Shooto Watanabe

Last updated
Shooto Watanabe
Born渡部修斗
(1989-02-27) February 27, 1989 (age 35)
Gunma, Japan
Nationality Japanese
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
Division Bantamweight
Style Judo, Wrestling
Fighting out ofKawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
TeamStrapple Shinyurigaoka
Years active2012–2023
Mixed martial arts record
Total34
Wins26
By knockout2
By submission15
By decision8
By disqualification1
Losses8
By knockout4
By submission2
By decision2
Notable relatives Yuichi Watanabe, father
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Shooto Watanabe is a retired Japanese male mixed martial artist who competed in the Bantamweight division.

Contents

Background

As the name "Shooto" implies, he is the son of Yuichi Watanabe, the first welterweight champion of Shooto, as his father . He studied judo from the 5th grade of elementary school , belonged to the wrestling club in parallel from junior high school , and entered high school at Ashikaga Institute of Technology, a prestigious school for wrestling. He entered college and stayed away from wrestling for a while, but was impressed by Masato's retirement match and decided to follow the same martial arts path as his father. [1] [2]

Career

Debut

He made his debut at Pancrase Progress Tour 4, earning a draw against Yoshifumi Ishiki. [3]

ZST

3 months following his pro debut, he entered ZST's Bantamweight tournament, earning his first victory against Tadayuki Nakamura with what would become his patented rear-naked choke at ZST: Battle Hazard 6. [4] He followed this up by scoring a unanimous decision victory in the semifinals against Nobuyuki Kanaizuka at ZST: SWAT! 47 [5] He met future ZST Flyweight Champion, Seiichiro Ito in the finals, scoring an emphatic submission in just 62 seconds to capture the bantamweight tournament championship at ZST: SWAT! in Face 11 [6] Despite winning a tournament only 5 months into his career, he would face a dip in form, going 2-1-3 in his next 6 fights, with his sole victory coming against Shintaro Kubo at VTJ 2nd in June 2013. He started 2014 off with a stoppage loss to future foe Go Kashiwazaki, but strung together a 7-fight unbeaten streak lasting 2 and a half years, earning a rematch with Kashiwazaki - this time for the ZST Bantamweight Championship. His fate would be nearly identical, losing via stoppage in the 2nd round. This would prove to be his final appearance with ZST, finishing with a 8-3-4 record in the promotion (9-3-5, 1NC overall). [7]

Fighting NEXUS & GLADIATOR

Watanabe would make his Fighting NEXUS debut 3 months following his failed title challenge for the ZST title, kicking off his NEXUS career nearly identical to his ZST debut, a rear-naked choke victory in just 85 seconds. 4 months later he competed under the GLADIATOR banner, scoring a second successive rear-naked choke victory against Yutaka Imamura; a victory which would catapult him to his second title challenge in 12 months. However, he first competed at Fighting NEXUS 9, finishing Jun Ikkyu with a guillotine choke in just 24 seconds. This allowed for a quick turnaround, to face Naritoshi Kakuta for the GLADIATOR Bantamweight Championship. However, once again, Watanabe would come up short, dropping a unanimous decision. He closed out 2017 with a unanimous decision victory of his own, over Kotaro Kazama. This win would spur on a 9-fight unbeaten streak, in which he would capture the vacant Fighting NEXUS Bantamweight Championship in December 2018, and score 2 victories under the DEEP promotion. [8] [9] [10]

RIZIN Fighting Federation

With an impressive unbeaten streak stretching back 2 and a half years, Japan's premier MMA promotion, Rizin Fighting Federation announced that Watanabe would be facing rising prospect and UFC veteran, Naoki Inoue on August 9, 2020 at Rizin 22. [11] Watanabe was defeated at 1:40 of the first round via rear-naked choke. [12]

On February 16, it was announced that Watanabe would face Takumi Tamaru at Rizin 27 to earn a spot in RIZIN's upcoming Japan Bantamweight Grand Prix, with the winner of the grand prix being expected to face RIZIN Bantamweight Champion, Kyoji Horiguchi in 2022. [13] Watanabe defeated Tamaru by rear-naked choke in the 2nd round. [14]

