Hidehiko Yoshida
| Hidehiko Yoshida | |
|---|---|
|
Hidehiko Yoshida in 2013. | |
| Born |
September 3, 1969 Obu, Aichi, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 225 lb (102 kg; 16 st 1 lb) |
| Division |
Light Heavyweight Heavyweight |
| Team | Yoshida Dojo |
| Rank | Olympian and sixth dan white & red belt in Judo |
| Years active | 2002-2010 (MMA) |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 18 |
| Wins | 9 |
| By submission | 8 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Losses | 8 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Competitor for  Japan
| ||
| Men's Judo | ||
| Olympic Games | ||
| Gold | 1992 Barcelona | -78 kg |
| World Championships | ||
| Bronze | 1991 Barcelona | -78 kg |
| Silver | 1993 Hamilton | -78 kg |
| Silver | 1995 Chiba | -86 kg |
| Gold | 1999 Birmingham | -90 kg |
| Asian Championships | ||
| Gold | 1988 Damascus | -78 kg |
Hidehiko Yoshida (吉田 秀彦 Yoshida Hidehiko, born September 3, 1969) is a Japanese gold-medalist judoka and retired mixed martial artist. He is a longtime veteran of Japan's PRIDE Fighting Championships, competing in the Middleweight (93kg) and Heavyweight divisions. He won gold at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games at 78 kg. Yoshida also had two famous fights with MMA pioneer Royce Gracie that resulted in a no-contest and a time-limit draw.
Judo career
Yoshida first came onto the judo scene at the 1991 World Judo Championships in Barcelona, taking third place at 78 kg.[1] He then took gold in the 1991 All Japan Judo Championships and 1992 A-Tournament in Sofia before entering the 1992 Summer Olympic Games.[2] He swept the competition in Barcelona, winning all six matches by Ippon en route to his first Olympic gold medal.[3] He went on to medal in the 1993, 1995 and 1999 World Championships, but didn't win gold at the Olympics again.[4] He finished in fifth place at the 1996 Summer Games[5] and ninth at the 2000 Summer Games.[6] He retired from Judo after the 2000 Summer Games.
He founded Yoshida Dojo, which focuses primarily on judo but also helps train MMA fighters.
Mixed martial arts career
Yoshida debuted for PRIDE FC in a grappling match against UFC pioneer Royce Gracie at PRIDE Shockwave in 2002. The fight ended when Yoshida submitted Gracie from a Gi choke.[7] However, under heavy pressure of the Gracies, Pride FC ruled it a no contest. The referee stated later on that Royce Gracie was clearly fading out.
Yoshida's first true MMA bout came at PRIDE 23 against former UFC 8 Tournament Champion and UFC Ultimate Ultimate 1996 Tournament Champion Don Frye. He pulled off the upset victory by technical submission due to an armbar, marking the first time in six years that Frye had been defeated.[8] He then defeated K-1 Japan Grand Prix Champion and K-1 World GP Runner-Up Masaaki Satake as well as shoot wrestling legend Kiyoshi Tamura.
Yoshida's first loss was to the PRIDE Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision at PRIDE Final Conflict 2003. The back-and-forth affair earned Fight of the Year honors from Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Less than two months later, Yoshida got a rematch against Royce Gracie, this time under modified PRIDE rules, at PRIDE Shockwave 2003. The fight was set for two rounds of 10 minutes each, and was declared a draw when time expired.
In August 2005, he defeated Tank Abbott by submission. At the end of the same year, Yoshida defeated fellow Japanese judoka Naoya Ogawa by an armbar in a highly anticipated MMA bout at PRIDE Shockwave 2005 with each fighter receiving a payment of US$2 million, which remains one of the most expensive fights in MMA history.[9]
In March 2008, Yoshida lost by submission to Josh Barnett, a former training partner, at World Victory Road's inaugural show Sengoku and in June he defeated former UFC Heavyweight Champion Maurice Smith by neck crank in the first round of Sengoku: Third Battle.
Yoshida was defeated by Sanae Kikuta via split decision on January 4, 2009 at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Rebellion 2009.
Yoshida defeated Satoshi Ishii at Dynamite!! 2009. Ishii had been pursued by many of the best organizations in the world such as the UFC and Strikeforce, to name a few. Yoshida was a significant underdog but came out in the first round and dominated the less-experienced Ishii, landing many punches including a right overhand that staggered Ishii, as well as a series of uppercuts and knees from the clinch. Ishii somewhat found his range in the second round from the clinch, but then landed an illegal knee to the groin of Yoshida, which badly hurt the veteran. Yoshida actually had to have his protective cup changed, but was ultimately able to demonstrate his heart by continuing to fight. Yoshida was taken down at the end of the second round and then was not as effective in the third round, getting hit with numerous strikes from Ishii, but ultimately held his own and was able to pull off the upset win via unanimous decision.
Retirement fight
Yoshida participated in an event called ASTRA for his last fight on April 25, 2010, as a response to his frustration with his previous promotion.[10] Yoshida lost the fight via unanimous decision to Kazuhiro Nakamura, a long-time student of his dojo.
