Yoshihiro Nakao (Japanese: 中尾芳広, Nakao Yoshihiro) (born June 25, 1972) is a Japanese semi-retired professional mixed martial artist and former K-1 kickboxer and PRIDE FC fighter who has defeated the likes of Don Frye, Choi Mu-Bae, Jim York, Wesley Correira and Edson Draggo. Nakao is a World Victory Road veteran and signed a contract with DREAM in 2011 before the promotion closed in mid-2012. Nakao lost to Antônio Silva at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Rebellion 2009 after suffering an ACL injury as a result of a leg kick from Silva in the first round. Nakao most recently fought Dave Herman at Sengoku: Soul of Fight, losing by unanimous decision. In 2012 Nakao has decided to briefly retire from mixed martial arts to let some of his recent injuries heal and focus on family more. Nakao earned the nickname "kiss" after he infamously kissed Heath Herring on the lips and was subsequently knocked out by Herring before their fight even began at K-1 PREMIUM 2005 Dynamite!!.

Yoshihiro Nakao
中尾芳広
Born (1972-06-25) June 25, 1972 (age 52)[1]
Tokyo, Japan
Other namesKiss
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Weight221.1 lb (100 kg; 15 st 11 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight (265 lb)
StyleMMA, Kickboxing
Fighting out ofSaitama, Japan
TeamTeam TACKLER
Grabaka
R-Blood
Years active2003–2012
Mixed martial arts record
Total14
Wins9
By knockout4
By submission2
By decision3
Losses3
By knockout1
By decision2
No contests2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

New Year's Eve kiss

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On December 31, 2005, Nakao was involved in a memorable MMA moment during K-1's Dynamite 2005 show.[3]

During the pre-fight staredown with opponent Heath Herring, Nakao leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Herring reacted, delivering a right hook to the jaw of Nakao, knocking him out cold. Herring was immediately disqualified and Nakao was carried from the ring. Shortly thereafter, Nakao's cornermen attacked Herring and a brief melee ensued.[3]

The fight result has since been changed by K-1 from a disqualification loss for Herring to a no contest, as K-1 judges ruled that Nakao's kiss and Herring's subsequent knockout punch were both fouls.[3]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
14 matches 9 wins 3 losses
By knockout 4 1
By submission 2 0
By decision 3 2
No contests 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 9–3 (2) Dave Herman Decision (unanimous) World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight December 30, 2010 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 9–2 (2) Henry Miller TKO (punches) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 12 March 7, 2010 2 3:27 Tokyo, Japan
Win 8–2 (2) Choi Mu-Bae Decision (unanimous) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 9 August 2, 2009 3 5:00 Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Loss 7–2 (2) SilvaAntônio Silva TKO (knee injury) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku no Ran 2009 January 4, 2009 1 1:42 Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Win 7–1 (2) YorkJim York KO (punches) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 2 May 18, 2008 2 0:46 Tokyo, Japan
Win 6–1 (2) VieiraEdson Claas Vieira Submission (neck crank) PRIDE 34 April 8, 2007 1 9:51 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 5–1 (2) Kazuhiro Nakamura Decision (unanimous) Pride FC - Final Conflict Absolute September 10, 2006 3 5:00 Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Win 5–0 (2) LeeLee Eun-Soo TKO (doctor stoppage) Pride FC - Critical Countdown Absolute July 1, 2006 1 4:16 Tokyo, Japan
NC 4–0 (2) HerringHeath Herring No Contest K-1 Premium 2005 Dynamite December 31, 2005 1 0:00 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Nakao kissed Herring during the pre-match stare-down, after which Herring knocked him out with a punch rendering him unable to continue. Originally ruled a DQ and overturned to a NC.
Win 4–0 (1) FalamoeFai Falamoe Submission (armbar) Hero's 3 September 7, 2005 1 2:35 Tokyo, Japan
Win 3–0 (1) FryeDon Frye Decision (unanimous) K-1 Premium 2004 Dynamite December 31, 2004 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 2–0 (1) CorreiraWesley Correira Decision (split) K-1 Rumble on the Rock 2004 November 20, 2004 3 5:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
NC 1–0 (1) FryeDon Frye No Contest (accidental headbutt) K-1 MMA ROMANEX May 22, 2004 1 0:00 Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Win 1–0 KhakhaleishviliDavid Khakhaleishvili KO (punches) K-1 November 20, 2003 2 1:13 Nagoya, Japan

K-1 kickboxing record

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0 Wins - 1 Losses - 0 Draws
Date Result Record Opponent Event Method Round
6/14/2005 Loss 0–1   Bob Sapp K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Hiroshima Decision (unanimous) 3R

[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Fighter's profile - Yoshihiro Nakao | K-1sport.de".
  2. ^ "Yoshihiro".
  3. ^ a b c Herring-Nakao Result Changed to No Contest
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