Yuichi Watanabe
Japanese mixed martial artist
About Yuichi Watanabe
Born 1962. Yuichi Watanabe is a Japanese mixed martial arts fighter and professional wrestler.
is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He competed in Shooto's Lightweight division and was the inaugural Shooto Lightweight Champion defeating Kazuhiro Kusayanagi. As a pro wrestler he competes for Real Japan Pro Wrestling under the name . He has also wrestled for notable promotions such as W*ING, Big Japan Pro Wrestling, IWA Japan, Battlarts, Dramatic Dream Team, Pro Wrestling Kageki, Pro Wrestling Zero1 and Diamond Ring.
Background and career Watanabe trained under Satoru Sayama in Shooto and was also one of his first trainees at his Seikendo school. He also learned shootboxing under Caesar Takeshi, was an amateur wrestling champion in high school, was the captain of his high school club wrestling club with Mitsuharu Misawa as his vice-captain and Toshiaki Kawada as his junior, competed in the 1984 All Japan Student Wrestling Championships representing Nihon University losing to future Olympic medalist Kosei Akaishi in the finals in the 68 kg freestyle division, and also trained in sambo and judo. Watanabe initially worked as a trainer at Shooting Gym Mobara, as well as an instructor for Sayama's Seikendo school. He now runs the Super Tiger Gym Gunma as a head trainer.
Personal life Watanabe is the father of professional MMA fighters Kenshiro and Shuto "Shooto" Watanabe.
Championships and accomplishments Shooto Shooto Lightweight Championship (1 time, inaugural champion)
Mixed martial arts record Win
Naoki Sakurada Submission (kneebar) Shooto - Shooto
Tokyo, Japan Win
Tomonori Ohara Submission (kneebar) Shooto - Shooto
Tokyo, Japan Loss
Naoki Sakurada Submission (armbar) Shooto - Shooto
Tokyo, Japan Win
Kazuhiro Kusayanagi Submission (kneebar) Shooto - Shooto
Tokyo, Japan Win
Tomonori Ohara Decision (unanimous) Shooto - Shooto
Tokyo, Japan Loss
Yuji Ito TKO (punches) Shooto - Shooto
Tokyo, Japan Win
Kazuhiro Sakamoto Submission (armbar) Shooto - Shooto
Tokyo, Japan Loss
Naoki Sakurada Submission (heel hook) Shooto - Shooto
Tokyo, Japan Win
Yuji Ito Submission (armbar) Shooto - Shooto
Tokyo, Japan
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Important facts
People in Yuichi Watanabe's life
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Yuichi Watanabe?
Japanese mixed martial artist
When was Yuichi Watanabe born?
Yuichi Watanabe was born on 9 November 1962 in Ashikaga.
What is Yuichi Watanabe's occupation?
Yuichi Watanabe is a mixed martial arts fighter and professional wrestler.
What nationality is Yuichi Watanabe?
Yuichi Watanabe is Japanese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Yuichi Watanabe. https://biography.guide/yuichi-watanabe/
MLA: "Yuichi Watanabe." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/yuichi-watanabe/.
Chicago: "Yuichi Watanabe." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/yuichi-watanabe/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-26 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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