Riki Fukuda

, is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Middleweight division. A professional competitor since 2004, he has formerly competed for the UFC, EliteXC, DEEP, DREAM, K-1 (MMA), Shooto, and Pancrase. Currently, he runs an izakaya-style restaurant in Leiden, The Netherlands.

Mixed martial arts career

Background Fukuda was a member of the Yamanashi Gakuin University's wrestling team. At the All Japan University Championships, he placed third in 2002 and second in 2003 in his weight class. Fukuda then joined Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling and made his professional wrestling debut in March 2003.

Early career In his professional mixed martial arts debut at SuperBrawl, Fukuda surprised many by taking Joe Doerksen to decision. Over the years, he has worked for the Japanese promotions Shooto, Pancrase and K-1. In February 2007, he made his debut in the EliteXC promotion at EliteXC Destiny. He then lost a close decision to Joey Villasenor on the September 15, 2007 EliteXC: Uprising card.

Fukuda fought at DREAM.8 as a late replacement for Yoon Dong-Sik, where he defeated Murilo Rua by unanimous decision. At DEEP 42, Riki defeated Yuichi Nakanishi via unanimous decision to become the DEEP Middleweight Champion. Fukuda successfully defended the title against Hiromitsu Kanehara at DEEP 46. At DEEP 49, Riki successfully defended the title against Ryuta Sakurai winning the fight via TKO due to knees. During his bout with Sakurai, Fukuda was able to push the pace, causing Sakurai to fall out of the cage twice. In the first round, Fukuda successfully completed a takedown, but in the process Sakurai fell out of the ring and hit his face on the bell. In the second round, Fukuda landed a knee to the midsection which cause Sakurai to fall, but as he fell he landed on the ground outside the ring; head first. Fukuda was given the victory by TKO, when Sakurai was not able to continue from the head injury.

Ultimate Fighting Championship In October 2010, it was revealed Fukuda had signed with the UFC. Fukuda made his promotional debut against TUF 11 alumni, Nick Ring on February 27, 2011, at UFC 127. Fukuda lost his UFC debut by a controversial unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). All three judges gave Ring the first two rounds with Fukuda winning the final round, despite controlling all three rounds with takedowns. Despite the loss on the scorecards, UFC president Dana White felt Fukuda won the bout and stated on his Twitter account that both fighters would be paid a win bonus.

Fukuda was expected to face Rafael Natal on August 6, 2011, at UFC 133. However, Fukuda was forced out of the bout due to a knee injury sustained in a car accident and replaced by Costas Philippou.

Fukuda faced Steve Cantwell on February 26, 2012, at UFC 144. Fukuda defeated Cantwell via unanimous decision.

Fukuda lost to Costas Philippou on July 7, 2012, at UFC 148 via unanimous decision.

Fukuda next defeated Tom DeBlass via unanimous decision on November 10, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 6.

Fukuda faced Brad Tavares on March 3, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 8 and lost via unanimous decision. Fukuda was subsequently released from the organization after testing positive for banned substances during his post fight drug screening. It was later revealed to be linked to over the counter cold medicine Fukuda had taken when he fell ill during his process of making weight for the bout.

Road Fighting Championship In August 2013, Fukuda signed with South Korea based promotion ROAD FC. Fukuda faced Hee Seung Kim in his debut bout at Road FC: Korea 1 on January 18, 2014. He won the fight via second-round TKO.

Fukuda then faced Dong Sik-Yoon at Road FC 16 on July 26, 2014. He won the fight via TKO, extending his post-UFC record to 2–0.

In his next fight, Fukuda faced Dool Hee Lee at Road FC 19 on November 9, 2014. Fukuda controlled the first round, however, the fight was declared a no-contest in the second round, due to accidental groin shots.

Championships and accomplishments Deep Deep Middleweight Champion (One time) Road FC Road FC Middleweight Champion (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Hoon Kim TKO (punches) Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 40

Seoul, South Korea Win

Nae Chul Kim Decision (unanimous) Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 36

Seoul, South Korea Loss

Jung Hwan Cha KO (punches) Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 28

Seoul, South Korea Win

Uh Jin Jeon TKO (punches) Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 24

Tokyo, Japan Win

Dool Hee Lee TKO (punches) Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 22

Seoul, South Korea NC

Dool Hee Lee No Contest (accidental knee to groin) Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 19

Seoul, South Korea Win

Dong-sik Yoon TKO (punches) Road FC: Road Fighting Championship 16

Gumi, South Korea Win

Hee Seung Kim TKO (punches) Road FC: Korea 1

Seoul, South Korea Loss

Brad Tavares Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann

Saitama, Japan Win

Tom DeBlass Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Franklin vs. Le

Macau, SAR, China Loss

Costas Philippou Decision (unanimous) UFC 148

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Steve Cantwell Decision (unanimous) UFC 144

Saitama, Japan Loss

Nick Ring Decision (unanimous) UFC 127

Sydney, Australia Win

Ryuta Sakurai TKO (knees) DEEP: 49 Impact

Tokyo, Japan Win

Hiromitsu Kanehara Decision (unanimous) DEEP: 46 Impact

Tokyo, Japan Win

Yuichi Nakanishi Decision (unanimous) DEEP: 42 Impact

Tokyo, Japan Win

Murilo Rua Decision (unanimous) DREAM 8

Nagoya, Japan Catchweight (196 lb) bout. Win

Ryuta Sakurai TKO (punches) DEEP: 40 Impact

Tokyo, Japan Win

Jason Jones Decision (unanimous) Deep: 38 Impact

Tokyo, Japan Win

Hiroki Ozaki Decision (unanimous) DEEP: 37 Impact

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Yuichi Nakanishi Decision (unanimous) DEEP: 35 Impact

Tokyo, Japan Win

Yuya Shirai Decision (split) DEEP: 35 Impact

Tokyo, Japan Win

Ryuta Sakurai Decision (unanimous) DEEP: 34 Impact

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Joey Villaseñor Decision (split) EliteXC: Uprising

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Hikaru Sato TKO (punches) Pancrase: 2007 Neo-Blood Tournament Finals

Tokyo, Japan Win

Chris Gates TKO (submission to punches) EliteXC Destiny

Southaven, Mississippi, United States Return to Middleweight. Win

Yuji Sakuragi Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: 2006 Neo-Blood Tournament Finals

Tokyo, Japan Heavyweight debut. Win

Keitaro Maeda TKO (punches) GCM: D.O.G. 5

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Kozo Urita KO (punch) Pancrase: Blow 1

Tokyo, Japan Win

Yuta Nakamura TKO (punches) Pancrase: Spiral 9

Tokyo, Japan Win

Brandon Wolff TKO (punches) K-1: World Grand Prix Hawaii

Hawaii, United States Middleweight debut. Win

Oleg Bazayev KO (punches) GCM: D.O.G. 2

Tokyo, Japan Win

Masaya Inoue Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 1/29 in Korakuen Hall

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Joe Doerksen Decision (unanimous) SuperBrawl 35

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States