Hatsu Hioki facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hatsu Hioki
Born	Hioki Hatsu (1983-07-18) July 18, 1983 (age 41) Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Native name	日沖 発
Other names	Shooto no Ko (Child of Shooto), Iron Broom
Residence	Nagoya, Japan
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight	145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
Division	Featherweight
Reach	73 in (185 cm)
Style	MMA, Shooto, Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Team	ALIVE Shooto & Jiu-Jitsu Academy Tristar Gym
Rank	Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active	2009–2018
Mixed martial arts record
Total	43
Wins	29
By knockout	4
By submission	13
By decision	12
Losses	12
By knockout	4
By submission	1
By decision	7
Draws	2

Hatsu Hioki (Japanese: 日沖発, Hioki Hatsu) (born July 18, 1983) is a Japanese former professional mixed martial artist. He competed in the featherweight division, which is for fighters weighing around 145 pounds. Hioki was a champion in several major fighting organizations. These include the Shooto Lightweight Championship, the Sengoku Featherweight Championship, and the TKO Featherweight Championship. He fought many of his matches in Japan, including for the famous Pride Fighting Championships.

Hatsu Hioki's Fighting Journey

Hatsu Hioki had an exciting career in mixed martial arts (MMA). He was known for his skills in different fighting styles. He earned a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a martial art focused on grappling and ground fighting.

Early Wins and First Title

Hioki won his very first MMA title in a Canadian fighting group called TKO Major League MMA. He beat Mark Hominick to become the featherweight champion. Before this big win, Hioki had a strong record of 8 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. He successfully defended his TKO title two times. This means he kept his championship belt in two more fights.

Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix Tournament

After his TKO success, Hioki joined the Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix. This was a special tournament to find the best featherweight fighter. Hioki won his semi-final match against Masanori Kanehara. However, he got injured during that fight. Because of his injury, he couldn't compete in the final match. Masanori Kanehara took his place and ended up winning the whole tournament.

Becoming a Shooto Champion

On May 30, 2010, Hioki fought Takeshi Inoue for the Shooto Featherweight Championship. Shooto is a well-known Japanese MMA organization. Hioki won this fight by a "split decision." This means that two out of three judges thought he won, while one judge thought his opponent won. With this victory, he became the 9th fighter to hold this title. He was also the 8th Japanese fighter to achieve this.

Winning the Sengoku Featherweight Title

After beating Jeff Lawson, Hioki got a chance to fight for another championship. He challenged Marlon Sandro for the Sengoku Featherweight Championship. This championship fight happened on December 30, 2010. Hioki won the fight by a "unanimous decision." This means all the judges agreed that he was the clear winner. Hioki used his longer reach and quick movements to land more punches and counter Sandro's attacks. He became the third featherweight champion for Sengoku.

Hioki later gave up his Sengoku title on June 25, 2011. He did this because he signed a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Fighting in the UFC

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is one of the biggest and most famous MMA organizations in the world. Hioki officially joined the UFC on June 25, 2011.

His first UFC fight was on October 29, 2011, at UFC 137. He won his debut fight against George Roop by a split decision.

Next, Hioki faced experienced fighter Bart Palaszewski on February 26, 2012, at UFC 144. Hioki won this fight by unanimous decision. He controlled the match, taking Palaszewski to the ground many times and trying to get him to give up with submission moves.

Hioki was offered a chance to fight for the UFC title, but he decided to turn it down. Instead, he fought Ricardo Lamas on June 22, 2012. Hioki lost this fight by unanimous decision.

He then faced Clay Guida on January 26, 2013. Even though Hioki landed more strikes and tried for submissions, Guida won the fight by split decision.

Hioki fought Darren Elkins on August 28, 2013, and lost by unanimous decision.

He got back to winning ways on March 1, 2014, when he defeated Ivan Menjivar by unanimous decision.

However, Hioki lost his next fight to Charles Oliveira on June 28, 2014. He lost by submission, which was the first time in his career that he was "finished" (meaning he couldn't continue) in an MMA fight.

His last UFC fight was on May 10, 2015, against Dan Hooker. Hioki lost this fight by knockout in the second round. This was his first loss by knockout in his career. After this fight, he was no longer part of the UFC.

Championships and Accomplishments

Hatsu Hioki achieved several important titles and honors during his mixed martial arts career:

• Sengoku Raiden Championships
  • Sengoku Featherweight Championship (One time)
  • He reached the semifinals of the 2009 Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix tournament.
• Professional Shooto Japan
  • Shooto Featherweight Championship (One time)
• TKO Major League MMA
  • TKO Featherweight Championship (One time)
  • He successfully defended this title two times.

Mixed martial arts record summary

See also

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists