Kenji Kawaguchi () is a
Japanese
Japanese may refer to:
* Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia
* Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan
* Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture
** Japanese diaspor ...
mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...
. He competed in the
Welterweight
Welterweight is a weight class in combat sports. Originally the term "welterweight" was used only in boxing, but other combat sports like Muay Thai, taekwondo, and mixed martial arts also use it for their own weight division system to classify the ...
division.
Career
Vale Tudo Japan
After a 10–0–4 career in Shooto, Kawaguchi represented the promotion in the event
Vale Tudo Japan
is an annual mixed martial arts competition held in Japan. Originally arranged by promoter and former professional wrestler Satoru Sayama, he had previously created a hybrid martial art organization named Shooto in 1985. He arranged VTJ in 1994 w ...
in July 1994, where he was pitted against French
karate
(; ; Okinawan language, Okinawan pronunciation: ) is a martial arts, martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the Okinawan martial arts, indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called , "hand"; ''tii'' in Okinawan) under the ...
ka
Jan Lomulder
Jan, JaN or JAN may refer to:
Acronyms
* Jackson, Mississippi (Amtrak station), US, Amtrak station code JAN
* Jackson-Evers International Airport, Mississippi, US, IATA code
* Jabhat al-Nusra (JaN), a Syrian militant group
* Japanese Article Numb ...
. Kawaguchi charged for a
takedown, but Lomulder kept himself standing by grabbing the ring ropes and scored multiple strikes on the back of Kawaguchi's head, both being legal tactics under that ruleset. Kawaguchi eventually took him down, only for Lomulder to answer with
rabbit punch
A rabbit punch is a blow to the back of the head or to the base of the skull. It is considered especially dangerous because it can damage the cervical vertebrae and subsequently the spinal cord, which may lead to serious and irreparable spinal c ...
es that forced the wrestler out of the ring. A controversial moment happened when Kawaguchi tried to return to the ring, as the referee didn't stop the action, meaning Lomulder could freely score
soccer kick
A soccer kick, also known as a soccer ball kick or PK (penalty kick) in puroresu and shoot fighting, and as tiro de meta in vale tudo, is a reference to a kick that is similar to kicks used in association football. It is the colloquial term for ...
s and
stomp
Stomp may refer to:
*Stomp (strike), a downwards kick using the heel
Music and dance
* ''Stomp'' (album), by Big D and the Kids Table, 2013
*Stomp (jazz), a type of rhythmic jazz tune popular in the 1920s
*Stomp (theatrical show), a percussive ph ...
s while he did so.
The Shooto wrestler repeated the takedown, but Lomulder grabbed the ropes again and landed multiple
elbow strike
An elbow strike (commonly referred to as simply an elbow) is a strike with the point of the elbow, the part of the forearm nearest to the elbow, or the part of the upper arm nearest to the elbow. Elbows can be thrown sideways similarly to a hook, ...
s to the back of the head, and then followed with and more soccer kicks and stomps. After a restart, Kawaguchi tried to come back with a
kneebar
A leglock is a joint lock that is directed at joints of the leg such as the ankle, knee or hip joint. A leglock which is directed at joints in the foot, is sometimes referred to as a foot lock and a lock at the hip as a hip lock. Leglocks are featu ...
, but Lomulder blocked the technique and landed a heavy kick on the face, leading the referee to stop the match.
Kawaguchi returned to Vale Tudo Japan in 1995, where he submitted American fighter Tommy Walkingstick via
armbar
An armlock in grappling is a single or double joint lock that hyperextends, hyperflexes or hyperrotates the elbow joint or shoulder joint. An armlock that hyper-extends the arm is known as an armbar, and it includes the traditional armbar, pr ...
.
Three years after their first encounter in Vale Tudo Japan, Lomulder and Kawaguchi rematched in the Vale Tudo Japan edition of 1997. This time, the match lasted three rounds, and it saw the Japanese shoot wrestler eventually taking Lomulder down and executing a
rear naked choke
The rear naked choke (RNC) is a chokehold in martial arts applied from an opponent's back. The word "naked" in this context suggests that, unlike other strangulation techniques found in jujutsu/judo, this hold does not require the use of a keikogi ...
for the victory.
Kawaguchi's last VTJ appearance was in 1998, when he fought Russian mixed martial artist
Vladimir Matyushenko
Vladimir Vladimirovich Matyushenko ( be, Уладзімір Уладзіміравіч Мацюшэнка, ''Uladzimir Uladzimiravič Maciušenka''; born 4 January 1971) is a Belarusian retired mixed martial artist. A professional from 1997 u ...
and lost by KO.
