Kazuyuki Fujita
Kazuyuki Fujita | |
---|---|
Funabashi, Chiba, Japan | |
Teacher(s) | Antonio Inoki Satoru Sayama Marco Ruas |
Years active | 2000–2009, 2013, 2016-present (MMA) |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 32 |
Wins | 18 |
By knockout | 9 |
By submission | 7 |
By decision | 2 |
Losses | 14 |
By knockout | 8 |
By submission | 2 |
By decision | 4 |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Kazuyuki Fujita (藤田 和之, Fujita Kazuyuki, born October 16, 1970) is a
.Fujita began his career as a professional wrestler in 1993, joining the
Early life
Fujita practiced
Professional wrestling career
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1996–2005)
Early career (1996–2000)
Fujita was approached to join
Return and championship push (2001–2005)
After over a year away from pro-wrestling, Fujita's return to NJPW was announced in early 2001 for the Strong Style 2001 pay-per-view on April 9, where he was set to face Scott Norton for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Fujita dominated the match with his new shoot-based offence and quickly won the championship in just under 7 minutes.[3][4] Fujita made two successful defences, beating Yuji Nagata and Don Frye.[5][6] Fujita reigned as champion until January 2002, when he was forced to vacate the title due to injury.
Fujita returned to New Japan on July 20, 2002, at Toukon Memorial Day, beating junior heavyweight Masahito Kakihara in 1:09.[7] At Cross Road on August 29, Fujita entered a tournament for the vacated NWF Heavyweight Championship but was defeated by eventual winner Yoshihiro Takayama, giving Fujita his first loss in New Japan since January 2000.[8] On October 14, Fujita challenged Yuji Nagata for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship but came up short.[8]
After spending most of 2003 in Pride, Fujita returned to New Japan once again in October 2003 at Ultimate Crush II, teaming with Minoru Suzuki, Bob Sapp, Yoshihiro Takayama and Shinsuke Nakamura as "Shin Inoki Gun" to defeat Yuji Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi and Seiji Sakaguchi.[9] In June 2004, he won the vacated IWGP Heavyweight Championship for a second time by defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi. He lost the championship to Kensuke Sasaki on October 9, 2004.
In 2005 he joined the Team JAPAN faction, and on July 18, 2005, he won the championship for the third time against Hiroyoshi Tenzan. In August 2005, Fujita entered the 2005 G1 Climax where he won all his matches in the round robin portion, then defeated Toshiaki Kawada but lost to Masahiro Chono in the finals. He lost the IWGP Championship to Brock Lesnar on October 8, 2005, at Toukon Souzou New Chapter in a three-way match including Masahiro Chono. Lesnar pinned Chono to win the title. In late 2005 he withdrew from a rematch with Lesnar, scheduled for January 4, 2006. Fujita was represented by Inoki Office, an agency originally started by Antonio Inoki, and had not been under a contract with NJPW.
Inoki Genome Federation (2011–2015)
After almost 6 years away from the ring, Fujita returned to professional wrestling in 2011 with his longtime associate and mentor
Freelance (2017–2019)
After two more years away from wrestling, Fujita once again returned to the ring in October 2017, now a freelancer. He formed an alliance with fellow IGF and NJPW alumni
After another extended period of absence, Fujita returned to the ring in June 2019, debuting for
Pro Wrestling Noah (2021-present)
Mixed martial arts career
In January 2000 Fujita put his professional wrestling career on hiatus and began training for mixed martial arts competition. His trainer was his professional wrestling mentor and mixed martial arts legend, Antonio Inoki, as well as luta livre veteran Marco Ruas.
Pride and K-1
First wins
Kazuyuki entered the
On May 1, Fujita competed at
Fujita's next fight was against former UFC Heavyweight Champion Mark Coleman in the semifinals of the Grand Prix, but the NJPW corner threw in the towel at the start of the match to avoid risks for Fujita's health. Despite Fujita being eliminated from the tournament, he became a star with the Japanese crowds for his victory over Kerr; the toughness he demonstrated in that fight gaining him the nickname "Ironhead". As Fujita himself noted, "I am not so great a puncher, not so great a kicker. I don't really have anything all that great, but in today's vale tudo, the strongest is the one that can take a beating."[19]
At Pride 10, Fujita next fought MMA superstar Ken Shamrock. Like in the Kerr fight, Fujita took another incredible beating yet was not knocked out, and Shamrock then began to experience heart attack symptoms and had his corner throw in the towel, resulting in another massive win for Fujita and his career. Color commentator Eddie Bravo proclaimed during Fujita's fight with Shamrock, "that guy can take a baseball bat to the side of the head!".
