Akihiro Gono
| Akihiro Gono | |
|---|---|
| Born |
October 7, 1974 Higashikurume, Tokyo, Japan |
| Other names | "The Magic Man", "DJ GOZMA", "The Japanese Sensation", "Impregnable Big Mouth" |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st) |
| Division |
Lightweight Welterweight Middleweight |
| Style | Kickboxing |
| Fighting out of | Higashikurume, Tokyo, Japan |
| Team |
Team Grabaka OxyGym Fight Team Haleo Top Team[1] |
| Years active | 1994-2012; 2013-present |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 12 |
| Wins | 5 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| Draws | 0 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 62 |
| Wins | 34 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| By submission | 9 |
| By decision | 17 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| Losses | 20 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 9 |
| Draws | 8 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
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| |
Akihiro Gono (郷野聡寛 Gōno Akihiro) (born October 7, 1974 in Tokyo) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He is best known for his clever and deceptive fighting style, and for his flashy ring entrances. His fighting style is characterized by skillfully avoiding strikes, using fast counter punches and generally getting the opponent to fight his way. He is one of only four men to beat Bellator Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard, and one of six to beat the DREAM Light Heavyweight Champion and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Gegard Mousasi.
Mixed martial arts career
Shooto and Pancrase
Akihiro Gono began fighting mixed martial arts in 1994, competing in the Lumax Cup tournaments as a sambo representative. He got a win over Kazunari Murakami via head kick, but lost to him in their rematch the next year. Gono originally debuted in Fighting Network Rings's undercard, but he moved to Shooto after the Lumax Cup. His run there was uneventful, although he drew Jutaro Nakao and led Matt Hughes to a decision in his first years. The 2000 would be his breakout year, winning about veteran Masanori Suda, knocking out Ivan Salaverry via spinning kick and drawing with Murilo "Ninja" Rua.
Gono left Shooto for Pancrase in 2001 and became a member of Sanae Kikuta's Grabaka team. He again showed improvement, beating twice renowned Keiichiro Yamamiya and Chris Haseman and having a spirited match with Yuki Kondo, as well as a draw with Chael Sonnen. He stopped fighting for Pancrase in 2005 in order to focus in Pride Fighting Championships, though still as a Grabaka member.
Pride Fighting Championships
He began fighting in Pride Bushido with Bushido 2 in 2004, facing Murilo's brother Maurício "Shogun" Rua. Gono avoided Rua's first flurries with an elusive style, throwing Rua to the mat twice, but he was knocked out via punches and kicks when Maurício finally caught him. However, Akihiro recovered from his defeat at his next event, facing Gracie family member Rodrigo Gracie. The match was heated, as Rodrigo had submitted Gono's fellow shooter Hayato Sakurai in his debut while Gono had defeated Cesar Gracie's student Tim McKenzie back in Pancrase. During the match, Gono traded strikes with Gracie and was taken down and pressed at the first round, but he came back at the second, stopping takedowns and capitalizing with strikes, including a head stomp which bloodied Gracie.
In September 2005, Akihiro took part in the Pride Welterweight Grand Prix. He became controversial for critizing Ryo Chonan and Masanori Suda's performances and right to fight in the tournament, somewhat they called off on him back.[2] At the first round, Gono won an upset over Daniel Acacio, showing one more time his ability to avoid damage in stand-up and counterattack. The same night, at the second round, he faced Dan Henderson, suffering an accidental headbutt before losing the match by KO.
In 2006, Gono returned to Pride, this time playing a new character, DJ Gozma, a parody of Japanese musician DJ OZMA. His entrances involved Gono wearing a vintage suit, including shoes and an orange wig, and accompanied by oddly dressed male dancers while the song age♂age♂EVERY☆Night by DJ OZMA playeds in the background. Also, when the fighters were introduced in the ring, Gono would drop his suit's pants to reveal zebra stripped fighting briefs.
He participated in the next edition of the Welterweight Grand Prix, defeating Cuban Olympic judoka Hector Lombard on the first round. Characteristically, Gono avoided the damage from Lombard's aggressive initial combinations and countered him with hard punches, keeping his hands unorthodoxly low and throwing spinning backfists. His next round match would be against Gegard Mousasi, which he won again, deflecting his attacks and working an armbar for the tap out. However, Gono was eliminated at the semifinals by Denis Kang.
Gono's last apparition in Pride was at Shockwave 2006, fighting a revenge match with Yuki Kondo which came from their Pancrase days. Despite injurying his hand earlier in the match, Gono won the match by unanimous decision.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Gono defeated Tamdan McCrory at UFC 78, by verbal submission due to an Armbar at 3:19 of the second round. It was reported (first by Dave Meltzer) that he came out to his usual entrance with his DJ GOZMA persona.
