Kiyoshi Tamura

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Kiyoshi Tamura

Statistics
Height	5'11
Weight	195 lb (86 kg)
Born	December 17, 1969
Town of birth	Okayama Prefecture, Japan
Fighting style	Catch wrestling
Mixed martial arts record
Wins	15
Losses	9
Draws	1

Kiyoshi Tamura (born December 12, 1969) is a Japanese middleweight professional Wrestler and Mixed Martial Arts fighter.

Once a student of legendary Pro Wrestler Akira Maeda, Tamura is known for his skill in catch wrestling as well as his ability to deliver exciting and realistic professional wrestling bouts.

He has competed in some form or another for the following organizations: Universal Wrestling Federation, UWF International, Fighting Network RINGS, K-1, PRIDE, and U-STYLE, his own promotion. He is at his best when fighting at or near his own weight, but since 1999 has made a habit of fighting much larger opponents.

Tamura holds victories over Mixed Martial Arts greats such as Jeremy Horn, Renzo Gracie, PRIDE Superstar Ikuhisa Minowa, Nobuhiko Takada and UFC veterans Dave Menne and Pat Miletich^[1]. He also handed Joop Kasteel his first defeat, via armbar and held Frank Shamrock to a draw at a time when Shamrock was reigning UFC champion.

For several years, efforts have been made by Pride Fighting Championships to put Kiyoshi Tamura and fellow UWFi alum and mixed martial artist Kazushi Sakuraba together in a fight due to their status as two of the best Japanese fighters of their time as well as a rumored rivalry. Thus far, the efforts have been unsuccessful.