Masakazu Imanari: A Master of Leglocks in MMA

Masakazu Imanari is a Japanese mixed martial artist and submission grappler whose distinctive leg attacks made him one of the sport’s most recognizable specialists. Competing professionally since 2000, he built a long career across Japanese promotions and international organizations, including DEEP, ZST, DREAM, PRIDE, Cage Rage, and ONE Championship.

A specialist in leg locks

Known as “Ashikan Judan,” a nickname commonly translated as “Master of Leg Locks,” Imanari became famous for attacking opponents’ legs from positions many fighters would use to stand back up. His rolling entry, now widely called the Imanari roll, closes distance and can lead directly to a leg entanglement and submission. The technique is risky when mistimed, but it reflects the speed and commitment that define his grappling game. ONE Championship has highlighted his leg-lock finishes as part of the promotion’s history.

Titles and career highlights

Imanari won DEEP championships in two weight classes, earning three DEEP title reigns, and also became Cage Rage’s featherweight champion. He reached the final of DREAM’s 2011 Japan Bantamweight Grand Prix, where he faced Hideo Tokoro. These achievements came in a career shaped by frequent competition and a willingness to meet opponents with varied styles. DEEP’s own records identify him as a former featherweight and bantamweight champion, while ONE describes him as a three-time DEEP champion.

Later competition

At 48, Imanari returned to MMA at RIZIN Landmark 8 in February 2024. He submitted Kazumasa Majima with an armbar in the second round, adding another finish to a career often associated with heel hooks and other leg attacks. In January 2025, he competed in a separate submission-grappling match against Marcelo Garcia at ONE 170; Garcia won by north-south choke. That grappling bout was not an MMA fight.

Imanari’s legacy rests on a clear contribution: he made a specialized approach to leg entanglements a defining part of his public style and gave it a name that grapplers around the world recognize. His longevity, championship success, and inventive entries have made him a lasting figure in Japanese mixed martial arts and submission grappling.

Sources

ONE Championship; Biographical source.

Article Tags

Masakazu Imanari, Mixed Martial Arts, Sports History