Akihiro Gono

Last updated • 6 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Akihiro Gono
Born (1974-10-07) October 7, 1974 (age 50)
Higashikurume, Tokyo, Japan
Other names"The Magic Man", "DJ GOZMA", "The Japanese Sensation", "Impregnable Big Mouth"
Nationality Japanese
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
Division Lightweight
Welterweight
Middleweight
Light Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Style Kickboxing, Submission Wrestling, Karate, Sambo
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of Higashikurume, Tokyo, Japan
Team Team Grabaka
OxyGym Fight Team
Haleo Top Team [1]
Years active1994-2012; 2013-present
Kickboxing record
Total12
Wins5
By knockout1
Losses7
By knockout3
Mixed martial arts record
Total69
Wins37
By knockout7
By submission9
By decision20
By disqualification1
Losses24
By knockout8
By submission4
By decision12
Draws8
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Last updated on: November 17, 2012

Akihiro Gono ( Japanese: 郷野聡寛, Gōno Akihiro) (born October 7, 1974) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 1994, he is best known for his clever and deceptive fighting style, and for his flashy ring entrances. Gono has competed for the UFC, PRIDE Fighting Championships, Pancrase, the World Series of Fighting, DEEP, World Victory Road, Shooto, Bellator, and also participated in the Dynamite!! 2009 event.

