Keita Nakamura

is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist and grappler currently competing in the Welterweight division of RIZIN. A professional competitor since 2003, he has formerly competed for the UFC, World Victory Road, Pancrase, Shooto, DREAM, Vale Tudo Japan, and DEEP. He is the former Sengoku Welterweight Champion, Shooto Pacific Rim Middleweight Champion, and also won the World Victory Road Welterweight Grand Prix Tournament in 2010.

In submission grappling, Nakamura took part in both the 2009 and 2011 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, making it to the second round and winning via points in both.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Nakamura made his professional MMA debut in his native Japan in October 2003. Over nearly three years, he amassed a record of 15-0-2 with wins over Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Ronald Jhun, and Daisuke Nakamura.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Nakamura made his UFC debut in December 2006 against Brock Larson at UFC 81. He lost the fight via unanimous decision, ending his undefeated streak.

For his second fight with the promotion, Nakamura faced Drew Fickett at UFC Fight Night: Stevenson vs. Guillard in April 2007. He again lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Nakamura lost by contentious split decision to Rob Emerson at UFC 81 on February 2, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nakamura dropped Emerson with a big knee at the end of the first round after Emerson had outstruck him for much of the round up until that point. Emerson came back strong in the second round landing crisp combinations that left Nakamura's face a mess at the end of the round. Nakamura scored takedowns in the third round on a visibly tiring Emerson while also landing some strong knees but it was not enough to win the decision as the scores read 30–27, 28-29 and 30–27 in favor of Emerson. Following this loss, Nakamura was released from the UFC.

After the fight, the 24-year-old Nakamura announced his retirement from MMA. Disappointed by his three UFC defeats, "K-Taro" also suffered from vision issues following the Emerson bout, due his opponent's toe impairing his vision after a high kick attempt.

Return to Japan Despite his claim that he would become a police officer, Nakamura's retirement lasted a mere few months. He returned in September 2008 as he faced Adriano Martins in for the DREAM promotion. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Nakamura suffered a devastating loss to heavy underdog Korean fighter, Jang Yong Kim in his second post-retirement comeback fight. Since then, he has seen a resurgence, going 13-2-1 over the next few years, including winning the Sengoku Welterweight Grand Prix with a submission victory over Yasubey Enomoto.

UFC return Nakamura returned to the UFC in September 2015. He faced Li Jingliang on September 27, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 75. After being bloodied by his opponent over two rounds, Nakamura rallied back to win the fight via submission in the third round. The win also earned Nakamura his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Nakamura faced Tom Breese on February 27, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 84. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Nakamura faced Kyle Noke on July 13, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 91. He won the fight via submission in final seconds of the second round.

Nakamura next faced Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on October 1, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 96. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Nakamura faced Alex Morono at UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami on September 23, 2017. He won the fight by split decision (29-28, 28–29, 29-28).

Nakamura faced Tony Martin on April 21, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 128. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Nakamura faced Salim Touahri on December 2, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 142. He won the fight via split decision.

Nakamura faced Sultan Aliev on April 20, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 149. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

In September 2019, it was reported that Nakamura was released by UFC.

Post-UFC career After the release from the UFC, Nakamura signed with RIZIN. After winning his promotional debut via TKO, he next faced Lorenz Larkin at Bellator & RIZIN: Japan on December 29, 2019. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On April 1, 2023 at Rizin 41 – Osaka, Nakamura defeated Kiichi Kunimoto via second round TKO stoppage after dropping Kunimoto and finishing him with a soccer kick.

Nakamura fought Roberto Satoshi de Souza in a non-title bout in the main event of RIZIN Landmark 9 on March 23, 2024. He lost the fight by corner stoppage in the first round after getting dropped by head kick.

