Akira Corassani

Career

Early career In 2005 Corassani started training at a local MMA gym in Gothenburg where he lived at the time. He decided to dedicate his life to martial arts and only four months later he competed in his first grappling tournament where he took a silver medal. Up until his professional debut Corassani had 30 grappling matches and 12 boxing fights. Corassani began fighting professionally in 2007, and traveling all across Europe to compete. In his professional debut fight he challenged the Dutch heavyweight fighter Dion Staring. Corassani had travelled to Holland to corner his friend but heard about Straing's opponent pulling out. Corassani stepped up on the scale as 76 kg as his opponent weighed 102 kg. The fight was titled as an open weight fight. He built a record of 9–3 (1 NC) beating good names before his UFC debut. He moved to New York in 2011 and was a part of Team Renzo Gracie. In US he joined their MMA team coached by Ricardo Almeida with teammates such as Frankie Edgar, Edson Barboza, Eddie Alvarez, Corey Anderson and Marlon Moraes.

The Ultimate Fighter In 2011, Corassani had signed with the UFC to compete on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller. In the first episode, Corassani fought Brian Pearman to gain entry into the Ultimate Fighter house. Corassani defeated Pearman in the first round via KO. Corassani was selected as a part of Team Bisping, he was the second featherweight chosen for the team (fifth overall).

In episodes three through five, Corassani was shown multiple times in altercations with Team Mayhem fighter, Dustin Neace. The two would later be paired in a bout against each other in the preliminary round. During the fight, inside the first round, Neace applied a heel hook submission that looked like Corassani tapped to; however referee Herb Dean did not stop the fight and Corassani was released from the hold. Corassani went on to defeat Neace via a majority decision after two rounds. After the win Corassani moved onto the semi-finals.

Corassani was expected to make his UFC debut in his native Sweden against Jason Young on April 14, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 2. However Corassani pulled out of the bout due to injury.

Corassani won his UFC debut via split decision against Andy Ogle on September 29, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 5.

A bout with Robbie Peralta, previously linked to UFC 156, was moved April 6, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 9, after an illness sidelined Corassani for a time. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Corassani was expected to face Mike Brown on August 17, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 26. However, Corassani pulled out of the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Steven Siler.

Corassani faced Maximo Blanco on November 30, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale. Early in the opening round Blanco landed an illegal knee to the head of Corassani when he had a knee and hand on the ground. Corassani was unable to continue, so he was rendered with the victory by disqualification. It was later revealed that the illegal knee had broken his nose in five different places.

Corassani faced Dustin Poirier at The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale. He lost the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the second round. He was awarded his first Fight of the Night bonus for his efforts.

Corassani was expected to face Chan Sung Jung on October 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 53. However, Jung pulled out of the bout citing a strained shoulder. and was replaced by Max Holloway. Corassani lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Corassani fought Sam Sicilia on January 24, 2015, at UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson. He lost the fight via KO in the first round.

On January 26, 2015, Corassani announced his retirement from MMA on his Facebook page, finishing with a 3–3 record inside the UFC.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Dustin Poirier MMAJunkie.com 2014 April Fight of the Month vs. Dustin Poirier

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Sam Sicilia KO (punch) UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson

Stockholm, Sweden Loss

Max Holloway KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Story

Stockholm, Sweden Loss

Dustin Poirier TKO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale: Bisping vs. Kennedy

Quebec City, Quebec, Canada Win

Maximo Blanco DQ (illegal knee) The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Robbie Peralta Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi

Stockholm, Sweden Win

Andy Ogle Decision (split) UFC on Fuel TV: Struve vs. Miocic

Nottingham, England Loss

Paul Reed TKO (punches) The Zone FC 8

Gothenburg, Sweden Win

Graham Turner Decision (unanimous) Superior Challenge 6

Stockholm, Sweden Win

Martin Begley Submission (scissor choke) Vision Fighting Championship 1

Karlstad Municipality, Sweden Win

Ivan Buchinger Decision (unanimous) Battle of Botnia 2

Umeå, Sweden Win

Peter Mettler TKO (punches) Superior Challenge 4

Stockholm, Sweden NC

Felipe Enomoto No Contest (overturned) Gods of War 5: Empathy

Baumholder, Germany Win

Dominique Stetefeld Submission (arm-triangle choke) La Onda Fight Night 2

Magdeburg, Germany Win

Grzegorz Tredowski Decision (unanimous) United Glory 10: The Battle of Arnhem

Arnhem, Netherlands Loss

Darin Hughes TKO (punches) Superior Challenge 1

Stockholm, Sweden Win

Jukka Kuitunen Decision (unanimous) Shooto Finland: Chicago Collision III

Lahti, Finland Win

Raymond Jarman Submission (triangle choke) United Glory 5: Stronger

Amersfoort, Netherlands Win

Jaroslav Poborsky Decision (unanimous) Gods of War 1: Rise of the Warriors

Erdesbach, Germany Welterweight debut. Loss

Dion Staring TKO (corner stoppage) United Glory 3: Upside Down

Amersfoort, Netherlands Light Heavyweight bout.

Mixed martial arts exhibition record Loss

Dennis Bermudez Submission (guillotine choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Dustin Neace Decision (majority) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Brian Pearman KO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Amateur mixed martial arts record Win

Henrik Olsen Decision (unanimous) Shooters MMA: Frederikssund Brawl 2

Frederikssund, Denmark Win

Arash Dastnai Decision (unanimous) Shooters MMA: Fightergalla 2

Odense, Denmark Win

Arild Skagseth Decision (unanimous) Cage Challenge 2

Stockholm, Sweden