Masakazu Imanari His Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More!

By Benjamin Strusnik, October 12, 2021

Who Is Masakazu Imanari?

Masakazu Imanari is one of the most famous Mixed Martial Artists on the planet. He has been competing in MMA for 21 years with his exciting and brutal submission skills. Imanari has made famous the “Imanari Roll” which is a slick technique used to roll your way into a technical heel hook. Imanari is a former featherweight and bantamweight champion in two different organisations. Imanari was also awarded his Black belt in Jiu Jitsu by Marcos Barbosa of Barbosa Jiu Jitsu.

Who Is Masakazu Imanari?

The Imanari Roll And Modern Leg Attacks From Japan by Masakazu Imanari

Imanari began his career fighting on some lower level shows, securing a win and a draw, before winning in 2002 on the Pancrase Anniversary show. Moving up into the ZST organisation he won two fights on the same night, including an armbar on Danny Batten in 43 seconds. Imanari’s next two years were extremely hard competing in organisations like DEEP and PRIDE Bushido. Imanari suffered 4 losses and 1 draw out of his next 7 fights, including a split decision loss to Marcus Aurelio.

In October 2005 Imanari won a match against Fabio Mello at DEEP 21st Impact by a unanimous decision. In December 2005 Imanari won 2 fights on the same night at the DEEP 22nd Impact event. After securing a rolling kneebar on Mike Brown, Imanari won the DEEP Featherweight title by submitting Yoshiro Maeda with a toehold. The next three years would see Imanari win 5 out of 6 fights and successfully defend his DEEP Featherweight title belt twice. In the same period Imanari became a dual title holder by winning the Cage Rage Featherweight title belt and defending the title.

In 2008 Imanari lost the DEEP Featherweight title to Dokonjonosuke Mishima by a majority decision. Later that year Imanari stepped down a weight class and challenged for the DEEP Bantamweight title. Imanari would defeat Hiroshi Umemura 29 seconds into the first round with a deadly heel hook, crowning himself champion once again. After another win and another loss fighting on the new organisation formed in Japan called DREAM, Imanari defended his DEEP Bantamweight title against Tomohiko Hori by a unanimous decision.

After another title defense of his DEEP Bantamweight title, Imanari continued fighting for DREAM causing him to vacate his DEEP title. Since vacating the belt Imanari has a win loss record of 16 and 13, fighting for organisations like; DEEP, One Championship, Rizen and DREAM. Imanari has secured first round finishes in 12 of his last 16 wins, including 6 wins in under 45 seconds.

Masakazu Imanari has an extremely exciting style of fighting, although his stand up is considered b grade, he often uses stand up tricks in order to pull off flashy submission wins. Imanari has earned himself the nickname “Ashikan Judan” meaning (the great master of leg submissions) Although many think Imanari is a Sambo master, he claims that his techniques are all purely self taught.

Leg Attacks & Grappling Hacks by Dean Lister

How Old Is Masakazu Imanari?

Masakazu Imanari was born in Hadano Kanagawa in Japan on the 10th of February in 1976, he is currently 45 years of age.

Masakazu Imanari’s Family!

Masakazu Imanari grew up in Hadano Kanagawa in Japan, a place that is renowned for its rich culture in Martial Arts. Imanari is a quiet spoken man and doesn’t speak about his early life or family. Imanari grew up in a place accessible to Tokyo by road and rail, which gave him opportunities to explore his martial arts. Imanari became a highly successful shoot wrestler and studied Japanese Jiu Jitsu and Sambo. After many years of training and competitions, Imanari ventured into Mixed Martial Arts where he fulfilled his lifelong passions of fighting professionally.

How Much Is Masakazu Imanari Worth?

Masakazu Imanari has spent two decades lighting up the world stage with his outstanding submission wrestling. Most of his net worth has come from his formidable record in Mixed Martial Arts. Imanari has fought for many Japanese fighting promotions including the worldwide phenomenon in Singapore, One FC. Imanari has a net worth reported to be over two million dollars, and with his plans to fight on for another decade, his worth will significantly rise especially with the popularity of his signature techniques.

How Tall Is Masakazu Imanari?

Masakazu Imanari is 5 feet and 5 inches tall which is the equivalent of 165 centimetres.

How Much Does Masakazu Imanari Weigh?

Masakazu Imanari weighs in at 134 lbs which equates to 61 kilograms. Imanari has fought in the Lightweight, Featherweight and Bantamweight divisions, including MMA titles in two separate divisions.

