Masanori Kanehara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Masanori Kanehara金原正徳 |
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|---|---|
| Born | November 18, 1982 Musashimurayama, Tokyo, Japan |
| Other names | Kincyan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) |
| Division | Lightweight Featherweight Bantamweight |
| Reach | 67 in (170 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan |
| Team | Alpha Paraestra Hachioji |
| Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 52 |
| Wins | 31 |
| By knockout | 11 |
| By submission | 11 |
| By decision | 9 |
| Losses | 16 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 4 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| Draws | 5 |
Masanori Kanehara (born November 18, 1982) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competes in the Bantamweight division. He has fought in major organizations like DEEP and Rizin FF. He also competed in the UFC and World Victory Road.
Kanehara is famous for winning the 2009 Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix. He also became the first-ever Sengoku Featherweight Champion.
Contents
Masanori Kanehara's Fighting Journey
Starting His MMA Career
Masanori Kanehara began his professional mixed martial arts journey in 2003. Before joining World Victory Road, he had a record of 13 wins, 6 losses, and 5 draws.
Winning the Sengoku Grand Prix
Kanehara joined World Victory Road's Featherweight Grand Prix tournament. He won two close fights to reach the semi-finals. He beat Jong Man Kim and Chan Sung Jung.
In the semi-finals, he lost to Hatsu Hioki. However, Hioki could not fight in the final due to an injury. So, Kanehara stepped in to fight Michihiro Omigawa. Even though many thought he would lose, Kanehara won the tournament! This made him the 2009 Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix Champion. He also became the first Sengoku Featherweight Champion.
Later, Kanehara lost his Sengoku Featherweight Championship. He was defeated by Marlon Sandro in the first round of their fight.
After Sengoku: New Challenges
After the Sengoku organization ended, Kanehara continued to fight. He won 7 out of 9 fights. One of his notable wins was a quick 21-second knockout against Joe Pearson. This happened at an event called Pancrase 252.
Fighting in the UFC
In 2014, Kanehara signed with the UFC. This is one of the biggest MMA organizations in the world. He made his UFC debut against Alex Caceres. Kanehara won this fight by a unanimous decision. This was a great start for him in the UFC.
His next UFC fight was against Rani Yahya in 2015. This fight was delayed because of travel issues for many international fighters. When the fight finally happened, Kanehara lost by a split decision.
In 2016, Kanehara faced Michael McDonald. Kanehara started strong in the first round. In the second round, he almost won with a submission move. But McDonald escaped and then used his own chokehold. Kanehara lost this fight by submission. After this loss, he left the UFC.
Returning to Japanese Promotions
After leaving the UFC, Kanehara returned to fighting in Japan. He joined the DEEP organization. In his first fight back in DEEP, he won against Charlie Alaniz. The fight was stopped by the doctor in the first round.
He then won another fight in DEEP against Jomhod Chuwattana in 2018. He won this fight by submission in the first round.
After these two wins, Kanehara joined Rizin FF. This is another big MMA organization in Japan. His first Rizin fight was against Victor Henry in 2020. Kanehara lost this fight by knockout in the second round.
In 2021, Kanehara fought Takahiro Ashida at Rizin 31. He won this fight by TKO in the second round. He continued his winning streak in 2022. He defeated Kazumasa Majima by technical knockout in the third round at Rizin Trigger 3.
In 2023, Kanehara had two more impressive wins. He beat Sora Yamamoto by unanimous decision at Rizin Landmark 5. Then, he faced Kleber Koike Erbst at Rizin 44. Kanehara won this fight by unanimous decision. He used his wrestling skills to control the fight.
In April 2024, Kanehara challenged the champion Chihiro Suzuki for the Rizin Featherweight Championship. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the first round. In July 2025, he faced YA-MAN at Super Rizin 4 and lost by knockout.
Championships and Awards
- Sengoku
- Sengoku Featherweight Championship (1 Time, First)
- 2009 Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix Winner
Masanori Kanehara's Fight Record
Here is a detailed list of Masanori Kanehara's professional mixed martial arts fights. It shows his wins, losses, and draws.
