Hiroyuki Takaya
Hiroyuki Takaya | “Streetfight Bancho”
Ht: 5’6 – Wt: 145 – Age: 35
Born: Japan
Fights out of: Chiba, Japan
Team: Wajyutsu Keisyukai Takaya Gundan
Overall Record: 17-9-1
Promotion: Free Agent
2012 Forecast:
Hiroyuki Takaya is the current Dream featherweight champion after pulling off the upset victory over Bibiano Fernandes in 2010. Takaya made his MMA debut in Japan’s Shooto organization in 2003. Takaya went 4-1-1, his only loss coming to Gilbert Melendez via decision. Takaya would move up in weight to compete in the Hero promotion, but after failed bids to win Hero’s Grand Prix tournaments in 2005 (loss to Genki Sudo) and 2006 (loss to J.Z. Cavalcante), Takaya dropped back down to featherweight. Takaya scored wins over Jarrod Card and Antonio Carvalho before signing with the WEC in 2008. Takaya lost his WEC debut to Leonard Garcia via 1st round knockout before losing an entertaining decision to Cub Swanson. Takaya was released from the WEC shortly thereafter and returned home to Japan where he signed with the Dream promotion. Takaya entered Dream’s 2009 featherweight Grand Prix, pulling off 3 straight TKO wins over Jong Won Kim, Yoshiro Maeda, and Hideo Tokoro to reach the finals. In the finals, Takaya lost a close decision to Bibiano Fernandes, but proved himself to be one of the top featherweights in the world despite his failed stint in the WEC. In his next fight, Takaya suffered a mild upset loss to Michihiro, but bounced back with impressive knockout victories over Joachim Hansen and Chase Beebe. Those wins propelled Takaya towards a championship showdown with Bibiano Fernandes. Takaya got his revenge, pulling off the upset victory to win the Dream featherweight title. Takaya moved on to quietly compete on the undercard of a Strikeforce fight card, suffering a close, split decision loss to Robert Peralta. Takaya returned back to Dream where he successfully defended his title twice, closely winning decisions over Kazuyuki Miyata and Takeshi Inoue.
Takaya has knockout power in his hands and is willing to trade strikes with anyone willing to throwdown. His recent rise up the ranks is attributed to his improved takedown defense and ability to better utilize his movement.
Hiroyuki Takaya Fight Record
Overall Record: 17-9-1
2008-2011 Record: 8-5
2011 Record: 2-1
Win | Takeshi Inoue | Dec | Rd 5 | Dream | 10/15/2011
Win | Kazuyuki Miyata | Dec | Rd 3 | Dream | 04/16/2011
Win | Robert Peralta | Dec | Rd 3 | Sforce | 04/16/2011
2010 Record: 3-0
Win | Bibiano Fernandes | Dec | Rd 3 | | 10/14/2010
Win | Chase Beebe | KO | Rd 1 | Dream | 09/23/2010
Win | Joachim Hansen | KO | Rd 1 | Dream | 09/02/2010
2009 Record: 3-2
Loss | Michihiro Omigawa | Tko | Rd 1 | Dream | 08/23/2009
Loss | Bibiano Fernandes | Dec | Rd 2 | Dream | 08/23/2009
Win | Hideo Tokoro | Tko | Rd 2 | Dream | 06/06/2009
Win | Yoshiro Maeda | Tko | Rd 1 | Dream | 06/06/2009
Win | Jong Man Kim | Tko | Rd 2 | Dream | 06/06/2009
2008 Record: 0-2
Loss | Cub Swanson | Dec | Rd 3 | WEC | 05/31/2008
Loss | Leonard Garcia | KO | Rd 1 | WEC | 01/25/2008