Gono then took on Dan Hardy at UFC 89, but suffered defeat via split decision. Gono was left swollen and bloodied by several of Hardy's left hooks.[3] Gono rocked Hardy on more than one occasion.[4] In the third round Gono pushed Hardy to the canvas, and subsequently landed an illegal knee to the face of the downed fighter.[3] This caused the fight to be stopped for a short period. Hardy recovered and went on to win the split decision. The judges saw the bout 29-28 (twice) for Hardy, and 29-28 for Gono.
Gono lost to Jon Fitch in a preliminary bout at UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn 2. Following his loss to Jon Fitch, Gono was released from the UFC. He left the company with a 1-2 record.
Sengoku
After being released by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Gono fought Dan Hornbuckle at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 9 losing via head kick knockout in the third round.
Gono then fought Yoon Young Kim at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 11 winning the fight via unanimous decision.
Gono fought fellow Pride veteran Hayato Sakurai at Dynamite!! 2009 winning the fight via armbar, late in the second round.
Gono fought Diego Gonzalez at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 12 winning the fight via unanimous decision.
Gono made his Lightweight debut against Kyokushin kaikan expert Jadamba Narantungalag at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 14 on August 22, 2010. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
ONE Fighting Championship
Gono was photographed in the VIP area at ONE Fighting Championship: Champion vs. Champion leading to multiple websites speculating that he was about to sign a multi fight deal with ONE Fighting Championship.[5][6]
Bellator & First Retirement
After losing to Michael Chandler at Bellator 67 on May 4, 2012, Gono announced his first retirement from MMA.[7]
Return to MMA
Just under a year after he announced his retirement, Gono returned to MMA when he faced Taisuke Okuno at DEEP - 62nd Impact on April 26, 2013.[8] He lost the fight by KO. Gono then fought to a draw against Yuki Okano at DEEP - Cage Impact 2013 on November 24, 2013.[9]
Training & Fighting in Brazil
After training for months in Brazil at Oxygym in the city of Gramado, Gono back to action facing Brazilian prospect Eduardo Garvon at The Hill Fighters 1 in his Brazilian home-town city of Gramado. Gono had problems in the standup fight against the taller Brazilian, but seconds away for the end of the fight, Gono submitted Garvon via technical submission (arm-triangle choke).
He won his second fight in Brazil at The Hill Fighters 2 against André de Jesus via split decision.
Kickboxing
He lost to Bovy Sor Udomson via TKO (referee stoppage) in round one at Shootboxing 2012 - Act 4 on September 17, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan, failing to qualify for the 2012 S-Cup.[10]
He lost to Satoru Suzuki by TKO at the end of round one in a reserve bout at the Shoot Boxing World Tournament 2012 in Tokyo, Japan on November 17, 2012.[11][12][13]
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 62 matches | 34 wins | 20 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 7 |
| By submission | 9 | 4 |
| By decision | 17 | 9 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 8 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 34–20–8 | Miroslav Strbak | KO (punches) | WSOF GC 2 | February 7, 2016 | 2 | 2:42 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 34–19–8 | Andre de Jesus | Decision (split) | THF: The Hill Fighters 2 | July 12, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Gramado, Brazil | |
| Win | 33–19–8 | Eduardo Garvon | Technical submission (arm-triangle choke) | THF: The Hill Fighters 1 | May 1, 2014 | 3 | 4:58 | Gramado, Brazil | |
| Draw | 32–19–8 | Yuki Okano | Draw (split) | DEEP: Cage Impact 2013 | November 24, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 32–19–7 | Taisuke Okuno | KO (punch) | DEEP: 62nd Impact | April 26, 2013 | 2 | 2:07 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 32–18–7 | Michael Chandler | TKO (punches) | Bellator 67 | May 4, 2012 | 1 | 0:56 | Rama, Ontario, Canada | Return to Lightweight, Announced retirement at the post-fight press conference |
| Loss | 32–17–7 | Daisuke Nakamura | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP - 57th Impact | February 18, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Fought at Welterweight |
| Loss | 32–16–7 | Jadamba Narantungalag | Decision (unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 14 | August 22, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Moved to Lightweight |