Championships and accomplishments
*
Shooto
Shooto is a combat sport and mixed martial arts organization that is governed by the ''Shooto Association'' and the ''International Shooto Commission''. Shooto was originally formed in 1985, first as a particular fighting system and then in 198 ...
**
Shooto Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
***Four successful title defenses
Mixed martial arts record
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 14–7–4
,
Yuki Kondo
is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division. He has officially 111 professional fights, making him one of the most experienced mixed martial artists ever. He has also competed for the UFC, PRIDE, Sengoku ...
, KO (punch)
, Pancrase: 271
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:52
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
Open Weight bout.
, -
, Win
, align=center, 14–6–4
, Deividas Petrauskas
, TKO (punches)
,
Shooto: The Devilock
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:05
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 13–6–4
,
Carlos Newton
Carlos Newton (born August 17, 1976) is an Anguillian-born Canadian retired mixed martial artist. He is a former UFC Welterweight Champion and Pride FC Japan MMA Legend. Known as "The Ronin", he competed worldwide in the biggest MMA organizatio ...
, Submission (armbar)
,
Shooto - 10th Anniversary Event
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 5:00
,
Yokohama
is the second-largest city in Japan by population and the most populous municipality of Japan. It is the capital city and the most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a 2020 population of 3.8 million. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of To ...
,
Kanagawa
is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Kanagawa Prefecture is the List of Japanese prefectures by population, second-most populous prefecture of Japan at 9,221,129 (1 April 2022) and third-dens ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 13–5–4
,
Vladimir Matyushenko
Vladimir Vladimirovich Matyushenko ( be, Уладзімір Уладзіміравіч Мацюшэнка, ''Uladzimir Uladzimiravič Maciušenka''; born 4 January 1971) is a Belarusian retired mixed martial artist. A professional from 1997 u ...
, KO (punches)
,
Vale Tudo Japan 1998
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:10
,
Urayasu, Chiba
260px, old Urayasu
is a city located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 170,533 in 81,136 households and a population density of . The total area of the city is . Urayasu is best known as the home of the Tokyo ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 13–4–4
, Ante Jurisic
, Submission (heel hook)
,
Shooto - Las Grandes Viajes 4
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 0:35
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 12–4–4
,
Masanori Suda
Masanori Suda (born July 7, 1973) is a Japanese people, Japanese mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist. He competed in the Welterweight (MMA), Welterweight, Middleweight (MMA), Middleweight and Heavyweight (MMA), Heavyweight divisions. Suda is ...
, Submission (armbar)
,
Shooto - Las Grandes Viajes 2
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 1:08
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 12–3–4
,
Jan Lomulder
Jan, JaN or JAN may refer to:
Acronyms
* Jackson, Mississippi (Amtrak station), US, Amtrak station code JAN
* Jackson-Evers International Airport, Mississippi, US, IATA code
* Jabhat al-Nusra (JaN), a Syrian militant group
* Japanese Article Numb ...
, Submission (rear-naked choke)
,
Vale Tudo Japan 1997
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 3:49
,
Urayasu, Chiba
260px, old Urayasu
is a city located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 170,533 in 81,136 households and a population density of . The total area of the city is . Urayasu is best known as the home of the Tokyo ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 11–3–4
,
Erik Paulson
Erik Paulson (born June 28, 1966) is an American mixed martial artist. He is the first American to win the World Light-Heavy Weight Shooto Title in Japan.
Biography
Erik started his career in martial arts starting with Judo at age of 8. However ...
, Submission (toe hold)
,
Shooto - Vale Tudo Junction 3
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 1:23
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 11–2–4
, Tommy Walkingstick
, Submission (armbar)
,
Vale Tudo Japan 1995
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 6:29
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 10–2–4
,
Erik Paulson
Erik Paulson (born June 28, 1966) is an American mixed martial artist. He is the first American to win the World Light-Heavy Weight Shooto Title in Japan.
Biography
Erik started his career in martial arts starting with Judo at age of 8. However ...
, Technical Submission (armbar)
,
Shooto - Vale Tudo Access 2
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 1:03
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 10–1–4
,
Jan Lomulder
Jan, JaN or JAN may refer to:
Acronyms
* Jackson, Mississippi (Amtrak station), US, Amtrak station code JAN
* Jackson-Evers International Airport, Mississippi, US, IATA code
* Jabhat al-Nusra (JaN), a Syrian militant group
* Japanese Article Numb ...
, TKO (soccer kick)
,
Vale Tudo Japan 1994
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:59
,
Urayasu, Chiba
260px, old Urayasu
is a city located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 170,533 in 81,136 households and a population density of . The total area of the city is . Urayasu is best known as the home of the Tokyo ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 10–0–4
,
Yasunori Okuda
Yasunori Okuda (born August 8, 1972) is a Japanese people, Japanese mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist. He competed in the Middleweight (MMA), Middleweight division.
