Kazuhiro Nakamura
 |
Name | Kazuhiro Nakamura |
| Nickname | Kaz | |
| Association | Yoshida Dojo | |
| Weight Class | Light Heavyweight (205 lbs.) / Middleweight (185 lbs.) | |
| Height | 5' 10" (178 cm.) | |
| Style | Judo | |
| Birth Date | February 21, 1979 | |
| Fighting Out Of | Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan | |
| Country | Japan | |
| Kazuhiro Nakamura Pictures | Official Website |
Kazuhiro Nakamura is a Japanese mixed martial artist known for his antics inside and outside of the ring. He currently competes as a Middleweight in Sengoku, but was better known for his appearances in PRIDE FC and UFC, where he fought as a Light Heavyweight. Nakamura's primary style is Judo, training out of the dojo of Hidehiko Yoshida.
He was the runner-up for the Sengoku 2008 Middleweight Grand Prix.
Contents |
Professional Record
| Record | 16 - 11 - 0 (Win – Loss – Draw) |
| Wins | 2 (T)KOs 2 Submissions 12 Decisions |
| Losses | 4 (T)KOs 3 Submissions 4 Decisions |
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event Title | Date | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Ryuta Sakurai | Decision (Majority) | Deep: 60 Impact | 10/19/2012 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Gerald Harris | Decision (Split) | DREAM.17 | 9/24/2011 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Karl Amoussou | Decision (Unanimous) | DREAM 15 | 7/15/2010 | 2 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Hidehiko Yoshida | Decision (Unanimous) | Astra: Yoshida's Farewell | 4/25/2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Nakamura fought his own trainer |
| Loss | Kazuo Misaki | Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 9 | 8/02/2009 | 1 | 3:03 | #1 contender bout for Middleweight title |
| Loss | Jorge Santiago | TKO (Punches) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 6 | 11/01/2008 | 3 | 0:49 | Sengoku 2008 Middleweight Grand Prix Finals |
| Win | Yuki Sasaki | Decision (Unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 6 | 11/01/2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Sengoku 2008 Middleweight Grand Prix Semi-finals |
| Win | Paul Cahoon | Decision (Unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 5 | 9/28/2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Sengoku 2008 Middleweight Grand Prix Opening Round; Middleweight debut |
| Loss | Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou | TKO (Leg Injury) | UFC 84: Ill Will | 5/24/2008 | 1 | 5:00 | Released from UFC |
| Loss | Lyoto Machida | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 76: Knockout | 9/22/2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Post-fight tested positive for marijuana |
| Loss | Mauricio Rua | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE: Shockwave 2006 | 12/31/2006 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Travis Galbraith | TKO (Strikes) | PRIDE 32: The Real Deal | 10/21/2006 | 2 | 1:16 | At the time of the bout, Galbraith was KOTC Canadian Light Heavyweight Champion |
| Win | Yoshihiro Nakao | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE: Final Conflict Absolute | 9/10/2006 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Evangelista Santos | Submission (Keylock) | PRIDE: Critical Countdown Absolute | 7/01/2006 | 1 | 4:49 | |
| Loss | Josh Barnett | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | PRIDE 31: Dreamers | 2/26/2006 | 1 | 8:10 | |
| Win | Yuki Kondo | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE: Shockwave 2005 | 12/31/2005 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Igor Vovchanchyn | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE: Final Conflict 2005 | 8/28/2005 | 2 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Wanderlei Silva | TKO (Punches) | PRIDE: Critical Countdown 2005 | 6/26/2005 | 1 | 5:24 | |
| Win | Kevin Randleman | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE: Total Elimination 2005 | 4/23/2005 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Stefan Leko | TKO (Punches) | PRIDE 29: Fists of Fire | 2/20/2005 | 1 | 0:54 | |
| Loss | Dan Henderson | TKO (Shoulder Injury) | PRIDE 28: High Octane | 10/31/2004 | 1 | 1:15 | |
| Win | Murilo Bustamante | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE: Final Conflict 2004 | 8/15/2004 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Antonio Rogerio Nogueira | Decision (Split) | PRIDE Bushido 4 | 7/19/2004 | 2 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Chalid Arrab | Submission (Armbar) | PRIDE Bushido 3 | 5/23/2004 | 1 | 4:45 | |
| Win | Dos Caras Jr. | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE 27: Inferno | 2/01/2004 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Daniel Gracie | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE Bushido 1 | 10/05/2003 | 2 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Antonio Rogerio Nogueira | Submission (Armbar) | PRIDE 25: Body Blow | 3/16/2003 | 2 | 3:49 | |
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Pride Career
Nakamura made his MMA debut at PRIDE 25 against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, losing by submission in the second round. He has also lost to Nogueira in a rematch at PRIDE Bushido 4. His career in PRIDE was notable for fighting many of PRIDE's top fighters, including Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio Rua, Dan Henderson and Josh Barnett. He holds notable victories over Igor Vovchanchyn, Yuki Kondo, Kevin Randleman, and Murilo Bustamante. His final fight in PRIDE was a decision loss to Mauricio Rua at PRIDE Shockwave 2006.
UFC Career
Nakamura made his debut in the UFC at UFC 76: Knockout against Lyoto Machida, losing the fight by unanimous decision. Nakamura tested positive for marijuana during the UFC 76 drug testings. His last fight in the UFC was a loss by TKO (injury) to Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at UFC 84: Ill Will.
World Victory Road's Sengoku
After a three fight losing stint which included losses to future UFC light heavyweight champions Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua, Nakamura decided to debut at a new weight class Middleweight (185 lbs). Having spent his entire career at Light-heavyweight (205 lbs). He debuted at Sengoku: Fifth Battle as an entrant in the inaugural Middleweight Grand prix eliminating American Paul Cahoon.
He returned at Sengoku: Sixth Battle as part of the final four. Nakamura would have to fight two opponents to win the crown. He Defeated fellow Countrymen Yuki Sisaki via Unanimous decision and booked a spot later that evening in the final. That same night on the other side of the Bracket Jorge Santiago made quick work of his opponent Siyar Bahadurzada finishing him by Heel Hook in just over a minute. Despite having gone the distance with his opponent in a grueling battle earlier that night, Nakamura fought valiantly against Tournament favourite Jorge Santiago taking him to the third round before losing via KO at 0.49 of the third round. Many had Nakamura winning that fight until the KO and many also believe had Jorge Santiago had a tougher semi-final fight Nakamura would have won the championship. Nakamura Returned at Sengoku: Ninth Battle in a title Eliminator that saw the winner rematch then Champion Jorge Santiago. Unfortunately Nakamura was stunned by Kazuo Misaki and lost via submission in the first round.
Astra
A farewell event for Nakamura's teacher, legendary judoka, Hidehiko Yoshida, was held on April 25, 2010. The event was called ASTRA. Nakamura defeated Yoshida via Unanimous decision.
DREAM
Nakamura made his DREAM debut on July 10, 2010 at DREAM 15, where he faced M-1 Global veteran Karl Amoussou. Nakamura controlled the majority of the action on the floor, and he defended well in the few brief moments that his French opponent threatened on the feet. Amoussou threatened at times from his back, but Nakamura controlled the majority of the action and was awarded the Decision (Unanimous).
