Yasuhiro Urushitani
Yasuhiro Urushitani (漆谷康宏, Urushitani Yasuhiro, born September 8, 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist competing in the flyweight division. Urushitani held the Shooto bantamweight championship from 2010 to 2012 before vacating it to sign with the UFC. He was among the first flyweight fighters to fight in the UFC, Urushitani is currently signed to One Fighting Championship.
| Yasuhiro Urushitani | |
|---|---|
| Born | Yasuhiro Urushitani September 8, 1976 Tokyo, Japan |
| Residence | Tokyo, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
| Weight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb) |
| Division | Flyweight (56 kg) |
| Reach | 67 in (170 cm) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Fighting out of | Tokyo, Japan |
| Team | Tribe Tokyo MMA Wajyutsu Keisyukai Hearts |
| Rank | Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Years active | 2001-present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 34 |
| Wins | 21 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 16 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Draws | 6 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Mixed martial arts career
Early career in Japan
Urushitani made his professional MMA debut for the Shooto promotion in January 2001 in his native Japan. Over the next decade, he amassed a record of 19 wins, 4 losses and 6 draws.
Urushitani competed for the Shooto Bantamweight (125 lbs; Flyweight in the United States) championship in 2003 and 2007, but lost both championship fights due to a decision and a draw, respectively. He eventually fought for the belt a third time, facing Ryuichi Miki in May 2010. He won the title via decision.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Urushitani signed with the UFC to compete in a tournament to crown the newly minted UFC Flyweight Championship.
Urushitani faced Joseph Benavidez on March 3, 2012, at UFC on FX 2 in the semi-finals of the tournament.[1] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
Urushitani was expected to face John Lineker on September 1, 2012, at UFC 151.[2] However, after UFC 151 was cancelled, Urushitani/Lineker was rescheduled and took place on November 10, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 6.[3] Urushitani lost the bout via unanimous decision. Urishitani was then released from the promotion.[4]
ONE Fighting Championship
After Urushitani got released from the UFC he was signed by ONE FC. He debuted on their May 31, 2013, card ONE FC 9: Rise to Power against Rey Docyogen. He won the fight via split decision.
After two consecutive wins, Urushitani faced Brazilian Adriano Moraes at One FC 14: War of Nations. After winning the first round, Urushitani was taken down and submitted in the second round by rear naked choke.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Shooto
- Shooto Bantamweight Championship (One time; Vacated)
Mixed martial arts record
| 35 matches | 21 wins | 8 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 1 |
| By submission | 1 | 3 |
| By decision | 16 | 4 |
| Draws | 6 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 21–8–6 | Takumi Tamaru | Submission (armbar) | Shooto: Pacific Rim Double Championship | November 12, 2016 | 1 | 4:48 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 21–7–6 | Adriano Moraes | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ONE FC: War of Nations | March 14, 2014 | 2 | 3:48 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | |
| Win | 21–6–6 | Jae Nam Yoo | Decision (unanimous) | Deep: Tribe Tokyo Fight | October 20, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 20–6–6 | Rey Docyogen | Decision (split) | ONE FC: Rise to Power | May 31, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Pasay, Philippines | |
| Loss | 19–6–6 | John Lineker | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fuel TV: Franklin vs. Le | November 10, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Macau, SAR, China | |
| Loss | 19–5–6 | Joseph Benavidez | TKO (punches) | UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann | March 3, 2012 | 2 | 0:11 | Sydney, Australia | UFC Flyweight tournament semifinal; First Flyweight fight in UFC history. |
| Win | 19–4–6 | Yuki Shoujou | TKO (head kick and punches) | Shooto: Shootor's Legacy 3 | July 18, 2011 | 2 | 0:24 | Tokyo, Japan | Defended the Shooto Bantamweight (123 lb) Championship. |
| Win | 18–4–6 | Takuya Mori | TKO (punches) | Shooto: The Way of Shooto 6: Like a Tiger, Like a Dragon | November 19, 2010 | 1 | 4:49 | Tokyo, Japan | Non-title bout. |
