Junji Ito (Japanese: 伊藤淳二, Hepburn: Itō Junji, born August 23, 1986) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist who competed in the flyweight (114 lbs) division. He is a four-time Shooto World Flyweight (114lbs) Championship title challenger and the former Shooto Flyweight (114 lbs) champion. He's recognized as the seventh greatest strawweight in the history of the sport by Fight Matrix.[3]

Junji Ito
Born (1986-08-23) August 23, 1986 (age 38)
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Native name伊藤 淳二
Other namesJunji Sarumaru
(猿丸ジュンジ)
NationalityJapanese
Height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[1]
Weight114 lb (52 kg)
DivisionStrawweight
StanceOrthodox
TeamShooting Gym Yokohama[2]
Mixed martial arts record
Total31
Wins20
By knockout11
By submission2
By decision7
Losses9
By knockout3
By submission3
By decision3
Draws2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Ito made his professional debut against Takahisa Toyoshima at Shooto: Back To Our Roots 4 on July 15, 2007, and won by a 53-second technical knockout. He amassed an 8-2 record over the next three years, during which he finished as a runner-up in the 2008 Shooto Rookie Tournament.[4]

Shooto

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Consecutive title fights

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Ito was scheduled to fight Junji Ikoma for the vacant Shooto World Flyweight Championship at Shooto: Shooto Tradition 2011 on April 29, 2011. Ito was at the time the #1 ranked flyweight contender in the Shooto rankings, while Ikoma came in as the #4 ranked flyweight contender.[5] Ikoma won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges awarding him a 29-28 scorecard.[6]

Ito was scheduled to face the #8 ranked Shooto flyweight contender Yuki Shoujou in the co-main event of Shooto: 3rd Round on March 10, 2012. He won the fight by majority decision.[7]

Ito was scheduled to challenge for the Shooto World Flyweight Championship, for the second time in his career, against Mikihito Yamagami at Shooto: 10th Round on September 30, 2012. He lost the fight by a second-round technical submission, losing consciousness due to a rear-naked choke at the 1:36 minute mark.[8]

Ito was scheduled to face Tadaaki Yamamoto at Shooto: Gig Tokyo 15 on August 25, 2013.[9] He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Ito made his third career Shooto World Flyweight title challenge against Shinya Murofushi at Shooto: 1st Round 2014 on January 13, 2014. He lost the fight by a first-round technical submission. Murofushi managed to take Ito down, take his back and lock in a figure four lock, before choking him unconscious with an RNC at the 3:33 minute mark.[10]

Fourth Shooto title run

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Ito was scheduled to face Hiroaki Shishino at Shooto: 7th Round 2014 on September 27, 2014. He won the fight by a first-round knockout.[11]

Ito was scheduled to face the 33-fight veteran Kenichi Sawada at Shooto: Gig Tokyo 18 on February 11, 2015. He won the fight by a second-round knockout.

Ito was scheduled to face the undefeated Ryohei Kurosawa at Shooto: Mobstyles 15th Anniversary Tour Fight & Mosh on May 3, 2015. He won the fight by a second-round knockout.[12]

Ito was scheduled to challenge Yoshitaka Naito for the Shooto World Flyweight title at Shooto - Professional Shooto 11/29 on November 29, 2015. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[13]

Fifth Shooto title run

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Ito had his first overseas fight at World Series of Fighting Global Championship: Japan 1 on February 7, 2016, when he was scheduled to face Jarred Brooks. Brooks won the fight by a second-round knockout.[14]

Ito then returned to the Japanese circuit, and was scheduled to face Takahiro Kohori at Shooto - Professional Shooto 11/12 on November 12, 2016.[15] He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.[16]

Ito fought the future Shooto Flyweight champion Yosuke Saruta at Shooto - Professional Shooto 1/29 on January 29, 2017. The fight was ruled a majority draw.

Ito was scheduled to fight Itchaku Murata at Shooto - Professional Shooto 1/28 on January 28, 2018. He lost the fight by a first-round knockout.[17]

Ito was scheduled to fight Mijikai Nagai at Shooto - Professional Shooto 5/13 on May 13, 2018.[18] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[19]

Ito was scheduled to face Ryosuke Honda at Shooto - Professional Shooto 11/17 on November 17, 2018. He won the fight by a second-round technical decision, as Ito was unable to continue fighting following a low blow 17 seconds into the round.[20]

Ito was scheduled to face Michael Nakagawa at Shooto - 30th Anniversary Tour 7th Round on September 22, 2019. The fight was ruled a split draw.[21]

Ito was scheduled to fight Jerome Wanawan at Shooto 2020 in Korakuen Hall on January 26, 2020.[22] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[23]

Ito was scheduled to face Tateo Iino at Professional Shooto 2020 Vol. 6 on September 19, 2020. He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout, stopping Iino with six seconds left in the round.[24]

Shooto Flyweight champion

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Ito was booked to face Ryohei Kurosawa for the interim Shooto Flyweight Championship at Professional Shooto 2021 vol. 7 on November 7, 2021. Ito and Kurosawa previously fought on May 3, 2015, when Ito handed Kurosawa his sole professional loss.[25] Ito won the rematch by a first-round submission.[26]