He followed up his titanic wins over Kerr and Shamrock with a win over dangerous striker Gilbert Yvel at Pride 12. Fujita scored takedowns and dominated positionally Yvel for most of the match, only occasionally trying armlocks, in order to secure a decision win. It was after this match that commentator Stephen Quadros coined the term "lay and pray" to describe the strategy.
In May 2001 at Pride 14, Fujita defeated fellow pro wrestler Yoshihiro Takayama by submission in his first PRIDE main event. Notably, Takayama was similarly able to take a great punishment, enduring knees to the head and punches, but Kazuyuki submitted him via arm triangle choke.
Main competition
On August 19 at the K-1 Andy Hug 2001 GP Final, Fujita fought K-1 legend and future MMA legend Mirko Cro Cop in Cro Cop's MMA debut. The fight was short and brutal, with Fujita shooting a takedown which Cro Cop tried to avoid with a knee strike to the face. Though Fujita was unfazed and completed the takedown, it opened a cut in his eye, which moved the referee to stop the match for a TKO loss for the Japanese.
Fujita was baffled for the fortuitousness of the bout and requested a rematch, which was conceded for the Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye event. This fight would be longer and more intense, with Fujita repeatedly taking the kickboxer down only for the latter to successfully defend from his guard. At the second half of the match, however, Cro Cop started dominating through low kicks and a powerful sprawl, which he used to hold Fujita down while scoring series of unanswered knees to the head. The bout went to the judges, where Mirko seized the unanimous win.
In 2003, after Fujita defeated fellow NJPW pro wrestler Manabu Nakanishi, he launched a challenge to PRIDE champion Fedor Emelianenko for a match in Pride 26. When it came, Kazuyuki shocked the world by stunning Emelianenko with a heavy counter right hand, but despite his best attempts to remain on the offensive Emelianenko recovered and defeated Fujita with a rear naked choke submission. At the end of the year, Fujita defeated American boxer: Imamu Mayfield by submission at Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003.
In May 2004, Fujita made his debut for the K-1 MMA event ROMANEX, taking on then IWGP Heavyweight Champion Bob Sapp. Not fearing Sapp's size and fame, Fujita executed a takedown and went aggressively for Sapp on the ground, repeatedly landing punches and soccer kicks on his head. At this moment, Sapp ceased fighting and only covered himself to defend Fujita's assault. Finally, the referee stopped the match for a TKO victory. Sapp had to vacate his championship after this performance, while Kazuyuki adopted the nickname of "The Real Beast" to capitalize on Sapp's own "The Beast" moniker.
Egyptian Greco-Roman wrestler and Olympic gold medalist
On May 5, 2006, at
At the quarterfinals, Fujita fought PRIDE Middleweight champion and feared
After defeating freestyle champion Eldar Kurtanidze by submission due to strikes, Fujita was pitted against Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Jeff Monson. The Japanese wrestler fended off takedowns and choke attempts, but Monson was able to lock one of them to make Kazuyuki tap out. The fight was historic as it would be the final fight in PRIDE's history. Fujita would lose by submission.
World Victory Road
After PRIDE was sold to
On August 2, 2009, Fujita was defeated by
On December 31, 2009, at Dynamite!! 2009, Fujita took on Alistair Overeem and was knocked out via knee to the head in the first round. This was the first time Fujita has been knocked unconscious.