Championships and accomplishments Shooto Shooto Pacific Rim Middleweight (167 lb) Championship (One time) Sengoku Raiden Championship SRC Welterweight Championship (One time) 2010 Sengoku Welterweight Grand Prix Winner Deep DEEP Welterweight Championship (One time) Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time) UFC.com Awards 2015: Ranked #8 Submission of the Year 2016: Ranked #6 Submission of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Roberto de Souza TKO (corner stoppage) Rizin Landmark 9

Kobe, Japan Win

Kiichi Kunimoto KO (punches and soccer kick) Rizin 41

Osaka, Japan Loss

Lorenz Larkin Decision (unanimous) Bellator & Rizin: Japan

Saitama, Japan Win

Marcos de Souza TKO (punches) Rizin 19

Osaka, Japan Loss

Sultan Aliev Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Salim Touahri Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa

Adelaide, Australia Loss

Anthony Rocco Martin Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Alex Morono Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami

Saitama, Japan Loss

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson

Portland, Oregon, United States Win

Kyle Noke Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Loss

Tom Breese Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Bisping

London, England Win

Li Jingliang Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Barnett vs. Nelson

Saitama, Japan Win

Yuta Watanabe Submission (rear-naked choke) DEEP: Cage Impact 2015

Tokyo, Japan Win

Yoshiyuki Katahira Submission (rear-naked choke) DEEP: 71 Impact

Tokyo, Japan Win

Yuki Okano TKO (punches) DEEP: 69 Impact

Tokyo, Japan Win

Keiichiro Yamamiya TKO (punches) DEEP: 67 Impact

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Frank Camacho Decision (unanimous) PXC: Pacific Xtreme Combat 42

Mangilao, Guam NC

Kwang Hee Lee NC (Nakamura missed weight) DEEP: 64th Impact

Tokyo, Japan Win

Kota Shimoishi Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: 3rd Round

Tokyo, Japan Win

Nobutatsu Suzuki Submission (rear-naked choke) Vale Tudo Japan 2012

Tokyo, Japan Win

Yuki Sasaki Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 5th Round

Tokyo, Japan Win

Hoon Kim TKO (broken hand) LFC: Legend Fighting Championship 8

Chek Lap Kok, China Win

Yoichiro Sato Decision (majority) Shooto: Survivor Tournament Final

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Akihiro Murayama Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: Shootor's Legacy 4

Tokyo, Japan Win

Yasubey Enomoto Submission (rear-naked choke) World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight

Tokyo, Japan Win

Takuya Wada Submission (punches) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 15

Tokyo, Japan Win

Omar de la Cruz TKO (punches) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 13

Tokyo, Japan Win

Tomoyoshi Iwamiya Decision (majority) GCM: Cage Force 11

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Jang Yong Kim TKO (punches) GCM: Cage Force EX Eastern Bound

Tokyo, Japan Win

Adriano Martins Decision (split) Dream 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 Final Round

Saitama, Japan Loss

Rob Emerson Decision (split) UFC 81

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Takefumi Hanai TKO (knees) GCM: Cage Force EX Eastern Bound

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Drew Fickett Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Stevenson vs. Guillard

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Brock Larson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Sanchez vs. Riggs

San Diego, California, United States Win

Djalili Salmanov Submission (rear-naked choke) GCM: D.O.G. 7

Tokyo, Japan Win

Ronald Jhun Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) PIP: East vs. West

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Jun Yong Jae Submission (rear-naked choke) MARS World Grand Prix

Seoul, South Korea Win

Yoshiyuki Yoshida Technical Decision (majority) Shooto: 12/17 in Shinjuku Face

Tokyo, Japan Win

Katsuaki Niioka Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto 2005: 11/6 in Korakuen Hall

Tokyo, Japan Win

Mohamed Khacha Submission (rear-naked choke) GCM: D.O.G. 3

Tokyo, Japan Win

Taro Minato Submission (rear-naked choke) GCM: Demolition 22

Tokyo, Japan Win

Jun Kitagawa Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 6/3 in Kitazawa Town Hall

Tokyo, Japan Win

Kentaro Maeda Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 2/6 in Kitazawa Town Hall

Tokyo, Japan Win

Atsushi Inoue Submission (rear-naked choke) GCM: Demolition 20

Tokyo, Japan Draw

Kazunori Yokata Draw GCM: Demolition 18

Tokyo, Japan Win

Keisuke Sakai Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: 7/16 in Korakuen Hall

Tokyo, Japan Win

Ichiro Kanai Decision (unanimous) GCM: Demolition 15

Tokyo, Japan Win

Daisuke Nakamura Decision (unanimous) GCM: Demolition 14

Tokyo, Japan Draw

Ichiro Kanai Draw GCM: Demolition 12

Tokyo, Japan Win

Kenta Omori Submission (triangle choke) Kingdom Ehrgeiz: Tokyo University Flight

Tokyo, Japan Win

Tomohito Tanizaki TKO (punches) Kingdom Ehrgeiz: Tomorrow

Tokyo, Japan