Naoki Inoue is a Japanese mixed martial artist competing in the bantamweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation, where he is the current Rizin Bantamweight champion.
23 Facts About Naoki Inoue
1.
2.
When Naoki Inoue was seven, his parents told him to do some extracurricular activity.
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Naoki Inoue wanted to be strong, therefore he picked martial arts.
4.
Naoki Inoue received a first-degree black belt in karate and a blue belt in BJJ.
5.
Naoki Inoue won the J-Network's All-Japan amateur championship as well as won the DEEP Future King tournament in 2011.
6.
Naoki Inoue made his amateur mixed martial arts debut on February 9,2014, when he faced Gaku Sakamoto at Deep - Nagoya Impact 2014.
7.
Naoki Inoue made his promotional debut on June 17,2017, at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs Correia against Carls John de Tomas.
8.
Naoki Inoue was expected to face Jenel Lausa on September 23,2017, at UFC Fight Night 117, but was pulled from the card due to a dislocated shoulder.
9.
Naoki Inoue faced Matt Schnell on June 23,2018, at UFC Fight Night 132.
10.
Naoki Inoue eventually returned to DEEP, facing Toshiaki Kitada at Deep 93 on December 15,2020.
11.
Naoki Inoue faced Yuki Motoya at Rizin 26 on December 31,2020.
12.
Naoki Inoue won the fight by rear naked choke, three minutes into the first round.
13.
Naoki Inoue faced Shintaro Ishiwatari in the opening round of the Bantamweight Grand Prix at Rizin 28 on June 13,2021.
14.
Naoki Inoue won the bout via soccer kick knockout in the first round.
15.
Naoki Inoue was scheduled to face Yuto Hokamura in the quarterfinals on September 19,2021, at Rizin 30.
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Naoki Inoue faced Kenta Takizawa on December 31,2022, at Rizin 40 and won by submission via kimura in the second round.
17.
Naoki Inoue faced the former Bellator Bantamweight Champion Juan Archuleta at Rizin 42 on May 6,2023.
18.
Naoki Inoue was scheduled to face Shinobu Ota at Rizin Landmark 6 on October 1,2023.
19.
However, Naoki Inoue withdrew from the bout due to an unknown reason and was replaced by Shoko Sato.
20.
Naoki Inoue faced Shoko Sato at RIZIN Landmark 9 on March 23,2024.
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Naoki Inoue went on to win the bout via unanimous decision.
22.
Naoki Inoue faced Kim Soo-chul for the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship on September 29,2024 at Rizin 48.
23.
Naoki Inoue won the bout via technical knockout in the first round.