Yoshihiro Nakao

(born June 25, 1972) is a Japanese semi-retired professional mixed martial artist and former K-1 kickboxer and PRIDE FC fighter who has defeated the likes of Don Frye, Choi Mu-Bae, Jim York, Wesley Correira and Edson Draggo. Nakao is a World Victory Road veteran and signed a contract with DREAM in 2011 before the promotion closed in mid-2012. Nakao lost to Antônio Silva at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Rebellion 2009 after suffering an ACL injury as a result of a leg kick from Silva in the first round. Nakao most recently fought Dave Herman at Sengoku: Soul of Fight, losing by unanimous decision. In 2012 Nakao has decided to briefly retire from mixed martial arts to let some of his recent injuries heal and focus on family more. Nakao earned the nickname "kiss" after he kissed Heath Herring on the lips and was subsequently knocked out by Herring before their fight even began at K-1 PREMIUM 2005 Dynamite!!.

New Year's Eve kiss On December 31, 2005, Nakao was participating in K-1's Dynamite 2005 show. During the pre-fight staredown with opponent Heath Herring, Nakao leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Herring reacted, delivering a right hook to Nakao's jaw, knocking him out cold. Herring was immediately disqualified and Nakao was carried from the ring. Shortly thereafter, Nakao's cornermen attacked Herring and a brief melee ensued.

The fight result has since been changed by K-1 from a disqualification loss for Herring to a no contest, as K-1 judges ruled that Nakao's kiss and Herring's subsequent knockout punch were both fouls.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Dave Herman Decision (unanimous) World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight

Tokyo, Japan Win

Henry Miller TKO (punches) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 12

Tokyo, Japan Win

Choi Mu-Bae Decision (unanimous) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 9

Saitama, Saitama, Japan Loss

SilvaAntônio Silva TKO (knee injury) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku no Ran 2009

Saitama, Saitama, Japan Win

YorkJim York KO (punches) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 2

Tokyo, Japan Win

VieiraEdson Claas Vieira Submission (neck crank) PRIDE 34

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Kazuhiro Nakamura Decision (unanimous) Pride FC - Final Conflict Absolute

Saitama, Saitama, Japan Win

LeeLee Eun-Soo TKO (doctor stoppage) Pride FC - Critical Countdown Absolute

Tokyo, Japan NC

HerringHeath Herring No Contest K-1 Premium 2005 Dynamite

Saitama, Saitama, Japan Nakao kissed Herring during the pre-match stare-down, after which Herring knocked him out with a punch rendering him unable to continue. Originally ruled a DQ and overturned to a NC. Win

FalamoeFai Falamoe Submission (armbar) Hero's 3

Tokyo, Japan Win

FryeDon Frye Decision (unanimous) K-1 Premium 2004 Dynamite

Tokyo, Japan Win

CorreiraWesley Correira Decision (split) K-1 Rumble on the Rock 2004

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States NC

FryeDon Frye No Contest (accidental headbutt) K-1 MMA ROMANEX

Saitama, Saitama, Japan Win

KhakhaleishviliDavid Khakhaleishvili KO (punches) K-1

Nagoya, Japan K-1 kickboxing record