Keita Nakamura
Japanese mixed martial arts fighter
Keitaro Nakamura 中村K太郎 Born (1984-05-22 ) 22 May 1984 (age 40) Tokyo , Japan Other names K-Taro Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Weight 169 lb (77 kg; 12.1 st) Division Welterweight Lightweight Stance Southpaw Fighting out of Tokyo , Japan Team United Gym Tokyo Years active 2003–present Total 51 Wins 36 By knockout 9 By submission 16 By decision 11 Losses 12 By knockout 2 By submission 1 By decision 9 Draws 2 No contests 1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Keitaro Nakamura (Japanese : 中村 K太郎 , Nakamura Keitarō , born May 22, 1984) is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist and grappler currently competing in the Welterweight division of RIZIN . A professional competitor since 2003, he has formerly competed for the UFC , World Victory Road , Pancrase , Shooto , DREAM , Vale Tudo Japan , and DEEP . He is the former Sengoku Welterweight Champion , Shooto Pacific Rim Middleweight Champion, and also won the World Victory Road Welterweight Grand Prix Tournament in 2010.
In submission grappling, Nakamura took part in both the 2009 and 2011 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, making it to the second round and winning via points in both.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Nakamura made his professional MMA debut in his native Japan in October 2003. Over nearly three years, he amassed a record of 15-0-2 with wins over Yoshiyuki Yoshida , Ronald Jhun , and Daisuke Nakamura .
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Nakamura made his UFC debut in December 2006 against Brock Larson at UFC 81 . He lost the fight via unanimous decision, ending his undefeated streak.
For his second fight with the promotion, Nakamura faced Drew Fickett at UFC Fight Night: Stevenson vs. Guillard in April 2007. He again lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Nakamura lost by contentious split decision to Rob Emerson at UFC 81 on February 2, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.[ 1] Nakamura dropped Emerson with a big knee at the end of the first round after Emerson had outstruck him for much of the round up until that point. Emerson came back strong in the second round landing crisp combinations that left Nakamura's face a mess at the end of the round. Nakamura scored takedowns in the third round on a visibly tiring Emerson while also landing some strong knees but it was not enough to win the decision as the scores read 30–27, 28-29 and 30–27 in favor of Emerson. Following this loss, Nakamura was released from the UFC.
After the fight, the 24-year-old Nakamura announced his retirement from MMA. Disappointed by his three UFC defeats, "K-Taro" also suffered from vision issues following the Emerson bout, due his opponent's toe impairing his vision after a high kick attempt.
Return to Japan
Despite his claim that he would become a police officer, Nakamura's retirement lasted a mere few months. He returned in September 2008 as he faced Adriano Martins in for the DREAM promotion. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Nakamura suffered a devastating loss to heavy underdog Korean fighter, Jang Yong Kim in his second post-retirement comeback fight. Since then, he has seen a resurgence, going 13-2-1 over the next few years, including winning the Sengoku Welterweight Grand Prix with a submission victory over Yasubey Enomoto .
UFC return
Nakamura returned to the UFC in September 2015. He faced Li Jingliang on September 27, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 75 .[ 2] After being bloodied by his opponent over two rounds, Nakamura rallied back to win the fight via submission in the third round.[ 3] The win also earned Nakamura his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[ 4]
Nakamura faced Tom Breese on February 27, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 84 .[ 5] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[ 6]
Nakamura faced Kyle Noke on July 13, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 91 .[ 7] He won the fight via submission in final seconds of the second round.[ 8]
Nakamura next faced Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on October 1, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 96 . He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[ 9]
Nakamura faced Alex Morono at UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami on September 23, 2017.[ 10] He won the fight by split decision (29-28, 28–29, 29-28).[ 11]
Nakamura faced Tony Martin on April 21, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 128 .[ 12] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[ 13]
Nakamura faced Salim Touahri on December 2, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 142 .[ 14] He won the fight via split decision.[ 15]
Nakamura faced Sultan Aliev on April 20, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 149 .[ 16] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[ 17]
In September 2019, it was reported that Nakamura was released by UFC.[ 18]
Post-UFC career
After the release from the UFC, Nakamura signed with RIZIN . After winning his promotional debut via TKO, he next faced Lorenz Larkin at Bellator & RIZIN: Japan on December 29, 2019.[ 19] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[ 20]
On April 1, 2023 at Rizin 41 – Osaka , Nakamura defeated Kiichi Kunimoto via second round TKO stoppage after dropping Kunimoto and finishing him with a soccer kick.[ 21]
Nakamura fought Roberto Satoshi de Souza in a non-title bout in the main event of RIZIN Landmark 9 on March 23, 2024.[ 22] He lost the fight by corner stoppage in the first round after getting dropped by head kick.[ 23]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
51 matches
36 wins
12 losses
By knockout
9
2
By submission
16
1
By decision
11
9
Draws
2
No contests
1
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Loss
36–12–2 (1)
Roberto de Souza
TKO (corner stoppage)
Rizin Landmark 9
March 23, 2024
1
1:43
Kobe , Japan
Non-Title bout.
