Nationality Japanese Name Katsunori Kikuno Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Role Mixed Martial Artist | Reach 66.0 in (168 cm) Trained by Tsuyoshi Kohsaka Draws 2 | |
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Weight 145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb) Division LightweightFeatherweight Profiles | ||
Katsunori Kikuno - Post-Fight interview - 20.Jul.2009
Katsunori Kikuno (born October 30, 1981) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the UFC's Featherweight division. He is the former DEEP Lightweight Champion.
Contents
- Katsunori Kikuno Post Fight interview 20Jul2009
- Ufc knokouts tony ferguson vs katsunori kikuno
- Background
- Deep
- Dream
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Championships and accomplishments
- References
Ufc knokouts tony ferguson vs katsunori kikuno
Background
Kikuno started his martial arts training with judo when he was in high school, and was able to take third place in the Kyushu 66 kg tournament and first in the Kagoshima Prefecture 66 kg tournament. After graduating from high school Kikuno took up Kyokushin Karate where he took first in the all Kyushu Tournament and a best 16 spot in the middle division of an All-Japan Tournament, Kikuno was trained under Hitoshi Kiyama. He joined Tsuyoshi Kohsaka’s A-Square MMA team in 2004 and began his career in 2005.
Deep
Kikuno made his professional mixed martial arts debut in Japanese promotion DEEP's Future King Tournament 2005 defeating Hitoki Tsuti via doctor stoppage and Masashi Takeda via knockout.
At the 2009 DEEP Lightweight Tournament Kikuno became champion after defeating Koichiro Matsumoto via knockout.
Dream
Kikuno signed with the DREAM promotion after becoming DEEP Lightweight Champion and made his debut against Andre Dida at Dream 10 on July 20, 2009. Kikuno defeated Dida via a flurry of punches, winning his DREAM debut.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Kikuno faced Quinn Mulhern on January 4, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 34. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
In his second fight with the promotion, Kikuno faced Tony Ferguson on May 24, 2014 at UFC 173. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
Kikuno faced Sam Sicilia at UFC Fight Night 52 on September 20, 2014. He won the fight via submission in the second round.
Kikuno faced Kevin Souza on March 21, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 62. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
Kikuno faced Diego Brandão on September 27, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 75. He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.