UFC ranks at the top of the MMA world, with Japan’s Rizin showing promise with a current record of 2 wins and 1 loss. After securing a victory, fighters are eagerly anticipating a shot at the prestigious Rizin title match. Additionally, one competitor stands out with a 2nd place finish in karate and a top ranking in judo from Osaka, showcasing an impressive skill set.
A veteran South Korean fighter, now in his 11th year, is gearing up for a comeback in hopes of cracking the top 5 of the MMA Big League.
Anticipation builds as Rizin Landmark 10 is set to take place on November 17 at the expansive 1st Exhibition Hall of the Nagoya International Exhibition Center in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, a venue capable of hosting 1.5 million fans. In a highly anticipated matchup, Road to UFC Season 1 competitor Kim Kyung-pyo (32) will go head-to-head with Daigo Kuramoto (30) in a lightweight bout weighing in at -71kg, consisting of three 5-minute rounds.
news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20241112.97dd68e18a7b454488abe27f00b95cf1_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="403" /> 사진 확대 Road to UFC Season 1 Kim Kyung-pyo (left), Japan’s Kyukjin Karate Youth National Competition runner-up, Daigo Kuramoto. Photograph =RIZINFF/DEEP
In the global MMA landscape, the UFC, PFL, Bellator (USA), ONE Championship (Singapore), and Japan’s Rizin are among the key organizations, collectively dubbed the five major MMA entities. Launched in 2022, the UFC’s Road to UFC initiative aims to uncover and develop emerging MMA talent from Asia.
After facing elimination in the semi-finals of the Road to UFC lightweight (-70 kg) tournament, Kim Kyung-pyo bounced back to achieve a 2-1 record at Rizin, reflecting resilience in his fighting career. His past includes notable matches, such as a decision loss to Arman Charukyan (28, Armenia/Russia) during Road FC 43 in October 2017 at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul, and a notable victory at UAE Warriors in 2020.
Currently, Arman Charukyan holds the number one position in the UFC lightweight division. The UAE Warriors ranks as the 13th largest MMA organization worldwide and 4th largest in Asia, boasting 65 fighters recognized within the ‘Fight Matrix’ ranking system.
news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20241112.4e3b6d7e89e94c6d9311f76c1f5e0708_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="815" /> 사진 확대 Kim Kyung-pyo (left), Arman Charukan after road FC 43 in October 2017. In the middle is singer Park Sang-min. Photograph = World Martial Arts and Sports Association news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20241111.074663d21f1f473f99373c0e9455e37c_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="401" /> 사진 확대 Global rankings of MMA players
In a tight contest at Raizin, Kim Kyung-pyo succumbed to the bare-handed stranglehold of Spike Carlisle (31, USA), a former competitor in both UFC and Bellator, back in June 2024. This defeat marked his third consecutive loss and halted his bid for a Rizin debut, which would have propelled him into a title match opportunity.
Spike Carlisle ranks fourth in the “Fight Matrix” Rizin Lightweight class (144 points), with the top three spots occupied by champions and title match participants. Currently, the gap in points between Kim Kyung-pyo in 7th (70 points) and Yusuke Yachi (6th, Japan) is a mere 4 points, showcasing the competitive nature of the rankings.
The bout between Kim Kyung-pyo and Spike Carlisle was tightly contested, ultimately concluding just 1:11 into the third round, after a grueling 11-plus minutes. Following a public training session ahead of Rizin Landmark 10, Daigo Kuramoto remarked, “If you beat Kim Kyung-pyo, you will rise to the top of the list,” acknowledging the significance of their matchup and adding, “With one more win, we could even face the champion.”
news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20241112.ac42b95c2fc648afa9c0cd95601b7270_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="440" /> 사진 확대 Japan’s HEAT champion Kim Kyung-pyo (left) attacks UFC and Bellator-turned-Spike Carlisle at Raizin 47 in June 2024. Photo = RIZINFF
According to “Fight Matrix,” Daigo Kuramoto currently holds 40 points in lightweight rankings, representing a 42.9% deficit against Kim Kyung-pyo. However, Kuramoto’s strong amateur background in judo, evidenced by a 2nd place finish in his junior high school competition in Nara Prefecture and a high school championship win in Osaka, reflects his fighting prowess.
The DEEP organization, with its ranking of 56 fighters in the “Fight Matrix,” stands as Asia’s 5th largest MMA competition and 15th globally. Kuramoto expressed his desire to challenge Kim Kyung-pyo, stating, “I wanted to face it when I had a chance because I had to overcome it one day.” He predicted that Kim Kyung-pyo would attempt to utilize wrestling techniques, but he is prepared to counter with striking power.
