Satoru Kitaoka
Satoru Kitaoka (北岡悟, Kitaoka Satoru, born 4 February 1980), is a Japanese shoot wrestler and mixed martial artist who most recently competed for RIZIN. A professional competitor since 2000, he has also competed for DREAM, Pancrase, DEEP, and World Victory Road. Kitaoka is renowned for his Catch wrestling abilities which he learned studying under two of Japan's most respected catch wrestlers Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki. He is also a Brazilian jiu jitsu blackbelt under former Shooto welterweight champion Yuki Nakai. He was the inaugural Sengoku Lightweight Champion as well as the former DEEP Lightweight Champion. 18 of his 20 career submission wins have ended via guillotine choke or leg lock.
| Satoru Kitaoka | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 4, 1980[1] Nara, Japan[1] |
| Other names | "Ai Senshi" ("Soldier of Sorrow") "Shimewaza Kuma Shōgun" ("The Shōgun Bear of Chokes") |
| Nationality | Japanese[1] |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[1] |
| Weight | 154.3 lb (70.0 kg; 11.02 st)[1] |
| Division | |
| Fighting out of | Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan |
| Team |
|
| Teacher(s) | |
| Rank |
|
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 72 |
| Wins | 42 |
| By submission | 20 |
| By decision | 22 |
| Losses | 21 |
| By knockout | 10 |
| By decision | 11 |
| Draws | 9 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
last updated on: September 11, 2009 | |
Background
Kitaoka became interested in mixed martial arts after seeing Bas Rutten and Masakatsu Funaki fight in Pancrase in 1996.[3] In addition to mixed martial arts success, Kitaoka has also won several submission grappling tournaments, including being the reigning Brazilian jiu-jitsu and No-Gi Open Champion in both the 79.7-kilogram (176 lb) and Absolute divisions.
Personal life
Kitaoka spend's his time taking care of his body, getting massages three times a week, uitilizing saunas, and carbonated and ice baths. He also enjoys spending time on social media.[3]
Mixed martial arts career
Pancrase
Renowned originally for his catch wrestling abilities, Kitaoka made his professional debut for Pancrase on October 31, 2000, losing via majority decision. After submitting then 3-0 Kurt Pellegrino, Kitaoka drew with Heath Sims before losing to Katsuya Inoue. After picking up two wins to start 2005, Kitaoka improved to 12-6-8 before he faced future UFC interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit on October 2, 2005. Kitaoka defeated Condit in an upset, submitting him with a heel hook at 3:57 of the first round.
A leg lock specialist, Kitaoka would improve to 19-7-9 before facing Katsuya Inoue on January 30, 2008 for the third time after being defeating in their first meeting and a draw in the previous bout. Kitaoka lost via split decision.
Sengoku
After signing with World Victory Road, Kitaoka's first fight for Sengoku was a submission win over Ian James Schaffa at Sengoku 2 on 18 May 2008 before entering Sengoku's eight-man lightweight tournament.[4] In the first round of the tournament at Sengoku 4 on 24 August 2008 he was put up against American Clay French. Kitaoka made short work of French, winning by submission due to an achilles lock at 1:21 of the first round.[5] The win put him up against fellow Japanese fighter Eiji Mitsuoka in the tournament's semifinal taking place at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 6. Kitaoka again made short work of his opponent winning by a heel hook submission at 1:16 of the first round. The win earned him a place in the tournament's final taking place that same night against Kazunori Yokota. The fight proved longer than Kitaoka's three previous fights as it went the distance completing all three five-minute rounds with Kitaoka being awarded the unanimous decision, thus winning the 2008 Sengoku Lightweight Grand Prix.[1][6]
The Lightweight tournament win set up Kitaoka to fight the last reigning PRIDE Lightweight Champion, Takanori Gomi, for Sengoku's newly created Sengoku Lightweight Championship.[2] The two fought at Sengoku no Ran 2009 on 4 January 2009 and ended with Kitaoka defeating Gomi with an achilles lock at 1:41 of the first round.[1][7]
In his first title defence, on August 2, 2009, at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 9, Kitaoka lost his lightweight championship to Mizuto Hirota.[8]
Return to Pancrase
Following his title loss in Sengoku, Kitaoka returned to his home promotion Pancrase picking up wins over Jorge Rogrigues and Kuniyoshi Hironaka.
