Naoki Tanaka
Born田中直樹
(1992-06-24) 24 June 1992
Tokyo, Japan
Other namesNaoki Seki
NicknameJoker
NationalityJapanese
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight63 kg (139 lb; 9 st 13 lb)
DivisionSuper Bantamweight
StyleKarate, Kickboxing
Fighting out ofEdogawa, Tokyo, Japan
TeamParaestra Koiwa
RankBlack belt in Gōjū-ryū karate[1]
Years active2015–present
Kickboxing record
Total27
Wins19
By knockout10
Losses8
By knockout4
Other information
Websitehttps://naoki-6.jimdosite.com/

Naoki Tanaka (田中直樹, born 24 June 1992) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the lightweight division of RISE, where he is the incumbent champion. A professional competitor since 2015, Tanaka has spent his entire professional career with RISE.

Combat Press ranks him as the #5 super bantamweight kickboxer in the world.[2] He's been continually ranked in the top ten since November 2020, peaking at #6 in November and December 2020.[3][4]

Kickboxing career

Background

Tanaka began training Gōjū-ryū karate at the age of five. After he entered junior high school, Tanaka went to his current gym, Paraestra Koiwa, with the intention of becoming a mixed martial artist. However, after taking a kickboxing class on his first day at the gym, Tanaka decided to become a professional kickboxer.[1]

RISE

RISE Super Featherweight Rookies Cup

Tanaka made his professional debut against Shinji Totsu at RISE ZERO on June 7, 2015. He debut in the super featherweight (-60kg) division of RISE, participating in the RISE Super Featherweight Rookies Cup. Tanaka won the opening round of the tournament by beating Totsu by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–27, 30–28 and 30–28.[5]

Tanaka was scheduled to face Tomo Janjira in the tournament quarterfinals, held at RISE ZERO on August 9, 2015. He won the fight by a second-round knockout.[6]

Tanaka faced Yuma Isencho in the tournament semifinals, at Rise 107 on October 12, 2015. He won the fight by a third-round knockout, knocking Isencho at the very last second of the bout.[7]

In the tournament final, Tanaka faced Yuya Fujita at Rise 110 on March 26, 2016. Tanaka won the fight by unanimous decision. Prior to this fight, Tanaka changed his ring name from "Naoki Tanaka" to "Naoki".[8]

Move to lightweight

Tanaka was scheduled to face Fumiya Kawashima at Rise 112 on July 30, 2016, in a super lightweight bout, 5kg heavier than his previous fights. Tanaka won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–29, 30–28 and 30–28.[9]

Tanaka was scheduled to face Keisuke Niwa at Rise 114 on November 25, 2016, in a lightweight (63kg) bout. Tanaka was at the time the #5 ranked RISE lightweight, while Niwa came into the bout as the #4 ranked lightweight contender. Tanaka won the fight by a third-round knockout. He knocked Niwa down with a right straight after the halfway point of the third round, before stopping him with a left hook at the 2:21 minute mark.[10]

Tanaka was scheduled to face the former NJKF lightweight champion Ikki at Rise 115 on January 28, 2017. The fight was ruled a unanimous decision draw after the first three rounds were fought, with all three judges scoring the bout at event 29–29. Ikki was awarded a majority decision, after an extra round was fought.[11]

Next Challenger Tournament

Tanaka participated in a four-man next challenger tournament, held to decide the next challenger for Fukashi Mizutani's lightweight title. Tanaka, who was at the time the #3 ranked lightweight contender, was scheduled to fight a rematch with the #5 ranked Fumiya Kawashima in the tournament semifinals at Rise 117 on May 20, 2017. The other semifinal pairing consisted of the #1 ranked Shohei Asahara and the #2 ranked Ikki.[12]

Tanaka made quick work of his semifinal opponent, needing only 58 seconds to knock Kawashima with a head kick.[13] Tanaka faced Shohei Asahara in the tournament finals, held at Rise 118 on July 17, 2017. Following a relatively even first round, Asahara knocked Tanaka out with a devastating left hook six seconds into the second round. Tanaka was unable to make a quick recovery inside of the ring, and had to be stretchered out.[14]