4 days later, RIZIN held a press conference where the drawing for the Grand Prix would occur. Former RIZIN Bantamweight Champion Kai Asakura chose the slot to face Watanabe. They faced each other at Rizin 28 on June 13, 2021 at the Tokyo Dome. [15] [16] Shooto lost the fight by a first-round technical knockout. [17]

Watanabe was scheduled to face Kuya Ito on October 10, 2021 at Rizin Landmark Vol.1. [18] Ito later withdrew from his bout with Watanabe due to COVID-19 protocols, and was replaced by Nobutaka Naito. [19] He won the bout after choking Naito unconscious via brabo choke in the first round. [20]

Watanabe was booked to face Takuma Sudo on April 16, 2022 at Rizin Trigger 3. [21] He lost the fight by split decision. [22]

DEEP

Watanabe faced Takuma Uchiyama at Deep 108 Impact on July 10, 2022. He won the bout by unanimous decision. [23]

Watanabe faced Rikiya Matsuzawa on February 11, 2023 at DEEP 112, losing the bout via TKO stoppage 27 seconds into the bout. [24]

Personal life

Watanabe is the son of MMA pioneer and Shooto's inaugural Lightweight Champion, Yuichi Watanabe. His mother also competed in Shooto.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
41 matches26 wins8 losses
By knockout24
By submission152
By decision82
By disqualification10
Draws6
No contests1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win26–8–6 (1)Takuya OguraDecision (majority)Fighting NEXUS vol.32August 20, 202335:00 Tokyo, JapanWon the PFPFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win25–8–6 (1)Kazuki AokiSubmission (rear-naked choke)Fighting NEXUS vol.31May 21, 202312:18 Tokyo, Japan
Loss24–8–6 (1)Rikiya MatsuzawaTKO (punches)Deep 112 ImpactFebruary 11, 202310:27 Tokyo, Japan
Win24–7–6 (1)Takuma UchiyamaDecision (unanimous)Deep 108 ImpactJuly 10, 202235:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss23–7–6 (1)Takuma SudoDecision (split) Rizin Trigger 3 Apr 16, 202235:00 Chōfu, Japan
Win23–6–6 (1)Nobutaka NaitoTechnical Submission (D’Arce choke) Rizin Landmark Vol.1 October 2, 202111:33 Tokyo, Japan
Loss22–6–6 (1) Kai Asakura TKO (punches) Rizin 28 June 13, 202113:22 Tokyo, JapanRizin Bantamweight Grand Prix 2021 Opening Round.
Win22–5–6 (1)Takumi TamaruSubmission (rear-naked choke) Rizin 27 March 21, 202124:13 Nagoya, Japan
Win21–5–6 (1)Takashi TeradaSubmission (rear-naked choke)Fighting NEXUS vol.21×PFC.24December 27, 202011:37 Shinjuku, JapanFeatherweight bout.
Loss20–5–6 (1) Naoki Inoue Submission (rear-naked choke) Rizin 22 August 9, 202011:40 Yokohama, Japan
Win20–4–6 (1)Hiroto SakumaSubmission (rear-naked choke)Fighting NEXUS vol. 18November 24, 201913:48 Tokyo, JapanDefended the Fighting Nexus Bantamweight Championship.
Win19–4–6 (1)Yoichiro KuranobuDecision (unanimous)DEEP 91 ImpactSeptember 8, 201925:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win18–4–6 (1)Hiroyuki KobayashiTechnical Submission (rear-naked choke)DEEP 90 ImpactJune 29, 201911:22 Tokyo, Japan
Win17–4–6 (1)Kodai MurataDecision (unanimous)Fighting NEXUS vol.15December 16, 201825:00 Shinjuku, JapanWon the vacant Fighting Nexus Bantamweight Championship.
Win16–4–6 (1)Takeya TakemotoDQ (illegal upkick)11:54Fighting Nexus Bantamweight title eliminator.
Win15–4–6 (1)Great MajingaZSubmission (rear-naked choke)Fighting NEXUS vol.14August 11, 201811:23 Tokyo, Japan
Win14–4–6 (1)Teppei SuwabeDecision (unanimous)Fighting NEXUS vol. 13May 6, 201825:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw13–4–6 (1)Takeya TakemotoDraw (split)GLADIATOR 005 in OsakaJanuary 21, 201825:00 Osaka, Japan
Win13–4–5 (1)Kotaro KazamaDecision (unanimous)Fighting NEXUS vol. 11December 3, 201725:00 Shinjuku, Japan
Loss12–4–5 (1)Naritoshi KakutaDecision (unanimous)GLADIATOR 004August 13, 201735:00 Wakayama, JapanFor the GLADIATOR Bantamweight Championship.
Win12–3–5 (1)Hitoya SumisojunSubmission (guillotine choke)Fighting NEXUS 9May 21, 201710:24 Tokyo, Japan
Win11–3–5 (1)Yutaka ImamuraSubmission (rear-naked choke)GLADIATOR 3 in WakayamaMarch 5, 201712:09 Wakayama, Japan
Win10–3–5 (1)Yoshiyuki SakurazawaSubmission (rear-naked choke)Fighting NEXUS 8November 12, 201611:25 Tokyo, Japan
Loss9–3–5 (1)Go KashiwazakiTKO (punches)ZST 53August 7, 201624:59 Tokyo, JapanFor the ZST Bantamweight Championship.
Win9–2–5 (1)Yasuhiro WakabayashiTKO (punches)ZST 50April 17, 201613:42 Tokyo, Japan
NC8–2–5 (1) Zheng Junfeng No Contest (overturned)WLF E.P.I.C. 2March 12, 201623:00 Zhengzhou, China Originally a R2 TKO win for Junfeng; later overturned into a no contest.
Win8–2–5Kohei KuraokaSubmission (rear-naked choke)ZST 49: 13th AnniversaryNovember 22, 201511:43 Tokyo, Japan
Draw7–2–5Atsushi KatoDraw (split)ZST 46May 24, 201535:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win7–2–4Shintaro KuboSubmission (rear-naked choke)ZST 44February 22, 201513:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win6–2–4Seio DateTKO (punches)ZST 42August 31, 201412:47 Tokyo, Japan
Win5–2–4Ryutaro WatanabeSubmission (rear-naked choke)ZST in Yokosuka Vol. 1June 29, 201411:19 Yokohama, Japan
Loss4–2–4Go KashiwazakiTKO (knee)ZST 39February 9, 201423:57 Tokyo, Japan
Draw4–1–4Kengo OkuboDraw (time limit)ZST 37September 23, 201325:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win4–1–3Shintaro KuboDecision (unanimous)Vale Tudo Japan 2June 22, 201333:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw3–1–3Takao UedaDraw (time limit)ZST 35April 7, 201325:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss3–1–2Toshihiro ShimizuSubmission (triangle choke)ZST 34February 11, 201313:29 Tokyo, Japan
Draw3–0–2Tetsuya FusanoDraw (time limit)ZST 33: 10th AnniversaryNovember 23, 201225:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win3–0–1Seiichiro ItoSubmission (rear-naked choke)ZST: SWAT! in Face 11September 17, 201211:02 Tokyo, JapanWon the ZST Bantamweight Tournament.
Win2–0–1Nobuyuki KanaizukaDecision (unanimous)ZST: SWAT! 47August 12, 201225:00 Chōfu, JapanZST Bantamweight Tournament Semifinals.
Win1–0–1Tadayuki NakamuraSubmission (rear-naked choke)ZST: Battle Hazard 6July 16, 201211:54 Tokyo, JapanZST Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinals.
Draw0–0–1Yoshifumi IshikiDraw (time limit)Pancrase Progress Tour 4April 1, 201225:00 Tokyo, Japan