Masakazu Imanari’s Fight List!

Masakazu Imanari is a famous Mixed martial Artist, he is adored all throughout Japan and the world for his warrior heart and slick submission wrestling. He has fought some of Japan’s toughest warriors in organisations like; Pride, Dream, Deep, Cage Rage, One Championship and ZST. He has an extensive fight list that includes; Yoshiro Maeda, Jorge Gurgel, Kin Jong Man, Hiroyuki Abe, Justin Cruz, Isao Terada, Kenji Osawa, Masahiro Oishi, Nam Phan, Redeem Rahman, Renato Tavares, Takeshi Yamasaki and Robbie Oliver. Imanari has also competed in grappling events like Kasai Pro, Polaris, Quintet and TTF Challenge. He has competed against world class grapplers like; Jeff Glover, Nicky Ryan, David Garmo, Jon Calestine, Geo Martinez, Tomoshige Sera, Tom Halpin and Edwin Ocasio.

Masakazu Imanari’s Best Fight Of All Time!

Masakazu Imanari has spent the last 21 years fighting in the cage with numerous wins over seasoned fighters. Imanari has lit up Japan with his exciting highlight reel, full of classy submissions. Some of his best wins have come against guys like; Yoshiro Maeda where Imanari secured a toe hold to win the DEEP Featherweight title, after their first fight at DEEP 18th Impact resulted in a draw. Other notable wins came over; Robbie Oliver where he won the Cage Rage title in 2007 with an armbar in 27 seconds, and Hiroshi Umemura who he defeated with a heel hook in 29 seconds to secure the DEEP Bantamweight title. Imanari is famous in Japan for his extremely fast finishes with some of his other fights ending quickly. With wins over Mun Hwan Yang (heel hook in 21 seconds) Juri Ohara (leglock 23 seconds) Jung Park (heel hook 22 seconds) and Isao Terada (armbar 27 seconds)

Who Did Masakazu Imanari Lose To?

Imanari has had over 60 Mixed Martial Arts fights including 20 losses, 16 of those have come by decision, 4 by knockout and he has never been submitted inside the ring or the cage. Some of his notable losses have been to; Mizuto Hirota, Haruo Ochi, Joachim Hansen, Dokonjonosuke Mishima who all defeated Imanari by TKO and KO including one doctor stoppage. Imanari has also lost decisions to; Bibiano Fernandes, Hiroshi Nakamura, Hideo Tokoro, Lendro Issa, Dae Hwan Kim and Marcus Aurelio.

Masakazu Imanari’s Record!

Masakazu Imanari has an exceptional record in Mixed Martial Arts, with 39 wins, 20 losses and 2 draws. Imanari has never been submitted professionally in MMA and has only lost by TKO and KO 4 times. Imanari has achieved 20 first round submission finishes including 10 of those in under a minute.

Imanari has achieved multiple Mixed Martial Arts titles including; DEEP Featherweight Champion (2005 and defended the belt twice in 2006, 2007) DEEP Bantamweight Champion (2008 and defended the belt in 2009, 2010 and then vacated the belt in 2011) Cage Rage Featherweight Champion (2007 and defended the belt in 2008) In 2011 Imanari was also the Japan Bantamweight Grand Prix runner Up For DREAM. IN 2011 Imanari was also a semifinalist for the World Bantamweight Grand Prix for DREAM.

Masakazu Imanari’s Injuries!

Masakazu Imanari has worked tremendously hard over his career to stay physically fit and in his prime to fight. As a 45 year old he is in pristine condition due to his expert knowledge in how he conditions his body. Imanari has suffered injuries over his career, nothing serious but plenty of strains, bruises and even cuts he has received inside the ring. One of his cuts forced him to lose the match by a doctor's stoppage.

Is Masakazu Imanari Retired?

You would think at the age of 45 Imanari would be enjoying retirement, well wrong! Imanari is still active on the Mixed Martial Arts circuit, his last fight was against Takeshi Kasugai at the Rizen Landmark Volume 1 promotion, where Imanari secured a first round armbar victory. Masakazu Imanari has showcased his exceptional skills in the world of Martial Arts for two decades now and he looks just as fit as he ever did. Imanari has spoken about his fight career in interviews where he speaks about wanting to fight on till around 60 years of age. Although Imanari is not calling anyone out he does have one requirement, that is he wants to fight someone strong!

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