Other names Kiss Style Kickboxing Nationality Japanese Name Yoshihiro Nakao | Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Role Mixed martial artist Division Heavyweight (265 lb) Number of contests 2 | |
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Born June 25, 1972 (age 51)
Tokyo, Japan ( 1972-06-25 ) Weight 229.8 lb (104 kg; 16 st 6 lb) | ||
Heath Herring vs. Yoshihiro Nakao Kiss Kiss KO
Yoshihiro Nakao (中尾芳広, Nakao Yoshihiro) is a Japanese semi-retired professional mixed martial artist and former K-1 kickboxer and PRIDE FC fighter who has defeated the likes of Don Frye, Choi Mu-Bae, Jim York, Wesley Correira and Edson Draggo. Nakao is a World Victory Road veteran and signed a contract with DREAM in 2011 before the promotion closed in mid-2012. Nakao lost to Antônio Silva at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Rebellion 2009 after suffering an ACL injury as a result of a leg kick from Silva in the first round. Nakao most recently fought Dave Herman at Sengoku: Soul of Fight, losing by unanimous decision. In 2012 Nakao has decided to briefly retire from mixed martial arts to let some of his recent injuries heal and focus on family more. Nakao earned the nickname "kiss" after he infamously kissed Heath Herring on the lips and was subsequently knocked out by Herring before their fight even began at K-1 PREMIUM 2005 Dynamite!!.
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New Year's Eve kiss
On December 31, 2005, Nakao was involved in a memorable MMA moment during K-1's Dynamite 2005 show.
During the pre-fight staredown with opponent Heath Herring, Nakao leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Herring reacted, delivering a right hook to the jaw of Nakao, knocking him out cold. Herring was immediately disqualified and Nakao was carried from the ring. Shortly thereafter, Nakao's cornermen attacked Herring and a brief melee ensued.
The fight result has since been changed by K-1 from a disqualification loss for Herring to a no contest, as K-1 judges ruled that Nakao's kiss and Herring's subsequent knockout punch were both fouls.