After a 4-year hiatus from the sport, Fujita returned to face Satoshi Ishii on December 31, 2013, at Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2013 for the IGF Championship. Fujita lost the bout via unanimous decision, marking his fourth loss in a row.[20]
Road Fighting Championship
After an eight fight losing streak, Fujita has since competed for Road FC where he is currently on a three fight winning streak. However, he has not competed since 2018 due to returning to professional wrestling full-time.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed Martial Arts
- Extreme Shootout
- 2000 Extreme Shootout - The Underground Tournament Winner[21]
- Fight Matrix
- 2000 Rookie of the Year[22]
- PRIDE Fighting Championships
- 2000 PRIDE Openweight Grand Prix Semi-Finalist
Professional Wrestling
- Inoki Genome Federation
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- 3 times)
- Singles Best Bout (2005) vs. Masahiro Chono on August 14[24]
- Nikkan Sports
- Fighting Spirit Award (2000)[25]
- Pro Wrestling Noah
- Strong Style Pro-Wrestling
- Tokyo Sports
- Match of the Year (2001) vs. Yuji Nagata on June 6, 2001[26]
- Rookie of the Year (1997)[27]
Mixed martial arts record
32 matches | 18 wins | 14 losses |
By knockout | 9 | 8 |
By submission | 7 | 2 |
By decision | 2 | 4 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 18–14 | Choi Mu-Bae
|
TKO (punches) | Road FC 050
|
November 3, 2018 | 1 | 1:55 | Daejeon, South Korea | |
Win | 17–14 | Justin Morton | Submission (north-south choke) | Road FC 049
|
August 18, 2018 | 2 | 1:19 | Seoul, South Korea | |
Win | 16–14 | Handong Kong | TKO (retirement) | Road FC 047
|
May 12, 2018 | 2 | 4:46 | Beijing, China | Road FC 2018 Openweight Grand Prix Alternate |
Loss | 15–14 | Sang Soo Lee | TKO (punches) | HEAT 41 | December 23, 2017 | 1 | 3:59 | Nagoya, Japan | |
Loss | 15–13 | Aorigele | TKO (punches) | Road FC 044
|
November 11, 2017 | 1 | 1:59 | Shijiazhuang, China | |
Loss | 15–12 | Baruto Kaito | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin World Grand-Prix 2016: 1st Round | September 25, 2016 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan
|
Openweight Grand-Prix 1st Round |
Loss | 15–11 | Jiří Procházka | KO (punch) | Rizin FF 1 | April 17, 2016 | 1 | 3:33 | Nagoya, Japan | |
Loss | 15–10 | Satoshi Ishii | Decision (unanimous) | Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2013
|
December 31, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | For the IGF Championship |
Loss | 15–9 | Alistair Overeem | KO (knee) | Dynamite!! The Power of Courage 2009 | December 31, 2009 | 1 | 1:15 | Saitama , Japan
|
|
Loss | 15–8 | Blagoi Ivanov
|
Decision (split) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 9 | August 2, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama , Japan
|
|
Loss | 15–7 | Travis Wiuff | KO (punches) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 3 | June 8, 2008 | 1 | 1:24 | Saitama , Japan
|
|
Win | 15–6 | Peter Graham
|
Submission (north-south choke) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku First Battle | March 5, 2008 | 1 | 1:23 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Loss | 14–6 | Jeff Monson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PRIDE 34
|
April 8, 2007 | 1 | 6:37 | Saitama , Japan
|
|
Win | 14–5 | Eldar Kurtanidze | TKO (submission to punches) | PRIDE FC: Shockwave 2006 | December 31, 2006 | 1 | 2:09 | Saitama , Japan
|
|
Loss | 13–5 | Wanderlei Silva | TKO (punches and soccer kicks) | Pride FC - Critical Countdown Absolute
|
July 1, 2006 | 1 | 9:21 | Saitama , Japan
|
PRIDE 2006 Openweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal |
Win | 13–4 | James Thompson | KO (punch) | Pride FC - Total Elimination Absolute
|
May 5, 2006 | 1 | 8:25 | Osaka , Japan
|
PRIDE 2006 Openweight Grand Prix First Round. |
Win | 12–4 | Karam Gaber | KO (punch) | K-1 - Premium 2004 Dynamite!! | December 31, 2004 | 1 | 1:07 | Osaka , Japan
|
|
Win | 11–4 | Bob Sapp | TKO (submission to soccer kicks) | K-1 MMA ROMANEX
|
May 22, 2004 | 1 | 2:15 | Saitama , Japan
|
|
Win | 10–4 | Imamu Mayfield | Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003
|
December 31, 2003 | 2 | 2:15 | Kobe , Japan
|
|
Loss | 9–4 | Fedor Emelianenko | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PRIDE 26
|
June 8, 2003 | 1 | 4:17 | Yokohama , Japan
|
|
Win | 9–3 | Manabu Nakanishi | TKO (punches) | NJPW Ultimate Crush | May 2, 2003 | 3 | 1:09 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Loss | 8–3 | Mirko Cro Cop | Decision (unanimous) | Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2002
