Keitaro Nakamura
中村K太郎
Born (1984-05-22) 22 May 1984
Tokyo, Japan
Other namesK-Taro
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight169 lb (77 kg; 12.1 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Lightweight
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofTokyo, Japan
TeamK-Taro Dojo
Wajitsu Keishukai GODS
Years active2003–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total50
Wins36
By knockout9
By submission16
By decision11
Losses11
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision9
Draws2
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Keitaro Nakamura (Japanese: 中村 K太郎, Nakamura Keitarō, born May 22, 1984) is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist and grappler currently competing in the Welterweight division of RIZIN. A professional competitor since 2003, he has formerly competed for the UFC, World Victory Road, Pancrase, Shooto, DREAM, Vale Tudo Japan, and DEEP. He is the former Sengoku Welterweight Champion, Shooto Pacific Rim Middleweight Champion, and also won the World Victory Road Welterweight Grand Prix Tournament in 2010.

In submission grappling, Nakamura took part in both the 2009 and 2011 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, making it to the second round and winning via points in both.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Nakamura made his professional MMA debut in his native Japan in October 2003. Over nearly three years, he amassed a record of 15-0-2 with wins over Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Ronald Jhun, and Daisuke Nakamura.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Nakamura made his UFC debut in December 2006 against Brock Larson at UFC 81. He lost the fight via unanimous decision, ending his undefeated streak.

For his second fight with the promotion, Nakamura faced Drew Fickett at UFC Fight Night: Stevenson vs. Guillard in April 2007. He again lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Nakamura lost by contentious split decision to Rob Emerson at UFC 81 on February 2, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1] Nakamura dropped Emerson with a big knee at the end of the first round after Emerson had outstruck him for much of the round up until that point. Emerson came back strong in the second round landing crisp combinations that left Nakamura's face a mess at the end of the round. Nakamura scored takedowns in the third round on a visibly tiring Emerson while also landing some strong knees but it was not enough to win the decision as the scores read 30–27, 28-29 and 30–27 in favor of Emerson. Following this loss, Nakamura was released from the UFC.

After the fight, the 24-year-old Nakamura announced his retirement from MMA. Disappointed by his three UFC defeats, "K-Taro" also suffered from vision issues following the Emerson bout, due his opponent's toe impairing his vision after a high kick attempt.

Return to Japan

Despite his claim that he would become a police officer, Nakamura's retirement lasted a mere few months. He returned in September 2008 as he faced Adriano Martins in for the DREAM promotion. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Nakamura suffered a devastating loss to heavy underdog Korean fighter, Jang Yong Kim in his second post-retirement comeback fight. Since then, he has seen a resurgence, going 13-2-1 over the next few years, including winning the Sengoku Welterweight Grand Prix with a submission victory over Yasubey Enomoto.

UFC return

Nakamura returned to the UFC in September 2015. He faced Li Jingliang on September 27, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 75.[2] After being bloodied by his opponent over two rounds, Nakamura rallied back to win the fight via submission in the third round.[3] The win also earned Nakamura his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[4]

Nakamura faced Tom Breese on February 27, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 84.[5] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[6]

Nakamura faced Kyle Noke on July 13, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 91.[7] He won the fight via submission in final seconds of the second round.[8]

Nakamura next faced Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on October 1, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 96. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[9]

Nakamura faced Alex Morono at UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami on September 23, 2017.[10] He won the fight by split decision (29-28, 28–29, 29-28).[11]

Nakamura faced Tony Martin on April 21, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 128.[12] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[13]

Nakamura faced Salim Touahri on December 2, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 142.[14] He won the fight via split decision.[15]

Nakamura faced Sultan Aliev on April 20, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 149.[16] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[17]

In September 2019, it was reported that Nakamura was released by UFC.[18]

Post-UFC career

After the release from the UFC, Nakamura signed with RIZIN. After winning his promotional debut via TKO, he next faced Lorenz Larkin at Bellator & RIZIN: Japan on December 29, 2019.[19] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[20]