DREAM
Kitaoka faced former UFC fighter Willamy Freire at DREAM 17.[9] Kitaoka entered the bout on a three fight win streak picking up victories in both Pancrase and DEEP. He won the fight via split decision.
Kitaoka faced teammate and fellow Yuki Nakai black belt Shinya Aoki at DREAM's year end event for the DREAM Lightweight Championship. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
RIZIN FF
Kitaoka made his debut for Rizin Fighting Federation in 2016. He faced Daron Cruickshank on December 29, 2016, at RIZIN World Grand-Prix 2016: 2nd Round and won the fight via technical submission in the first round.
Kitaoka next faced Yusuke Yachi on July 30, 2017, at Rizin FF 6: RIZIN World Grand Prix 2017 Opening Round Part 1. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
Kitoaka returned at RIZIN World Grand Prix 2017: Second Round, facing Kiichi Kunimoto in a catchweight bout of 165 lbs. Kitoka lost via unanimous decision.
After picking a first-round heel hook win in Pancrase, Kitaoka returned to the RIZIN ring at RIZIN 11 against Diego Brandao. While attempting a leg lock submission on the ground, Kitoka left himself vulnerable to a flurry of right hands from Brandao on the top, being knocked out just 1:38 into the fight.
After losing to Brandao, Kitoaka lost in his fifth defense of his DEEP Lightweight Championship to Koji Takeda via unanimous decision.
Kitaoka returned to face Tatsuya Kawajiri at RIZIN: Heisei's Last Yarennoka! for New Year's Eve in 2018. After a fairly impressive performance which included a surprising Kitoka knockdown from a left cross, Kitoaka won via split decision.
Before his fight at RIZIN 24, Kitaoka said restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic didn't really change anything in his training camp and he simply followed the new rules about masks with ease.[3]
Championships and accomplishments
- Sengoku Raiden Championship
- DEEP
- DEEP Lightweight Champion (One time)
- Four successful title defenses
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 72 matches | 42 wins | 21 losses |
| By knockout | 0 | 10 |
| By submission | 20 | 0 |
| By decision | 22 | 11 |
| Draws | 9 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 42–21–9 | Takasuke Kume | Decision (split) | Rizin 24 – Saitama | 27 September 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 42–20–9 | Johnny Case | TKO (corner stoppage) | Rizin 17 | July 28, 2019 | 1 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 42–19–9 | Roberto de Souza | TKO (punches) | Rizin 15 | April 21, 2019 | 2 | 3:56 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 42–18–9 | Tatsuya Kawajiri | Decision (split) | RIZIN: Heisei's Last Yarennoka! | December 31, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 41–18–9 | Koji Takeda | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP: 86 Impact | October 27, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Lost DEEP Lightweight Championship. |
| Loss | 41–17–9 | Diego Brandao | KO (punches) | RIZIN 11 | July 29, 2018 | 1 | 1:38 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 41–16–9 | Taras Sapa | Submission (heel hook) | Pancrase 295 | April 15, 2018 | 1 | 4:44 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 40–16–9 | Kiichi Kunimoto | Decision (unanimous) | RIZIN World Grand Prix 2017: Second Round | December 29, 2017 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | 75 kg (165 lbs) bout. |
| Loss | 40–15–9 | Yusuke Yachi | TKO (punches) | RIZIN FF 6: RIZIN World Grand Prix 2017 Opening Round Part 1 | July 30, 2017 | 2 | 4:46 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 40–14–9 | Daron Cruickshank | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | RIZIN World Grand-Prix 2016: 2nd Round | December 29, 2016 | 1 | 8:18 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 39–14–9 | Leonardo Mafra Texeira | Submission (heel hook) | Pancrase 281 | October 2, 2016 | 1 | 1:05 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 38–14–9 | Kota Shimoishi | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP: 76 Impact | June 26, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Defended DEEP Lightweight Championship. |
| Loss | 37–14–9 | Kazuki Tokudome | KO (punches) | Pancrase: 271 | November 1, 2015 | 4 | 1:24 | Tokyo, Japan | For Vacant Lightweight King of Pancrase Championship. |
| Win | 37–13–9 | Yuki Okano | Submission (guillotine choke) | DEEP: Cage Impact 2015 | July 20, 2015 | 2 | 0:54 | Tokyo, Japan | Defended DEEP Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 36–13–9 | Akira Okada | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: 265 | March 15, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 35–13–9 | Yoshiyuki Yoshida | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP: DREAM Impact 2014: Omisoka Special | December 31, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Defended DEEP Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 34–13–9 | Richie Whitson | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: 261 | October 5, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 33–13–9 | Naoto Miyazaki | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP: 66 Impact | April 29, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Defended DEEP Lightweight Championship. |