Mixed martial arts record
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 2-6
, Jutaro ...
, Submission (guillotine choke)
,
Shooto - Shooto
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:55
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 9–0–4
, Tomokazu Fukaya
, Submission (kneebar)
,
Shooto - Shooto
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:32
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Draw
, align=center, 8–0–4
,
Satoshi Honma
(born May 19, 1968) is a Japanese former mixed martial artist who competed in the light heavyweight division. He has fought for Shooto, K-1, Pride Fighting Championships and the UFC.
Career
Honma had his first mixed martial arts fight on May ...
, Draw
,
Shooto - Shooto
,
, align=center, 5
, align=center, 3:00
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 8–0–3
,
Manabu Yamada
Manabu Yamada (山田学, born May 18, 1969 in Tochigi, Japan) is a retired Japanese mixed martial arts fighter. He is best known for his participation in Shooto and Pancrase fighting organizations. On December 17, 1994 Yamada advanced to the fi ...
, Submission (kneebar)
,
Shooto - Shooto
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:36
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 7–0–3
,
Satoshi Honma
(born May 19, 1968) is a Japanese former mixed martial artist who competed in the light heavyweight division. He has fought for Shooto, K-1, Pride Fighting Championships and the UFC.
Career
Honma had his first mixed martial arts fight on May ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Shooto - Shooto
,
, align=center, 5
, align=center, 3:00
,
Osaka
is a designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the third most populous city in Japan, following Special wards of Tokyo and Yokohama. With a population of 2. ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Draw
, align=center, 6–0–3
,
Kazuhiro Kusayanagi
Kazuhiro Kusayanagi (born April 4, 1967) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Middleweight and Welterweight divisions.
Career
After a 6–9–1 career in Shooto and Lumax Cup, Kusayanagi volunteered for representing his prom ...
, Draw
,
Shooto - Shooto
,
, align=center, 5
, align=center, 3:00
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 6–0–2
,
Manabu Yamada
Manabu Yamada (山田学, born May 18, 1969 in Tochigi, Japan) is a retired Japanese mixed martial arts fighter. He is best known for his participation in Shooto and Pancrase fighting organizations. On December 17, 1994 Yamada advanced to the fi ...
, Submission (kneebar)
,
Shooto - Shooto
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:58
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 5–0–2
,
Naoki Sakurada
Naoki Sakurada (born May 12, 1968) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions. He is a former Shooto Middleweight Champion.
Mixed martial arts career
Sakurada started as a student of combat ...
, Submission (guillotine choke)
,
Shooto - Shooto
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:00
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 4–0–2
,
Yuji Ito
, KO (punches)
,
Shooto - Shooto
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 0:37
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Draw
, align=center, 3–0–2
,
Yasuto Sekishima
Yasuto Sekishima is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Welterweight division. He was the inaugural Shooto Middleweight Champion.
Sekishima trained under Satoru Sayama at the Super Tiger Gym. He was originally a judoka and also ...
, Draw
,
Shooto - Shooto
,
, align=center, 5
, align=center, 3:00
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 3–0–1
,
Naoki Sakurada
Naoki Sakurada (born May 12, 1968) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions. He is a former Shooto Middleweight Champion.
Mixed martial arts career
Sakurada started as a student of combat ...
, TKO (punches)
,
Shooto - Shooto
,
, align=center, 4
, align=center, 1:29
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 2–0–1
,
Mitsuo Fujikura
Mitsuo Fujikura () is a Japanese mixed martial artist.
Mixed martial arts record
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 1-1-1
, Kenji Kawaguchi
, Submission (armbar)
, Shooto - Shooto
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 0:41
, Tokyo, Japan
...
, Submission (armbar)
,
Shooto - Shooto
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 0:41
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Draw
, align=center, 1–0–1
,
Yuji Ito
, Draw
,
Shooto - Shooto
,
, align=center, 4
, align=center, 3:00
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 1–0
, Tadashi Yokoyama
, Submission (kneebar)
,
Shooto - Shooto
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:00
,
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
, Japan
,
See also
*
List of male mixed martial artists
This is a list of notable professional male mixed martial arts fighters in alphabetical order.
__NOTOC__
A
* Shamil Abdurakhimov - ( M-1, UFC)
* Daichi Abe - (UFC, Pancrase)
* Hiroyuki Abe - (Shooto, KOTC, Cage Rage, DEEP, Pride)
* Papy Ab ...
References
External links
*
Kenji Kawaguchiat mixedmartialarts.com
Kenji Kawaguchiat
fightmatrix.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kawaguchi, Kenji
Japanese male mixed martial artists
Welterweight mixed martial artists
Living people
Year of birth missing (living people)