| Win | 32–15–7 | Diego Gonzalez | Decision (unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 12 | March 7, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 31–15–7 | Hayato Sakurai | Submission (armbar) | Dynamite!! The Power of Courage 2009 | December 31, 2009 | 2 | 3:56 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 30–15–7 | Yoon Young Kim | Decision (unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 11 | November 7, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 29–15–7 | Dan Hornbuckle | KO (head kick) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 9 | August 2, 2009 | 3 | 2:50 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 29–14–7 | Jon Fitch | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 94 | January 31, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 29–13–7 | Dan Hardy | Decision (split) | UFC 89 | October 18, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Birmingham, England | |
| Win | 29–12–7 | Tamdan McCrory | Submission (armbar) | UFC 78 | November 17, 2007 | 2 | 3:19 | Newark, United States | Won Submission of the Night honors, Drops to Welterweight |
| Win | 28–12–7 | Yuki Kondo | Decision (split) | Pride FC - Shockwave 2006 | December 31, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 27–12–7 | Denis Kang | Decision (unanimous) | Pride - Bushido 13 | November 5, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Semifinal |
| Win | 27–11–7 | Gegard Mousasi | Submission (armbar) | Pride - Bushido 12 | August 26, 2006 | 2 | 4:24 | Nagoya, Japan | PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal |
| Win | 26–11–7 | Hector Lombard | Decision (unanimous) | Pride - Bushido 11 | June 4, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Opening Round |
| Win | 25–11–7 | Dae Won Kim | Submission (armbar) | Pride - Bushido 10 | April 2, 2006 | 1 | 9:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 24–11–7 | Dan Henderson | KO (punch) | PRIDE Bushido 9 | September 25, 2005 | 1 | 7:58 | Tokyo, Japan | PRIDE 2005 Welterweight Grand Prix Semifinal |
| Win | 24–10–7 | Daniel Acacio | Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE Bushido 9 | September 25, 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | PRIDE 2005 Welterweight Grand Prix Opening Round/small> |
| Win | 23–10–7 | Crosley Gracie | Decision | PRIDE Bushido 7 | May 22, 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 22–10–7 | Tim McKenzie | TKO (strikes) | Pancrase: Brave 10 | November 7, 2004 | 2 | 2:53 | Urayasu, Chiba, Japan | |
| Win | 21–10–7 | Tsuyoshi Kurihara | KO (punch) | Pancrase: Brave 6 | June 22, 2004 | 1 | 2:15 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 20–10–7 | Maurício Rua | TKO (soccer kick) | PRIDE Bushido 2 | February 15, 2004 | 1 | 9:04 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 20–9–7 | Nilson de Castro | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase - Hybrid 10 | November 30, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 19–9–7 | Daisuke Watanabe | KO (punch) | Pancrase - Hybrid 9 | October 31, 2003 | 2 | 3:49 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 18–9–7 | Nilson de Castro | DQ (groin strike) | Pancrase - 10th Anniversary Show | August 31, 2003 | 1 | 0:29 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 17–9–7 | Flavio Luiz Moura | Decision (majority) | Pancrase - Hybrid 5 | May 18, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 16–9–7 | Chris Haseman | Decision (majority) | ZST 2: The Battle Field 2 | December 21, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 15–9–7 | Chael Sonnen | Draw | Pancrase: Hybrid 2 | February 16, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 15–9–6 | Keiichiro Yamamiya | TKO (punches) | Pancrase: Spirit 9 | December 21, 2002 | 3 | 3:49 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 14–9–6 | Osami Shibuya | Draw | Pancrase: Spirit 6 | August 25, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 14–9–5 | Kousei Kubota | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Spirit 4 | May 11, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 13–9–5 | Yuki Kondo | TKO (corner stoppage) | Pancrase: Proof 7 | December 1, 2001 | 3 | 0:52 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 13–8–5 | Keiichiro Yamamiya | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Proof 6 | October 30, 2001 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 12–8–5 | Dustin Denes | Draw | Deep: 2nd Impact | August 18, 2001 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 12–8–4 | Daisuke Watanabe | TKO (cut) | Pancrase: Proof 4 | June 26, 2001 | 2 | 0:52 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 11–8–4 | Murilo Rua | Draw | Shooto: To The Top 4 | May 1, 2001 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 11–8–3 | Ivan Salaverry | KO (spinning back kick) | Shooto: To The Top 1 | January 19, 2001 | 1 | 3:06 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 10–8–3 | Masanori Suda | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: R.E.A.D. 12 | November 12, 2000 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 9–8–3 | Andy Wang | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: R.E.A.D. 5 | May 22, 2000 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 8–8–3 | Larry Papadopoulos | Decision (draw) | Shooto: R.E.A.D. 1 | January 14, 2000 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 8–8–2 | Lance Gibson | Decision (majority) | SB 13: SuperBrawl 13 | September 7, 1999 | 3 | 5:00 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Loss | 8–7–2 | Matt Hughes | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: 10th Anniversary Event | May 29, 1999 | 3 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | |
| Draw | 8–6–2 | Marcos da Silva | Draw | Shooto: Devilock Fighters | January 15, 1999 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 8–6–1 | Adriano de Souza | Submission (armbar) | Shooto: Las Grandes Viajes 6 | November 27, 1998 | 1 | 2:46 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 7–6–1 | Matt Rocca | Submission (armbar) | Shooto: Shoot the Shooto XX | April 26, 1998 | 1 | 3:12 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 6–6–1 | Larry Papadopoulos | Decision (split) | Shooto: Reconquista 4 | October 12, 1997 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 6–5–1 | Jutaro Nakao | Draw | Shooto: Gig | June 25, 1997 | 3 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | |
| Win | 6–5 | Tsunemichi Nagano | Decision (unanimous) | Daidojuku: WARS 4 | March 11, 1997 | 5 | 3:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 5–5 | Masato Fujiwara | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Reconquista 1 | January 18, 1997 | 4 | 3:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 4–5 | Kazuhiro Kusayanagi | Submission (armbar) | Shooto: Let's Get Lost | October 4, 1996 | 4 | 2:52 | Japan | |
| Win | 4–4 | Masanori Suda | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shooto: Free Fight Kawasaki | July 28, 1996 | 4 | 0:33 | Japan | |
| Loss | 3–4 | Todd Bjornethun | Submission (armbar) | Shooto: Vale Tudo Junction 3 | May 7, 1996 | 3 | 1:12 | Japan | |
| Loss | 3–3 | Kazunari Murakami | Decision | Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '96 | March 30, 1996 | 2 | 5:00 | Japan | |
| Win | 3–2 | Yasushi Warita | Submission (achilles lock) | Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '96 | March 30, 1996 | 1 | 0:54 | Japan | |
| Win | 2–2 | Tatsuharu Doi | Decision (majority) | Daidojuku: WARS 3 | February 17, 1996 | 2 | 3:00 | Japan | |
| Loss | 1–2 | Egan Inoue | Submission (armbar) | Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '95 | October 13, 1995 | 1 | 1:33 | Japan | |
| Win | 1–1 | Kazunari Murakami | KO (kick) | Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '95 | October 13, 1995 | 1 | 2:25 | Japan | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Yasunori Okuda | Submission (toe hold) | Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '94 | April 23, 1994 | 1 | 1:51 | Japan |
Mixed rules
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 0 matches | 0 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| By submission | 0 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1-0 | Tomoki Kanuka | TKO (strikes) | Rings: Battle Genesis Vol.4 | June 20, 1998 | 1 | 2:27 | Nagoya, Japan | |
Submission grappling record
KO PUNCHES| Result | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Notes |
| Loss |  Nino Schembri | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ADCC 2001 -88 kg | 2001 | 1 | 1:48 | |
| Loss |  Izuru Takeuchi | Decision | ADCC 2000 Japan -88 kg | 2000 | 1 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Daisuke Igarashi | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ADCC 2000 Japan -88 kg | 2000 | 1 | 1:13 | |
| Win | Minoru Toyonaga | Decision | The CONTENDERS 2 | 1999 | 2 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Ricardo Liborio | Decision | ADCC 1999 -88 kg | 1999 | 1 | 10:00 | |
Kickboxing record
| Kickboxing record | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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5 wins (1 KO), 7 losses
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See also
References
- ↑ http://haleotopteam.com/
- ↑ http://the-oratory.com/mma-review-296/
- 1 2 UFC 89 Play-by-Play
- ↑ "UFC 89 LIVE RESULTS, PLAY-BY-PLAY, & PHOTOS". MMAWeekly.com. October 17, 2008.
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ "Gono retires following Bellator loss to Chandler". usatoday.com. May 6, 2012.
- ↑ "Akihiro Gono junks retirement, joins stacked DEEP 62 fight card on April 26 in Tokyo". mmamania.com. March 15, 2013.
- ↑ "Tsuda Earns Quick KO, Nakamura Submits Sakuragi at Deep ‘Cage Impact 2013’". Sherdog. November 24, 2013.
- ↑ Shootboxing 2012 Act.4 Results: Shishido, Stevelmans, Bovy Qualify for S-Cup
- ↑ S-Cup Update: More Fights Announced and Tournament Field Confusion
- ↑ Hinata vs. Ristie Rematch, Imada vs. Abdollahi Complete S-Cup Fight Card
- ↑ [S-Cup 2012: Andy Souwer Wins 4th S-Cup http://liverkick.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2049:s-cup-2012-andy-souwer-wins-4th-s-cup&catid=37:kickboxing]
- ↑ World GBC Tour 9 : Les résultats(French)