Katsunori Kikuno
Background. Kikuno started his martial arts training with judo when he was in high school, and was able to take third place in the Kyushu 66 kg tournament and first in Kagoshima Prefecture 66 kg tournament. After graduating from high school Kikuno took up Kyokushin Karate where he took first in the all Kyushu Tournament and a best 16 spot in the middle division of an All-Japan Tournament, Kikuno was trained under Hitoshi Kiyama. He joined Tsuyoshi Kohsaka’s A-Square MMA team in 2004 and began his career in 2005. Mixed martial arts. Deep. Kikuno made  his professional mixed martial arts debut in Japanese promotion DEEP's Future King Tournament 2005 defeating Hitoki Tsuti via doctor stoppage and Masashi Takeda via knockout. At the 2009 DEEP Lightweight Tournament Kikuno became champion after defeating Koichiro Matsumoto via knockout. Dream. Kikuno signed with the DREAM promotion after becoming DEEP Lightweight Champion and made his debut against Andre Dida at Dream 10 on July 20, 2009. Kikuno defeated Dida via a flurry of punches, winning his DREAM debut. Ultimate Fighting Championship. Kikuno faced Quinn Mulhern on January 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 34. He won the fight via  unanimous decision. In his second fight with the promotion, Kikuno faced Tony Ferguson on May 24, 2014, at UFC 173. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round. Kikuno faced Sam Sicilia at UFC Fight Night 52 on September 20, 2014. He won the fight via submission in the second round. Kikuno faced Kevin Souza on March 21, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 62. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round. Kikuno faced Diego Brandão on September 27, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 75. He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round  and was subsequently released from the promotion.