- published: 31 Dec 2016
- views: 62590
Tatsuya Kawajiri (Japanese: 川尻達也, born May 8, 1978) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championships competing in the Featherweight division. He is a former Shooto Lightweight Champion, and has also competed in PRIDE, DREAM, Strikeforce, ONE FC. Kawajiri also participated in the Yarennoka! event as well as Dynamite!! 2009 and Dynamite!! 2010, representing DREAM in both events.
Kawajiri's fight at PRIDE Bushido 9 with Takanori Gomi was voted as PRIDE Fighting Championship's Fight of the Year. In 2005, Kawajiri was considered by many mixed martial arts publications to be the #1 Lightweight fighter in the world. As of August 17, 2015, he is #13 in the official UFC featherweight rankings.
Kawajiri was born in the Inashiki District of Ibaraki Prefecture and competed in baseball from elementary school through middle school before he transitioned into track and field in high school. At the age of 19, Kawajiri viewed the 1997 K-1 World Grand Prix Semifinal match between Ernesto Hoost and Francisco Filho, persuading him to begin training in combat sports. Kawajiri graduated from Chuo Gakuin University.
Kron Gracie (born July 11, 1988) is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and a member of the Gracie family. He is the youngest son of Rickson Gracie and grandson of Helio Gracie. He is currently under contract with Rizin Fighting Federation.
Kron Gracie was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master Rickson Gracie. He began his training under his father as a child. In 2008, at the age of 19, he received his black belt from his father.
Kron is the youngest of four children to Rickson Gracie and grandson of the late Helio Gracie. He has two older sisters Kauan and Kaulin. In 2000, Kron’s older brother Rockson died of an overdose in New York City.
When not competing he teaches jiu-jitsu at his school in Culver City, California and helps run his father's association.
Prior to Kron Gracie's career debut in MMA, he was featured in 2010 Mixed Martial Arts-game EA Sports MMA as a playable character, along with fellow Gracie-family member Roger Gracie.
Shinya Aoki (青木 真也, Aoki Shin'ya, born May 9, 1983) is a Japanese mixed martial artist competing currently for Rizin Fighting Federation,grappler, and former police trainee currently competing in ONE Championship's lightweight division. He is noted for being the DREAM Lightweight Champion, ONE Lightweight Champion, former WAMMA Lightweight Champion and former Shooto Welterweight Champion. Aoki holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Yuki Nakai, as well as a black belt in judo. As of 2008, Aoki, along with DEEP champion Masakazu Imanari, and Sengoku champion Satoru Kitaoka have founded the "Nippon Top Team" as a group of elite Japanese grapplers competing in MMA. As well as his MMA credentials, Aoki has garnered several submission grappling accolades including two All Japan Jiu-Jitsu championships, a Japan Open Jiu-Jitsu championship, a Budo Open championship, and an ADCC Japan Championship.
Training in judo since chilhood, Aoki became a successful judoka and competed in national and international championships. However, interested in modalities like kosen judo which were away from him due to the Kodokan competition rules, he moved to other combat sports, until landing in mixed martial arts. Aoki initially joined the judo-based RJJ gym before moving to Team Roken along with his longtime friend Masakazu Imanari, though he later moved to Paraestra Shooto Gym, where he trained under former kosen representative Yuki Nakai. He got his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Nakai and became one of the team's main teachers.
In his fourth professional fight, Kron put on a spectacular display of the secret weapon of jiu-jitsu, the guard. http://www.GracieUniversity.com - Find a Certified Training Center near you and begin the New Year with jiu-jitsu!
Why they allowed Kawajiri to wear a mask I have no idea. It could have been anyone under there. He shows up maskless in the end group photo though. Kron looks like he just woke up. Crocop skipped this since they didn't have to weigh in again. Must be grumpy again How long before Cup Noodle man gets a fight?
DREAM Light weight Championship, Shinya Aoki (Champion) vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri (Challenger) Promotion Video for DREAM.15 (July.10.2010 / Saitama Super Arena, Japan). Training and Interview!! 7・10『DREAM.15』にて、ライト級タイトルマッチとして行われる、青木真也(王者)×川尻達也(挑戦者)のライバル対決。両者のトレーニング風景が到着!
Kron vs Kawajiri PROMO
A classic from Kawajiri's Shooto days. Music: Thee Michelle Gun Elephant - Electric Circus.