Mizuto Hirota’s MMA Highlights
Mizuto “Pugnus” Hirota is a Japanese mixed martial artist and former Sengoku lightweight champion. He competed in Shooto, Sengoku, Strikeforce, the UFC and RIZIN, with a career that included a major title win, an infamous arm injury, and a return to competition afterward.
Sengoku champion
Hirota won the Sengoku lightweight championship in August 2009, stopping Satoru Kitaoka with knees in the fourth round. At the end of that year, he faced Shinya Aoki at Dynamite!! 2009. Aoki submitted him with a hammerlock, breaking Hirota’s arm. Hirota returned to competition in 2011 and defeated then-DEEP champion Katsunori Kikuno by decision at DEEP 55.
UFC and RIZIN
Hirota fought in the UFC between 2013 and 2018. He competed on the UFC’s 2015 Japan card against Teruto Ishihara, with the bout ending in a split draw. He later returned to Japan and appeared for RIZIN. His last listed professional MMA bout was against Roberto de Souza at RIZIN 17 in July 2019, where de Souza won by first-round knockout. No retirement announcement is cited here.
Hirota’s career included boxing-led striking and competition across several weight classes. His story also reflects the different routes Japanese fighters took between domestic promotions and international organizations. Related: MMA and boxing.
Selected Recorded Results
- Jul 28, 2019: Mizuto Hirota lost to Roberto Satoshi de Souza at Rizin FF – Rizin 17; KO (Punches), round 1, 3:05.
- Dec 1, 2018: Mizuto Hirota lost to Christos Giagos at UFC Fight Night 142 – Dos Santos vs. Tuivasa; Decision (Unanimous), round 3, 5:00.
- Feb 10, 2018: Mizuto Hirota lost to Ross Pearson at UFC 221 – Romero vs. Rockhold; Decision (Unanimous), round 3, 5:00.
- Jun 10, 2017: Mizuto Hirota lost to Alexander Volkanovski at UFC Fight Night 110 – Hunt vs. Lewis; Decision (Unanimous), round 3, 5:00.
- Dec 17, 2016: Mizuto Hirota won against Cole Miller at UFC on Fox 22 – VanZant vs. Waterson; Decision (Unanimous), round 3, 5:00.
Sources
Sherdog: fight history; UFC: athlete profile; Biographical source.
Article Tags
Mizuto Hirota, Mixed Martial Arts, Sports History