Contents

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 and Karate 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. 2000 would be his breakout year, winning against veteran Masanori Suda, against 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 Rua 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 criticizing 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 played 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 injuring his hand earlier in the match, Gono won the match by unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Gono defeated Tamdan McCrory at UFC 78, by 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 and 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 and 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
69 matches37 wins24 losses
By knockout78
By submission94
By decision2012
By disqualification10
Draws8
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win37–24–8 Tetsuya Izuchi Decision (unanimous)GLEAT ver.MEGAAugust 4, 202335:00 Tokyo, JapanCatchweight (161 lb) bout.
Loss36–24–8 Yuki Kondo Decision (unanimous)Pancrase: 305May 26, 201933:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss36–23–8Adriano BalbyDecision (split)Rebel FC 7: Fight for HonourApril 29, 201835:00 Shanghai, China
Win36–22–8Kyohei WakimotoDecision (split)Pancrase: 293February 4, 201833:00 Tokyo, JapanReturn to Welterweight.
Loss35–22–8Akira OkadaDecision (unanimous)Pancrase: 290October 8, 201735:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss35–21–8Killys MotaTKO (punches)Fight 2 Night 2April 28, 201731:55 Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Win35–20–8Akhmat AkhmedovDecision (split)Real Fight Championship 5June 12, 201625:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss34–20–8Miroslav StrbakKO (punches) WSOF Global Championship 2 February 7, 201622:42 Tokyo, Japan
Win34–19–8Andre de JesusDecision (split)THF: The Hill Fighters 2July 12, 201435:00 Gramado, Brazil
Win33–19–8Eduardo GarvonTechnical Submission (arm-triangle choke)THF: The Hill Fighters 1May 1, 201434:58 Gramado, BrazilReturn to Lightweight.
Draw32–19–8Yuki OkanoDraw (split)DEEP: Cage Impact 2013November 24, 201335:00 Tokyo, Japan Welterweight bout.
Loss32–19–7 Taisuke Okuno KO (punch)DEEP: 62nd ImpactApril 26, 201322:07 Tokyo, Japan Welterweight bout.
Loss32–18–7 Michael Chandler TKO (punches) Bellator 67 May 4, 201210:56 Rama, Ontario, CanadaAnnounced retirement at the post-fight press conference.
Loss32–17–7 Daisuke Nakamura Decision (unanimous)DEEP – 57th ImpactFebruary 18, 201235:00 Tokyo, Japan Welterweight bout.
Loss32–16–7 Jadamba Narantungalag Decision (unanimous) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 14 August 22, 201035:00 Tokyo, Japan Lightweight debut.
Win32–15–7Diego GonzalezDecision (unanimous) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 12 March 7, 201035:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win31–15–7 Hayato Sakurai Submission (armbar) Dynamite!! The Power of Courage 2009 December 31, 200923:56 Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Win30–15–7Yoon Young KimDecision (unanimous) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 11 November 7, 200935:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss29–15–7 Dan Hornbuckle KO (head kick) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 9 August 2, 200932:50 Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Loss29–14–7 Jon Fitch Decision (unanimous) UFC 94 January 31, 200935:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss29–13–7 Dan Hardy Decision (split) UFC 89 October 18, 200835:00 Birmingham, England
Win29–12–7 Tamdan McCrory Submission (armbar) UFC 78 November 17, 200723:19 Newark, United StatesReturned to Welterweight; won Submission of the Night honors.
Win28–12–7 Yuki Kondo Decision (split) PRIDE FC: Shockwave 2006 December 31, 200625:00 Saitama, Japan
Loss27–12–7 Denis Kang Decision (unanimous) PRIDE: Bushido 13 November 5, 200625:00 Yokohama, JapanPRIDE 2006 Welterweight (83 kg) Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win27–11–7 Gegard Mousasi Submission (armbar) PRIDE: Bushido 12 August 26, 200624:24 Nagoya, JapanPRIDE 2006 Welterweight (83 kg) Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win26–11–7 Hector Lombard Decision (unanimous) PRIDE: Bushido 11 June 4, 200625:00 Saitama, JapanPRIDE 2006 Welterweight (83 kg) Grand Prix Opening Round.
Win25–11–7Dae Won KimSubmission (armbar) PRIDE: Bushido 10 April 2, 200619:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss24–11–7 Dan Henderson KO (punch) PRIDE Bushido 9 September 25, 200517:58 Tokyo, JapanPRIDE 2005 Welterweight (83 kg) Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win24–10–7 Daniel Acacio Decision (unanimous) PRIDE Bushido 9 September 25, 200525:00 Tokyo, JapanPRIDE 2005 Welterweight (83 kg) Grand Prix Opening Round.
