Riki Fukuda (Japanese: 福田 力, Fukuda Riki, born January 6, 1981), is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Middleweight division. A professional competitor since 2004, he has formerly competed for the UFC, EliteXC, DEEP, DREAM, K-1 (MMA), Shooto, and Pancrase. Currently, he runs an izakaya-style restaurant in Leiden, The Netherlands.

Riki Fukuda
Born (1981-01-06) January 6, 1981 (age 43)
Gifu, Japan[1]
NationalityJapanese
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight
Reach73.0 in (185 cm)
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofTokyo, Japan
TeamGrabaka
American Kickboxing Academy
Haleo Top Team[2]
Years active2004–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total34
Wins24
By knockout12
By decision12
Losses9
By knockout3
By decision6
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts career

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Background

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Fukuda was a member of the Yamanashi Gakuin University's wrestling team. At the All Japan University Championships, he placed third in 2002 and second in 2003 in his weight class. Fukuda then joined Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling and made his professional wrestling debut in March 2003.

Early career

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In his professional mixed martial arts debut at SuperBrawl, Fukuda surprised many by taking Joe Doerksen to decision. Over the years, he has worked for the Japanese promotions Shooto, Pancrase and K-1. In February 2007, he made his debut in the EliteXC promotion at EliteXC Destiny. He then lost a close decision to Joey Villasenor on the September 15, 2007 EliteXC: Uprising card.

Fukuda fought at DREAM.8 as a late replacement for Yoon Dong-Sik, where he defeated Murilo Rua by unanimous decision. At DEEP 42, Riki defeated Yuichi Nakanishi via unanimous decision to become the DEEP Middleweight Champion. Fukuda successfully defended the title against Hiromitsu Kanehara at DEEP 46. At DEEP 49, Riki successfully defended the title against Ryuta Sakurai winning the fight via TKO due to knees. During his bout with Sakurai, Fukuda was able to push the pace, causing Sakurai to fall out of the cage twice. In the first round, Fukuda successfully completed a takedown, but in the process Sakurai fell out of the ring and hit his face on the bell. In the second round, Fukuda landed a knee to the midsection which cause Sakurai to fall, but as he fell he landed on the ground outside the ring; head first. Fukuda was given the victory by TKO, when Sakurai was not able to continue from the head injury.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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In October 2010, it was revealed Fukuda had signed with the UFC. Fukuda made his promotional debut against TUF 11 alumni, Nick Ring on February 27, 2011, at UFC 127.[3] Fukuda lost his UFC debut by a controversial unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). All three judges gave Ring the first two rounds with Fukuda winning the final round, despite controlling all three rounds with takedowns. Despite the loss on the scorecards, UFC president Dana White felt Fukuda won the bout and stated on his Twitter account that both fighters would be paid a win bonus.[4]

Fukuda was expected to face Rafael Natal on August 6, 2011, at UFC 133.[5] However, Fukuda was forced out of the bout due to a knee injury sustained in a car accident[6] and replaced by Costas Philippou.[7]

Fukuda faced Steve Cantwell on February 26, 2012, at UFC 144.[8] Fukuda defeated Cantwell via unanimous decision.

Fukuda lost to Costas Philippou on July 7, 2012, at UFC 148 via unanimous decision.[9]

Fukuda next defeated Tom DeBlass via unanimous decision on November 10, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 6.[10]

Fukuda faced Brad Tavares on March 3, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 8 and lost via unanimous decision.[11] Fukuda was subsequently released from the organization after testing positive for banned substances during his post fight drug screening.[12] It was later revealed to be linked to over the counter cold medicine Fukuda had taken when he fell ill during his process of making weight for the bout.