Six–fight winning streak

Tanaka was scheduled to fight Tomohiro Kitai in the co-main event of Rise 122 on February 4, 2018. It was the first co-main event appearance of Tanaka's career.[15] The fight was ruled a majority draw after the first three rounds were fought, with two judges scoring the bout an even 30–30, while the third judges scored it 30–29 for Kitai. Kitao won the fight by unanimous decision, after an extra round was fought.[16]

Tanaka was scheduled to face Vitor Toffanelli at Rise 124 on June 25, 2018. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–29, 30–29 and 30–28.[17]

Tanaka was scheduled to face Panuwat TGT at RISE EVOL.2 on February 8, 2019.[18] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–27, 29–27 and 30–27. Tanaka scored the sole knockdown of the fight in the third round, through repeated body shots.[19]

Tanaka was scheduled to fight Mitsuru Nakao at RISE 131 on March 23, 2019.[20] He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout, due to the three knockdown rule. Tanaka scored the first knockdown with a right uppercut, while the second and third were scored with a right straight. During the post-fight interview, Tanaka called for a fight with the reigning RISE lightweight champion Taiju Shiratori.[21]

Tanaka was scheduled to face the former J-Network lightweight champion Taisuke Maeguchi at RISE 133 on July 5, 2019. He won the fight by a first-round knockout, with Maeguchi succumbing to repeated punches with four seconds left in the round.[22]

Tanaka was scheduled to face Yoshimichi Matsumoto at RISE WORLD SERIES 2019 Final Round on September 16, 2019.[23] Tanaka won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 29–28 in his favor.[24]

Tanaka fought Miki Shiraki for the vacant SWK 65kg title at Suk Wan Kingthong Go to Raja on November 13, 2019. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 49–47, 49–48 and 50–48.[25]

RISE Dead or Alive 2020 Tournament

Qualification tournament

Tanaka was scheduled to participate in a four-man 2020 RISE Dead or Alive qualification tournament, held at RISE 136 on January 13, 2020. He faced the #1 ranked Rise lightweight Yuma Yamaguchi in the tournament semifinals, while the other semifinal pairing consisted of the #3 ranked Rise lightweight Tomohiro Kitai and NKB lightweight champion Kazuma Takahashi.[26]

Tanaka won the semifinal match against Yamaguchi by a third-round technical knockout, stopping his opponent with a series of strikes with only ten seconds left in the bout.[27] Tanaka faced Tomohiro Kitai in the tournament finals. He knocked Kitai down twice in the second round, which resulted in an automatic technical knockout victory, due to the rules of the tournament.[28]

Dead or Alive tournament

Tanaka was scheduled to face the former Rise lightweight champion Taiju Shiratori in the semifinals of the RISE DEAD OR ALIVE 2020 tournament, held on October 11, 2020. Kento Haraguchi and Renta Nishioka contested the second semifinal bout.[29] Tanaka won the fight by a first-round technical knockout. At the halfway point of the round, Tanaka landed a knee to the head of Shiratori which opened up a cut, prompting the referee to call in the ringside doctor. The doctor decided to stop the bout, deeming Shiratori unable to continue fighting.[30]

Tanaka advanced to the finals, where he faced the reigning Rise lightweight champion Kento Haraguchi. Haraguchi began pressuring Tanaka as soon as the fight started, and managed to knock him down midway through the round. Although Tanaka was able to beat the eight-count, he was unsteady on his feet which prompted the referee to stop the fight.[31]

RISE Lightweight champion

Tanaka was scheduled to fight Hideki for the vacant RISE Lightweight championship at RISE 145 on January 30, 2021. The fight was announced on the same day that the previous titleholder Kento Haraguchi vacated the belt. Tanaka was at the time the #2 ranked RISE lightweight contender, while the two-time lightweight title challenger Hideki came into the bout as the #1 ranked lightweight contender.[32] Tanaka won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 48–46, 48–46 and 48–45. He scored two knockdowns, one each in the first and the fourth round.[33]

Tanaka was scheduled to face Taiju Shiratori, in a non-title bout, at RISE WORLD SERIES 2021 Yokohama on September 23, 2021. The fight was a rematch of their October 11, 2020 meeting in the semifinals of the 2020 Rise Dead or Alive tournament, which Tanaka won by a first-round technical knockout.[34] Tanaka won the fight by unanimous decision, after an extra round was fought. Despite a slow start to the fight, Tanaka became more and more active as the bout went on and managed to fight Shiratori to a draw after the first three rounds. He convincingly won the extra round, with Shiratori being unable to mount any sustained offense.[35]