On April 1, 2023 at Rizin 41 – Osaka, Nakamura defeated Kiichi Kunimoto via second round TKO stoppage after dropping Kunimoto and finishing him with a soccer kick.[21]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
50 matches 36 wins 11 losses
By knockout 9 1
By submission 16 1
By decision 11 9
Draws 2
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 36–11–2 (1) Kiichi Kunimoto KO (punches and soccer kick) Rizin 41 April 1, 2023 2 0:49 Osaka, Japan
Loss 35–11–2 (1) Lorenz Larkin Decision (unanimous) Bellator & Rizin: Japan December 29, 2019 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan Catchweight (173.5 lbs) bout; Larkin missed weight.
Win 35–10–2 (1) Marcos de Souza TKO (punches) Rizin 19 October 12, 2019 1 1:18 Osaka, Japan
Loss 34–10–2 (1) Sultan Aliev Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik April 20, 2019 3 5:00 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 34–9–2 (1) Salim Touahri Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa December 2, 2018 3 5:00 Adelaide, Australia
Loss 33–9–2 (1) Anthony Rocco Martin Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee April 21, 2018 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 33–8–2 (1) Alex Morono Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami September 23, 2017 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Loss 32–8–2 (1) Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson October 1, 2016 3 5:00 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 32–7–2 (1) Kyle Noke Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker July 13, 2016 2 4:59 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Loss 31–7–2 (1) Tom Breese Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Bisping February 27, 2016 3 5:00 London, England
Win 31–6–2 (1) Li Jingliang Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Barnett vs. Nelson September 27, 2015 3 2:17 Saitama, Japan Performance of the Night.
Win 30–6–2 (1) Yuta Watanabe Submission (rear-naked choke) DEEP: Cage Impact 2015 July 20, 2015 1 2:00 Tokyo, Japan Won the DEEP Welterweight Championship.
Win 29–6–2 (1) Yoshiyuki Katahira Submission (rear-naked choke) DEEP: 71 Impact February 28, 2015 1 3:47 Tokyo, Japan
Win 28–6–2 (1) Yuki Okano TKO (punches) DEEP: 69 Impact October 26, 2014 2 0:26 Tokyo, Japan
Win 27–6–2 (1) Keiichiro Yamamiya TKO (punches) DEEP: 67 Impact June 22, 2014 1 4:13 Tokyo, Japan Return to Welterweight.
Loss 26–6–2 (1) Frank Camacho Decision (unanimous) PXC: Pacific Xtreme Combat 42 February 28, 2014 3 5:00 Mangilao, Guam
NC 26–5–2 (1) Kwang Hee Lee NC (Nakamura missed weight) DEEP: 64th Impact December 22, 2013 N/A N/A Tokyo, Japan
Win 26–5–2 Kota Shimoishi Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: 3rd Round July 27, 2013 2 0:37 Tokyo, Japan Return to Lightweight.
Win 25–5–2 Nobutatsu Suzuki Submission (rear-naked choke) Vale Tudo Japan 2012 December 24, 2012 1 2:09 Tokyo, Japan Catchweight (80 kg) bout.
Win 24–5–2 Yuki Sasaki Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 5th Round May 18, 2012 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 23–5–2 Hoon Kim TKO (broken hand) LFC: Legend Fighting Championship 8 March 30, 2012 1 5:00 Chek Lap Kok, China
Win 22–5–2 Yoichiro Sato Decision (majority) Shooto: Survivor Tournament Final January 8, 2012 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 21–5–2 Akihiro Murayama Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: Shootor's Legacy 4 September 23, 2011 1 2:30 Tokyo, Japan
Win 21–4–2 Yasubey Enomoto Submission (rear-naked choke) World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight December 30, 2010 2 3:48 Tokyo, Japan SRC Welterweight Grand Prix Final. Won the SRC Welterweight Championship.
Win 20–4–2 Takuya Wada Submission (punches) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 15 October 30, 2010 1 3:30 Tokyo, Japan SRC Welterweight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win 19–4–2 Omar de la Cruz TKO (punches) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 13 June 20, 2010 2 3:53 Tokyo, Japan SRC Welterweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 18–4–2 Tomoyoshi Iwamiya Decision (majority) GCM: Cage Force 11 June 27, 2009 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Return to Welterweight.
Loss 17–4–2 Jang Yong Kim TKO (punches) GCM: Cage Force EX Eastern Bound November 8, 2008 1 0:59 Tokyo, Japan
Win 17–3–2 Adriano Martins Decision (split) Dream 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 Final Round September 23, 2008 2 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Loss 16–3–2 Rob Emerson Decision (split) UFC 81 February 2, 2008 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Lightweight debut.
Win 16–2–2 Takefumi Hanai TKO (knees) GCM: Cage Force EX Eastern Bound November 11, 2007 1 1:59 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 15–2–2 Drew Fickett Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Stevenson vs. Guillard April 5, 2007 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 15–1–2 Brock Larson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Sanchez vs. Riggs December 13, 2006 3 5:00 San Diego, California, United States
Win 15–0–2 Djalili Salmanov Submission (rear-naked choke) GCM: D.O.G. 7 September 9, 2006 1 3:50 Tokyo, Japan
Win 14–0–2 Ronald Jhun Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) PIP: East vs. West July 21, 2006 1 3:55 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Won the Shooto Pacific Rim Middleweight (167 lbs) Championship.
Win 13–0–2 Jun Yong Jae Submission (rear-naked choke) MARS World Grand Prix April 29, 2006 1 1:58 Seoul, South Korea
Win 12–0–2 Yoshiyuki Yoshida Technical Decision (majority) Shooto: 12/17 in Shinjuku Face December 17, 2005 2 4:06 Tokyo, Japan
Win 11–0–2 Katsuaki Niioka Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto 2005: 11/6 in Korakuen Hall November 6, 2005 1 2:10 Tokyo, Japan
Win 10–0–2 Mohamed Khacha Submission (rear-naked choke) GCM: D.O.G. 3 September 17, 2005 1 3:34 Tokyo, Japan
Win 9–0–2 Taro Minato Submission (rear-naked choke) GCM: Demolition 22 August 28, 2005 1 4:03 Tokyo, Japan
Win 8–0–2 Jun Kitagawa Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 6/3 in Kitazawa Town Hall June 3, 2005 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 7–0–2 Kentaro Maeda Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 2/6 in Kitazawa Town Hall February 6, 2005 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 6–0–2 Atsushi Inoue Submission (rear-naked choke) GCM: Demolition 20 November 14, 2004 1 2:11 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 5–0–2 Kazunori Yokata Draw GCM: Demolition 18 September 19, 2004 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 5–0–1 Keisuke Sakai Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: 7/16 in Korakuen Hall July 16, 2004 1 2:20 Tokyo, Japan
Win 4–0–1 Ichiro Kanai Decision (unanimous) GCM: Demolition 15 May 21, 2004 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 3–0–1 Daisuke Nakamura Decision (unanimous) GCM: Demolition 14 April 8, 2004 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 2–0–1 Ichiro Kanai Draw GCM: Demolition 12 December 27, 2003 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 2–0 Kenta Omori Submission (triangle choke) Kingdom Ehrgeiz: Tokyo University Flight December 13, 2003 1 7:44 Tokyo, Japan
Win 1–0 Tomohito Tanizaki TKO (punches) Kingdom Ehrgeiz: Tomorrow October 12, 2003 1 0:33 Tokyo, Japan