Win
36–11–2 (1)
Kiichi Kunimoto
KO (punches and soccer kick)
Rizin 41
April 1, 2023
2
0:49
Osaka , Japan
Loss
35–11–2 (1)
Lorenz Larkin
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator & Rizin: Japan
December 29, 2019
3
5:00
Saitama , Japan
Catchweight (173.5 lbs) bout; Larkin missed weight.
Win
35–10–2 (1)
Marcos de Souza
TKO (punches)
Rizin 19
October 12, 2019
1
1:18
Osaka , Japan
Loss
34–10–2 (1)
Sultan Aliev
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik
April 20, 2019
3
5:00
Saint Petersburg , Russia
Win
34–9–2 (1)
Salim Touahri
Decision (split)
UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa
December 2, 2018
3
5:00
Adelaide , Australia
Loss
33–9–2 (1)
Anthony Rocco Martin
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee
April 21, 2018
3
5:00
Atlantic City, New Jersey , United States
Win
33–8–2 (1)
Alex Morono
Decision (split)
UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami
September 23, 2017
3
5:00
Saitama , Japan
Loss
32–8–2 (1)
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson
October 1, 2016
3
5:00
Portland, Oregon , United States
Win
32–7–2 (1)
Kyle Noke
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker
July 13, 2016
2
4:59
Sioux Falls, South Dakota , United States
Loss
31–7–2 (1)
Tom Breese
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Bisping
February 27, 2016
3
5:00
London , England
Win
31–6–2 (1)
Li Jingliang
Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC Fight Night: Barnett vs. Nelson
September 27, 2015
3
2:17
Saitama , Japan
Performance of the Night.
Win
30–6–2 (1)
Yuta Watanabe
Submission (rear-naked choke)
DEEP: Cage Impact 2015
July 20, 2015
1
2:00
Tokyo , Japan
Won the DEEP Welterweight Championship.
Win
29–6–2 (1)
Yoshiyuki Katahira
Submission (rear-naked choke)
DEEP: 71 Impact
February 28, 2015
1
3:47
Tokyo , Japan
Win
28–6–2 (1)
Yuki Okano
TKO (punches)
DEEP: 69 Impact
October 26, 2014
2
0:26
Tokyo , Japan
Win
27–6–2 (1)
Keiichiro Yamamiya
TKO (punches)
DEEP: 67 Impact
June 22, 2014
1
4:13
Tokyo , Japan
Return to Welterweight.
Loss
26–6–2 (1)
Frank Camacho
Decision (unanimous)
PXC: Pacific Xtreme Combat 42
February 28, 2014
3
5:00
Mangilao , Guam
NC
26–5–2 (1)
Kwang Hee Lee
NC (Nakamura missed weight)
DEEP: 64th Impact
December 22, 2013
N/A
N/A
Tokyo , Japan
Win
26–5–2
Kota Shimoishi
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Shooto: 3rd Round
July 27, 2013
2
0:37
Tokyo , Japan
Return to Lightweight.
Win
25–5–2
Nobutatsu Suzuki
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Vale Tudo Japan 2012
December 24, 2012
1
2:09
Tokyo , Japan
Catchweight (80 kg) bout.
Win
24–5–2
Yuki Sasaki
Decision (unanimous)
Shooto: 5th Round
May 18, 2012
3
5:00
Tokyo , Japan
Win
23–5–2
Hoon Kim
TKO (broken hand)
LFC: Legend Fighting Championship 8
March 30, 2012
1
5:00
Chek Lap Kok , China
Win
22–5–2
Yoichiro Sato
Decision (majority)
Shooto: Survivor Tournament Final
January 8, 2012
3
5:00
Tokyo , Japan
Loss
21–5–2
Akihiro Murayama
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Shooto: Shootor's Legacy 4
September 23, 2011
1
2:30
Tokyo , Japan
Win
21–4–2
Yasubey Enomoto
Submission (rear-naked choke)
World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight
December 30, 2010
2
3:48
Tokyo , Japan
SRC Welterweight Grand Prix Final. Won the SRC Welterweight Championship.
