Yusaku Kinoshita is a rising star in the world of mixed martial arts. He is a Japanese welterweight fighter who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the premier organization for MMA. He is known for his striking skills, explosive power, and exciting finishes. Here is an article about his career, achievements, and future prospects.
Yusaku Kinoshita was born on August 21, 2000, in Osaka, Japan. He grew up in a martial arts family, as his father was a karate instructor and his mother was a judo practitioner. He started training in karate at the age of four, and later added judo, boxing, and kickboxing to his repertoire.
Yusaku-Kinoshita was brought up by a karate instructorImage Source: Instagram Yusaku was a natural athlete, excelling in various sports such as soccer, basketball, and track and field. He also developed a passion for video games, especially fighting games, which inspired him to pursue a career in MMA.
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Kinoshita made his professional MMA debut in November 2020, at the age of 20. He fought in the Deep & Pancrase Osaka Tournament, a joint event between two of the most prominent MMA promotions in Japan. He faced Yuta Amifuji, a veteran fighter with over 20 fights under his belt.
Kinoshita showed no signs of nerves, as he dominated the fight from the start. He took down Amifuji and locked in a rear-naked choke, forcing him to tap out in just 52 seconds. He earned his first win and his first submission victory in impressive fashion.
Yusaku-Kinoshita after winning a fightImage Source: Instagram Kinoshita continued to rack up wins in the Japanese MMA scene, fighting for promotions such as Deep, Pancrase, and Rizin. He displayed his striking prowess, knocking out opponents with punches, knees, and elbows.
Yusaka also showcased his submission skills, finishing fights with guillotines, arm-triangles, and kimuras. He amassed a record of 6-1, with all of his wins coming by stoppage in the first round. He earned the nickname “Wonderboy” for his spectacular performances and charismatic personality.
Kinoshita caught the attention of the UFC, the world’s leading MMA organization, which offered him a chance to compete in Dana White’s Contender Series, a reality show that features aspiring fighters vying for a UFC contract. He accepted the opportunity and flew to Las Vegas, Nevada, to face Jose Henrique Souza, a Brazilian fighter with a 10-2 record. The fight took place on August 30, 2022, and was live on ESPN+.
The fight was a back-and-forth battle, as both fighters exchanged strikes and takedowns. Kinoshita landed some hard shots, but Souza absorbed them and countered with his own. Souza also attempted several submissions, but Kinoshita defended them and escaped.
The fight went to the third and final round, with both fighters looking for a finish. Kinoshita unleashed a flurry of punches, rocking Souza and dropping him to the canvas. He followed up with more punches, forcing the referee to stop the fight. Kinoshita won by TKO at 0:43 of the third round, earning his first UFC win and his first knockout victory in the UFC.
Kinoshita’s performance impressed UFC president Dana White, who awarded him a UFC contract on the spot. Kinoshita became the latest fighter to join the UFC roster, and the first Japanese fighter to earn a UFC contract through the Contender Series.
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Yusaka has neither confirmed nor denied any romantic involvement publicly. His attention appears to be directed towards his MMA career and his aspiration to become the UFC welterweight champion. Nonetheless, there is speculation among fans about a potential relationship with Ayaka Hamasaki, a fellow Japanese fighter and the reigning Rizin super atomweight champion.
They have been observed training together and showing mutual support on social media. It's important to note, however, that this remains mere speculation as neither individual has validated this rumor.
Yusaku Kinoshita found himself embroiled in a controversy about his MMA journey. In November 2021, during a welterweight bout against Ryuichiro Sumimura at a RIZIN event, he was disqualified for head-stomping his opponent who was on the brink of defeat.
Yusaku-Kinoshita has faced several setbacks in his careerImage Source: Instagram Notably, it wasn't the act of head stomping itself that led to his disqualification, but rather his decision to grasp onto the fence while executing the maneuver. This incident sparked significant debate online, with a recently resurfaced video of the incident circulating on Twitter."
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