Road Fighting Championship

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In August 2013, Fukuda signed with South Korea based promotion ROAD FC.[13] Fukuda faced Hee Seung Kim in his debut bout at Road FC: Korea 1 on January 18, 2014.[14] He won the fight via second-round TKO.[15]

Fukuda then faced Dong Sik-Yoon at Road FC 16 on July 26, 2014.[16] He won the fight via TKO, extending his post-UFC record to 2–0.[17]

In his next fight, Fukuda faced Dool Hee Lee at Road FC 19 on November 9, 2014.[18] Fukuda controlled the first round, however, the fight was declared a no-contest in the second round, due to accidental groin shots.[19]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
34 matches 24 wins 9 losses
By knockout 12 3
By decision 12 6
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 24–9 (1) Hoon Kim TKO (punches) Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 40 July 15, 2017 2 2:38 Seoul, South Korea
Win 24–8 (1) Nae Chul Kim Decision (unanimous) Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 36 February 11, 2017 3 5:00 Seoul, South Korea
Loss 23–8 (1) Jung Hwan Cha KO (punches) Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 28 January 31, 2016 2 2:36 Seoul, South Korea Lost the Road FC Middleweight Championship.
Win 23–7 (1) Uh Jin Jeon TKO (punches) Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 24 July 25, 2015 1 2:52 Tokyo, Japan Won the Road FC Middleweight Championship.
Win 22–7 (1) Dool Hee Lee TKO (punches) Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 22 March 21, 2015 2 3:57 Seoul, South Korea
NC 21–7 (1) Dool Hee Lee No Contest (accidental knee to groin) Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 19 November 9, 2014 2 N/A Seoul, South Korea
Win 21–7 Dong-sik Yoon TKO (punches) Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 16 July 26, 2014 1 3:36 Gumi, South Korea
Win 20–7 Hee Seung Kim TKO (punches) Road FC: Korea 1 January 18, 2014 2 2:09 Seoul, South Korea
Loss 19–7 Brad Tavares Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann March 3, 2013 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Win 19–6 Tom DeBlass Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Franklin vs. Le November 10, 2012 3 5:00 Macau, SAR, China
Loss 18–6 Costas Philippou Decision (unanimous) UFC 148 July 7, 2012 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 18–5 Steve Cantwell Decision (unanimous) UFC 144 February 26, 2012 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Loss 17–5 Nick Ring Decision (unanimous) UFC 127 February 27, 2011 3 5:00 Sydney, Australia Awarded win bonus due to controversial decision from judges.
Win 17–4 Ryuta Sakurai TKO (knees) DEEP: 49 Impact August 27, 2010 2 0:32 Tokyo, Japan Defended the DEEP Middleweight Championship; vacates title to fight in UFC.
Win 16–4 Hiromitsu Kanehara Decision (unanimous) DEEP: 46 Impact February 28, 2010 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Non-title bout.[20]
Win 15–4 Yuichi Nakanishi Decision (unanimous) DEEP: 42 Impact June 30, 2009 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Won the DEEP Middleweight Championship.
Win 14–4 Murilo Rua Decision (unanimous) DREAM 8 April 5, 2009 2 5:00 Nagoya, Japan Catchweight (196 lb) bout.
Win 13–4 Ryuta Sakurai TKO (punches) DEEP: 40 Impact February 20, 2009 1 0:45 Tokyo, Japan
Win 12–4 Jason Jones Decision (unanimous) Deep: 38 Impact October 23, 2008 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 11–4 Hiroki Ozaki Decision (unanimous) DEEP: 37 Impact August 17, 2008 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 10–4 Yuichi Nakanishi Decision (unanimous) DEEP: 35 Impact May 19, 2008 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan For the vacant DEEP Middleweight Championship.
