Riki Fukuda

Riki Fukuda
Born	(1981-01-06) January 6, 1981 (age 43) Gifu, Japan[1]
Nationality	Japanese
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Division	Heavyweight Light Heavyweight Middleweight
Reach	73.0 in (185 cm)
Stance	Southpaw
Fighting out of	Tokyo, Japan
Team	Grabaka American Kickboxing Academy Haleo Top Team[2]
Years active	2004–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	34
Wins	24
By knockout	12
By decision	12
Losses	9
By knockout	3
By decision	6
No contests	1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Riki Fukuda (Japanese: 福田 力, Fukuda Riki, born January 6, 1981), is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Middleweight division. A professional competitor since 2004, he has formerly competed for the UFC, EliteXC, DEEP, DREAM, K-1 (MMA), Shooto, and Pancrase. Currently, he runs an izakaya-style restaurant in Leiden, The Netherlands.

Mixed martial arts career

Background

Fukuda was a member of the Yamanashi Gakuin University's wrestling team. At the All Japan University Championships, he placed third in 2002 and second in 2003 in his weight class. Fukuda then joined Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling and made his professional wrestling debut in March 2003.

Early career

In his professional mixed martial arts debut at SuperBrawl, Fukuda surprised many by taking Joe Doerksen to decision. Over the years, he has worked for the Japanese promotions Shooto, Pancrase and K-1. In February 2007, he made his debut in the EliteXC promotion at EliteXC Destiny. He then lost a close decision to Joey Villasenor on the September 15, 2007 EliteXC: Uprising card.

Fukuda fought at DREAM.8 as a late replacement for Yoon Dong-Sik, where he defeated Murilo Rua by unanimous decision. At DEEP 42, Riki defeated Yuichi Nakanishi via unanimous decision to become the DEEP Middleweight Champion. Fukuda successfully defended the title against Hiromitsu Kanehara at DEEP 46. At DEEP 49, Riki successfully defended the title against Ryuta Sakurai winning the fight via TKO due to knees. During his bout with Sakurai, Fukuda was able to push the pace, causing Sakurai to fall out of the cage twice. In the first round, Fukuda successfully completed a takedown, but in the process Sakurai fell out of the ring and hit his face on the bell. In the second round, Fukuda landed a knee to the midsection which cause Sakurai to fall, but as he fell he landed on the ground outside the ring; head first. Fukuda was given the victory by TKO, when Sakurai was not able to continue from the head injury.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In October 2010, it was revealed Fukuda had signed with the UFC. Fukuda made his promotional debut against TUF 11 alumni, Nick Ring on February 27, 2011, at UFC 127.^[3] Fukuda lost his UFC debut by a controversial unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). All three judges gave Ring the first two rounds with Fukuda winning the final round, despite controlling all three rounds with takedowns. Despite the loss on the scorecards, UFC president Dana White felt Fukuda won the bout and stated on his Twitter account that both fighters would be paid a win bonus.^[4]

Fukuda was expected to face Rafael Natal on August 6, 2011, at UFC 133.^[5] However, Fukuda was forced out of the bout due to a knee injury sustained in a car accident^[6] and replaced by Costas Philippou.^[7]

Fukuda faced Steve Cantwell on February 26, 2012, at UFC 144.^[8] Fukuda defeated Cantwell via unanimous decision.

Fukuda lost to Costas Philippou on July 7, 2012, at UFC 148 via unanimous decision.^[9]

Fukuda next defeated Tom DeBlass via unanimous decision on November 10, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 6.^[10]

Fukuda faced Brad Tavares on March 3, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 8 and lost via unanimous decision.^[11] Fukuda was subsequently released from the organization after testing positive for banned substances during his post fight drug screening.^[12] It was later revealed to be linked to over the counter cold medicine Fukuda had taken when he fell ill during his process of making weight for the bout.

