Michinori Tanaka

is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the bantamweight division of the Legacy Fighting Alliance. A professional mixed martial artist since 2010, Tanaka has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Mixed martial arts career

Shooto Tanaka started his professional career in 2010. Until the first half of 2012, he fought only for Shooto, where he won the 2011 rookie 132-pound tournament.

Pacific Xtreme Combat Tanaka faced Crisanto Pitpitunge on May 18, 2013, at PXC 37 for the bantamweight title. He won the title via unanimous decision after five rounds.

Tanaka defended his title against Kyle Aguon on October 25, 2013, at PXC 40. He defeated Aguon via unanimous decision over five rounds.

Ultimate Fighting Championship In February 2014, it was announced that Tanaka has signed a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

In his debut, Tanaka faced Roland Delorme on June 14, 2014, at UFC 174. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Tanaka faced Kang Kyung-ho on September 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 52. He lost the fight via split decision. Despite the loss on the scorecards, Tanaka was awarded his first Fight of the Night bonus award. Subsequently, Tanaka had his bonus award rescinded and in turn, was suspended for nine months after testing positive for banned substances during his post fight drug screening.

Tanaka was briefly linked to a bout with Russell Doane on January 2, 2016, at UFC 195. However, Doane was forced from the bout with injury and replaced by Joe Soto. He won the fight by split decision.

Tanaka next faced Rani Yahya on September 24, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 95. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Tanaka faced promotional newcomer Ricardo Ramos on February 4, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 104. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

In May 2017, Tanaka was released from the company.

Post-UFC career In January 2018, it was announced that Tanaka has signed a contract with the Absolute Championship Berkut.

After two winning bouts in his native Japan, Tanaka signed a multi-fight contract with Legacy Fighting Alliance in April 2020. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Tanaka faced Ary Farias at LFA 138 on August 5, 2022. He lost the fight by split decision. Two judges scored the fight 29–28 for Farias, while the third judge awarded an identical scorecard to Tanaka.

Tanaka rebounded against Kunihisa Sasa on April 30, 2023, at Pancrase 333, winning the bout via unanimous decision.

Tanaka next faced Sindile Manengela on July 9, 2023, at Pancrase 336, winning the bout via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) Pacific Xtreme Combat PXC bantamweight title (one time; former) One successful title defense Shooto Shooto rookie 132 lb champion (2011) Shooto rookie MVP award (2011)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Sindile Manengela Decision (unanimous) Pancrase 336

Tokyo, Japan Win

Kunihisa Sasa Decision (unanimous) Pancrase 333

Tachikawa, Japan Loss

Ary Farias Decision (split) LFA 138

Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States Win

Ricardo Dias Decision (unanimous) LFA 117

Visalia, California, United States Win

Vladimir Leontyev Decision (unanimous) Pancrase 303

Tokyo, Japan Win

Rogério Bontorin Submission (rear-naked choke) Grandslam 6: Way of the Cage

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Ricardo Ramos Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie

Houston, Texas, United States Loss

Rani Yahya Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cyborg vs. Länsberg

Brasília, Brazil Win

Joe Soto Decision (split) UFC 195

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Kang Kyung-ho Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson

Saitama, Japan Win

Roland Delorme Decision (unanimous) UFC 174

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Win

Kyle Aguon Decision (unanimous) Pacific Xtreme Combat 40

Mangilao, Guam Win

Crisanto Pitpitunge Decision (unanimous) Pacific Xtreme Combat 37

Pasig, Philippines Win

Caleb Vallotton Submission (triangle choke) Pacific Xtreme Combat 36

Mangilao, Guam Win

Russell Doane Submission (rear-naked choke) Pacific Xtreme Combat 34

Quezon City, Philippines Win

Jong Hoon Choi Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: 3rd Round

Tokyo, Japan Win

Teruto Ishihara Decision (unanimous) Shooto: The Rookie Tournament 2011 Final

Tokyo, Japan Win

Takuya Ogura Submission (triangle choke) Shooto: Gig Tokyo 7

Tokyo, Japan Win

Hiroshi Roppongi Technical Submission (armbar) Shooto: Gig Saitama 3

Fujimi, Japan Win

Yasutaka Hamaji Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Shooting Disco 13: Can't Stop Myself!

Tokyo, Japan