Toma Tanabe (born 27 October 2002), better known as Toma (斗麗), is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the featherweight division of K-1. He is a one-time Krush Featherweight title challenger.[2]
As of July 2021, he was the #7 ranked Super Flyweight in the world by Combat Press.[3]
Kickboxing career
Tanabe made his professional debut against Rikiya Yamaura at Krush 96 on December 16, 2018. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges awarding him a 28-25 scorecard.[4]
Tababe made his second appearance with the promotion against Genki Adachi at Krush 99 on March 30, 2019. He won the fight by a third-round knockout, landing a left hook at the very last second of the bout.[5]
Tanabe was scheduled to face Tetsuji Noda at K-1 World GP 2019 Yokohamatsuri on November 24, 2019. Tanabe proved to be the better fighter throughout the first two rounds, and scored the only knockdown of the fight in the second round, landing a well placed knee to the jaw of TETSU. Although Tanabe was deducted a point in the third round for excessive clinching, he nonetheless did enough to be awarded a unanimous decision, with scores of 29-26, 29-26 and 29-26.[7]
Tanabe was scheduled to fight Namito Izawa at Krush 112 on March 28, 2020. He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout, scoring three knockdowns inside of the round. The first knockdown came from a short jab, which caught Izawa posted on his right leg, with his left being raised to check a kick. The second knockdown was a result of a left straight. Izawa was knocked down for the third and final time with a left hook.[8]
Tanabe was scheduled to face Kodai Inatsu at Krush 120 on December 19, 2020.[9] He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout, due to the three knockdown rule. The first and third knockdowns came from a knee strike, while the second knockdown was a result of a left straight.[10]
Tanabe initially scheduled to face Riku Morisaka, in the quarterfinals of the Krush Featherweight tournament, at Krush 117 on September 26, 2020. He was later replaced by Rikiya Yamaura, as his Kienböck's disease flared up and rendered him unable to compete.[11]
Tanabe challenged Takahito Niimi for the Krush Featherweight title at Krush 122 on February 27, 2021.[12] Niimi was the better fighter in the rematch, winning the fight by majority decision, with scores of 30-28, 29-28 and 28-28.[2]
Tanabe was scheduled to face Tatsuki Shinotsuka at K-1 World GP 2021: Yokohamatsuri on September 20, 2021.[15] Tanabe was rescheduled to fight Yusuke at the same event, as Shinotsuka withdrew from the bout with an injury.[16] Toma knocked Yusuke down in both the first and second rounds, before finishing him with a left straight at the 2:05 minute mark of the second round.[17]
Tanabe was scheduled to face Riku Morisaka at K-1 World GP 2021 in Osaka on December 4, 2021. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[18]
Tanabe faced the former K-1 featherweight champion Tatsuya Tsubakihara in the quarterfinals of the 2022 K-1 Featherweight World Grand Prix at K-1 World GP 2022 in Fukuoka on August 11, 2022.[22] He won the fight by a close majority decision, with two judges awarding him a 30–29 scorecard, while the third judge saw the fight as an even 30–30 draw.[23] Tanabe advanced to the semifinals, where he faced Wang Junguang. He won the fight by a dominant unanimous decision, with all of the judges awarding him every single round of the bout.[24] He came up short in the finals however, as he lost to Taito Gunji by a first-round technical knockout.[25]
Tanabe faced the Krush featherweight champion Shuhei Kumura at K-1 World GP 2022 in Osaka on December 3, 2022.[26] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 30–25 and one scorecard of 30–26. Tanabe knocked Kumura down with a right straight-left hook combination in the first round and a right straight in the second round.[27]
Tanabe faced View Petchkoson at K-1 World GP 2023 on July 17, 2023.[30] He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout, with just three seconds left in the bout.[31]
Tanabe faced Kyo Kawakami at K-1 ReBIRTH 2 on December 9, 2023.[32] He lost the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges awarding Kawakami a 30–28 scorecard.[33]