Yusuke Fujimoto facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yusuke Fujimoto |
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| Born | Fujimoto Yūsuke July 22, 1975 Kyoto, Japan |
| Native name | 藤本 祐介 |
| Other names | Bun Bun Maru |
| Nationality |  Japanese |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | 98 kg (216 lb; 15.4 st) |
| Division | Heavyweight |
| Style | Seidokaikan |
| Team | Monster Factory |
| Years active | 11 (1999–2010) |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 45 |
| Wins | 27 |
| By knockout | 13 |
| Losses | 17 |
| By knockout | 15 |
| No contests | 1 |
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last updated on: December 11, 2010
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Yusuke Fujimoto (born July 22, 1975) is a famous Japanese former kickboxer. He competed in the K-1 fighting league. He was the champion of the K-1 World Grand Prix in Hong Kong in 2007.
People called him "Bun Bun Maru." This nickname came from his powerful, swinging punches. He was also easy to spot because he had a bald head and no eyebrows. Yusuke Fujimoto earned big wins against other famous fighters like Musashi, Dewey Cooper, and Francois Botha. He finished his career with 27 wins, 17 losses, and 1 no contest.
Contents
Kickboxing Career
Yusuke Fujimoto started his professional kickboxing career on January 25, 2000. He won his first fight by TKO in the second round. Later that year, he won the Monster Challenge 2000 K-2 Tournament. This was his only championship for a while. He entered many tournaments but often lost in the early rounds.
In 2004, Fujimoto broke his right arm during a fight. This injury kept him from competing for 14 months. He returned in 2005 but got hurt again. His nose was broken in a fight, which ended as a "no contest." He later reached the finals of a tournament in Hawaii but was knocked out.
Big Wins and Championships
The next year, 2006, was much better for Fujimoto. On June 3, he won the K-1 World Grand Prix in Seoul. He beat three different types of fighters to become champion. This made him the first Japanese K-1 fighter to win a tournament outside of Japan.
His victory led him to the K-1 World Grand Prix in Osaka. There, he fought the legendary Ernesto Hoost and lost. In March 2007, he entered a tournament to find the first K-1 Heavyweight Champion. He had a big win against Musashi in the semifinals. Fujimoto used his timing and reach to win by TKO. He then faced Badr Hari in the finals but lost quickly.
Later in 2007, Fujimoto won his second regional tournament in Hong Kong. This event was a bit unusual. He lost his semifinal match but still moved to the final. This happened because his opponent got a facial injury and could not continue. Fujimoto then won the final match, earning cheers from the crowd. He reached the WGP final elimination again but had to stop fighting after being knocked down multiple times.
Retirement from Fighting
In 2008, Fujimoto broke his right arm for a second time. This injury kept him out of action for over a year. He even thought about quitting kickboxing. He had his first retirement match on November 3, 2009, winning by decision.
More than a year later, he had one more retirement fight for K-1. This was his way of saying goodbye to the company that shaped his career. On December 10, 2010, he fought Hesdy Gerges. Fujimoto was much shorter and less muscular than usual. He was knocked down three times in the first round and lost. After the fight, he had a special ceremony. His family gave him flowers, and he thanked his coaches and fans.
About His Life
Fujimoto says his bald head and lack of eyebrows happened naturally. He explained that he had a condition called alopecia areata. This condition causes hair loss, and he believes it was due to stress from his martial arts competitions. He decided to shave his head completely. He had this same condition when he was in high school. His eyebrows started to grow back in July 2005.
He really enjoys bodybuilding and weightlifting. He is very strong and can bench press 140 kilograms (308 pounds).
Yusuke Fujimoto has a sister, a niece, and a nephew. His favorite food is a type of fish called ayu.
Titles and Achievements
- Professional
- 2007 K-1 World Grand Prix in Hong Kong champion
- 2006 K-1 World Grand Prix in Seoul champion
- 2005 K-1 World Grand Prix in Hawaii runner up
- 2005 Japan GP 3rd place
- 2003 K-1 Japan GP runner up
- 2002 K-1 Japan GP 3rd place
- Amateur
- Monster Challenge 2000 K-2 Tournament Heavyweight Winner
See also
- List of male kickboxers
- List of K-1 Events