Win23–10–7Crosley GracieDecision PRIDE Bushido 7 May 22, 200525:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win22–10–7 Tim McKenzie TKO (punches) Pancrase: Brave 10 November 7, 200422:53 Urayasu, Chiba, Japan
Win21–10–7Tsuyoshi KuriharaKO (punch) Pancrase: Brave 6 June 22, 200412:15 Tokyo, Japan
Loss20–10–7 Maurício Rua TKO (soccer kick) PRIDE Bushido 2 February 15, 200419:04 Yokohama, Japan Middleweight (93 kg) bout.
Win20–9–7Nilson de CastroDecision (unanimous) Pancrase: Hybrid 10 November 30, 200335:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win19–9–7Daisuke WatanabeKO (punch) Pancrase: Hybrid 9 October 31, 200323:49 Tokyo, Japan
Win18–9–7Nilson de CastroDQ (groin strike) Pancrase: 10th Anniversary Show August 31, 200310:29 Tokyo, Japan
Win17–9–7Flavio Luiz MouraDecision (majority) Pancrase: Hybrid 5 May 18, 200325:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win16–9–7 Chris Haseman Decision (majority)ZST 2: The Battle Field 2March 9, 200335:00 Tokyo, Japan Heavyweight bout.
Draw15–9–7 Chael Sonnen DrawPancrase: Hybrid 2February 16, 200325:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win15–9–6 Keiichiro Yamamiya TKO (punches) Pancrase: Spirit 9 December 21, 200233:49 Tokyo, Japan
Draw14–9–6Osami ShibuyaDraw Pancrase: Spirit 6 August 25, 200235:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win14–9–5Kousei KubotaDecision (unanimous) Pancrase: Spirit 4 May 11, 200235:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss13–9–5 Yuki Kondo TKO (corner stoppage) Pancrase: Proof 7 December 1, 200130:52 Tokyo, Japan
Win13–8–5 Keiichiro Yamamiya Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Proof 6 October 30, 200135:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw12–8–5Dustin DenesDraw DEEP: 2nd Impact August 18, 200135:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win12–8–4Daisuke WatanabeTKO (doctor stoppage) Pancrase: Proof 4 June 26, 200120:52 Tokyo, Japan
Draw11–8–4 Murilo Rua DrawShooto: To The Top 4May 1, 200135:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win11–8–3 Ivan Salaverry KO (spinning back kick)Shooto: To The Top 1January 19, 200113:06 Tokyo, Japan
Win10–8–3 Masanori Suda Decision (unanimous)Shooto: R.E.A.D. 12November 12, 200035:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win9–8–3Andy WangDecision (unanimous)Shooto: R.E.A.D. 5May 22, 200035:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw8–8–3Larry PapadopoulosDecision (draw)Shooto: R.E.A.D. 1January 14, 200035:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss8–8–2 Lance Gibson Decision (majority)SB 13: SuperBrawl 13September 7, 199935:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Loss8–7–2 Matt Hughes Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 10th Anniversary Event May 29, 199935:00 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Draw8–6–2Marcos da SilvaDraw Shooto: Devilock Fighters January 15, 199935:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win8–6–1Adriano de SouzaSubmission (armbar) Shooto: Las Grandes Viajes 6 November 27, 199812:46 Tokyo, Japan
Win7–6–1Matt RoccaSubmission (armbar) Shooto: Shoot the Shooto XX April 26, 199813:12 Tokyo, Japan
Loss6–6–1Larry PapadopoulosDecision (split) Shooto: Reconquista 4 October 12, 199735:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw6–5–1 Jutaro Nakao Draw Shooto: Gig June 25, 199735:00 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Win6–5Tsunemichi NaganoDecision (unanimous)Daidojuku: WARS 4March 11, 199753:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win5–5 Masato Fujiwara Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Reconquista 1 January 18, 199743:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss4–5 Kazuhiro Kusayanagi Submission (armbar) Shooto: Let's Get Lost October 4, 199642:52Japan
Win4–4 Masanori Suda Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: Free Fight Kawasaki July 28, 199640:33Japan
Loss3–4 Todd Bjornethun Submission (armbar) Shooto: Vale Tudo Junction 3 May 7, 199631:12Japan
Loss3–3 Kazunari Murakami DecisionLumax Cup: Tournament of J '96March 30, 199625:00Japan
Win3–2 Yasushi Warita Submission (Achilles lock)Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '96March 30, 199610:54Japan
Win2–2Tatsuharu DoiDecision (majority)Daidojuku: WARS 3February 17, 199623:00Japan
Loss1–2 Egan Inoue Submission (armbar)Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '95October 13, 199511:33Japan
Win1–1 Kazunari Murakami KO (head kick)Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '95October 13, 199512:25Japan
Loss0–1Yasunori OkudaSubmission (toe hold)Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '94April 23, 199411:51Japan