Win
20–4–2
Takuya Wada
Submission (punches)
World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 15
October 30, 2010
1
3:30
Tokyo , Japan
SRC Welterweight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win
19–4–2
Omar de la Cruz
TKO (punches)
World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 13
June 20, 2010
2
3:53
Tokyo , Japan
SRC Welterweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win
18–4–2
Tomoyoshi Iwamiya
Decision (majority)
GCM: Cage Force 11
June 27, 2009
3
5:00
Tokyo , Japan
Return to Welterweight.
Loss
17–4–2
Jang Yong Kim
TKO (punches)
GCM: Cage Force EX Eastern Bound
November 8, 2008
1
0:59
Tokyo , Japan
Win
17–3–2
Adriano Martins
Decision (split)
Dream 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 Final Round
September 23, 2008
2
5:00
Saitama , Japan
Loss
16–3–2
Rob Emerson
Decision (split)
UFC 81
February 2, 2008
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Lightweight debut.
Win
16–2–2
Takefumi Hanai
TKO (knees)
GCM: Cage Force EX Eastern Bound
November 11, 2007
1
1:59
Tokyo , Japan
Loss
15–2–2
Drew Fickett
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Stevenson vs. Guillard
April 5, 2007
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
15–1–2
Brock Larson
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Sanchez vs. Riggs
December 13, 2006
3
5:00
San Diego, California , United States
Win
15–0–2
Djalili Salmanov
Submission (rear-naked choke)
GCM: D.O.G. 7
September 9, 2006
1
3:50
Tokyo , Japan
Win
14–0–2
Ronald Jhun
Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)
PIP: East vs. West
July 21, 2006
1
3:55
Honolulu, Hawaii , United States
Won the Shooto Pacific Rim Middleweight (167 lbs) Championship .
Win
13–0–2
Jun Yong Jae
Submission (rear-naked choke)
MARS World Grand Prix
April 29, 2006
1
1:58
Seoul , South Korea
Win
12–0–2
Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Technical Decision (majority)
Shooto: 12/17 in Shinjuku Face
December 17, 2005
2
4:06
Tokyo , Japan
Win
11–0–2
Katsuaki Niioka
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Shooto 2005: 11/6 in Korakuen Hall
November 6, 2005
1
2:10
Tokyo , Japan
Win
10–0–2
Mohamed Khacha
Submission (rear-naked choke)
GCM: D.O.G. 3
September 17, 2005
1
3:34
Tokyo , Japan
Win
9–0–2
Taro Minato
Submission (rear-naked choke)
GCM: Demolition 22
August 28, 2005
1
4:03
Tokyo , Japan
Win
8–0–2
Jun Kitagawa
Decision (unanimous)
Shooto: 6/3 in Kitazawa Town Hall
June 3, 2005
2
5:00
Tokyo , Japan
Win
7–0–2
Kentaro Maeda
Decision (unanimous)
Shooto: 2/6 in Kitazawa Town Hall
February 6, 2005
2
5:00
Tokyo , Japan
Win
6–0–2
Atsushi Inoue
Submission (rear-naked choke)
GCM: Demolition 20
November 14, 2004
1
2:11
Tokyo , Japan
Draw
5–0–2
Kazunori Yokata
Draw
GCM: Demolition 18
September 19, 2004
2
5:00
Tokyo , Japan
Win
5–0–1
Keisuke Sakai
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Shooto: 7/16 in Korakuen Hall
July 16, 2004
1
2:20
Tokyo , Japan
Win
4–0–1
Ichiro Kanai
Decision (unanimous)
GCM: Demolition 15
May 21, 2004
2
5:00
Tokyo , Japan
Win
3–0–1
Daisuke Nakamura
Decision (unanimous)
GCM: Demolition 14
April 8, 2004
2
5:00
Tokyo , Japan
Draw
2–0–1
Ichiro Kanai
Draw
GCM: Demolition 12
December 27, 2003
2
5:00
Tokyo , Japan
Win
2–0
Kenta Omori
Submission (triangle choke)
Kingdom Ehrgeiz: Tokyo University Flight
December 13, 2003
1
7:44
Tokyo , Japan
Win
1–0
Tomohito Tanizaki
TKO (punches)
Kingdom Ehrgeiz: Tomorrow
October 12, 2003
1
0:33
Tokyo , Japan
[ 27]
References
^ Sloan, Mike (2008-02-03). "Nogueira captures UFC interim heavyweight belt" . ESPN. Sherdog. Retrieved 2011-08-02 .
