Michinori Tanaka (田中 路教, Tanaka Michinori, born October 4, 1990) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the bantamweight division of the Legacy Fighting Alliance.[4] A professional mixed martial artist since 2010, Tanaka has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
| Michinori Tanaka | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 4, 1990 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb) |
| Division | Bantamweight (135 lb) |
| Reach | 67+1⁄2 in (171 cm)[1] |
| Fighting out of | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan |
| Team | Reversal Gym Yokohama Ground Slam (2009–2014) Team Alpha Male (2015–present)[2] |
| Rank | 2nd degree black belt in Judo[3] |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 20 |
| Wins | 16 |
| By submission | 6 |
| By decision | 10 |
| Losses | 4 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Notable school(s) | Yokosuka Gakuin High School |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Mixed martial arts career
editShooto
editTanaka started his professional career in 2010. Until the first half of 2012, he fought only for Shooto, where he won the 2011 rookie 132-pound tournament.[5]
Pacific Xtreme Combat
editTanaka faced Crisanto Pitpitunge on May 18, 2013, at PXC 37 for the bantamweight title. He won the title via unanimous decision after five rounds.[6]
Tanaka defended his title against Kyle Aguon on October 25, 2013, at PXC 40. He defeated Aguon via unanimous decision over five rounds.[7]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
editIn February 2014, it was announced that Tanaka has signed a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[8]
In his debut, Tanaka faced Roland Delorme on June 14, 2014, at UFC 174.[9] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Tanaka faced Kang Kyung-ho on September 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 52.[10] He lost the fight via split decision. Despite the loss on the scorecards, Tanaka was awarded his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[11] Subsequently, Tanaka had his bonus award rescinded and in turn, was suspended for nine months after testing positive for banned substances during his post fight drug screening.[12]
Tanaka was briefly linked to a bout with Russell Doane on January 2, 2016, at UFC 195. However, Doane was forced from the bout with injury and replaced by Joe Soto.[13] He won the fight by split decision.[14]
Tanaka next faced Rani Yahya on September 24, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 95.[15] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[16]
Tanaka faced promotional newcomer Ricardo Ramos on February 4, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 104.[17] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[18]
In May 2017, Tanaka was released from the company.
Post-UFC career
editIn January 2018, it was announced that Tanaka has signed a contract with the Absolute Championship Berkut.[19]
After two winning bouts in his native Japan, Tanaka signed a multi-fight contract with Legacy Fighting Alliance in April 2020.[4] Tanaka is expected to make his promotional debut by headlining LFA 117 against Ricardo Dias on November 5, 2021.[20] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[21]
Tanaka faced Ary Farias at LFA 138 on August 5, 2022. He lost the fight by split decision.[22] Two judges scored the fight 29–28 for Farias, while the third judge awarded an identical scorecard to Tanaka.[23]
Tanaka rebounded against Kunihisa Sasa on April 30, 2023, at Pancrase 333, winning the bout via unanimous decision.[24]
Tanaka next faced Sindile Manengela on July 9, 2023, at Pancrase 336, winning the bout via unanimous decision.[25]
Championships and accomplishments
editMixed martial arts
edit- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Kang Kyung-Ho
- Pacific Xtreme Combat
- PXC bantamweight title (one time; former)
- One successful title defense
- PXC bantamweight title (one time; former)
- Shooto
Mixed martial arts record
edit| 20 matches | 16 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 0 | 0 |
| By submission | 6 | 0 |
| By decision | 10 | 4 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 16–4 | Sindile Manengela | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase 336 | July 9, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 15–4 | Kunihisa Sasa | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase 333 | April 30, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Tachikawa, Japan | |
| Loss | 14–4 | Ary Farias | Decision (split) | LFA 138 | August 5, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 14–3 | Ricardo Dias | Decision (unanimous) | LFA 117 | November 5, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Visalia, California, United States | |
| Win | 13–3 | Vladimir Leontyev | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase 303 | March 17, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 12–3 | Rogério Bontorin | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Grandslam 6: Way of the Cage | October 29, 2017 | 3 | 2:27 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 11–3 | Ricardo Ramos | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie | February 4, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 11–2 | Rani Yahya | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Cyborg vs. Länsberg | September 24, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Brasília, Brazil | |
