Yasuhiro Urushitani: MMA Flyweight Pioneer
Yasuhiro Urushitani is a Japanese flyweight whose career spanned Shooto, the UFC, ONE Championship and DEEP. A former Shooto titleholder, he was among the early competitors in the UFC’s flyweight division and fought for the inaugural championship tournament.
Shooto champion
Urushitani won the Shooto 123-pound title in 2010 and held it until he vacated the belt to join the UFC. He built his reputation in Japan through technical striking and frequent title-level matchups. In 2011, he defended the championship against Mamoru Yamaguchi with a second-round head-kick knockout.
UFC and later career
Urushitani made his UFC debut against Joseph Benavidez at UFC on FX 2 in March 2012, in a bout that helped launch the UFC flyweight division. Benavidez won by second-round TKO. Urushitani later lost a decision to John Lineker, then returned to Asia. He recorded a split-decision win over Rey Docyogen at ONE: Rise to Power before Adriano Moraes submitted him at ONE: War of Nations in 2014. Sherdog lists a 2016 Shooto bout as his last recorded MMA contest.
Urushitani’s work in Shooto and the UFC helped introduce international audiences to Japanese flyweights. Related MMA coverage: fighters, UFC, ONE Championship, and MMA.
Selected Recorded Results
- Nov 12, 2016: Yasuhiro Urushitani lost to Takumi Tamaru at Shooto – Professional Shooto 11/12; Submission (Armbar), round 1, 4:48.
- Mar 14, 2014: Yasuhiro Urushitani lost to Adriano Moraes at One FC 14 – War of Nations; Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), round 2, 3:48.
- Oct 20, 2013: Yasuhiro Urushitani won against Jae Nam Yoo at Deep – Tribe Tokyo Fight; Decision (Unanimous), round 3, 5:00.
- May 31, 2013: Yasuhiro Urushitani won against Rey Docyogen at One FC 9 – Rise to Power; Decision (Split), round 3, 5:00.
- Nov 10, 2012: Yasuhiro Urushitani lost to John Lineker at UFC on Fuel TV 6 – Franklin vs. Le; Decision (Unanimous), round 3, 5:00.
Sources
Shooto: official fighter profile; UFC: athlete profile; Biographical source.
Article Tags
Yasuhiro Urushitani, Mixed Martial Arts, Sports History