Tanaka was scheduled to face the former Rajadamnern Stadium and WBC Muaythai lightweight champion Jaroenchai Liongym in a non-title bout at RISE 153 on December 12, 2021. Tanaka saw this as a showcase fight, saying before the fight: "I want to overwhelm a former world-class fighter and show that I can fight fighters who are currently world class".[36] He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout. Tanaka first knocked Jaroenchai down with a check left hook as the latter was pressing forwards, before forcing the referee to wave the fight off with a flurry of unanswered punches.[37]

Tanaka vacated the Suk Wan Kingthong super lightweight title on March 17, 2022, as he was unable to make a title defense in the mandated time.[38]

Tanaka was booked to face the RISE Super Lightweight champion Kosei Yamada at RISE El Dorado 2022 on April 2, 2022, in a super lightweight non-title bout.[39] He lost the fight by third round knockout after scoring a knockdown in the previous round.[40]

Tanaka faced the Wu Lin Feng -63kg World champion Denis Wosik at Glory 81: Ben Saddik vs. Adegbuyi 2 on August 20, 2022, as part of the Glory and RISE agreement to periodically exchange fighters.[41] He lost the fight by unanimous decision, with all five judges scoring the bout 30–26 for Wosik. Tanaka was knocked down with a spinning backfist in the second round and suffered a cut above his right eye in the third round.[42]

Tanaka faced the two-time WBC Muaythai title challenger Chadd Collins in a catchweight (-64 kg) bout at RISE World Series 2022 on October 15, 2022.[43] He lost the fight by a second-round technical knockout. Tanaka was first knocked down with a left hook near the midway point of the second round and was stopped with a flurry of punches soon after.[44]

Tanaka made his first RISE lightweight title defense against Kan Nakamura at RISE 167 on April 21, 2023.[45] He lost the fight by majority decision, with two scorecards of 49–48 and one scorecard of 48–48.[46]

Championships and accomplishments

  • Suk Wan Kingthong
    • 2019 Suk Wan Kingthong 65kg Champion
  • RISE
    • 2016 RISE Super Featherweight Rookies Cup Winner
    • 2020 RISE Lightweight Qualification Tournament Winner
    • 2020 RISE Dead or Alive Lightweight Tournament Runner-up
    • 2021 RISE Lightweight Championship