| Loss | 32–13–9 | Ramazan Esenbaev | KO (punches) | Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2013 | December 31, 2013 | 2 | 0:19 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 32–12–9 | Dom O'Grady | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | Pancrase 252: 20th Anniversary | September 29, 2013 | 1 | 1:19 | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | |
| Win | 31–12–9 | Daisuke Nakamura | Decision (Unanimous) | DEEP: 62 Impact | April 26, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Won DEEP Lightweight Championship. |
| Loss | 30–12–9 | Will Brooks | TKO (punches) | DREAM 18 | December 31, 2012 | 2 | 1:18 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 30–11–9 | Katsunori Kikuno | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP: 58 Impact | June 15, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 29–11–9 | Shinya Aoki | Decision (unanimous) | Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 | December 31, 2011 | 5 | 5:00 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | For DREAM Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 29–10–9 | Willamy Freire | Decision (split) | DREAM 17 | September 24, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 28–10–9 | Jutaro Nakao | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP: 53 Impact | April 22, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Welterweight bout. |
| Win | 27–10–9 | Kuniyoshi Hironaka | Submission (guillotine choke) | Pancrase: Passion Tour 9 | October 3, 2010 | 2 | 4:22 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 26–10–9 | Jorge Rodrigues | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Passion Tour 5 | June 5, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 25–10–9 | Jorge Masvidal | KO (punches) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 11 | November 7, 2009 | 2 | 3:23 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 25–9–9 | Mizuto Hirota | TKO (knees) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 9 | August 2, 2009 | 4 | 2:50 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | Lost Sengoku Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 25–8–9 | Yukio Sakaguchi | Submission (achilles lock) | Pancrase: Changing Tour 3 | June 6, 2009 | 1 | 1:26 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 24–8–9 | Takanori Gomi | Submission (achilles lock) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku no Ran 2009 | January 4, 2009 | 1 | 1:41 | Saitama, Japan | Won Sengoku Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 23–8–9 | Kazunori Yokota | Decision (unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 6 | November 1, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Won Sengoku Lightweight Grandprix 2008. |
| Win | 22–8–9 | Eiji Mitsuoka | Submission (heel hook) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 6 | November 1, 2008 | 1 | 1:16 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 21–8–9 | Clay French | Submission (achilles lock) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 4 | August 24, 2008 | 1 | 0:31 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 20–8–9 | Ian James Schaffa | Submission (guillotine choke) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 2 | May 18, 2008 | 1 | 0:50 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 19–8–9 | Katsuya Inoue | Decision (split) | Pancrase: Shining 1 | January 30, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 19–7–9 | Jason Palacios | Decision (split) | Pancrase: Rising 6 | September 5, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 18–7–9 | Fabricio Monteiro | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | DEEP: 29 Impact | April 13, 2007 | 2 | 2:37 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 17–7–9 | Gustavo Picone | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Rising 2 | February 28, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 16–7–9 | Ju Pyo Hong | Submission (achilles lock) | Pancrase: Blow 9 | October 25, 2006 | 1 | 0:24 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 15–7–9 | Paul Daley | Submission (guillotine choke) | Pancrase: Blow 6 | August 27, 2006 | 1 | 2:54 | Yokohama, Japan | Welterweight bout. |
| Loss | 14–7–9 | Daizo Ishige | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Blow 4 | May 2, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 14–6–9 | Tatsunori Tanaka | Submission (guillotine choke) | Pancrase: Blow 2 | March 19, 2006 | 2 | 2:53 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Draw | 13–6–9 | Katsuya Inoue | Draw | Pancrase: Blow 1 | January 26, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 13–6–8 | Carlos Condit | Submission (heel hook) | Pancrase: Spiral 8 | October 2, 2005 | 1 | 3:57 | Yokohama, Japan | Welterweight bout. |