Mixed rules

Professional record breakdown
1 match1 win0 losses
By knockout10
By submission00
By decision00
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win1-0Tomoki KanukaTKO (strikes)RINGS: Battle Genesis Vol.4June 20, 199812:27 Nagoya, Japan

Submission grappling record

KO PUNCHES

ResultOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeNotes
Loss Flag of Brazil.svg Nino Schembri Submission (rear-naked choke)ADCC 2001 –88 kg200111:48
Loss Flag of Japan.svg Izuru Takeuchi DecisionADCC 2000 Japan -88 kg200015:00
Win Flag of Japan.svg Daisuke IgarashiSubmission (rear-naked choke)ADCC 2000 Japan -88 kg200011:13
Win Flag of Japan.svg Minoru ToyonagaDecisionThe CONTENDERS 2199925:00
Loss Flag of Brazil.svg Ricardo Liborio DecisionADCC 1999 –88 kg1999110:00

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record
11 wins, 7 losses
DateResultOpponentEventLocationMethodRoundTimeRecordNotes
December 1, 2015Win Flag of Japan.svg Yuki SakamotoShootboxing 30th Anniversary Ground Zero Tokyo 2015 Tokyo, Japan Decision43:0011–7
October 10, 2015Loss Flag of France.svg Bruce Codron World GBC Tour 9 [14] Mazan, France Decision33:0010-7
August 28, 2015Win Flag of Thailand.svg Singbird SitbangHero Legends Dunhuang, China Extra Round Decision43:0010–6
July 28, 2015Win Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Wu GoHero Legends Dunhuang, China Extra Round Decision43:009–6
July 17, 2015Win Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Bunking ToHero Legends Dunhuang, China Decision33:008–6
July 17, 2015Win Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Sung AkiHero Legends Dunhuang, China Decision33:007–6
March 22, 2015Win Flag of Japan.svg Jun HirayamaMuay Thai Open 30 Tokyo, Japan Decision33:006–6
November 17, 2012Loss Flag of Japan.svg Satoru Suzuki Shoot Boxing World Tournament 2012 Tokyo, Japan TKO (referee stoppage)13:005–6Reserve bout.
September 17, 2012Loss Flag of Thailand.svg Bovy Sor Udomson Shootboxing 2012 – Act 4 Tokyo, Japan TKO (referee stoppage)12:155–5
July 21, 2012Win Flag of Japan.svg “KID HMC” SAGEDeep Tokyo Impact 2012: Shootboxing S-Cup qualifier Tokyo, Japan Decision33:005-4
November 6, 2011Loss Flag of the Netherlands.svg Henri van Opstal Shoot the Shooto Tokyo, Japan Decision33:004–4
May 29, 2011Loss Flag of France.svg Yohan Lidon Thai Fight Extreme Tokyo, Japan Decision33:004–3
May 29, 2011Win Flag of Japan.svg Yamazaki YoichiThai Fight Japan Decision (unanimous)33:004–2
May 29, 2011Win Flag of Japan.svg Daisuke Tsutsumi Thai Fight Japan Decision (unanimous)33:003–2
April 30, 2011Loss Flag of Japan.svg Yuya Yamamoto Krush The First Championship Tournament ~Triple Final Round~ Tokyo, Japan Decision (unanimous)33:002–2
March 6, 2005Loss Flag of Japan.svg Yuji Sakuragi Pancrase 2005 Spiral Tour Japan KO (right straight)21:172–1
February 6, 2005Win Flag of Japan.svg Kazushi NishidaAJKF: Moving Japan KO (right straight)41:332–0Wins AJKF Heavyweight (+72 kg) Championship.
January 4, 2005Win Flag of Japan.svg Convoy YamashitaAJKF: Survivor Japan Decision (Unanimous)33:001–0
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest

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  3. 1 2 UFC 89 Play-by-Play
  4. "UFC 89 LIVE RESULTS, PLAY-BY-PLAY, & PHOTOS". MMAWeekly.com. October 17, 2008.
  5. Damon Martin (2011-09-05). "Former UFC Fighter Akihiro Gono and Fransimo Tirta Likely Headed to One FC". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  6. "Report: ONE FC Close to Signing Akihiro Gono, Fransino Tirta". 6 September 2011.
  7. "Gono retires following Bellator loss to Chandler". usatoday.com. May 6, 2012.
  8. "Akihiro Gono junks retirement, joins stacked DEEP 62 fight card on April 26 in Tokyo". mmamania.com. March 15, 2013.
  9. "Tsuda Earns Quick KO, Nakamura Submits Sakuragi at Deep 'Cage Impact 2013'". Sherdog. November 24, 2013.
  10. Shootboxing 2012 Act.4 Results: Shishido, Stevelmans, Bovy Qualify for S-Cup
  11. S-Cup Update: More Fights Announced and Tournament Field Confusion
  12. Hinata vs. Ristie Rematch, Imada vs. Abdollahi Complete S-Cup Fight Card
  13. [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]
  14. World GBC Tour 9 : Les résultats Archived 2015-11-21 at the Wayback Machine (in French)