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 48 matches | 29 wins | 14 losses |
| By knockout | 11 | 7 |
| By submission | 10 | 2 |
| By decision | 8 | 4 |
| By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
| Draws | 5 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 29–14–5 | YA-MAN | KO (punches) | Super Rizin 4 | July 27, 2025 | 3 | 2:51 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 29–13–5 | Chihiro Suzuki | TKO (punches) | Rizin 46 | April 29, 2024 | 1 | 4:20 | Tokyo, Japan | For the Rizin Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 29–12–5 | Kleber Koike Erbst | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin 44 | September 24, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 28–12–5 | Sora Yamamoto | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin Landmark 5 | April 29, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 27–12–5 | Kazumasa Majima | TKO (punches) | Rizin Trigger 3 | April 16, 2022 | 3 | 3:37 | Chōfu, Japan | |
| Win | 26–12–5 | Takahiro Ashida | TKO (punches and elbows) | Rizin 31 | October 24, 2021 | 2 | 1:18 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Loss | 25–12–5 | Victor Henry | TKO (punches) | Rizin 21 | February 22, 2020 | 2 | 0:45 | Hamamatsu, Japan | Bantamweight bout. |
| Win | 25–11–5 | Jomhod Chuwattana | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | DEEP Hachioji Chojin Matsuri 2018 | April 1, 2018 | 1 | 1:55 | Tokyo, Japan | Return to Featherweight. |
| Win | 24–11–5 | Charlie Alaniz | TKO (doctor stoppage) | DEEP Cage Impact 2016 | December 17, 2016 | 1 | 0:30 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 23–11–5 | Michael McDonald | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 195 | January 2, 2016 | 2 | 2:09 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 23–10–5 | Rani Yahya | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee | July 15, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 23–9–5 | Alex Caceres | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson | September 20, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 22–9–5 | Toshiaki Kitada | DQ (fighter thrown from ring) | DEEP 66 Impact | April 29, 2014 | 1 | 1:37 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 22–8–5 | Joe Pearson | KO (punch) | Pancrase 252 | September 29, 2013 | 1 | 0:21 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 21–8–5 | Wade Choate | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | DEEP 62 Impact | April 26, 2013 | 1 | 4:16 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 20–8–5 | Tom McKenna | KO (punch to the body) | DEEP: Haleo Impact | December 22, 2012 | 1 | 2:45 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 19–8–5 | Tony Reyes | TKO (punches) | DEEP Tokyo Impact 2012 | July 21, 2012 | 1 | 4:28 | Tokyo, Japan | Bantamweight debut. |
| Win | 18–8–5 | Jake Hattan | Submission (rear-naked choke) | HEAT 22 | April 8, 2012 | 1 | 3:14 | Tokyo, Japan | Lightweight bout. |
| Win | 17–8–5 | Brady Harrison | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Xplode Fight Series: Hillside Havoc | November 19, 2011 | 3 | 3:59 | Valley Center, California, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 16–8–5 | Rasul Mirzaev | TKO (punches) | Fight Nights: Battle of Moscow 4 | July 7, 2011 | 1 | 1:44 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Win | 16–7–5 | Motoshi Miyaji | KO (punches) | Pancrase: Impressive Tour 5 | June 5, 2011 | 2 | 0:09 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 15–7–5 | Yoshiro Maeda | TKO (punches) | World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight | December 30, 2010 | 1 | 1:27 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 15–6–5 | Marlon Sandro | KO (punch) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 13 | June 20, 2010 | 1 | 0:38 | Tokyo, Japan | Lost the Sengoku Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–5–5 | Norifumi Yamamoto | Decision (unanimous) | Dynamite!! 2009 | December 31, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Non-title bout. |
| Win | 14–5–5 | Michihiro Omigawa | Decision (split) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 9 | August 2, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Won the 2009 Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix and the inaugural Sengoku Featherweight Championship. |
| Loss | 13–5–5 | Hatsu Hioki | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | 2009 Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix Semifinal. | |||
| Win | 13–4–5 | Jung Chan-sung | Decision (unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 8 | May 2, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | 2009 Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 12–4–5 | Kim Jong-man | Decision (unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 7 | March 20, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | 2009 Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix Round of 16. |
| Win | 11–4–5 | Kenji Arai | KO (punches) | Pancrase: Changing Tour 1 | February 1, 2009 | 1 | 3:14 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 10–4–5 | Takafumi Otsuka | Decision (split) | DEEP 38 Impact | October 23, 2008 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Featherweight debut. |
| Win | 10–3–5 | Isamu Sugiuchi | KO (punches) | Fighting Network ZST: Battle Hazard 03 | August 24, 2008 | 1 | 0:47 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 9–3–5 | Erikas Petraitis | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto Lithuania: Bushido 2008 | March 16, 2008 | 2 | 5:00 | Vilnius, Lithuania | |
| Win | 9–2–5 | Shunichi Shimizu | Submission (armbar) | Fighting Network ZST 16 | February 24, 2008 | 2 | 0:42 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 8–2–5 | Naoyuki Kotani | Draw (time limit) | Fighting Network ZST 15 | November 23, 2007 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 8–2–4 | Yoichiro Karsuyama | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Fighting Network ZST 14 | October 7, 2007 | 1 | 3:45 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 7–2–4 | Tashiro Nishiuchi | KO (head kick and punch) | Fighting Network ZST 13 | June 10, 2007 | 1 | 3:59 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 7–1–4 | Arunas Jurgelenas | Submission (choke) | Shooto Estonia: Bushido | April 14, 2007 | 1 | 1:47 | Tallinn, Estonia | |
| Win | 6–1–4 | Tetsu Suzuki | Decision (majority) | K-1 Hero's 8 | March 12, 2007 | 2 | 5:00 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Win | 5–1–4 | Shinya Sato | Submission (armbar) | Fighting Network ZST 12 | February 12, 2007 | 1 | 0:56 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 4–1–4 | Taro Himura | Submission (armbar) | Fighting Network ZST: Swat! 08 | December 17, 2006 | 1 | 2:20 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 3–1-4 | Kenichi Ito | KO (punch) | Fighting Network ZST: Swat! 07 | October 1, 2006 | 2 | 1:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 2–1–4 | Hiroyuki Ota | Draw (time limit) | Fighting Network ZST: Swat! 06 | August 27, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 2–1–3 | Hisashi Hiyama | Submission (armbar) | Fighting Network ZST: Swat! 05 | June 4, 2006 | 1 | 0:56 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 1–1–3 | Toshiyuki Saito | TKO (knee) | Fighting Network ZST: Swat! 04 | April 23, 2006 | 1 | 1:37 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 0–1–3 | Shinya Sato | Submission (kimura) | Fighting Network ZST 8 | November 23, 2005 | 2 | 2:47 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 0–0–3 | Norimasa Isozaki | Draw (time limit) | ZST: Battle Hazard 2 | September 10, 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 0–0–2 | Hiroyuki Ota | Draw (time limit) | Fighting Network ZST: Swat! 02 | July 24, 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 0–0–1 | Masayuki Okude | Draw (time limit) | Fighting Network ZST: Swat! 01 | April 17, 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Lightweight debut. |
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