| Win | 11–1 | Joe Soto | Decision (split) | UFC 195 | January 2, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 10–1 | Kang Kyung-ho | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson | September 20, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Tanaka tested positive for banned substances. Fight of the Night forfeited. |
| Win | 10–0 | Roland Delorme | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 174 | June 14, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |
| Win | 9–0 | Kyle Aguon | Decision (unanimous) | Pacific Xtreme Combat 40 | October 25, 2013 | 5 | 5:00 | Mangilao, Guam | Defended the PXC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–0 | Crisanto Pitpitunge | Decision (unanimous) | Pacific Xtreme Combat 37 | May 18, 2013 | 5 | 5:00 | Pasig, Philippines | Won the PXC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–0 | Caleb Vallotton | Submission (triangle choke) | Pacific Xtreme Combat 36 | March 8, 2013 | 2 | 2:39 | Mangilao, Guam | |
| Win | 6–0 | Russell Doane | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Pacific Xtreme Combat 34 | November 17, 2012 | 3 | 2:09 | Quezon City, Philippines | |
| Win | 5–0 | Jong Hoon Choi | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shooto: 3rd Round | March 10, 2012 | 1 | 3:29 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 4–0 | Teruto Ishihara | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: The Rookie Tournament 2011 Final | December 18, 2011 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Won the 2011 Shooto Rookie 132 lbs Championship. |
| Win | 3–0 | Takuya Ogura | Submission (triangle choke) | Shooto: Gig Tokyo 7 | August 6, 2011 | 1 | 3:09 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 2–0 | Hiroshi Roppongi | Technical Submission (armbar) | Shooto: Gig Saitama 3 | April 10, 2011 | 2 | 1:29 | Fujimi, Japan | |
| Win | 1–0 | Yasutaka Hamaji | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Shooting Disco 13: Can't Stop Myself! | October 16, 2010 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Michinori Tanaka's profile". Tapology.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- ^ Thomas Gerbasi (December 30, 2015). "Michinori Tanaka used 2015 to hone his skills ahead of UFC return". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
- ^ "Michinori Tanaka – Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
- ^ a b Tristen Critchfield (April 26, 2020). "Legacy Fighting Alliance Signs UFC Veteran Michinori Tanaka". sherdog.com.
- ^ a b Tony Loiseleur (December 18, 2011). "Shooto crowns 2011 rookie tournament champions in Tokyo". Sherdog.com. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
- ^ Anton Tabuena (May 20, 2013). "PXC 37 results and fight videos: Michinori Tanaka takes bantamweight title". Bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
- ^ Wesley de Souza (October 26, 2013). "PXC 40 results: Michinori Tanaka retains title, Will Chope scores biggest win in his career". Thefightnation.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
- ^ Anton Tabuena (February 3, 2014). "UFC signs top Japanese prospect Michinori Tanaka". Bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ Joe Ferraro (2014-03-27). "Canadian Delorme added to UFC 174 in Vancouver". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2014-03-27.
- ^ Anton Tabuena (2014-07-26). "Asian champions Michinori Tanaka and Kyung Ho Kang to face off at UFC: Japan". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
- ^ Staff (2014-09-20). "UFC Fight Night 52 bonuses: Hunt, Case, Kang, Tanaka win $50,000". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-09-20.
- ^ Staff (2014-12-02). "UFC statement regarding Michinori Tanaka". ufc.com. Retrieved 2014-12-02.
- ^ Staff (2015-12-01). "UFC 195 gets change-up: Russell Doane out, Joe Soto in vs. Michinori Tanaka". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
- ^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-01-02). "UFC 195 results: Michinori Tanaka keeps submission-happy Joe Soto from first UFC win". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-01-02.
- ^ Staff (2016-08-03). "UFC's return to Brasilia starts to take shape". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
- ^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-09-24). "UFC Fight Night 95 results: Rani Yahya gets fourth straight with win over Michinori Tanaka". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
- ^ Guilherme Cruz (2017-01-10). "Ricardo Ramos takes on Michinori Tanaka at UFC Fight Night 104 in Houston". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2017-01-10.
- ^ Steven Marrocco (2017-02-04). "UFC Fight Night 104 results: Ricardo Lucas Ramos chases Michinori Tanaka around for decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-02-04.
- ^ "ACB signs top Japanese Michinori Tanaka". queel.me. January 20, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
- ^ "Michinori Tanaka set to fight at LFA 117". asianmma.com. October 9, 2021.
- ^ Dan Kuhl (November 6, 2021). "LFA 117 Results: Tanaka Dominates Dias". combatpress.com.
- ^ "【LFA138】「一番を目指すことが面白い」。田中路教─02─世界に立ち向かうJ-MMAファイター最終回". mmaplanet.jp. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ^ "【LFA】元UFC田中路教が悔しいスプリット判定負け、柔術黒帯ファリアスの組みに苦しむ". efight.jp. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ^ "【PANCRASE】アキラが久米鷹介を破り正規王者に「必ずライト級日本一になる」、中島が田嶋下し王座統一、ソルトがKAREN破り戴冠、端がNORIを完封。井村が石井に競り勝つ..." ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
- ^ "【パンクラス】元UFC田中路教、強豪シンディレを完封「また世界で戦いたい」（イーファイト）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-08-06.