[25]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ James Goyder (May 20, 2021). "Shooto Watanabe's journey from reluctant student to Rizin contender". asianmma.com.
  2. ↑ "【Fighting NEXUS】初防衛に臨む親子鷹・渡部修斗「咲間選手の見た目や人生には興味がない」＝11月24日（日）GENスポーツパレス". ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
  3. ↑ "Pancrase Progress Tour 4". Tapology.
  4. ↑ "ZST: Battle Hazard 6". Tapology.
  5. ↑ "ZST: SWAT! 47". Tapology.
  6. ↑ "ZST: SWAT! in Face 11". Tapology.
  7. ↑ "Out of Obscurity: NEF, Aspera FC 42 and Zst 53". Combat Press. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  8. ↑ "【DEEP90】DEEP初勝利を挙げた渡部修斗「分かっているのに掛っちゃうからマジカル。一点突破したい」". MMAPLANET. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  9. ↑ "【Gladiator003】名前の持つ意味。今村豊と対戦、渡部修斗「度胸、姿勢、強さが変わった」". MMAPLANET. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  10. ↑ "【Gladiator004】角田成建とバンタム級王座を賭けて戦う、渡部修斗「僕が寝技で負けるわけはない」". MMAPLANET. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  11. ↑ "RIZIN 22 and RIZIN 23 Officially Announced, Fans Expected to Attend". cagesidepress.com.
  12. ↑ Skytte, Mike (2020-08-09). "RIZIN 22 Results". thebodylockmma.com. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  13. ↑ "March 14th Tokyo Dome event postponed, Yogibo presents RIZIN.27 takes place at the Nagoya Gaishi Hall. 16-man Bantamweight Japan Grand Prix & 8-man Featherweight tournaments announced". jp.rizinff.com.
  14. ↑ Cruz, Guilherme (2021-03-21). "RIZIN 27 results, videos: Ayaka Hamasaki retains belt in night of quick finishes". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  15. ↑ "Participants and Match-ups for the 16-man Japan Bantamweight Grand Prix 2021 confirmed. Former champion Kai Asakura, title challenger Hiromasa Ougikubo and 2017 Bantamweight Grand Prix finalist Shintaro Ishiwatari confirmed". jp.rizinff.com.
  16. ↑ "SHOOTO WATANABE". espn.com.
  17. ↑ "【RIZIN】朝倉海「強くなって戻ってきた」　1回TKO勝ち！トーナメントV宣言". sponichi.co.jp. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  18. ↑ "【RIZIN】朝倉海に敗れた渡部修斗が再起戦。金太郎を苦しめた伊藤空也と対戦＝10・2新イベント「ランドマーク」開催". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  19. ↑ "【RIZIN】伊藤空也がコロナに感染、のび太の弟・内藤頌貴が渡部修斗と対戦＝10月2日（土）「RIZIN LANDMARK vol.1 」全試合順も決定". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  20. ↑ "【RIZIN】渡部修斗が内藤頌貴を衝撃的な1R勝利 寝技で捉えて脱出させず（ENCOUNT）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  21. ↑ "【RIZIN TRIGGER】スダリオ弟・貴賢神が関根シュレック相手にデビュー戦、４カード発表（イーファイト）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-03-23.
  22. ↑ "個性派グラップラー同士の一戦は初参戦の須藤拓真が渡部修斗に際どい判定勝ち【RIZIN TRIGGER】". tokyoheadline.com. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  23. ↑ "【DEEP】渡部修斗が判定勝利、盤石の試合運びで内山拓真を撃破（イーファイト）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-07-14.
  24. ↑ "【DEEP】「毎日、朝倉未来さんと練習してきました」五明が暫定王座戦、注目のフライ級GP準決勝・伊藤vs.本田、福田vs.宇田、元王者の北岡、住村、しなしも計量パス！（ゴング格闘技）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  25. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Kleber Koike Erbst". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
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