Kuniyoshi Hironaka

is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division. He has formerly competed for the UFC, Shooto, DREAM, and Pancrase.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Hironaka made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2001 for the Shooto promotion and compiled a record of 10-2 with notable wins over Nick Diaz, Ryan Schultz, and Renato Verissimo before being signed by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Hironaka made his UFC debut at UFC 64 on October 14, 2006 against Jon Fitch. Hironaka lost via unanimous decision.

In his next appearance at UFC Fight Night 9, Hironaka defeated Forrest Petz via unanimous decision.

Hironaka then fought Thiago Alves at UFC Fight Night 11 and was defeated via TKO in the second round.

Hironaka faced Canadian Jonathan Goulet at UFC 83 and was defeated in the second round via TKO. Hironaka was then released from the promotion.

Post-UFC In his first fight since his release from the UFC, Hironaka defeated Motoki Miyazawa at Dream 5 via TKO due to a cut. Hironaka then faced Hayato Sakurai at Dream 6 and was defeated via unanimous decision.

After the loss to Sakurai, Hironaka dropped down to the Lightweight division and won his next four consecutive fights, capturing the Cage Force Lightweight Championship after it had been vacated by Mizuto Hirota.

After dropping two consecutive losses to Katsunori Kikuno and Satoru Kitaoka, respectively, Hironaka bounced back with two consecutive wins, warranting a title shot for the newly vacated Shooto World Lightweight Championship against Kotetsu Boku. Hironaka won via unanimous decision, and then defended his title against Giovani Diniz via first-round TKO.

Hironaka then fought at Pancrase: 257 on March 30, 2014 against Isao Kobayashi. Hironaka was defeated via TKO in the third round.

Grappling career In 2004, Hironaka fought against Shinya Aoki in a superfight at the Reversal Cup. Hironaka was submitted with a flying armbar that broke his arm, preventing him from competing for several months.

Kickboxing record

Mixed martial arts record Win

Dong Hyun Ma Submission (arm-triangle choke) Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 6th

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Isao Kobayashi TKO (punch and soccer kick) Pancrase: 257

Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan Win

Yoshihiro Koyama Submission (armbar) Shooto: 4th Round 2013

Tokyo, Japan Win

Carlo Prater Decision (unanimous) Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 1st

Tokyo, Japan Win

Giovani Diniz TKO (punches) Shooto: 5th Round

Tokyo, Japan Win

Kotetsu Boku Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Shootor's Legacy 3

Osaka, Japan Win

Takashi Nakakura Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Shooto Tradition 2011

Osaka, Japan Win

Kiyonobu Nishikata Submission (rear-naked choke) GCM: Demolition West in Yamaguchi 2

Osaka, Japan Loss

Satoru Kitaoka Submission (guillotine choke) Pancrase: Passion Tour 9

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Katsunori Kikuno KO (punch) Dream 13

Yokohama, Japan Win

Won Sik Park TKO (corner stoppage) Dream 12

Osaka, Japan Win

Yoshihiro Koyama TKO (punches) Cage Force

Tokyo, Japan Win

Katsuhiko Nagata TKO (punches) Cage Force

Tokyo, Japan Win

Naoyuki Kotani Submission (reverse full-nelson) ZST

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Hayato Sakurai Decision (unanimous) Dream 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 Final Round

Saitama, Saitama, Japan Win

Motoki Miyazawa TKO (cut) Dream 5: Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 Final Round

Osaka, Japan Loss

Jonathan Goulet TKO (punches) UFC 83

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Loss

Thiago Alves TKO (punch and knee) UFC Fight Night 11

Nevada, United States Win

Forrest Petz Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Stevenson vs. Guillard

Nevada, United States Loss

Jon Fitch Decision (unanimous) UFC 64: Unstoppable

Nevada, United States Win

Renato Verissimo TKO (strikes) ROTR 9: Rumble on the Rock 9

Hawaii, United States Win

Ryan Schultz Submission (armbar) MARS: MARS

Tokyo, Japan Win

Takuya Wada Submission (triangle choke) GCM: D.O.G. 4

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Shinya Aoki TKO (cut) Shooto 2005: 11/6 in Korakuen Hall

Tokyo, Japan Win

Ramunas Komas Decision Shooto Lithuania: Bushido

Lithuania Win

Mark Moreno Submission (neck crank) SB 29: SuperBrawl 29

Hawaii, United States Win

Nick Diaz Decision (split) Shooto: Year End Show 2002

Tokyo, Japan Win

Yasuyuki Tokuoka Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Treasure Hunt 11

Tokyo, Japan Win

Yuji Kusu TKO (swollen eye) Shooto: Gig East 10

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Hirofumi Hara TKO (punches) Shooto: Treasure Hunt 9

Tokyo, Japan Win

Toru Nakayama Submission (triangle choke) Shooto: Treasure Hunt 4

Tokyo, Japan Win

Takayuki Okochi Decision (unanimous) Shooto: GIG East 6

Tokyo, Japan