# Masakazu Imanari

Masakazu Imanari (Japanese: 今成正和, Imanari Masakazu, born 10 February 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and submission wrestler. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation. A professional competitor since 2000, he is a veteran of ONE Championship, DEEP, ZST, Pancrase, PRIDE Fighting Championships, and Cage Rage. He was in the final Cage Rage Featherweight Champion, DEEP Bantamweight Champion, two-time DEEP Featherweight Champion and DREAM Japan Grand Prix Finalist.
Imanari is a successful submission wrestler, placing as runner-up twice at the All-Japan Combat Wrestling Championship. He is the namesake of the "Imanari roll" maneuver.

## Mixed martial arts career

After a childhood marked by a spinal condition which required surgery three times, Masakazu had his first contact with combat sports at age 18, training kickboxing and catch wrestling at the Fujiwara Dojo by Satoru Sayama's mediation. He later moved to Antonio Inoki's Universal Fighting-Arts Organization, and then Kingdom Ehrgeiz, where he trained shoot fighting (a fighting style based on catch wrestling) and MMA with Hidetada Irie before doing his amateur debut.

### ZST

Imanari gained popularity during his mixed martial arts career in Japanese promotion ZST fighting the likes of top Lightweights including Dokonjonosuke Mishima, Jorge Gurgel and Marcus Aurélio despite being a much smaller Featherweight. He defeated Gurgel, who is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt former UFC fighter via catch wrestling staple submission (heel hook) while being lighter in weight. Imanari also defeated former Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion Danny Batten. In the first round Batten took Imanari down on the ropes but Imanari attempted a triangle choke. Batten escaped it but Imanari then transitioned to an armbar causing Batten to submit in just over 40 seconds.

### DEEP

Imanari moved on to compete in DEEP where he defeated a top WEC contender and the former WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown via submission (heel hook) where Brown's leg became dislocated. Imanari now a top contender in DEEP went on to compete for the title shot against Yoshiro Maeda in which he defeated Maeda via submission (toe hold) to become the new DEEP Featherweight Champion. Imanari made his first KO victory in his first defense for the belt against Takeshi Yamazaki with an up kick.

### Cage Rage

His next fight, which was his first fight outside Japan, was in London, England where he became the Cage Rage World Featherweight Champion by defeating Robbie Olivier with a flying armbar at Cage Rage 20. This accomplishment made him the only mixed martial artist in the Featherweight division to hold belts in two separate major promotions (DEEP and Cage Rage). He defended his Cage Rage belt for the first time against Jean Silva, winning by reverse heel hook in the first round, injuring Silva's knee in the process.

### DREAM
#### DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix

Imanari was a participant in the Dream Featherweight (63 kg / 138 lb) Grand Prix and won his first-round matchup against Atsushi Yamamoto by split decision at DREAM 7 but lost to current DREAM Featherweight Champion Bibiano Fernandes by unanimous decision at DREAM 9.

#### DREAM Bantamweight Grand Prix

In 2011 Imanari returned to DREAM to take part in the DREAM Bantamweight Japan Tournament. He won his first two tournament fights in a single night defeating both Keisuke Fujiwara and Kenji Osawa at Dream: Fight for Japan!. The tournament finals took place at Dream: Japan GP Final where Imanari faced off with Hideo Tokoro. Tokoro defeated Imanari to win the tournament, the second-place finish gained Imanari entrance into the Bantamweight Grand Prix. Imanari faced Abel Cullum in the opening round of the Bantamweight Grand Prix at Dream 17 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, on Sept. 24. He won the bout via submission in the third round. In the semifinal round at Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011, Imanari lost to Antonio Banuelos via split decision.

### ONE Fighting Championship

On January 31, 2012 it was announced that Imanari would be fighting for ONE Fighting Championship, who have a partnership with DREAM which allows both organizations to share fighters. He faced unbeaten URCC Flyweight Champion Kevin Belingon at ONE Fighting Championship 3 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on March 31. He won the fight via submission in the first round.
After over a year away from the sport, Imanari returned to face Yuta Nezu at Road to ONE 3: Tokyo Fight Night on September 10, 2020. Imanari lost the fight by unanimous decision.

### Rizin Fighting Federation

Imanari faced Kenta Takizawa in the opening round of the Bantamweight Grand Prix at Rizin 29 on May 30, 2021. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Imanari faced Takeshi Kasugai on October 10, 2021 at Rizin Landmark Vol.1. He won the bout via armbar in the first round.
Imanari faced Chihiro Suzuki at Rizin Landmark 4 on November 6, 2022. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Imanari faced Kazumasa Majima in the co-main event of Rizin Landmark 8 on February 24, 2024. He won the fight by submission in the second round.

## Submission wrestling career

Imanari competed at the 6th All Japan Combat Wrestling Championship on March 20, 2000 in Tokyo. He placed second in the 69 kg division behind Kazuya Abe.
Imanari competed at the 7th All Japan Combat Wrestling Championship on March 20, 2001. He placed second again, this time in the 76 kg division behind Rumina Sato.
Imanari competed at Quintet Fight Night 5 on October 27, 2020 as a part of Team Tokoro Plus α 2nd. He registered two draws at the event but his team won the tournament.
He then faced Kenta Iwamoto in the main event of Battle Hazard 8 on November 22, 2020. He lost the match by submission after Iwamoto caught him in an arm-triangle choke.
Imanari competed against Mikey Musumeci in a submission grappling match at ONE 156 on April 22, 2022. Musumeci submitted him with a rear-naked choke at 4:09 that earned a $50,000 'Performance Bonus'.
Imanari challenged Takuma Sudo for the featherweight title at Level-G Pro on June 16, 2024. He lost the match by submission.
Imanari competed against Marcelo Garcia at ONE 170 on January 24, 2025. He lost the match by submission with a north-south choke.

## Team allegiances

Imanari left catch wrestling-based team Team Roken in 2008 and founded Nippon Top Team with Shinya Aoki and Satoru Kitaoka. However, Aoki left for Evolve MMA of Singapore, whereas Kitaoka joined Lotus Paraestra, Setagaya branch of Paraestra. Consequently, Imanari founded his own team, Imanari Jiu JItsu.
Imanari is an A-level shoot wrestler (better known as catch wrestling in the west) under Yuki Nakai. He was later also presented a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt by Marco Barbosa.

## Fighting style

Imanari is primarily a grappler, and is universally known for his skill and preference for leglocks, which gained him the nickname of "Ashikan Judan" ("The Great Master of Leg Submissions"). Though his striking game is considered inferior, Imanari often engages in stand-up battles in order to bait the opponent to the ground, usually by dropping down after or while seizing control of his leg or by way of ashi garami. He stands out for his dexterity in toehold and heel hook variations, and is an avid user of the 50/50 guard in order to transition between submission attempts. He describes his signature leglock style as not based in sambo as it is popularly believed, but "purely self-taught", and explained his preference for it as "because it hurts the opponent".
The "Imanari Roll" (rolling from a stand up position into a leglock) and the "leggy neck choke" (a combination of an omoplata and a rear naked choke) are grappling moves named after him due to his usage of them.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Mixed martial arts

* Cage Rage
** Cage Rage World Featherweight Championship (One time, only)
*** One successful title defense
* DEEP
** DEEP Bantamweight Championship (One time; first)
*** Two successful title defenses
** DEEP Featherweight Championship (Two times, first)
*** One successful title defense
* DREAM
** 2011 Japan Bantamweight Grand Prix runner-up
** 2011 World Bantamweight Grand Prix semifinalist

### Submission wrestling

* Japan Combat Wrestling Association
** 6th All Japan Combat Wrestling Championship (2000) - 69kg, 2nd place
** 7th All Japan Combat Wrestling Championship (2001) - 76kg, 2nd place

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 64 matches | 40 wins | 22 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 4 |
| By submission | 29 | 0 |
| By decision | 10 | 18 |
| Draws | 2 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 40–22–2 | Kazumasa Majima | Submission (armbar) | Rizin Landmark 8 | February 24, 2024 | 2 | 1:37 | Saga, Japan | |
| Loss | 39–22–2 | Chihiro Suzuki | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin Landmark 4 | November 6, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Loss | 39–21–2 | Takahiro Ashida | Decision (unanimous) | Deep: 109 Impact | August 21, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 39–20–2 | Takeshi Kasugai | Submission (armbar) | Rizin Landmark 1 | October 2, 2021 | 1 | 2:50 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 38–20–2 | Kenta Takizawa | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin 29 | June 27, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix 2021 Opening Round. |
| Loss | 38–19–2 | Yuta Nezu | Decision (unanimous) | Road to ONE 3: Tokyo Fight Night | September 10, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 38–18–2 | Kwon Won-il | Submission (heel hook) | ONE: Call to Greatness | February 22, 2019 | 1 | 0:53 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Win | 37–18–2 | Radeem Rahman | Submission (armbar) | ONE: Pursuit of Greatness | October 26, 2018 | 1 | 1:23 | Yangon, Myanmar | |
| Loss | 36–18–2 | Kim Dae-hwan | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Heroes of Honor | April 20, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Manila, Philippines | |
| Loss | 36–17–2 | Yusup Saadulaev | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Kings of Courage | January 20, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Jakarta, Indonesia | |
| Win | 36–16–2 | Juri Ohara | Submission (leglock) | DEEP 78 Impact: Welterweight GP 2nd Round | March 18, 2017 | 1 | 0:23 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 35–16–2 | Tatsunao Nagakura | Decision (split) | DEEP Cage Impact 2016: DEEP vs. WSOF-GC | December 17, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Won the vacant DEEP Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 34–16–2 | Yoshihiko Shinzato | Submission (heel hook) | DEEP: Cage Impact 2016 | October 18, 2016 | 1 | 0:32 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 33–16–2 | Byeon Jae-eun | Decision (Majority) | DEEP: 77 Impact | August 27, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 33–15–2 | Nam Phan | Submission (heel hook) | DEEP Cage Impact 2016 | April 23, 2016 | 1 | 0:35 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 32–15–2 | Kazunori Yokota | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP: 74 Impact | December 20, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 32–14–2 | Yang Mun-hwan | Submission (heel hook) | DEEP: Cage Impact 2015 | August 29, 2015 | 1 | 0:21 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 31–14–2 | Cristian Binda | Submission (armbar) | Venator FC: Guerrieri Italiani Finals | May 30, 2015 | 1 | 2:33 | Bologna, Italy | |
| Win | 30–14–2 | Daisuke Maku | Submission (armbar) | DEEP: Hachioji Chojin Matsuri | April 5, 2015 | 1 | 4:11 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 29–14–2 | Kenichi Ito | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Grandslam MMA 2: Way of the Cage | February 8, 2015 | 2 | 4:06 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 28–14–2 | Mizuto Hirota | TKO (punches) | DEEP: 69 Impact | October 26, 2014 | 2 | 1:38 | Tokyo, Japan | Featherweight bout. |
| Win | 28–13–2 | Park Chan-jung | Submission (heel hook) | DEEP: 68 Impact | August 23, 2014 | 1 | 0:22 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 27–13–2 | Haruo Ochi | TKO (doctor stoppage) | DEEP: 67 Impact | June 22, 2014 | 2 | 0:51 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 27–12–2 | Yuki Motoya | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP: 65 Impact | March 22, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 27–11–2 | Kenichi Ito | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP: 61 Impact | February 16, 2013 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 26–11–2 | Masahiro Oishi | Submission (toe hold) | DEEP: 59 Impact | August 18, 2012 | 1 | 1:01 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 25–11–2 | Leandro Issa | Decision (unanimous) | ONE FC: Destiny of Warriors | June 23, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | |
| Win | 25–10–2 | Kevin Belingon | Submission (reverse heel hook) | ONE FC: War of the Lions | March 31, 2012 | 1 | 1:18 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Loss | 24–10–2 | Antonio Banuelos | Decision (split) | Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 | December 31, 2011 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | DREAM World Bantamweight Grand Prix Eliminator (Semifinal). |
| Win | 24–9–2 | Abel Cullum | Submission (armbar) | Dream 17 | September 24, 2011 | 3 | 0:46 | Saitama, Japan | DREAM World Bantamweight Grand Prix Eliminator (Opening Round). |
| Loss | 23–9–2 | Hideo Tokoro | Decision (unanimous) | DREAM: Japan GP Final | July 16, 2011 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | DREAM Bantamweight Tournament Final. |
| Win | 23–8–2 | Kenji Osawa | Submission (heel hook) | DREAM: Fight for Japan! | May 29, 2011 | 2 | 0:58 | Saitama, Japan | DREAM Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 22–8–2 | Keisuke Fujiwara | Decision (unanimous) | DREAM: Fight for Japan! | May 29, 2011 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | DREAM Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Loss | 21–8–2 | Hiroshi Nakamura | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP: 52 Impact | February 25, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Non-title bout. |
| Win | 21–7–2 | Daiki Hata | Decision (majority) | DEEP: 50 Impact | October 24, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Non-title bout. |
| Win | 20–7–2 | Tomoya Miyashita | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP: 49 Impact | August 27, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Defended the DEEP Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 19–7–2 | Isao Terada | Submission (armbar) | DEEP: 47 Impact | April 17, 2010 | 3 | 0:27 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 18–7–2 | Justin Cruz | Submission (omoplata crossface) | DEEP: Cage Impact 2009 | December 19, 2009 | 1 | 2:39 | Tokyo, Japan | Catchweight (137 lb) bout. |
| Win | 17–7–2 | Tomohiko Hori | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP: 43 Impact | August 23, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Defended the DEEP Bantamweight Championship. |
| Loss | 16–7–2 | Bibiano Fernandes | Decision (unanimous) | DREAM 9 | May 26, 2009 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 16–6–2 | Atsushi Yamamoto | Decision (split) | DREAM 7 | March 8, 2009 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Dream Featherweight Grand Prix Opening Round. |
| Win | 15–6–2 | Hiroshi Umemura | Submission (heel hook) | DEEP: 37 Impact | August 17, 2008 | 1 | 0:29 | Tokyo, Japan | Won the inaugural DEEP Bantamweight Championship. |
| Loss | 14–6–2 | Dokonjonosuke Mishima | Decision (majority) | DEEP: 35 Impact | May 19, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Lost the DEEP Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–5–2 | Jean Silva | Submission (heel hook) | Cage Rage 25 | March 8, 2008 | 1 | 2:30 | London, England | Defended the Cage Rage Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–5–2 | Hiroyuki Abe | Submission (toe hold) | DEEP: 32 Impact | October 9, 2007 | 3 | 4:32 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 12–5–2 | Kim Jong-Man | Submission (armbar) | DEEP: 31 Impact | August 5, 2007 | 1 | 3:28 | Tokyo, Japan | Defended the DEEP Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–5–2 | Robbie Olivier | Submission (armbar) | Cage Rage 20 | February 10, 2007 | 1 | 0:27 | London, England | Won the inaugural Cage Rage Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–5–2 | Takeshi Yamazaki | KO (upkick) | DEEP: 26 Impact | October 10, 2006 | 3 | 1:49 | Tokyo, Japan | Defended the DEEP Featherweight Championship. |
| Loss | 9–5–2 | Fredson Paixão | Decision (majority) | DEEP: 25 Impact | August 4, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 9–4–2 | Yoshiro Maeda | Submission (toe hold) | DEEP: 22 Impact | December 2, 2005 | 3 | 1:31 | Tokyo, Japan | Won the inaugural DEEP Featherweight Championship. Won the DEEP Featherweight Tournament. |
| Win | 8–4–2 | Mike Brown | Submission (rolling kneebar) | DEEP: 22 Impact | December 2, 2005 | 2 | 3:38 | Tokyo, Japan | DEEP Featherweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 7–4–2 | Fábio Mello | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP: 21st Impact | October 28, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | DEEP Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Loss | 6–4–2 | Joachim Hansen | KO (knee) | PRIDE Bushido 8 | July 17, 2005 | 1 | 2:34 | Nagoya, Japan | Lightweight bout. |
| Draw | 6–3–2 | Yoshiro Maeda | Draw (majority) | DEEP: 18th Impact | February 5, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 6–3–1 | Renato Tavares | Submission (heel hook) | DEEP: 17th Impact | December 17, 2004 | 2 | 2:36 | Nagoya, Japan | Return to Featherweight. |
| Loss | 5–3–1 | Luiz Firmino | Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE Bushido 5 | October 14, 2004 | 2 | 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Loss | 5–2–1 | Marcus Aurélio | Decision (split) | Zst: Grand Prix Final Round | January 11, 2004 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 5–1–1 | Jorge Gurgel | Submission (heel hook) | Zst: Grand Prix Opening Round | November 23, 2003 | 1 | 0:32 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 4–1–1 | Dokonjonosuke Mishima | TKO (punches) | DEEP: 11th Impact | July 13, 2003 | 2 | 2:58 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 4–0–1 | Danny Batten | Submission (armbar) | Zst: The Battlefield 3 | June 1, 2003 | 1 | 0:43 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 3–0–1 | Erikas Petraitis | Decision (unanimous) | Zst: The Battlefield 2 | June 1, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 2–0–1 | Yuji Oba | Decision (majority) | Pancrase: 2002 Anniversary Show | September 29, 2002 | 2 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 1–0–1 | Tokusaburo Iwama | Submission (heel hook) | Premium Challenge | May 6, 2002 | 1 | 3:24 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 0–0–1 | Ryoji Sai | Technical Draw | Titan Fighting Championship 1 | September 29, 2000 | 1 | 1:29 | Tokyo, Japan | |