^ 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 .
^ Steven Marrocco (2014-09-26). "UFC Fight Night 75 results: Keita Nakamura puts Li Jingliang to sleep with gorgeous choke" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-09-26 .
^ Tristen Critchfield (2015-09-27). "UFC Fight Night Japan bonuses: Hall, Barnett, Brandao, Nakamura garner $50K" . sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-09-27 .
^ Tristen Critchfield (2015-12-04). "Tom Breese vs. Keita Nakamura set for UFC Fight Night in London on Feb. 27" . sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-12-04 .
^ Dave Doyle (2016-02-27). "UFC Fight Night 84 results: Tom Breese struggles to get past Keita Nakamura" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-02-27 .
^ Staff (2016-04-21). "Kyle Noke vs. Keita Nakamura slated for UFC Fight Night 91 in South Dakota" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-04-21 .
^ Brent Brookhouse (2016-07-13). "UFC Fight Night 91 results: Keita Nakamura taps out Kyle Noke with one second left in Round 2" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-07-13 .
^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-10-01). "UFC Fight Night 96 results: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos gets hard-fought decision over Keita Nakamura" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-10-01 .
^ "Keita Nakamura krijgt thuisgevecht tegen Alex Morono in Japan" . August 2017.
^ "UFC Fight Night 117 results: Keita Nakamura takes split from Alex Morono in bloody fight" . MMAjunkie . 2017-09-23. Retrieved 2017-09-23 .
^ Max Freedman (2018-02-12). "Tony Martin & Keita Nakamura welterweight fight added to UFC Atlantic City" . mma-today.com. Retrieved 2018-02-12 . [permanent dead link ]
^ "UFC Fight Night 128 results: Tony Martin cruises past Keita Nakamura in opener" . MMAjunkie . 2018-04-22. Retrieved 2018-04-22 .
^ Marcel Dorff (2018-10-18). "Keita Nakamura vs. Salim Touahri planned for UFC Adelaide" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-10-19 .
^ Sherdog.com. "UFC Fight Night 142 Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2018-12-02 .
^ DNA, MMA (2 March 2019). "Sultan Aliev vs. Keita Nakamura toegevoegd aan UFC St.Petersburg" . Retrieved 2019-03-04 .
^ Doherty, Dan (2019-04-20). "UFC St. Petersburg Results: Sultan Aliev Controls Keita Nakamura for Three Rounds" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2019-04-20 .
^ Simon, Zane (2013-01-29). "List of current UFC fighters" . Bloody Elbow . Retrieved 2019-09-14 .
^ Damon Martin (November 14, 2019). "Lorenz Larkin, Patrick Mix among five to compete in Bellator vs. RIZIN fights in December" . mmafighting.com.
^ "Bellator 237: Lorenz Larkin outpoints Keita Nakamura on feet, earns unanimous nod" . MMA Junkie . 2019-12-29. Retrieved 2021-11-18 .
^ "【RIZIN】皇治が芦澤に敗れ引退へ。ケラモフが堀江に一本勝ち、K太郎がストラッサー下し放送事故級マイク、神龍が北方を失神フィニッシュ、萩原が判定でアグォン越え、石司が金太郎..." ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU . Retrieved 2023-04-10 .
^ Rogers, Kian. "Elite BJJ Black Belts To Compete At RIZIN Landmark 9" . Jitsmagazine . Retrieved 5 February 2024 .
^ Blackett, Todd. "Roberto Satoshi De Souza Rebounds With Quick Finish In RIZIN Landmark 9 Results" . Jitsmagazine . Retrieved 24 March 2024 .
^ "総合格闘技イベントDEEP2001オフィシャルサイト|CHAMPIONS" .
^ Thomas Gerbasi (December 23, 2015). "10 Best 2013 Top UFC submissions of 2015" . Ultimate Fighting Championship .
^ Thomas Gerbasi (December 21, 2016). "Top Ten - The Best Submissions of 2016" . Ultimate Fighting Championship .
^ Sherdog.com. "Keita" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2018-12-02 .
External links