimoto added to UFC Fight Night 110 lineup in New Zealand". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
  12. Danny Segura (2017-05-19). "Warlley Alves injured, Zak Ottow steps in to face Kiichi Kunimoto at UFC Fight Night 110". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  13. Ben Fowlkes (2017-06-10). "UFC Fight Night 110 results: Zak Ottow outpoints Kiichi Kunimoto for narrow split-decision win". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  14. "UFC Vet Kiichi Kunimoto Takes On Satoru Kitaoka At RIZIN World GP 2017: 2nd Round - MMA Today". MMA Today. 2017-12-13. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  15. "Bellator signs Japanese veteran Kiichi Kunimoto". mmajunkie.com. April 8, 2019.
  16. Alexander K. Lee (November 13, 2019). "Neiman Gracie to fight Kiichi Kunimoto at Bellator 236". mmafighting.com.
  17. Nolan King (December 16, 2019). "Bellator 236: Neiman Gracie injured, Kiichi Kunimoto meets Jason Jackson". mmajunkie.com.
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