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
BornYasuhiro Urushitani
(1976-09-08) September 8, 1976 (age 48)
Tokyo, Japan
ResidenceTokyo, Japan
NationalityJapanese
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
DivisionFlyweight (56 kg)
Reach67 in (170 cm)
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofTokyo, Japan
TeamTribe Tokyo MMA
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Hearts
RankPurple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active2001-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total34
Wins21
By knockout4
By submission1
By decision16
Losses7
By knockout1
By submission2
By decision4
Draws6
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career in Japan

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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

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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

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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

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Mixed martial arts

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
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

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  1. ^ "UFC adds flyweights: Johnson vs. McCall, Benavidez vs. Urushitani at UFC on FX 2". mmajunkie.com. December 11, 2011. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  2. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (July 17, 2012). "John Lineker meets Yasuhiro Urushitani at UFC 151". tatame.com.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Urushitani-Lineker move from UFC 151 to UFC on FUEL TV 6 in Macau". mmajunkie.com. August 24, 2012. Archived from the original on August 27, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  4. ^ Mookie Alexander (January 18, 2013). "UFC releases nine fighters from their roster, including Chad Griggs, Jeff Hougland, and Marcus LeVesseur". bloodyelbow.com.
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