Akira Shoji was born on January 31,1974 and is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler.
17 Facts About Akira Shoji
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Akira Shoji is most known as being a regular in almost all the beginning Pride Fighting Championship Shoji was in Pride 1 to Pride 7, and was part of the first Pride open weight Grand Prix in 2000.
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Akira Shoji was known for his mic performance, die hard spirit, stellar submission escapes, razor sharp armbar and a fighting spirit demonstrated by his willingness to take on all comers.
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Akira Shoji worked as a judge for the Dream organization.
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Akira Shoji represented WK at the Lumax Cup tournament, but he was eliminated at the first round.
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Akira Shoji had his worldwide debut taking on Renzo Gracie from the Gracie family at the first event of Pride in 1997.
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Akira Shoji returned at the next two events of Pride, submitting Juan Mott via rear naked choke and drawing with Takada Dojo understudy and fellow underdog Daijiro Matsui.
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However, his biggest victory came at Pride 4, where Akira Shoji faced another unbeaten Brazilian jiu-jitsu exponent, Wallid Ismail.
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The Brazilian was aggressive and held Akira mounted for the first round, with Shoji reversing him every time.
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Akira Shoji next faced Ukrainian Igor Vovchanchyn, who would become one of Pride's top strikers.
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Shortly after, Akira Shoji bounced back with another shocking victory in a match against Ultimate Fighting Championship champion and former King of Pancrase Guy Mezger.
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At the Pride Grand Prix 2000 tournament, Akira Shoji was first pitted against luta livre practitioner Ebenezer Fontes Braga, getting a unanimous decision victory.
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Akira Shoji got his will at DEEP 53 in a match against Kazuo Misaki, which he lost by TKO in the second round.
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In 2008, Akira Shoji began working in professional wrestling company Hustle, hosted by Dream Stage Entertainment along with Pride, and became a regular roster of the promotion.
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Akira Shoji then joined Generalissimo Takada's villainous faction Takada Monster Army, invited by Yuji Shimada, and he changed his name to "Private Shimada".
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Akira Shoji have his best, but Shimada and An Jo crashed the match and made him lose.
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On January 30,2011, Akira Shoji lost to Yusuke Kodama in his final match before retiring from professional wrestling.