Road Fighting Championship

In August 2013, Fukuda signed with South Korea based promotion ROAD FC.^[13] Fukuda faced Hee Seung Kim in his debut bout at Road FC: Korea 1 on January 18, 2014.^[14] He won the fight via second-round TKO.^[15]

Fukuda then faced Dong Sik-Yoon at Road FC 16 on July 26, 2014.^[16] He won the fight via TKO, extending his post-UFC record to 2–0.^[17]

In his next fight, Fukuda faced Dool Hee Lee at Road FC 19 on November 9, 2014.^[18] Fukuda controlled the first round, however, the fight was declared a no-contest in the second round, due to accidental groin shots.^[19]

Championships and accomplishments

• Deep
  • Deep Middleweight Champion (One time)
• Road FC
  • Road FC Middleweight Champion (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

34 matches	24 wins	9 losses
By knockout	12	3
By decision	12	6
No contests	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	24–9 (1)	Hoon Kim	TKO (punches)	Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 40	July 15, 2017	2	2:38	Seoul, South Korea
Win	24–8 (1)	Nae Chul Kim	Decision (unanimous)	Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 36	February 11, 2017	3	5:00	Seoul, South Korea
Loss	23–8 (1)	Jung Hwan Cha	KO (punches)	Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 28	January 31, 2016	2	2:36	Seoul, South Korea	Lost the Road FC Middleweight Championship.
Win	23–7 (1)	Uh Jin Jeon	TKO (punches)	Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 24	July 25, 2015	1	2:52	Tokyo, Japan	Won the Road FC Middleweight Championship.
Win	22–7 (1)	Dool Hee Lee	TKO (punches)	Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 22	March 21, 2015	2	3:57	Seoul, South Korea
NC	21–7 (1)	Dool Hee Lee	No Contest (accidental knee to groin)	Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 19	November 9, 2014	2	N/A	Seoul, South Korea
Win	21–7	Dong-sik Yoon	TKO (punches)	Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 16	July 26, 2014	1	3:36	Gumi, South Korea
Win	20–7	Hee Seung Kim	TKO (punches)	Road FC: Korea 1	January 18, 2014	2	2:09	Seoul, South Korea
Loss	19–7	Brad Tavares	Decision (unanimous)	UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann	March 3, 2013	3	5:00	Saitama, Japan
Win	19–6	Tom DeBlass	Decision (unanimous)	UFC on Fuel TV: Franklin vs. Le	November 10, 2012	3	5:00	Macau, SAR, China
Loss	18–6	Costas Philippou	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 148	July 7, 2012	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	18–5	Steve Cantwell	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 144	February 26, 2012	3	5:00	Saitama, Japan
Loss	17–5	Nick Ring	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 127	February 27, 2011	3	5:00	Sydney, Australia	Awarded win bonus due to controversial decision from judges.
Win	17–4	Ryuta Sakurai	TKO (knees)	DEEP: 49 Impact	August 27, 2010	2	0:32	Tokyo, Japan	Defended the DEEP Middleweight Championship; vacates title to fight in UFC.
Win	16–4	Hiromitsu Kanehara	Decision (unanimous)	DEEP: 46 Impact	February 28, 2010	3	5:00	Tokyo, Japan	Non-title bout.[20]
Win	15–4	Yuichi Nakanishi	Decision (unanimous)	DEEP: 42 Impact	June 30, 2009	3	5:00	Tokyo, Japan	Won the DEEP Middleweight Championship.
Win	14–4	Murilo Rua	Decision (unanimous)	DREAM 8	April 5, 2009	2	5:00	Nagoya, Japan	Catchweight (196 lb) bout.
Win	13–4	Ryuta Sakurai	TKO (punches)	DEEP: 40 Impact	February 20, 2009	1	0:45	Tokyo, Japan
Win	12–4	Jason Jones	Decision (unanimous)	Deep: 38 Impact	October 23, 2008	2	5:00	Tokyo, Japan
Win	11–4	Hiroki Ozaki	Decision (unanimous)	DEEP: 37 Impact	August 17, 2008	2	5:00	Tokyo, Japan
Loss	10–4	Yuichi Nakanishi	Decision (unanimous)	DEEP: 35 Impact	May 19, 2008	2	5:00	Tokyo, Japan	For the vacant DEEP Middleweight Championship.
Win	10–3	Yuya Shirai	Decision (split)	DEEP: 35 Impact	May 19, 2008	2	5:00	Tokyo, Japan
Win	9–3	Ryuta Sakurai	Decision (unanimous)	DEEP: 34 Impact	February 22, 2008	3	5:00	Tokyo, Japan
Loss	8–3	Joey Villaseñor	Decision (split)	EliteXC: Uprising	September 15, 2007	3	5:00	Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win	8–2	Hikaru Sato	TKO (punches)	Pancrase: 2007 Neo-Blood Tournament Finals	July 27, 2007	1	1:09	Tokyo, Japan
Win	7–2	Chris Gates	TKO (submission to punches)	EliteXC Destiny	February 10, 2007	1	1:18	Southaven, Mississippi, United States	Return to Middleweight.
Win	6–2	Yuji Sakuragi	Decision (unanimous)	Pancrase: 2006 Neo-Blood Tournament Finals	July 28, 2006	2	5:00	Tokyo, Japan	Heavyweight debut.
Win	5–2	Keitaro Maeda	TKO (punches)	GCM: D.O.G. 5	April 4, 2006	1	4:40	Tokyo, Japan
Loss	4–2	Kozo Urita	KO (punch)	Pancrase: Blow 1	January 26, 2006	1	0:40	Tokyo, Japan
Win	4–1	Yuta Nakamura	TKO (punches)	Pancrase: Spiral 9	November 4, 2005	1	0:57	Tokyo, Japan
Win	3–1	Brandon Wolff	TKO (punches)	K-1: World Grand Prix Hawaii	July 29, 2005	2	2:49	Hawaii, United States	Middleweight debut.
Win	2–1	Oleg Bazayev	KO (punches)	GCM: D.O.G. 2	June 11, 2005	1	0:28	Tokyo, Japan
Win	1–1	Masaya Inoue	Decision (unanimous)	Shooto: 1/29 in Korakuen Hall	January 29, 2005	2	5:00	Tokyo, Japan
Loss	0–1	Joe Doerksen	Decision (unanimous)	SuperBrawl 35	April 16, 2004	3	5:00	Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

See also

• List of male mixed martial artists

References

1. "UFC 148 Media Notes". UFC. June 30, 2012. Archived from the original on July 3, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
2. http://haleotopteam.com/
3. ".Nick Ring vs. Riki Fukuda Inked for UFC 127 February 27 in Australia". cagepotato.com. December 7, 2010.
4. "Dana White @ Twitter". twitter.com. February 27, 2011.
5. "Rafael "Sapo" Natal vs. Riki Fukuda Added to UFC 133 Card". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. mmaweekly.com. April 14, 2011.
6. "Riki Fukuda out of UFC 133 due to car-accident injury". mmajunkie.com. June 20, 2011.
7. "Replacement Costa Philippou meets Rafael "Sapo" Natal at UFC 133". MMA Junkie. June 20, 2011. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013.
8. "Steve Cantwell vs. Riki Fukuda Likely for UFC 144". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. mmaweekly.com. 2011-11-23.
9. "UFC 148 adds middleweights Fukuda vs. Philippou". mmajunkie.com. 2012-03-21. Archived from the original on 2012-07-10.
10. "Tom DeBlass meets middleweight Riki Fukuda at UFC on FUEL TV 6". mmajunkie.com. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 24, 2012.
11. "Brad Tavares vs. Riki Fukuda Confirmed for UFC on Fuel 8". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. mmaweekly.com. 13 December 2012.
12. "UFC releases Riki Fukuda following failed drug test". mmajunkie.com. March 20, 2013.
13. "Former UFC Middleweight Riki Fukuda Signs With South Korea's Road FC". mmainsider.com. August 27, 2013.
14. "Riki Fukuda vs. Kim Hee-Seung to headline inaugural 'ROAD FC – Korea' event". Fsa - Fightsport Asia. fightsportsasia.com. December 17, 2013.
15. "UFC Veteran Riki Fukuda Stops Hee Seung Kim in Road FC 'Korea 1' Headliner". sherdog.com. January 18, 2014.
16. "Yoon Dong-Sik to meet Riki Fukuda at ROAD FC 16 on July 26th". mma-in-asia.com. May 29, 2014.
17. "Nam Jin Jo Takes Flyweight Title, Riki Fukuda Stops Dong Sik Yoon at Road FC 16". sherdog.com. July 26, 2014.
18. "Riki Fukuda vs Lee Dool-Hee announced for ROAD FC 019". The Fight Nation. TheFightNation.com. October 1, 2014.
19. "Beyond the Octagon: UFC vets Riki Fukuda and Gilbert Smith, plus Tiger Sarnavskiy's flying knee". Bloody Elbow. bloodyelbow.com. November 10, 2014.
20. "DEEP results". UWFi Team.

External links

• Official UFC Profile
• Professional MMA record for Riki Fukuda from Sherdog