Masato (kickboxer)
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| Masato 魔裟斗 |
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| Full name | Masato Kobayashi 小林 雅人 |
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| Nickname | Silver Wolf | ||
| Nationality |  Japan |
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| Date of birth | 10 March 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Chiba City, Japan | ||
| Fighting out of | Tokyo, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 81⁄2 in) | ||
| Weight | 70 kg (154.3 lb/11.0 st) | ||
| Style | Kickboxing | ||
| Team | Silver Wolf | ||
| Years active | 11 (1997-present) | ||
| Kickboxing record | |||
| Total | 58 | ||
| Wins | 50 | ||
| By knockout | 24 | ||
| Losses | 6 | ||
| By knockout | 2 | ||
| Draws | 2 | ||
| Other information | |||
| Official site | |||
Masato (Japanese: 魔裟斗; born March 10, 1979) is a professional Japanese kickboxer and K-1 World MAX 2003 champion.
Masato was born as Masato Kobayashi (小林 雅人) in Chiba, Japan. He made his professional debut on March 23, 1997 winning the fight by first round KO. Masato is known for his methodical offense, technical precision and excellent hand skills. He has yet to be knocked out during his professional career. Masato has appeared in films such as Izo, Buyuden, Dead or Alive 2, Shukyoku Ninja and most recently: Shamo. He's married to Japanese actress Shin Yazawa.
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[edit] Career
Masato has taken part in all K-1 World MAX Finals held from 2002. He won the K-1 World MAX title in 2003, beating Albert Kraus in finals.
On October 3, 2007 he participated on his 6th consecutive K-1 World MAX Final held in Tokyo, Japan. In quarter finals he was matched up against reigning champion Buakaw Por. Pramuk. Near the end of the first round, Masato connected with a left uppercut and right cross combo, Buakaw was knocked down. Masato then maintained the pace of offense throughout the fight and won the fight by unanimous decision.
In the semis, Masato was paired up against Artur Kyshenko. The first round unfolded with Kyshenko imposing his range and size on Masato, keeping him at bay throwing hard right hands and left hooks. The second round saw Masato pushing the pace with more leg kicks and combinations. At the two minute mark, Masato threw an overhand right which stunned Kyshenko, and then followed up with a left hook which sent the Ukrainian to the canvas. Kyshenko did not make the count, sending Masato to the finals against Dutch Shoot boxer Andy Souwer.
Masato dominated the first round by throwing body-head combinations and backing Souwer onto the ropes. However, at the end of the round Souwer's methodical leg kicks started to take its toll. In the second the leg kicks were visibly affecting Masato and at the very end, Souwer deliverd two knee strikes to the left leg while chlinching with Masato which made it obvious that Masato couldn't walk straigt afterwards,and he did not answer the bell for the third round, giving Souwer the victory and making him the 2007 K-1 World MAX champion.
Masato's most recent victory was a third round KO over Virgil Kalakoda of South Africa.
[edit] Titles
- 2007 K-1 World Max Finalist
- 2004 K-1 World Max Finalist
- 2003 K-1 World Max Champion
- 2003 K-1 World Max Japan Champion
- 2002 K-1 World Max Third Place
- 2000 ISKA World Oriental Welterweight champ
- 1999 All Japan Kickboxing Federation Welterweight champion