According to Rizin’s analysis, Kim Kyung-pyo is a well-rounded fighter known for his striking and grappling abilities. His capability to fluidly transition between hitting and tackling has been praised. Conversely, Daigo Kuramoto, who has a background in judo, favors long-range striking using his reach, along with powerful knee strikes in close combat.
news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20241112.42d589bbce4f4e64af21f1a8c3a3c802_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="495" /> 사진 확대 3rd HEAT lightweight champion Kim Kyung-pyo (left), 6-1 DEEP, and Taramoto Daigo. Photo = RIZINFF
Rizin’s website has highlighted the intriguing stylistic contrast between Kim Kyung-pyo and Daigo Kuramoto, particularly noting how Kuramoto’s counter-straight punches may interact with Kim’s movements. The potential for cage wrestling to become a decisive factor in clinch exchanges has also been identified as a critical variable in their upcoming matchup.
Based on Kim Kyung-pyo’s extensive career in mixed martial arts, he holds an impressive record dating back to 2014 with 14 wins and 5 losses.
His early career featured one amateur victory without any losses.
Over his professional career, he has achieved 7 wins and 1 loss by KO/TKO, along with 4 wins and 1 loss via submission.
His accolades include becoming the 2019 Japan HEAT Champion and securing a win with UAE Warriors in 2020.
His journey continued as he reached the semi-finals in the 2022 Road to UFC tournament.
Since 2023, he has participated in Japan’s Rizin with a record of 2 wins and 1 loss.
news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20241112.ee32281888dd4b7f8156d8814814d675_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="825" /> 사진 확대 Kim Kyung-pyo’s Laijin profile. Photo =RIZINFF
While looking at Korea’s top 5 lightweight rankings, Ok Raeyoon holds the top position with 166 points.
In 2nd place is PARK SIWON with 081 points.
Kim Kyung-pyo currently ranks third with 070 points.
Following close behind is Won Ki Bin in 4th with 066 points.
In 5th place is Lee Dong Ha with 035 points.
Highlighting Daigo Kuramoto’s achievements:
# Kyokushin karate – Youth National Championship Runner-up.
Regarding his judo career, he claimed 2nd place in the Nara Prefecture Junior High School Competition and won the high school tournament in Osaka.
Through professional mixed martial arts, Kuramoto boasts an impressive record of 7 wins and 1 loss since 2021.
This includes 4 wins and 1 loss by KO/TKO, with an undefeated record in submissions.
In 2022, he participated in DEEP and achieved 6 wins along with 1 loss.
Kuramoto is currently ranked 7th in the Laijin Lightweight rankings.
The top three include Roberto Satoshi in 1st place and Topik Musayev in 2nd place.
Spike Carlisle ranks #4, with Yoshinori Horie in 5th and Yusuke Yachi in 6th place.
Kim Kyung-pyo is positioned in 7th place with a challenging path ahead.
news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20241112.83217c21ef074b3e8845fbf852d021ac_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="825" /> 사진 확대 Kim Kyung-pyo’s Laijin profile. Photo = RIZINFF
[Kang Daeho, MK Sports Reporter]
How does Kim Kyung-pyo’s fighting style compare to his upcoming opponent Daigo Kuramoto?
The article provides an overview of the career of Kim Kyung-pyo, a mixed martial artist from South Korea, as he competes within the global MMA framework alongside notable organizations such as the UFC, PFL, Bellator, ONE Championship, and Rizin.
**Key Highlights:**
1. **Background and Promotions**:
– Road to UFC was launched in 2022 to discover talent from Asia.
– Kim Kyung-pyo had an initial setback in the semi-finals of the Road to UFC lightweight tournament but has since rebounded with a 2-1 record in Rizin.
2. **Notable Matches**:
– Kim’s history includes a notable decision loss to Arman Charukyan in 2017 and a victory at UAE Warriors in 2020. Charukyan currently ranks number one in the UFC lightweight division.
3. **Recent Performance**:
– A closely contested fight at Rizin saw Kim suffer a loss to Spike Carlisle, marking his third consecutive defeat. This fight ended early in the third round.
4. **Ranking Insights**:
- Rizin’s lightweight class rankings show Kim in seventh place with 70 points, closely competitive with Yusuke Yachi. Spike Carlisle ranks fourth with 144 points.
5. **Upcoming Matchup**:
– Daigo Kuramoto, a judo practitioner and potential opponent, expressed interest in facing Kim, emphasizing his belief in overcoming the challenge. The matchup is anticipated to highlight the contrast in fighting styles, particularly Kim’s versatility in striking and grappling against Kuramoto’s striking focus.
6. **Fighter Profiles**:
– Kim is recognized for his well-rounded abilities, while Kuramoto specializes in long-range strikes and has a solid judo foundation.
7. **Career Achievements**:
- Kim Kyung-pyo has an MMA record of 14 wins and 5 losses, with several KOs and submissions to his name. He is also a former Japan HEAT Champion and continues to pursue success in Rizin.
This compilation outlines the trajectory of Kim Kyung-pyo’s fighting career while setting the stage for future matchups that could redefine his standing in the competitive landscape of mixed martial arts.