| Win | 17–4–6 | Ryuichi Miki | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: The Way of Shooto 3: Like a Tiger, Like a Dragon | May 30, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Won the Shooto Bantamweight (123 lb) Championship. |
| Win | 16–4–6 | Ryuichi Miki | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Revolutionary Exchanges 2 | September 22, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 15–4–6 | Kiyotaka Shimizu | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Cage Force: EX Eastern Bound | November 8, 2008 | 1 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 14–4–6 | Yuki Shoujou | Submission (guillotine choke) | Shooto: Shooto Tradition 3 | September 28, 2008 | 3 | 3:39 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 14–3–6 | Ryuichi Miki | Draw | Shooto: Shooto Tradition 1 | May 3, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 14–3–5 | Jesse Taitano | Draw | GCM: Cage Force 5 | Dec 1, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 14–3–4 | Mamoru Yamaguchi | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Back To Our Roots 5 | September 22, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 13–3–4 | Shinichi Kojima | Draw | Shooto: Back To Our Roots 2 | March 16, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | For the Shooto Bantamweight (123 lb) Championship. |
| Win | 13–3–3 | Junji Ikoma | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: 11/10 in Korakuen Hall | November 10, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 12–3–3 | Daiji Takahashi | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto 2006: 9/8 in Korakuen Hall | September 8, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 11–3–3 | Daniel Lima | Decision (unanimous) | MARS World Grand Prix | May 13, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Draw | 10–3–3 | Shinichi Kojima | Draw | Shooto: 9/23 in Korakuen Hall | September 23, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 10–3–2 | Lorenzo Coca | KO (punch) | GCM: D.O.G 1 | March 12, 2005 | 1 | 0:27 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 9–3–2 | John Dodson | Decision (unanimous) | GCM: Demolition 041114 | November 14, 2004 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 8–3–2 | Setsu Iguchi | Decision (unanimous) | GCM: Demolition 040919 | September 19, 2004 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 8–2–2 | Junji Ikoma | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: 7/16 in Korakuen Hall | July 16, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 7–2–2 | Mamoru Yamaguchi | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Year End Show 2003 | December 14, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | For the Shooto Bantamweight (123 lb) Championship. |
| Win | 7–1–2 | Robson Moura | Decision (split) | Shooto: 5/4 in Korakuen Hall | May 4, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 6–1–2 | Masatoshi Abe | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Treasure Hunt 11 | November 15, 2002 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 5–1–2 | Tomohiro Hashi | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Gig East 10 | August 27, 2002 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 4–1–2 | Yasuhiro Akagi | Technical submission (kimura/triangle) | Shooto: Treasure Hunt 6 | May 5, 2002 | 2 | 1:57 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 3–1–2 | Masaru Gokita | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Treasure Hunt 4 | March 13, 2002 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 2–1–2 | Naoki Deguchi | Draw | GCM: The Contenders X-Rage 1 | September 14, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 2–1–1 | Katsuhisa Akasaki | Decision (majority) | Shooto: To The Top 10 | September 27, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 1–1–1 | Atsunori Hiruma | Decision (unanimous) | GCM: Club Contenders 1 | August 15, 2001 | 2 | 3:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 1–1 | Homare Kuboyama | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: To The Top 3 | March 21, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Daiji Takahashi | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: To The Top 1 | Jan 19, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan |
References
- "UFC adds flyweights: Johnson vs. McCall, Benavidez vs. Urushitani at UFC on FX 2". mmajunkie.com. December 11, 2011.
- Cruz, Guilherme (July 17, 2012). "John Lineker meets Yasuhiro Urushitani at UFC 151". tatame.com.
- "Urushitani-Lineker move from UFC 151 to UFC on FUEL TV 6 in Macau". mmajunkie.com. August 24, 2012.
- Mookie Alexander (January 18, 2013). "UFC releases nine fighters from their roster, including Chad Griggs, Jeff Hougland, and Marcus LeVesseur". bloodyelbow.com.