Kazuo Misaki
Kazuo Misaki | “Hitman”
Ht: 5’10 – Wt: 170 – Age: 36
Born: Chiba, Japan
Fights out of: Chiba, Japan
Team: Haleo Top Team
Overall Record: 25-11-2
Promotion: Strikeforce
2012 Forecast:
Kazuo Misaki has been one of Japan’s standout fighters as the former middleweight contender competed across Pancrase, PRIDE, and Sengoku. Misaki made his transition from Judoka to mixed martial artist in 2001. Misaki built an 11-3-2 record in the Pancrase promotion, his only losses coming to future UFC veterans Chris Lytle, Nate Marquardt, and Ricardo Almeida. Misaki moved on to make his PRIDE debut in 2004 where he defeated Brazilian veteran Jorge Patino via decision. Misaki returned to Pancrase, defeating Ed Herman via submission, before once again losing to Nate Marquardt. Misaki suffered consecutive losses as he returned to PRIDE, losing close decisions to Daniel Acacio and Dan Henderson. Misaki bounced back by entering PRIDE’s 2006 welterweight (183 lbs.) Grand Prix. Misaki defeated Phil Baroni via decision before avenging his loss to Henderson in the quarterfinals. Misaki fell just short of reaching the finals, losing via submission to Paulo Filho. In a surprise turn of events, Filho was injured and Misaki was tapped to take his place in the finals opposite Denis Kang. Misaki won a close split decision to win the PRIDE Grand Prix, cementing his status as one of the top middleweights in the world. Misaki struggled in his final fight for PRIDE, losing via decision to Frank Trigg. Misaki moved on to face Yoshihiro Akiyama in what ended in a controversial fashion. Misaki looked to have Akiyama finished with strikes, but landed an illegal soccer kick that forced the bout to be ruled a no-contest. Misaki signed with Japan’s Sengoku promotion in 2008, quickly picking up wins over Siyar Bahadurzada and Logan Clark. Misaki also briefly make his way over to Strikeforce where he defeated Joe Riggs via 2nd round TKO. Misaki returned to Sengoku, facing off against Jorge Santiago for the Sengoku middleweight championship. In a 5-round war of attrition, Santiago was able to weather back from an early Misaski advantage to win via submission. Misaki bounced back with a 1st round submission win over Kazuhiro Nakamura before suffering a questionable stoppage loss to striker Melvin Manhoef. Misaki moved on to once again challenge Santiago for the Sengoku belt. Misaki nearly had Santiago finished, but soon ran out of steam and lost in the 5th round with just thirty seconds left on the clock. Misaki would have likely won a decision had it gone to the judges. Misaki slowed down his fighting activity following the loss to Santiago, easily winning his next two fights against overmatched competition. That should change though as he recently signed with Strikeforce. Misaki will be making the drop down to welterweight, which should benefit him significantly.
Misaki is as tough as they come and is accustomed to breaking his opponents’ will. Misaki’s ability to contend at the highest levels of the sport is questionable at this point though. He is 35 years old and has been through a ton of wars in his 37-fight career. Misaki has the craftiness and skills to possibly make some waves in the Strikeforce welterweight division against upstart prospects Tyron Woodley and Tarec Saffiedine. Misaki was a needed addition to the Strikeforce roster in deperate need of legitimate contenders.
Kazuo Misaki Fight Record
Overall Record: 24-11-2
2008-2011 Record: 6-3
2011 Record: 1-0
Win | Akira Shoji | KO | Rd 2 | | 04/22/2011
2010 Record: 1-1
Win | Mike Seal | Tko | Rd 3 | Seng | 12/30/2010
Loss | Jorge Santiago | Tko | Rd 3 | Seng | 08/22/2010
2009 Record: 1-2
Loss | Melvin Manhoef | Tko | Rd 3 | | 12/31/2009
Win | Kazuhiro Nakamura | Tko | Rd 3 | Seng | 08/02/2009
Loss | Jorge Santiago | Tko | Rd 3 | Seng | 01/04/2009
2008 Record: 3-0
Win | Joe Riggs | Tko | Rd 2 |Sforce| 09/20/2008
Win | Logan Clark | Tko | Rd 3 | Seng | 06/08/2008
Win | Siyar Bahadurzada | Tko | Rd 3 | Seng | 03/05/2008