On August 1, 2022, it was announced that the previous Shooto flyweight champion Hiroba Minowa had vacated the title. As such, Ito was promoted to undisputed champion status. Ito faced Jo Arai in his first title defense at Professional Shooto 2022 vol. 6 on September 19, 2022.[27] He lost the fight by a first-round knockout.[28]

On December 2, 2023, Ito faced Shuto Aki on December 2, 2023 at Shooto: Mobstyles, winning the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round and declaring his retirement after the bout.[29]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
31 matches 20 wins 9 losses
By knockout 11 3
By submission 2 3
By decision 7 3
Draws 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 20–8–2 Shuto Aki TKO (punches) Shooto : MOBSTYLES presents FIGHT&MOSH December 2, 2023 1 1:18 Tokyo, Japan Return to Flyweight.
Loss 19–9–2 Jo Arai TKO (punch) Shooto 2022 Vol.6 September 19, 2022 1 1:50 Tokyo, Japan Lost the Shooto Flyweight (114 lbs) Championship.
Win 19–8–2 Ryohei Kurosawa Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto 2021 Vol.7 November 7, 2021 1 3:23 Tokyo, Japan Won the interim Shooto Flyweight (114 lbs) Championship.
Win 18–8–2 Tateo Iino TKO (punches) Shooto 2020 Vol. 6 September 19, 2020 1 4:54 Tokyo, Japan Flyweight bout.
Win 17–8–2 Jerome Wanawan Decision (unanimous) Shooto 2020 in Korakuen Hall January 26, 2020 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 16–8–2 Michael Nakagawa Draw (split) Shooto - 30th Anniversary Tour 7th Round September 22, 2019 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 16–8–1 Ryosuke Honda Technical Decision (unanimous) Shooto - Professional Shooto 11/17 November 17, 2018 2 0:17 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 15–8–1 Mijikai Nagai Decision (unanimous) Shooto - Professional Shooto 5/13 May 13, 2018 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 15–7–1 Itchaku Murata KO (punch) Shooto - Professional Shooto 1/28 January 28, 2018 1 0:53 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 14–7–1 Yosuke Saruta Draw (majority) Shooto - Professional Shooto 1/29 January 29, 2017 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 14–7 Takahiro Kohori TKO (punches) Shooto - Professional Shooto 11/12 November 12, 2016 1 2:07 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 13–7 Jarred Brooks KO (elbows) World Series of Fighting Global Championship: Japan 1 February 7, 2016 2 3:29 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 13–6 Yoshitaka Naito Decision (unanimous) Shooto - Professional Shooto 11/29 November 29, 2015 5 5:00 Tokyo, Japan For the Shooto World Flyweight (114lbs) Championship.
Win 13–5 Ryohei Kurosawa KO (punch) Shooto: Mobstyles 15th Anniversary Tour Fight & Mosh May 3, 2015 1 2:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 12–5 Kenichi Sawada KO (punches) Shooto: Gig Tokyo 18 February 11, 2015 2 2:04 Tokyo, Japan
Win 11–5 Hiroaki Shishino KO (punches) Shooto: 7th Round 2014 September 27, 2014 1 1:52 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 10–5 Shinya Murofushi Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: 1st Round 2014 January 13, 2014 1 3:33 Tokyo, Japan For the Shooto World Flyweight (114lbs) Championship.
Win 10–4 Tadaaki Yamamoto Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Gig Tokyo 15 August 25, 2013 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 9–4 Mikihito Yamagami Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: 10th Round September 30, 2012 2 1:36 Tokyo, Japan For the Shooto World Flyweight (114lbs) Championship.
Win 9–3 Yuki Shoujou Decision (majority) Shooto: 3rd Round March 10, 2012 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 8–3 Junji Ikoma Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Shooto Tradition 2011 April 29, 2011 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan For the vacant Shooto World Flyweight (114lbs) Championship.
Win 8–2 Atsushi Takeuchi KO (punch) Shooto: The Rookie Tournament 2010 Final December 18, 2010 1 3:58 Tokyo, Japan
Win 7–2 Jesse Taitano TKO (punches) Shooto: The Way of Shooto 5: Like a Tiger, Like a Dragon September 23, 2010 3 4:50 Tokyo, Japan
