Keita Nakamura: MMA Welterweight Warrior
Keita “K-Taro” Nakamura is a Japanese welterweight with a long career across Shooto, Sengoku, the UFC, Bellator and RIZIN. Known for his submission grappling, he returned to the UFC in 2015 after an earlier three-fight Octagon run and later continued competing in Japan.
Japanese titles and a UFC return
Nakamura became a titleholder in Japanese MMA, winning the Sengoku welterweight championship and the Shooto Pacific Rim middleweight title. He also won the 2010 World Victory Road welterweight Grand Prix. After an initial UFC stint from 2006 to 2008, he returned to the promotion in 2015 and submitted Li Jingliang in the third round at UFC Fight Night 75. His UFC record includes victories over Kyle Noke, Alex Morono and Salim Touahri.
Recent competition
After leaving the UFC, Nakamura fought for Bellator and returned to RIZIN. He stopped Kiichi Kunimoto at RIZIN 41 in April 2023, then faced Roberto de Souza at RIZIN Landmark 9 on March 23, 2024. De Souza won the bout by first-round corner stoppage. This is Nakamura’s latest listed professional MMA fight in the cited records.
Nakamura’s record and long list of promotions reflect the international path taken by many Japanese fighters. Related coverage: Pancrase, the UFC and MMA.
Selected Recorded Results
- Mar 23, 2024: Keita Nakamura lost to Roberto Satoshi de Souza at Rizin FF – Landmark Vol. 9; TKO (Corner Stoppage), round 1, 1:43.
- Apr 1, 2023: Keita Nakamura won against Kiichi Kunimoto at Rizin FF – Rizin 41; KO (Punches and Soccer Kick), round 2, 0:49.
- Dec 29, 2019: Keita Nakamura lost to Lorenz Larkin at Bellator 237 – Fedor vs. Rampage; Decision (Unanimous), round 3, 5:00.
- Oct 12, 2019: Keita Nakamura won against Marcos Yoshio de Souza at Rizin FF – Rizin 19: Lightweight Grand Prix 1st Round; TKO (Corner Stoppage), round 1, 1:18.
- Apr 20, 2019: Keita Nakamura lost to Sultan Aliev at UFC Fight Night 149 – Overeem vs. Oleynik; Decision (Unanimous), round 3, 5:00.
Sources
Sherdog: fight history; UFC: athlete profile.
Article Tags
Keita Nakamura, Mixed Martial Arts, Sports History