Championships and accomplishments
Judo
- 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games 78 kg class gold medalist
- 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games 86 kg class 5th place
- 2000 Sydney Olympic Games 90 kg class 9th place
- 1999 World Judo Championship 90 kg class gold medalist
- 1995 World Judo Championship 86 kg class silver medalist
- 1993 World Judo Championship 78 kg class silver medalist
- 1991 World Judo Championship 78 kg class bronze medalist
Mixed martial arts
- PRIDE Fighting Championships
- 2003 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix Semi-Finalist
- Tokyo Sports
- Topic Award (2002)[11]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Fight of the Year (2003) vs. Wanderlei Silva on November 9
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 18 matches | 9 wins | 8 losses |
| By knockout | 0 | 2 |
| By submission | 8 | 1 |
| By decision | 1 | 5 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 9–8–1 | Kazuhiro Nakamura | Decision (unanimous) | ASTRA: Yoshida's Farewell | April 25, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Retirement bout |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 9–7–1 | Satoshi Ishii | Decision (unanimous) | Dynamite!! 2009 | December 31, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 8–7–1 | Sanae Kikuta | Decision (split) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku no Ran 2009 | January 4, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 8–6–1 | Maurice Smith | Submission (neck crank) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 3 | June 8, 2008 | 1 | 3:23 | Saitama, Japan | |
| style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 7–6–1 | Josh Barnett | Submission (heel hook) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 1 | March 5, 2008 | 3 | 3:23 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 7–5–1 | James Thompson | TKO (punches) | Pride FC - Shockwave 2006 | December 31, 2006 | 1 | 7:50 | Saitama, Japan | |
| style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 7–4–1 | Mirko Filipović | TKO (leg kicks) | Pride FC - Critical Countdown Absolute | July 1, 2006 | 1 | 7:38 | Saitama, Japan | PRIDE 2006 Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarter-Final. |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 7–3–1 | Yosuke Nishijima | Submission (triangle choke) | Pride FC - Total Elimination Absolute | May 5, 2006 | 1 | 2:33 | Osaka, Japan | PRIDE 2006 Heavyweight Grand Prix Opening Round. |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 6–3–1 | Naoya Ogawa | Submission (armbar) | PRIDE Shockwave 2005 | December 31, 2005 | 1 | 6:04 | Saitama, Japan | |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 5–3–1 | Tank Abbott | Submission (single wing choke) | PRIDE Final Conflict 2005 | August 28, 2005 | 1 | 7:40 | Saitama, Japan | |
| style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 4–3–1 | Wanderlei Silva | Decision (split) | PRIDE Total Elimination 2005 | April 23, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | |
| style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 4–2–1 | Rulon Gardner | Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE Shockwave 2004 | December 31, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 4–1–1 | Mark Hunt | Submission (armbar) | PRIDE Critical Countdown 2004 | June 20, 2004 | 1 | 5:25 | Saitama, Japan | |
| style="background:#c5d2ea; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-draw" |Draw | 3–1–1 | Royce Gracie | Draw (time limit) | PRIDE Shockwave 2003 | December 31, 2003 | 2 | 10:00 | Saitama, Japan | Match under special rules. |
| style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 3–1 | Wanderlei Silva | Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE Final Conflict 2003 | November 9, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | PRIDE 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix Semi-Final. Fight of the Year (2003). |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 3–0 | Kiyoshi Tamura | Submission (ezekiel choke) | PRIDE Total Elimination 2003 | August 10, 2003 | 1 | 5:06 | Saitama, Japan | Pride 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix Opening Round. |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 2–0 | Masaaki Satake | Submission (neck lock) | Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2002 | December 31, 2002 | 1 | 0:50 | Saitama, Japan | |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 1–0 | Don Frye | Technical submission (armbar) | PRIDE 23 | November 24, 2002 | 1 | 5:32 | Tokyo, Japan |
See also
References
- ↑ "1991 World Championships Barcelona". Judo Insider. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
- ↑ "Career results for Hidehiko Yoshida". Judo Insider. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
- ↑ "Hidehiko Yoshida Pride FC bio". Pride FC. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
- ↑ "Medal count for Hidehiko Yoshida". Judo Insider. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
- ↑ "Olympic Games Atlanta 1996 Judo results". Judo Insider. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
- ↑ "2000 Sydney Olympics Judo results". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
- ↑ "Yoshida vs. Gracie 1". Youtube. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
- ↑ "Hidehiko Yoshida vs. Don Frye". Tapology. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
- ↑ "Japanese icon Yoshida retires with loss to protege Nakamura". USA Today. April 25, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
- ↑ "Japanese icon Hidehiko Yoshida announces retirement". USA Today. February 8, 2010. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
- ↑ http://www.purolove.com/tokyosports.php
External links
- Professional MMA record for Hidehiko Yoshida from Sherdog
- Official website (Japanese)