|
December 31, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama , Japan
|
|
Win | 8–2 | Tadao Yasuda | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFO - Legend | August 8, 2002 | 1 | 2:46 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Loss | 7–2 | Mirko Cro Cop | TKO (doctor stoppage) | K-1 Andy Memorial 2001 Japan GP Final | August 19, 2001 | 1 | 0:39 | Saitama , Japan
|
|
Win | 7–1 | Yoshihiro Takayama | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Pride 14 - Clash of the Titans | May 27, 2001 | 2 | 3:10 | Yokohama , Japan
|
|
Win | 6–1 | Gilbert Yvel | Decision (unanimous) | Pride 12 - Cold Fury | December 9, 2000 | 2 | 10:00 | Saitama , Japan
|
|
Win | 5–1 | Ken Shamrock | TKO (corner stoppage) | Pride 10 - Return of the Warriors | August 27, 2000 | 1 | 6:46 | Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan | |
Loss | 4–1 | Mark Coleman | TKO (corner stoppage) | PRIDE Grand Prix 2000 Finals
|
May 1, 2000 | 1 | 0:02 | Tokyo, Japan | PRIDE 2000 Openweight Grand Prix Semifinals |
Win | 4–0 | Mark Kerr | Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE Grand Prix 2000 Finals
|
May 1, 2000 | 1 | 15:00 | Tokyo, Japan | PRIDE 2000 Openweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals |
Win | 3–0 | Will Childs | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Extreme Shootout - The Underground | April 1, 2000 | N/A | N/A | Killeen, Texas, United States | Extreme Shootout - The Underground Tournament Finals |
Win | 2–0 | Dan Chase | KO (punch) | Extreme Shootout - The Underground | April 1, 2000 | N/A | N/A | Killeen, Texas, United States | Extreme Shootout - The Underground Tournament Semifinals |
Win | 1–0 | Hans Nijman | Submission (neck crank) | PRIDE Grand Prix 2000 Opening Round
|
January 30, 2000 | 1 | 2:48 | Tokyo, Japan | PRIDE 2000 Openweight Grand Prix 1st Round |
Filmography
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
2001 | Di Gi Charat - A Trip to the Planet | Dejiko's father (voice) |
References
- ^ "NJPW Super Grade Tag League VI - Tag 19". Cagematch.
- ^ "【全文公開】藤田和之…こんなプロレスラーはもう2度、現れないだろう。だからプロレスで燃え尽きて欲しい:Dropkick".
- ^ "Results 2001". Strong Style Spirit.
- ^ "NJPW Strong Style 2001 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "NJPW Super-Force Group Declaration 2001 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "NJPW Dome-Quake « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "NJPW Summer Fight Series 2002 - Tag 21 ~ Sapporo Toukon Memorial Day - Tag 2 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ a b "Results 2002". Strong Style Spirit.
- ^ "NJPW Ultimate Crush II « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "Matches « Kazuyuki Fujita « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "Tenryu Project Genichiro Tenryu Retirement ~ Revolution FINAL « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "Atsushi Onita Produce Atsushi Onita Final Korakuen Hall Convention ~ Retirement Style « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "大仁田厚、後楽園で藤田和之と引退試合を戦う理由 - プロレス : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com.
- ^ a b "AJPW Dream Power Series 2018 - Tag 5 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "BJW Osaka Suprise [sic] 38 ~ Strong World 2018 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "RJPW First Generation Tiger Mask Satoru Sayama Strong Style Pro-Wrestling Vol. 2 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "藤田和之がスーパー・タイガーを破り7年ぶりのシングル王座を戴冠!船木が「久々に異種格闘技戦を思い出した」とロッキーを絶賛!アレクと竹田の決戦は不透明決着!将軍岡本が岩崎から王座奪取!". バトル・ニュース.
- ^ "NOAH N-1 Victory 2019 - Tag 12 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "Pride and Glory". Sherdog.
- ^ "SATOSHI ISHII, SHINYA AOKI CLAIM WINS AT INOKI BOM-BA-YE 2013". sherdog.com. December 31, 2013.
- ^ "Sherdog.com Preview: PRIDE Open-Weight Grand Prix - Kazuyuki Fujita vs. Wanderlei Silva". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
- ^ "Fight Matrix - MMA Awards". fightmatrix.com.
- ^ 藤田、王者レバンナ破った/IGF. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
- ^ "2005 New Japan Awards". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved 2011-04-28.
- ^ "Nikkan Sports Awards - 2000". wrestlingscout. February 14, 2016.
- ^ "The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo : Puroresu Awards: 2000s". Puroresu Dojo.
- ^ "The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo: Puroresu Awards: 1990s". Puroresu Dojo.