[23]

References

  1. ↑ Sloan, Mike (2008-02-03). "Nogueira captures UFC interim heavyweight belt". ESPN. Sherdog. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  2. ↑ Staff (2015-08-28). "With Kunimoto out, Nakamura Keita returns to face Li Jingliang at UFC Fight Night 75". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
  3. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2014-09-26). "UFC Fight Night 75 results: Keita Nakamura puts Li Jingliang to sleep with gorgeous choke". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-09-26.
  4. ↑ Tristen Critchfield (2015-09-27). "UFC Fight Night Japan bonuses: Hall, Barnett, Brandao, Nakamura garner $50K". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  5. ↑ Tristen Critchfield (2015-12-04). "Tom Breese vs. Keita Nakamura set for UFC Fight Night in London on Feb. 27". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
  6. ↑ Dave Doyle (2016-02-27). "UFC Fight Night 84 results: Tom Breese struggles to get past Keita Nakamura". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
  7. ↑ Staff (2016-04-21). "Kyle Noke vs. Keita Nakamura slated for UFC Fight Night 91 in South Dakota". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  8. ↑ Brent Brookhouse (2016-07-13). "UFC Fight Night 91 results: Keita Nakamura taps out Kyle Noke with one second left in Round 2". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-07-13.
  9. ↑ Ben Fowlkes (2016-10-01). "UFC Fight Night 96 results: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos gets hard-fought decision over Keita Nakamura". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
  10. ↑ "Keita Nakamura krijgt thuisgevecht tegen Alex Morono in Japan". August 2017.
  11. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 117 results: Keita Nakamura takes split from Alex Morono in bloody fight". MMAjunkie. 2017-09-23. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  12. ↑ Max Freedman (2018-02-12). "Tony Martin & Keita Nakamura welterweight fight added to UFC Atlantic City". mma-today.com. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  13. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 128 results: Tony Martin cruises past Keita Nakamura in opener". MMAjunkie. 2018-04-22. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  14. ↑ Marcel Dorff (2018-10-18). "Keita Nakamura vs. Salim Touahri planned for UFC Adelaide" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  15. ↑ Sherdog.com. "UFC Fight Night 142 Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-12-02.
  16. ↑ DNA, MMA (2 March 2019). "Sultan Aliev vs. Keita Nakamura toegevoegd aan UFC St.Petersburg". Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  17. ↑ Doherty, Dan (2019-04-20). "UFC St. Petersburg Results: Sultan Aliev Controls Keita Nakamura for Three Rounds". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-04-20.
  18. ↑ Simon, Zane (2013-01-29). "List of current UFC fighters". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2019-09-14.
  19. ↑ Damon Martin (November 14, 2019). "Lorenz Larkin, Patrick Mix among five to compete in Bellator vs. RIZIN fights in December". mmafighting.com.
  20. ↑ "Bellator 237: Lorenz Larkin outpoints Keita Nakamura on feet, earns unanimous nod". MMA Junkie. 2019-12-29. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
  21. ↑ "【RIZIN】皇治が芦澤に敗れ引退へ。ケラモフが堀江に一本勝ち、K太郎がストラッサー下し放送事故級マイク、神龍が北方を失神フィニッシュ、萩原が判定でアグォン越え、石司が金太郎..." ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  22. ↑ "総合格闘技イベントDEEP2001オフィシャルサイト｜CHAMPIONS".
  23. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Keita". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-12-02.
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