Win 10–3 Yuya Shirai Decision (split) DEEP: 35 Impact May 19, 2008 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 9–3 Ryuta Sakurai Decision (unanimous) DEEP: 34 Impact February 22, 2008 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 8–3 Joey Villaseñor Decision (split) EliteXC: Uprising September 15, 2007 3 5:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 8–2 Hikaru Sato TKO (punches) Pancrase: 2007 Neo-Blood Tournament Finals July 27, 2007 1 1:09 Tokyo, Japan
Win 7–2 Chris Gates TKO (submission to punches) EliteXC Destiny February 10, 2007 1 1:18 Southaven, Mississippi, United States Return to Middleweight.
Win 6–2 Yuji Sakuragi Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: 2006 Neo-Blood Tournament Finals July 28, 2006 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Heavyweight debut.
Win 5–2 Keitaro Maeda TKO (punches) GCM: D.O.G. 5 April 4, 2006 1 4:40 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 4–2 Kozo Urita KO (punch) Pancrase: Blow 1 January 26, 2006 1 0:40 Tokyo, Japan
Win 4–1 Yuta Nakamura TKO (punches) Pancrase: Spiral 9 November 4, 2005 1 0:57 Tokyo, Japan
Win 3–1 Brandon Wolff TKO (punches) K-1: World Grand Prix Hawaii July 29, 2005 2 2:49 Hawaii, United States Middleweight debut.
Win 2–1 Oleg Bazayev KO (punches) GCM: D.O.G. 2 June 11, 2005 1 0:28 Tokyo, Japan
Win 1–1 Masaya Inoue Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 1/29 in Korakuen Hall January 29, 2005 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 0–1 Joe Doerksen Decision (unanimous) SuperBrawl 35 April 16, 2004 3 5:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "UFC 148 Media Notes". UFC. June 30, 2012.
  2. ^ http://haleotopteam.com/
  3. ^ ".Nick Ring vs. Riki Fukuda Inked for UFC 127 February 27 in Australia". cagepotato.com. December 7, 2010.
  4. ^ "Dana White @ Twitter". twitter.com. February 27, 2011.
  5. ^ "Rafael "Sapo" Natal vs. Riki Fukuda Added to UFC 133 Card". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. mmaweekly.com. April 14, 2011.
  6. ^ "Riki Fukuda out of UFC 133 due to car-accident injury". mmajunkie.com. June 20, 2011.
  7. ^ "Replacement Costa Philippou meets Rafael "Sapo" Natal at UFC 133". MMA Junkie. June 20, 2011. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013.
  8. ^ "Steve Cantwell vs. Riki Fukuda Likely for UFC 144". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. mmaweekly.com. 2011-11-23.
  9. ^ "UFC 148 adds middleweights Fukuda vs. Philippou". mmajunkie.com. 2012-03-21. Archived from the original on 2012-07-10.
  10. ^ "Tom DeBlass meets middleweight Riki Fukuda at UFC on FUEL TV 6". mmajunkie.com. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 24, 2012.
  11. ^ "Brad Tavares vs. Riki Fukuda Confirmed for UFC on Fuel 8". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. mmaweekly.com. 13 December 2012.
  12. ^ "UFC releases Riki Fukuda following failed drug test". mmajunkie.com. March 20, 2013.
  13. ^ "Former UFC Middleweight Riki Fukuda Signs With South Korea's Road FC". mmainsider.com. August 27, 2013.
  14. ^ "Riki Fukuda vs. Kim Hee-Seung to headline inaugural 'ROAD FC – Korea' event". fightsportsasia.com. December 17, 2013.
  15. ^ "UFC Veteran Riki Fukuda Stops Hee Seung Kim in Road FC 'Korea 1' Headliner". sherdog.com. January 18, 2014.
  16. ^ "Yoon Dong-Sik to meet Riki Fukuda at ROAD FC 16 on July 26th". mma-in-asia.com. May 29, 2014.
  17. ^ "Nam Jin Jo Takes Flyweight Title, Riki Fukuda Stops Dong Sik Yoon at Road FC 16". sherdog.com. July 26, 2014.
  18. ^ "Riki Fukuda vs Lee Dool-Hee announced for ROAD FC 019". TheFightNation.com. October 1, 2014.
  19. ^ "Beyond the Octagon: UFC vets Riki Fukuda and Gilbert Smith, plus Tiger Sarnavskiy's flying knee". bloodyelbow.com. November 10, 2014.
  20. ^ "DEEP results". UWFi Team.
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