Yoshiro Maeda (Japanese: 前田吉朗, Maeda Yoshirō, born October 31, 1981) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who currently competes in DEEP's flyweight division, and formerly fought in DEEP's bantamweight division, the latter of which he is a former champion, recently losing the title to Daiki Hata who is still the reigning champion. With a professional career spanning 10 years, Maeda has competed in notable Japanese promotions such as Pancrase, PRIDE FC and DREAM, as well as the WEC in America.

Yoshiro Maeda
Born (1981-10-31) October 31, 1981 (age 42)
Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan[1]
Native name前田 吉朗
Other namesHitman from Naniwa
NationalityJapanese
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st)
DivisionBantamweight
Flyweight (2014–present)
StyleMMA, Hybrid martial arts
Fighting out ofOsaka, Japan
TeamPancrase Inagakigumi
Years active2002–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total61
Wins39
By knockout15
By submission8
By decision15
By disqualification1
Losses19
By knockout9
By submission6
By decision4
Draws3
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts career edit

Early career edit

Going 0–1–2 as an amateur in 2002, Maeda made his professional debut in 2003 with a second round technical submission of Shigeyuki Umeki. Between his pro debut and 2005, Maeda racked a record of 17–2–1, with wins coming under the Pancrase and DEEP banners.

World Extreme Cagefighting edit

Following a drop in weight to the bantamweight division, Maeda debuted in the WEC with a first-round KO due to a kick to the body against King of the Cage champion, Charlie Valencia. With this win, Maeda was given a title shot against bantamweight champion, Miguel Torres.[2][3] In a back and forth battle, both men landed hard shots on the feet and exchanged submission attempts on the ground. Maeda would lose due to doctor stoppage in the third round due to severe swelling of his right eye.[4] The fight earned Fight of the Night honors.[5]

Maeda would then face BJJ black belt, Rani Yahya, in a catchweight bout of 137 pounds at WEC 36.[6] Maeda lost by submission due to a guillotine choke in the first round. Following this loss, Maeda would be released from his WEC contract after going 1–2 in the promotion.

DREAM edit

In his first bout under the DREAM banner, Maeda defeated Micah Miller by unanimous decision.[7] Followed by a controversial first-round KO loss to Hiroyuki Takaya, he rebounded with a win over former WEC champion Chase Beebe. Once again, Maeda would lose by KO, this time to former WEC champion Cole Escovedo.[8] Maeda is 0-4 within DREAM since his loss to Escovedo in 2010.

World Victory Road edit

Yoshiro Maeda fought former Sengoku featherweight champion, Masanori Kanehara, in December 2010.[9] Maeda won by first-round TKO.[10]

