Naoyuki Kotani Japanese: 小谷直之 (born December 8, 1981) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2000, he has formerly competed in PRIDE, Pancrase, UFC, Vale Tudo Japan, and RINGS.[2]

Naoyuki Kotani
小谷直之
Born (1981-12-08) December 8, 1981 (age 42)
Yokosuka, Japan
NationalityJapanese
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1]
Weight156 lb (71 kg; 11.1 st)
DivisionLightweight
Reach66.5
StyleJudo, Shootboxing
TeamRodeo Style
Years active2000-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total62
Wins37
By knockout6
By submission27
By decision4
Losses18
By knockout9
By submission2
By decision7
Draws7
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Kotani made his professional MMA debut in September 2000 for the RINGS promotion. He was unbeaten for the first three years of his career, earning a record of 13–0–2.

From 2004 to 2005, Kotani suffered a rough patch in his career as he went 3-5-1 against several UFC fighters including Roger Huerta, Yves Edwards, Marcus Aurélio and Rich Clementi.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Kotani was signed by the UFC in 2007. In his debut, he faced Thiago Tavares at UFC Fight Night: Stevenson vs Guillard on April 5, 2007. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

For his second fight with the promotion, Kotani faced Dennis Siver at UFC 75 on September 8, 2007. He lost the fight via knockout in the second round. Following this loss, Kotani was released by the promotion.

Post-UFC

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Following his release, Kotani encountered another rough streak as he went 3-3-2 from November 2007 until April 2010. However, beginning in September 2010, Kotani started an undefeated streak of 13–0 over the next three and a half years in his native Japan.

UFC return

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In May 2014, it was announced that Kotani had re-signed with the UFC. He made his return against Norman Parke on July 19, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 46.[3] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Kotani then faced Yan Cabral at UFC 179 on October 25, 2014. He lost the fight via submission in the second round.