Fight record

Professional Kickboxing Record
19 Wins (10 (T)KO's), 8 Losses, 0 Draw, 0 No Contest
Date Result OpponentEventLocation MethodRoundTime
2023-04-21LossJapan Kan NakamuraRISE 167Tokyo, JapanDecision (Majority)53:00
Loses the RISE Lightweight title.
2022-10-15LossAustralia Chadd CollinsRISE World Series 2022Tokyo, JapanKO (Punches)21:42
2022-08-20LossGermany Denis WosikGlory 81: Ben Saddik vs. Adegbuyi 2Düsseldorf, GermanyDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2022-04-02LossJapan Kosei YamadaRISE El Dorado 2022Tokyo, JapanKO (Punches)30:24
2021-12-12WinThailand Jaroenchai LiongymRISE 153Tokyo, JapanTKO (Punches)30:46
2021-09-23WinJapan Taiju ShiratoriRISE WORLD SERIES 2021 YokohamaYokohama, JapanExt. R. Decision (Unanimous)43:00
2021-01-30WinJapan Hideki SasakiRISE 145Bunkyo, Tokyo, JapanDecision (Unanimous)53:00
Wins the vacant RISE Lightweight title.
2020-10-11LossJapan Kento HaraguchiRISE DEAD OR ALIVE 2020 Yokohama, Tournament FinalsYokohama, JapanTKO (Punches)11:53
2020-10-11WinJapan Taiju ShiratoriRISE DEAD OR ALIVE 2020 Yokohama, Tournament SemifinalsYokohama, JapanTKO (Cut to Forehead)11:30
2020-01-13WinJapan Tomohiro KitaiRISE 136, Tournament FinalTokyo, JapanTKO (Two knockdown rule)22:50
Wins the RISE 63kg Qualification Tournament.
2020-01-13WinJapan Yuma YamaguchiRISE 136, Tournament SemifinalTokyo, JapanTKO (Two knockdown rule)32:50
2019-11-13WinJapan Miki ShirakiSuk Wan Kingthong Go to RajaTokyo, JapanDecision (Unanimous)53:00
Wins the vacant SWK 65kg title.
2019-09-16WinJapan Yoshimichi MatsumotoRISE WORLD SERIES 2019 Final RoundChiba, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2019-07-05WinJapan Taison MaeguchiRISE 133Tokyo, JapanKO (Punches)12:56
2019-03-23WinJapan Mitsuru NakaoRISE 131Tokyo, JapanTKO (Three knockdown rule)21:31
2019-02-08WinThailand Panuwat TGTRISE EVOL.2Tokyo, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2018-05-25WinBrazil Vitor ToffanelliRise 124Tokyo, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2018-02-04LossJapan Tomohiro KitaiRise 122Tokyo, JapanExt. R. Decision (Unanimous)43:00
2017-07-17LossJapan Shohei AsaharaRise 118, Tournament FinalTokyo, JapanKO (Left hook)20:06
2017-05-20WinJapan Fumiya KawashimaRise 117, Tournament SemifinalTokyo, JapanKO (Head kick)10:58
2017-01-28LossJapan IkkiRise 115Tokyo, JapanExt. R. Decision (Majority)43:00
2016-11-25WinJapan Keisuke NiwaRise 114Tokyo, JapanKO (Left hook)32:21
2016-07-30WinJapan Fumiya KawashimaRise 112Tokyo, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2016-03-26WinJapan Yuya FujitaRise 110, Tournament FinalTokyo, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Wins RISE Super Featherweight Rookies Cup.
2015-10-12WinJapan Yuma IsenchoRise 107, Tournament SemifinalTokyo, JapanKO33:00
2015-08-09WinJapan Tomo JanjiraRISE ZERO, Tournament QuarterfinalTokyo, JapanTKO22:07
2015-06-07WinJapan Shinji TotsuRISE ZERO, Tournament Opening RoundTokyo, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "【RISE】新鋭・直樹は伝統派空手で約150戦140勝". efight.jp. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  2. ↑ Aittama, Zach. "Combat Press Kickboxing Rankings: November 2021". combatpress.com. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  3. ↑ "Combat Press Kickboxing Rankings: November 2020". combatpress.com. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  4. ↑ Aittama, Zach. "Combat Press Kickboxing Rankings: December 2020". combatpress.com. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  5. ↑ "RISE ZERO試合結果". rise-rc.com. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  6. ↑ "RISE ZERO試合結果". rise-rc.com. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  7. ↑ "【RISE】野辺が熱戦で郷州に競り勝つ". efight.jp. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  8. ↑ "無敗のRISE王者・那須川天心 ISKAタイトル獲得！2冠王・清水大苦戦、村越完勝！～ RISE 110 ～". miruhon.net. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  9. ↑ "【RISE】村越が小笠原に壮絶TKO勝ち、9月那須川とタイトル戦". efight.jp. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  10. ↑ "【RISE】遺恨マッチは花田が3度のダウンを奪い森本を制裁". efight.jp. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  11. ↑ "【RISE】ベテラン一輝が直樹の連勝をストップ、メインは急遽中止に". efight.jp. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  12. ↑ "【RISE.117】実力者対決・知花デビットvs優吾・FLYSKYGYMが決定！5/20(土)". royalroa-d.com. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  13. ↑ "【RISE】那須川天心、わずか1分12秒でKO防衛". efight.jp. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  14. ↑ "【RISE】"鉄拳"リーが裕樹にKO勝ち、野辺危うし". efight.jp. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  15. ↑ "【RISE】北井智大が母から贈られた勝負パンツで計量クリアー". efight.jp. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  16. ↑ "【RISE】秀樹がリーの進撃をストップし、三冠制覇をアピール". efight.jp. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  17. ↑ "【RISE】直樹が連敗脱出し、幕張メッセ大会参戦アピール". efight.jp. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  18. ↑ "【RISE】メインの直樹「新王者の白鳥選手と戦うために」vs パヌワット「私にはRISEルールが合っている」＝2月8日（金）『RISE EVOL.2』新宿". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  19. ↑ "【RISE】直樹がパヌワットをボディ攻めで撃破". getnews.jp. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  20. ↑ "【RISE】ムエタイ王者に勝利した直樹が、元新日本王者の中尾満を迎える". getnews.jp. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  21. ↑ "【RISE】政所仁がダウン奪い瀧谷渉太を返り討ち、田丸辰への挑戦決定". efight.jp. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  22. ↑ "【RISE】那須川梨々敗れる、ベテラン紅絹がRISE QUEEN王座を獲得（全試合結果）". efight.jp. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  23. ↑ "【RISE】"侵略者"松本芳道と直樹が一触即発「イージーな相手を用意してくれてありがとう。俺が簡単にぶっ飛ばす」（松本）". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  24. ↑ "【RISE】直樹が松本芳道へパンチで対抗、判定勝利で因縁の一戦を制する". efight.jp. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  25. ↑ "【スックワンキントーン】石井一成が豪快KO勝利で再起、小嶋はIBFのベルトを逃す". efight.jp. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  26. ↑ "【RISE】北井智大が高橋一眞にド突き合い要求、直樹は山口侑馬に「パンツも見た目もヤバい」". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  27. ↑ "【RISE】直樹が闘牛士さながらのKO勝利、猛進の山口侑馬を下し決勝戦に". efight.jp. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  28. ↑ "【RISE】直樹、北井智大を粉砕KOで世界トーナメント出場決定". efight.jp. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  29. ↑ "白鳥大珠「これから俺がRISEを引っ張っていく」に原口健飛「決勝で白鳥選手とやって僕が勝ちます」【RISE】". tokyoheadline.com. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  30. ↑ "【RISE】白鳥大珠が90秒でTKO負けする波乱、直樹がヒザ一撃で決勝進出". efight.jp. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  31. ↑ "－63kgトーナメントで原口健飛が直樹を破り優勝。白鳥は準決勝で直樹にTKO負け【RISE】". tokyoheadline.com. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  32. ↑ "空位のライト級ベルトを賭けて秀樹と直樹が激突！『RISE145』で王座決定戦". spice.eplus.jp. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  33. ↑ "【RISE】直樹の右ストレートが冴える、秀樹から2度のダウンを奪い新王者に". efight.jp. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  34. ↑ "【RISE】直樹vs白鳥大珠の因縁の再戦が決定、両者とも「ボコボコにしてやる」". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  35. ↑ "直樹が判定勝ち「ＲＩＳＥの代表として」発言に中村寛が激怒しリング上に". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  36. ↑ "【RISE】ライト級王者・直樹が今年を締めくくる一戦で伝説のムエタイ五冠王ジャルンチャイと対戦". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  37. ↑ "【RISE】王者・直樹がジャルンチャイを3R KO葬！左フックでダウン奪い、ラッシュで沈める". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  38. ↑ "【スックワンキントーン】直樹が王座返上、"熱闘王"鈴木真治が1勝1敗の"激闘大魔神"橋本悟とタイトルマッチで決着". efight.jp. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  39. ↑ "【RISE】別階級の王者対決！直樹「本当に強いヤツ同士の戦い、楽しんでほしい」階級上の王者・山田洸誓と対戦＝4.2". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  40. ↑ "【RISE】那須川天心ファイナルマッチ速報中、白鳥大珠が延長戦で秀樹を振り切る、YA-MANがダウン応酬の激闘で初回KO、常陸飛雄馬・ギブレイン・中村寛が連続初回KO勝ち、那須川龍心がデビュー戦勝利". gongkaku.jp. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  41. ↑ "【RISE】ライト級王者・直樹がGLORYドイツ大会に参戦「THE MATCHでRISEファイターが強いことを証明してくれたので、今度は世界で証明したい」". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  42. ↑ "【GLORY】初参戦のRISE王者・直樹、武林風王者にダウン奪われ勝利ならず". efight.jp. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  43. ↑ "【RISE】2連敗中の直樹、強豪チャド・コリンズを迎え撃つ「必ず勝って復活の狼煙を上げたい」＝10.15大田区". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  44. ↑ "【RISE】チャド・コリンズ強し！直樹に2R KO勝利し、またも王者狩りに成功". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  45. ↑ Pico, Borna (23 February 2023). "Naoki Tanaka to Defend Rise Lightweight Title Against Kan Nakamura on April 21". beyondkick.com. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  46. ↑ "【RISE】"人獣"中村寛が悲願の新王者に！直樹との死闘を制す". efight.jp. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.