Championships and accomplishments edit

Mixed martial arts edit

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
59 matches 38 wins 18 losses
By knockout 15 8
By submission 7 6
By decision 15 4
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 39–19–5 Mitsuhisa Sunabe Decision (unanimous) Rizin 32 November 20, 2021 3 5:00 Okinawa, Japan Catchweight (129 lb) bout.
Loss 38–19–5 Tatsuro Taira Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto 0320 March 20, 2021 1 1:01 Tokyo, Japan Bantamweight bout.
Loss 38–18–5 Ryuya Fukuda TKO (Punches) Shooto 0712 July 12, 2020 3 4:57 Osaka, Japan For the Shooto Interim Flyweight Title.
Win 38–17–5 Payoongsak Singchalad Submission (Rear naked choke) DEEP & Pancrase Osaka November 17, 2019 1 3:18 Osaka, Japan
Win 37–17–5 Koki Naito Decision (split) Shooto 30th Anniversary Tour 5th Round: In Osaka June 30, 2019 3 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Loss 36–17–5 Kiyotaka Shimizu TKO (punches) Shooto 1/27 at Korakuen Hall: 30th Anniversary Tour January 27, 2019 1 4:37 Tokyo, Japan
Win 36–16–5 Tadaaki Yamamoto Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Professional Shooto 6/17 in Osaka June 17, 2018 3 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Win 35–16–5 Young Han Kim KO (punches) Shooto: Professional Shooto 6/25 in Osaka June 25, 2017 1 0:54 Osaka, Japan Catchweight (129 lb) bout.
Loss 34–16–5 Hayato Ishii Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Professional Shooto 1/29 January 29, 2017 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 34–15–5 Kosuke Suzuki Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: Mobstyles Presents Fight & Mosh April 23, 2016 2 2:43 Urayasu, Chiba, Japan
Win 33–15–5 Takaki Soya Decision (unanimous) Vale Tudo Japan - VTJ 7th September 13, 2015 3 5:00 Urayasu, Chiba, Japan
Win 32–15–5 Kentaro Watanabe Decision (unanimous) Vale Tudo Japan - VTJ in Osaka June 21, 2015 3 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Win 31–15–5 Haruo Ochi Decision (majority) Deep - Dream Impact 2014: Omisoka Special December 31, 2014 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Loss 30–15–5 Yuki Motoya Submission (armbar) Deep - 67 Impact June 22, 2014 1 4:59 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 30–14–5 Ryuichi Miki Decision (unanimous) Vale Tudo Japan - VTJ 4th February 23, 2014 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 30–13–5 Mamoru Yamaguchi Draw (majority) Deep - Tribe Tokyo Fight October 20, 2013 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Flyweight debut.
Loss 30–13–4 Daiki Hata TKO (punches) DEEP: 62nd Impact April 26, 2013 2 1:41 Tokyo, Japan Lost Deep Bantamweight Championship.
Loss 30–12–4 Bibiano Fernandes Technical Submission (triangle choke) Dream 18 December 31, 2012 1 1:46 Tokyo, Japan
Win 30–11–4 Tatsumitsu Wada Submission (rear-naked choke) Deep: 59th Impact August 18, 2012 3 2:32 Tokyo, Japan Defended Deep Bantamweight Championship.
Win 29–11–4 Takafumi Otsuka Submission (rear-naked choke) Deep: 57th Impact February 18, 2012 2 3:13 Tokyo, Japan Won Deep Bantamweight Championship.
Loss 28–11–4 Hiroshi Nakamura Decision (majority) Deep: Cage Impact 2011 in Tokyo, 2nd Round October 29, 2011 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 28–10–4 Hideo Tokoro TKO (corner stoppage) Dream: Fight for Japan! May 29, 2011 2 0:23 Saitama, Saitama, Japan DREAM Bantamweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 28–9–4 Masanori Kanehara TKO (punches) World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight December 30, 2010 1 1:27 Tokyo, Japan Featherweight bout.
Win 27–9–4 Takafumi Otsuka Decision (majority) Deep: 50 Impact October 24, 2010 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 26–9–4 Kenji Osawa Decision (split) Dream 14 May 29, 2010 3 5:00 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Return to Bantamweight.
Loss 26–8–4 Cole Escovedo KO (head kick) Dream 13 March 22, 2010 1 2:29 Yokohama, Japan
Win 26–7–4 Chase Beebe Submission (rear-naked choke) Dream 12 October 25, 2009 1 3:26 Osaka, Japan
Win 25–7–4 Kleber Koike Erbst DQ (groin shot) Deep: Osaka Impact August 30, 2009 1 4:00 Osaka, Japan
Loss 24–7–4 Hiroyuki Takaya TKO (punches) Dream 9 May 26, 2009 1 9:39 Yokohama, Japan DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 24–6–4 Micah Miller Decision (unanimous) Dream 7 Mar 8, 2009 2 5:00 Saitama, Saitama, Japan DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix Opening Round. Return to Featherweight.
Loss 23–6–4 Rani Yahya Submission (guillotine choke) WEC 36: Faber vs. Brown November 5, 2008 1 3:30 Hollywood, Florida, United States Catchweight (137 lb) bout; Yahya missed weight.
Loss 23–5–4 Miguel Torres TKO (doctor stoppage) WEC 34: Faber vs. Pulver June 1, 2008 3 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States For WEC Bantamweight Champion; Fight of the Night.
Win 23–4–4 Charlie Valencia KO (kick to the body) WEC 32: Condit vs. Prater February 13, 2008 1 2:29 Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States Bantamweight debut.
Draw 22–4–4 Kim Jong-Man Draw Deep: Protect Impact 2007 December 22, 2007 3 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Win 22–4–3 Johnny Frachey TKO (kicks and punches) Pancrase: Rising 6 September 5, 2007 1 3:38 Tokyo, Japan
Win 21–4–3 Danny Batten Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Rising 4 April 27, 2007 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Defended King of Pancrase Featherweight Championship.
Win 20–4–3 Manabu Inoue TKO (punches) Pancrase: Rising 1 February 4, 2007 1 4:36 Osaka, Japan
Loss 19–4–3 Joe Pearson Submission (guillotine choke) Pride - Bushido 13 November 5, 2006 1 0:54 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Win 19–3–3 Daiki Hata Decision (split) Pancrase: Blow 6 August 27, 2006 3 5:00 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan Won inaugural King of Pancrase Featherweight Championship.
Win 18–3–3 Atsushi Yamamoto KO (flying knee) Pancrase: Blow 5 June 6, 2006 2 4:36 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 17–3–3 Daiki Hata TKO (punches) Pancrase: Blow 2 March 19, 2006 2 0:35 Osaka, Japan
Loss 17–2–3 Masakazu Imanari Submission (toe hold) Deep: 22 Impact December 2, 2005 3 1:31 Tokyo, Japan Deep Featherweight Tournament Final. For Deep Featherweight Championship.
Win 17–1–3 Muangfahlek Kiatwichkien KO (soccer kick) Deep: 22 Impact December 2, 2005 1 2:26 Tokyo, Japan Deep Featherweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 16–1–3 Tomomi Iwama KO (head kick) Deep: 21st Impact October 28, 2005 1 0:32 Tokyo, Japan Deep Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 15–1–3 Miki Shida KO (punches) Pancrase: Spiral 7 September 4, 2005 3 2:17 Osaka, Japan
Win 14–1–3 Colin Mannsur TKO (punches) Pancrase: Spiral 6 July 31, 2005 1 2:43 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 13–1–3 Charles Bennett KO (punch) Pride: Bushido 7 May 22, 2005 1 1:55 Osaka, Japan Lightweight bout.
Win 13–0–3 Takumi Murata Submission (armbar) Pancrase: Spiral 3 April 10, 2005 1 4:16 Osaka, Japan
Draw 12–0–3 Masakazu Imanari Draw Deep: 18th Impact February 12, 2005 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 12–0–2 Minoru Tsuiki KO (punch and kick) Pancrase: Brave 12 December 21, 2004 1 4:02 Tokyo, Japan
Win 11–0–2 Fredson Paixão Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Brave 7 August 22, 2004 3 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Win 10–0–2 Isamu Sugiuchi KO (punch) Pancrase: Brave 5 May 28, 2004 1 1:32 Tokyo, Japan
Win 9–0–2 Hiroshi Umemura Submission (armbar) Deep: 14th Impact April 18, 2004 1 2:26 Osaka, Japan Catchweight (139 lb) bout.
Win 8–0–2 Alexandre Freitas TKO (flying knee and punches) Pancrase: Brave 2 February 15, 2004 2 0:25 Osaka, Japan
Win 7–0–2 Baret Yoshida KO (punches) Pancrase - Hybrid 10 November 30, 2003 1 1:29 Tokyo, Japan
Win 6–0–2 Satoshi Watanabe Decision (unanimous) Pancrase - Hybrid 8 October 4, 2003 2 5:00 Osaka, Japan Lightweight bout.
Win 5–0–2 Miki Shida Decision (unanimous) Pancrase - 2003 Neo-Blood Tournament Second Round July 27, 2003 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 4–0–2 Takahiro Sanehara TKO (punches) Pancrase - 2003 Neo-Blood Tournament Opening Round July 27, 2003 2 1:06 Tokyo, Japan
Win 3–0–2 Shinya Sato Decision (majority) Pancrase - Hybrid 7 June 22, 2003 2 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Win 2–0–2 Mitsuhisa Sunabe Decision (unanimous) Pancrase - Hybrid 5 May 18, 2003 2 5:00 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Win 1–0–2 Shigeyuki Umeki Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Pancrase - Hybrid 2 February 16, 2003 2 1:49 Osaka, Japan Featherweight debut.