Kotani next faced Kajan Johnson on September 27, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 75. He lost the fight by unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.[4][5]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
62 matches 37 wins 18 losses
By knockout 6 9
By submission 27 2
By decision 4 7
Draws 7
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 37–18–7 Shin Haraguchi TKO (elbows and punches) Grachan 59 × Brave Fight 27 February 11, 2023 1 3:57 Tokyo, Japan For the GRACHAN Lightweight Championship.
Win 37–17–7 Yutaka Ueda Decision (unanimous) Grachan 45 September 20, 2020 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 36–17–7 Koshi Matsumoto TKO (knee and punches) Shooto 30th Anniversary Tour at Korakuen Hall May 6, 2019 4 0:57 Tokyo, Japan For the Shooto Lightweight Championship.
Win 36–16–7 Shutaro Debana Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto 11/17 November 17, 2018 2 0:51 Tokyo, Japan
Win 35–16–7 Akihito Mamiya TKO (punches) Grachan 35.5 July 16, 2018 1 2:33 Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
Loss 34–16–7 Marif Piraev Decision (unanimous) WCFA 44 December 17, 2017 3 5:00 Grozny, Chechnya, Russia
Loss 34–15–7 Yuki Kawana Decision (majority) Shooto: Professional Shooto 10/15 October 15, 2017 3 5:00 Chiba, Japan
Win 34–14–7 Yoichi Fukumoto Submission (Armbar) Shooto - Professional Shooto 4/23 April 23, 2017 1 2:10 Chiba, Japan
Loss 33–14–7 Dmitriy Parubchenko TKO (punches) Real 5: Real Fight Championship 5 June 12, 2016 2 3:17 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 33–13–7 Kajan Johnson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Barnett vs. Nelson September 27, 2015 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Loss 33–12–7 Yan Cabral Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 179 October 25, 2014 2 3:06 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Loss 33–11–7 Norman Parke TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Brandao July 19, 2014 2 3:41 Dublin, Ireland
Win 33–10–7 Yoshihiro Koyama Decision (unanimous) Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 4th February 23, 2014 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 32–10–7 Daisuke Hoshino Submission (armbar) Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 3rd October 5, 2013 1 3:57 Tokyo, Japan
Win 31–10–7 Vitali Krat Submission (armbar) RINGS: The Outsider June 9, 2013 1 2:47 Yokohama, Japan
Win 30–10–7 Jung Min Kang Submission (rear-naked choke) ZST.35 April 7, 2013 1 2:45 Tokyo, Japan
Win 29–10–7 Koji Mori Submission (kneebar) ZST.33: 10th Anniversary November 23, 2012 1 1:40 Tokyo, Japan
Win 28–10–7 Shinichi Taira Decision (unanimous) ZST.33: 10th Anniversary November 23, 2012 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 27–10–7 Darius Minkevicius Submission (kimura) ZST.32 September 17, 2012 1 2:42 Tokyo, Japan
Win 26–10–7 Ryuki Ueyama TKO (punches) RINGS: Reincarnation March 9, 2012 1 2:32 Tokyo, Japan
Win 25–10–7 Daisuke Hanazawa TKO (punches) Rings - Battle Genesis Vol. 9 January 22, 2012 2 4:03 Tokyo, Japan
Win 24–10–7 Katsuya Inoue Submission (armbar) Pancrase: Impressive Tour 9 September 4, 2011 1 1:44 Tokyo, Japan
Win 23–10–7 Ryo Asami TKO (doctor stoppage) RINGS: The Outsider 17 July 7, 2011 1 1:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 22–10–7 Keigo Hirayama Submission (guillotine choke) ZST.27 February 6, 2011 1 1:44 Tokyo, Japan
Win 21–10–7 Eriya Matsuda Submission (heel hook) ZST.25 September 26, 2010 1 1:04 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 20–10–7 Jorge Masvidal Decision (split) Astra April 25, 2010 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 20–9–7 Kenichi Ito Draw ZST.23 February 20, 2010 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 20–9–6 Daisuke Nakamura Submission (leg scissor choke) ZST.22 November 23, 2009 1 1:37 Tokyo, Japan
Win 19–9–6 Yojiro Uchimura Submission (achilles lock) ZST.21 September 21, 2009 1 1:25 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 18–9–6 Kuniyoshi Hironaka Submission (reverse full-nelson) ZST.20 May 24, 2009 2 2:43 Tokyo, Japan
Win 18–8–6 Katsuhiko Nagata Submission (heel hook) ZST.18: Sixth Anniversary November 23, 2008 2 4:38 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 17–8–6 Koji Oishi Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Shining 8 October 1, 2008 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 17–7–6 Masanori Kanehara Draw ZST.15: Fifth Anniversary November 23, 2007 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 17–7–5 Dennis Siver KO (punch) UFC 75 September 8, 2007 2 2:04 London, England
Loss 17–6–5 Thiago Tavares Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Stevenson vs. Guillard April 5, 2007 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17–5–5 Masayuki Okude Submission (armbar) ZST.12 February 12, 2007 1 0:58 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 16–5–5 Erikas Petraitis Draw ZST.11 November 23, 2006 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 16–5–4 Shinya Sato Submission (armbar) ZST: GT-F2 May 27, 2006 1 2:09 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 15–5–4 Darius Skliaudys Draw ZST.9 February 18, 2006 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 15–5–3 Vito Woods Submission (armbar) Xtreme Fighting Organization 8 December 10, 2005 1 1:23 Illinois, United States
Loss 14–5–3 Luiz Azeredo KO (punch) PRIDE Bushido 9 September 25, 2005 1 0:11 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 14–4–3 Darius Skliaudys Draw ZST Grand Prix 2: Final Round January 23, 2005 3 3:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 14–4–2 Roger Huerta TKO (punches) Xtreme Fighting Organization 4 December 3, 2004 1 1:29 Illinois, United States
Loss 14–3–2 Yves Edwards TKO (head kick and punches) Euphoria: Road to the Titles October 15, 2004 1 3:10 New Jersey, United States
Win 14–2–2 Hideo Tokoro Submission (heel hook) ZST.6 September 12, 2004 1 1:44 Tokyo, Japan
Win 13–2–2 Remigijus Morkevicius Submission (armbar) ZST: Battle Hazard 1 July 4, 2004 1 2:07 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 12–2–2 Marcus Aurélio TKO (doctor stoppage) ZST.5 May 5, 2004 2 3:34 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 12–1–2 Rich Clementi Decision (unanimous) ZST Grand Prix: Final Round January 11, 2004 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 12–0–2 Mindaugas Smirnovas Submission (armbar) ZST Grand Prix: Opening Round November 23, 2003 1 0:41 Tokyo, Japan
Win 11–0–2 Mindaugas Smirnovas Technical Submission (heel hook) ZST 4: The Battle Field 4 September 7, 2003 1 1:36 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 10–0–2 Mindaugas Smirnovas Draw RINGS Lithuania: Bushido RINGS 7: Adrenalinas April 5, 2003 3 3:00 Vilnius, Lithuania
Win 10–0–1 Antoine Skinner Submission (toe hold) ZST 2: The Battle Field 2 March 9, 2003 1 1:35 Tokyo, Japan
Win 9–0–1 Mindaugas Laurinaitis Technical Submission (triangle choke) ZST 1: The Battle Field 1 November 23, 2002 1 2:16 Tokyo, Japan
Win 8–0–1 Kenichi Serizawa TKO (punches) GCM: Demolition 1 September 8, 2002 1 0:20 Japan
Win 7–0–1 Masaya Takita Submission (triangle armbar) GCM: ORG 3rd June 16, 2002 1 2:32 Tokyo, Japan
Win 6–0–1 Yoshinobu Ota Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) RINGS: World Title Series Grand Final February 15, 2002 1 1:41 Yokohama, Japan
Win 5–0–1 Takahito Iida Submission (armbar) RINGS: World Title Series 5 December 21, 2001 1 3:02 Yokohama, Japan
Win 4–0–1 Hideo Tokoro Decision (majority) RINGS: Battle Genesis Vol. 8 September 21, 2001 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 3–0–1 Jiro Wakabayashi Draw RINGS: World Title Series 1 April 20, 2001 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 3–0 Curtis Brigham Submission (kimura) RINGS USA: Battle of Champions March 17, 2001 2 1:59 Iowa, United States
Win 2–0 Tashiro Nishiuchi Submission (armbar) RINGS: Battle Genesis Vol. 6 September 5, 2000 1 0:32 Tokyo, Japan
Win 1–0 Kiyohito Sugata TKO (doctor stoppage) RINGS: Battle Genesis Vol. 6 September 5, 2000 1 0:42 Tokyo, Japan

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Barnett vs. Nelson". UFC.com. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  2. ^ "Naoyuki Kotani : Official MMA Fight Record (34-15-4)". The Underground.
  3. ^ B Wylie (2014-05-22). "Naoyuki Kotani returns, faces Norman Parke at UFC Fight Night 46 in Dublin". fightsportasia.com. Archived from the original on 2015-01-21. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  4. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2014-09-26). "UFC Fight Night 75 results: Kajan Johnson outstrikes Naoyuki Kotani for decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-09-26.
  5. ^ Matt Boone (19 October 2015). "17 Additional Fighters Released From UFC". mmanews.com. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
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