| Win | 12–6–8 | Thomas Schulte | Submission (heel hook) | Pancrase: Spiral 5 | July 10, 2005 | 1 | 1:11 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 11–6–8 | Hidehiko Hasegawa | Decision (split) | Pancrase: Spiral 2 | March 6, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Loss | 10–6–8 | Katsuya Inoue | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Brave 10 | November 7, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 10–5–8 | Heath Sims | Draw | Pancrase: Brave 8 | September 24, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 10–5–7 | Kurt Pellegrino | Submission (guillotine choke) | Pancrase: 2004 Neo-Blood Tournament Semifinals | July 25, 2004 | 2 | 0:34 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 9–5–7 | Takaichi Hirayama | Submission (guillotine choke) | Pancrase: Brave 5 | May 28, 2004 | 2 | 4:05 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 8–5–7 | Eiji Ishikawa | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Brave 3 | March 29, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 8–4–7 | Tadahiro Hosaka | Draw | Pancrase: Brave 2 | February 15, 2004 | 2 | 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 8–4–6 | Naoki Seki | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Hybrid 9 | October 31, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 7–4–6 | Yuji Hoshino | Draw | Pancrase: Hybrid 7 | June 22, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Draw | 7–4–5 | Takuya Wada | Draw | Pancrase: Hybrid 4 | April 12, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 7–4–4 | Hiroki Nagaoka | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Hybrid 1 | January 26, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 6–4–4 | Taro Minato | Decision (majority) | Pancrase: Spirit 7 | October 29, 2002 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 5–4–4 | Hidetaka Monma | KO (knee) | Pancrase: 2002 Neo-Blood Tournament Second Round | July 28, 2002 | 1 | 0:05 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 5–3–4 | Kenji Arai | Submission (toe hold) | Pancrase: 2002 Neo-Blood Tournament Second Round | July 28, 2002 | 3 | 2:08 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 4–3–4 | Hiroyuki Nozawa | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: 2002 Neo-Blood Tournament Opening Round | July 28, 2002 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 3–3–4 | Kenji Arai | Decision (majority) | Pancrase: Spirit 4 | May 11, 2002 | 2 | 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Loss | 2–3–4 | Koji Oishi | Decision (majority) | Pancrase: Spirit 3 | March 25, 2002 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 2–2–4 | Hiroki Nagaoka | Draw | Pancrase: Proof 7 | December 1, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 2–2–3 | Yohei Ota | Decision (39-38) | GCM: The Contenders 6 | October 8, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Draw | 1–2–3 | Junya Miyakawa | Draw | Pancrase: Proof 5 | August 25, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Draw | 1–2–2 | Kenichi Serizawa | Draw | GCM: Club Contenders 1 | August 15, 2001 | 2 | 3:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 1–2–1 | Yuji Hoshino | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Proof 4 | June 26, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 1–1–1 | Kousei Kubota | Draw | Pancrase: Proof 2 | March 31, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 1–1 | Kazuhito Kikuchi | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Trans 8 | December 9, 2000 | 1 | 10:00 | Aomori, Aomori, Japan | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Yoshinori Kawasaki | Decision (majority) | Pancrase: Trans 6 | October 31, 2000 | 1 | 10:00 | Tokyo, Japan |
References
- "Sherdog Fight Finder – Satoru Kitaoka". Sherdog.com.
- Loiseleur, Tony (2009-01-03). "Kitaoka on Gomi: 'I think I hate him'". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
- Blaine Henry (September 14, 2020). "Satoru Kitaoka: Warrior's Way of Life". Fight-Library.com.
- Mendoza, Ricardo (2008-10-23). "Fight-By-Fight: Sengoku 4 Preview". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- Herbertson, Daniel. "Gomi, Trigg Get Wins; Schultz Knocked Out". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
- Stupp, Dann (2008-11-04). "Sengoku 6 results: Gomi upset, Santiago and Kitaoka win grand prix crowns". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 2009-02-15.
- Sengoku 7 play-by-play from Sherdog.com
- Morgan, John. "WVR crowns featherweight grand prix winner, lightweight belt on line at "Sengoku Ninth Battle"". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
- "Dream 17 Adds Shinya Aoki vs. Razor Rob McCullough, Kitaoka vs. Freire". MMAweekly.com. 2011-07-29.
External links
| New championship | 1st Sengoku Lightweight Champion January 4, 2009 – August 2, 2009 |
Succeeded by Mizuto Hirota |