Mixed martial arts exhibition record edit

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Draw 0–0–2 Yasunori Yamada Draw (time limit) Pancrase - Spirit 6 August 25, 2002 2 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Draw 0–0–1 Mikio Takeuchi Draw (time limit) Pancrase - Spirit 4 May 11, 2002 2 5:00 Osaka, Japan

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Yoshiro Maeda, Profile for Inagaki gumi".
  2. ^ "Miguel Torres vs. Yoshiro Maeda WEC title fight slated for June 1 (Exclusive)". MMAMania.com. April 14, 2008.
  3. ^ "Miguel Torres vs. Yoshiro Maeda WEC 34 fight hype (Video)". MMAMania.com. May 5, 2008.
  4. ^ "Faber Outslugs Pulver in Five-Round Classic at WEC 34; Torres Also Retains Belt". Cage Potato. May 6, 2008.
  5. ^ "Miguel Torres welcomes WEC rematch with Yoshiro Maeda". MMAJunkie.com. June 6, 2008.
  6. ^ "Yoshiro Maeda vs. Rani Yahya WEC fight booked for Hard Rock". MMAMania.com. August 20, 2008.
  7. ^ "Yoshiro Maeda vs. Micah Miller". tapology.com. March 8, 2009.
  8. ^ "Josh Barnett, Yoshiro Maeda vs. Cole Escovedo Announced for DREAM 13". mmafrenzy.com. March 12, 2010.
  9. ^ "WEC Veteran Yoshiro Maeda Vs. Masanori Kanehara Added To Sengoku: Soul Of Fight". Bleacher Report. December 17, 2010.
  10. ^ "HDNet Fights Video Vault: Masanori Kanehara vs. Yoshiro Maeda at "Soul of Fight"". MMAJunkie.com. February 23, 2011.
  11. ^ a b "Yoshiro Maeda". Retrieved 2023-08-29.

External links edit