Win 6–2 Hiroaki Yoshioka Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Shooting Disco 11: Tora Tora Tora! February 27, 2010 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 5–2 Takeshi Sato Decision (unanimous) Shooto: The Rookie Tournament 2009 Final December 13, 2009 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 4–2 Kenichi Sawada Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: Gig Tokyo 2 April 19, 2009 2 0:47 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 3–2 Mikihito Yamagami Submission (guillotine choke) Shooto: The Rookie Tournament 2008 Final December 13, 2008 2 2:15 Tokyo, Japan Shooto Rookie Tournament Final.
Win 3–1 Yoshitaka Aki TKO (punches) Shooto: Shooto Tradition 3 September 28, 2008 1 4:01 Tokyo, Japan Shooto Rookie Tournament Semifinal.
Win 2–1 Kazuyuki Yoshida TKO (punches) Shooto: Back To Our Roots 7 January 26, 2008 1 1:52 Tokyo, Japan Shooto Rookie Tournament Quarterfinal.
Loss 1–1 Noboru Tahara Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Shooting Disco 3: Everybody Fight Now October 20, 2007 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 1–0 Takahisa Toyoshima TKO (punches) Shooto: Back To Our Roots 4 July 15, 2007 1 0:53 Tokyo, Japan Strawweight debut.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "猿丸 ジュンジ". Shooto-mma. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  2. ^ "修斗GYM東京 / 8 選手". Shooto-mma. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Last Updated: 11/13/2021". fightmatrix.com. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  4. ^ "元世界王者の意地! 門脇が2年9カ月ぶり勝利で超新星撃破=修斗 猿丸が絶対王者に挑戦状、堀口は逆転KOでMVP獲得". sports.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  5. ^ "【修斗】4・29リオン武、対戦する土屋の上手さは「オレが教えてきたこと」". gbring.com. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  6. ^ "【修斗】リオン武が土屋大喜にKO勝ちで世代交代を許さず!岡嵜と生駒が王座奪取". efight.jp. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  7. ^ "【修斗】堀口がKO勝利で世界戦に前進!パンクラス王者・清水は判定負け". gbring.com. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  8. ^ "【修斗】山上が一本勝ちで初防衛!石渡は大激闘の末に宇野を破る". efight.jp. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  9. ^ "猿丸ジュンジインタビュー「世界チャンピオンになるまでは諦められない」". miruhon.net. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  10. ^ "佐々木憂流迦がZST王者・藤原に一本勝ち フライ級王者決定戦は室伏が制す=修斗". sports.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  11. ^ "9・27修斗 強すぎるのび太がフライ級王者獲得!キングオブパンクラシスト砂辺光久に挑戦か?!". miruhon.net. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  12. ^ "35歳菅原が世界バンタム級王座奪取=修斗 斎藤が中村を破り環太平洋ライト級王者". sports.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  13. ^ "きみは強いのび太を見たくないか?". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  14. ^ "【WSOF-GC02】計量&会見終了 郷野が体重落とせず。小見川「柔道家として」&中村「日拳の打撃を」". mmaplanet.jp. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  15. ^ "【修斗】猿丸vs小堀、安藤は初の国際戦". efight.jp. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  16. ^ "11.12 プロ修斗後楽園大会"環太平洋ダブルチャンピオンシップ" "怪物"安藤達也が初の国際戦、北米の強豪とアグレッシブ対決!". shooto-mma.com. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  17. ^ "【Shooto】ストロー級挑戦権を手にした村田一着 「猿田選手には思い切り殺す気で来てほしい」". mmaplanet.jp. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  18. ^ "【修斗】全選手が計量クリア=5月13日(日)プロフェッショナル修斗公式戦カルッツかわさき大会・計量結果". note.com. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  19. ^ "【修斗】斎藤裕がリオン武に判定勝利。猿田洋祐が村田一着をKO・防衛。3年ぶり修斗復帰の根津優太は魚井のフルスイングを完封=5.13 プロ修斗川崎大会". note.com. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  20. ^ "佐藤将光が齊藤曜にリベンジ果たし2度目の防衛【11・17 修斗】". tokyoheadline.com. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  21. ^ "【修斗】岡田遼が安藤達也とドローで王座防衛、斎藤裕が高谷裕之をKO! 田丸が魚井フルスイングに、藤井伸樹が齋藤翼に判定勝ち". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  22. ^ "【修斗】チーム・ラカイが再び来襲、猿丸ジュンジと"沖縄の新星"平良達郎が迎撃=1月26日(日)後楽園". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  23. ^ "【修斗】箕輪ひろばがスリーパーで因縁対決を制し王座戴冠、魚井はヒジ脱臼のアクシデントでTKO負け". efight.jp. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  24. ^ "猿丸ジュンジが飯野を破り5度目の世界挑戦へ王手【修斗】". tokyoheadline.com. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  25. ^ "【修斗】2度目の対戦は世界ストロー級暫定王者決定戦 ・猿丸ジュンジvs.黒澤亮平! 黒部三奈vs.SARAMIの3度目対戦は修斗世界女子スーパーアトム級王座戦=11月6日(土)新木場・昼大会". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  26. ^ "猿丸ジュンジが5回目のチャレンジで悲願の王座を獲得「これは応援してくれたみんなのチャンピオンベルト」【修斗】". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  27. ^ "【修斗】正規王者に昇格の猿丸ジュンジが新井丈を迎え初防衛戦、『ROAD TO UFC』で勝利した内田タケルが関口祐冬と対戦=9.19". efight.jp. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  28. ^ ""9連敗した男"新井丈が猿丸ジュンジを破り世界王座を獲得。「やめたり投げ出したりしてたら、このベルトはここにはない」【修斗】". tokyoheadline.com. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  29. ^ 格闘技情報を毎日配信!, eFight 【イーファイト】. "【修斗】猿丸ジュンジがTKO勝利で引退宣言!安芸柊斗を一蹴". eFight【イーファイト】格闘技情報を毎日配信! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-02-19.
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