Eiji Mitsuoka: A Retrospective on the MMA Veteran’s Career

Eiji Mitsuoka is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competed in PRIDE Bushido, Shooto, Sengoku, DREAM and the UFC. A submission-focused lightweight, he built his reputation in Japan before entering the UFC in 2012.

Sengoku and Japanese promotions

Mitsuoka entered Sengoku’s 2008 lightweight Grand Prix. He advanced from the opening round with a first-round rear-naked-choke submission of Rodrigo Damm, then lost to Satoru Kitaoka in the tournament semifinal. In November 2007, he had defeated Joachim Hansen by decision; Hansen later won the 2008 DREAM tournament. He also competed in PRIDE Bushido and DREAM, earning wins over opponents including Sergey Golyaev and Bruno Carvalho.

UFC appearances

Mitsuoka made his UFC debut on short notice against Takanori Gomi at UFC 144 in February 2012. Gomi won by second-round TKO. Mitsuoka’s second UFC bout was against Nik Lentz at UFC 150, where Lentz stopped him in the first round. Sherdog lists the Lentz bout as Mitsuoka’s final professional MMA contest, placing the end of his recorded MMA career in 2012.

Mitsuoka’s record is part of the broader history of Japan’s MMA scene, where fighters moved between domestic promotions and international cards. Related: fighters.

Selected Recorded Results

• Aug 11, 2012: Eiji Mitsuoka lost to Nik Lentz at UFC 150 – Henderson vs. Edgar 2; TKO (Punches), round 1, 3:45.
• Feb 26, 2012: Eiji Mitsuoka lost to Takanori Gomi at UFC 144 – Edgar vs. Henderson; TKO (Punches), round 2, 2:21.
• Jul 16, 2011: Eiji Mitsuoka won against Bruno Carvalho at Dream – Fight for Japan: 2011 Japan Bantamweight Tournament Final; Decision (Unanimous), round 2, 5:00.
• Apr 22, 2011: Eiji Mitsuoka won against Jung Kyung Lee at Deep – 53 Impact; TKO (Submission to Punches), round 1, 3:50.
• Nov 7, 2009: Eiji Mitsuoka lost to Kazunori Yokota at Sengoku – Eleventh Battle; Decision (Unanimous), round 3, 5:00.
• Aug 2, 2009: Eiji Mitsuoka won against Clay French at Sengoku – Ninth Battle; Submission (Guillotine Choke), round 1, 1:51.

Sources

Sherdog: fight history; UFC: athlete profile.

Article Tags

Eiji Mitsuoka, Mixed Martial Arts, Sports History