Akihiro Murayama

Akihiro Murayama (村山 暁洋) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who has competed mainly for Pancrase, Shooto and Greatest Common Multiple.

Early career
Murayama started his professional career in 2003. In his first years, he fought mainly for Greatest Common Multiple, also known as GCM, but in 2005 he transitioned to Shooto and remained there until 2008.

With a professional record of nine victories, two defeats and four draws, Murayama returned to the GCM, this time to fight in Cage Force.

Cage Force
Murayama wasn't successful in Cage Force. Under the promotion's banner, he amassed two losses and one draw. Counting his loss against Yoichiro Sato at Shooto: Shooting Disco 9, he stood with a total record of nine victories, five defeats and five draws.

In the second half of 2010, Murayama returned to Shooto.

Shooto Pacific Rim title
Murayama had a rematch against Yoichiro Sato on February 26, 2011, at Shooto: Shooting Disco 14 for the Shooto Pacific Rim middleweight (168 lb) title. Sato retained the title, as the judges ruled the match a draw (29–28 Murayama, 29–28 Sato, 29–29).

Murayama faced Sato a third time — and once again for the title — on June 11, 2011, at Shooto: Shooting Disco 15. This time Murayama won via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) and became the new Shooto Pacific Rim 168–pound champion.

Murayama faced Sengoku welterweight champion and former Shooto Pacific Rim middleweight champion Keita Nakamura on September 23, 2011, at Shooto: Shootor's Legacy 4 in a non–title bout. He defeated Nakamura via submission due to a rear-naked choke in the very first round.

Pancrase
Murayama faced welterweight King of Pancrase Takenori Sato on March 17, 2013, at Pancrase 246. The match was ruled a draw.

Murayama faced longtime mixed martial arts veteran Yuki Kondo on June 30, 2013, at Pancrase 248. Murayama defeated Kondo via unanimous decision.

Murayama faced Gota Yamashita on August 10, 2014, at Pancrase 260 for the vacant welterweight King of Pancrase title. Yamashita lost via unanimous decision after three rounds.

Welterweight King of Pancrase
After racking up three straight wins in Pancrase, Murayama challenged Shingo Suzuki for the Welterweight King of Pancrase at Pancrase 276 on March 12, 2016. He won the fight via fourth-round technical knockout and claimed the championship.

As his first title defense attempt, Murayama faced Hiromitsu Miura at Pancrase 281 on October 2, 2016. He lost the fight and championship via unanimous decision.

Post-title reign
After losing his title, Murayama faced Takashi Sato at Pancrase 292 on December 10, 2017. He lost the fight via first-round technical knockout.

Muarayama then faced Takaaki Nara at Pancrase 296 on May 20, 2018. He won the fight via first-minute technical submission.

Murayama faced Hiroyuki Tetsuka at Pancrase 302 on December 9, 2018. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Murayama then fought Yuki Kondo at Pancrase 312 on February 16, 2020, winning the fight via unanimous decision.

Murayama next faced Masayuki Kikuiri at Pancrase 320 on December 13, 2020. Murayama won the bout via unanimous decision.

Murayama and Kikuiri were then scheduled for a rematch for the interim Welterweight King of Pancrase title at Pancrase 324 on October 17, 2021. Kikuiri won the bout via unanimous decision.

Murayama then faced Yusaku Kinoshita at Pancrase 327 on April 29, 2022. He lost the fight via first-round knockout.

At Pancrase 330 on December 25, 2022, Murayama faced Hiroki Nagaoka. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Murayama then faced Genpei Hayashi for the vacant Welterweight King of Pancrase title at Pancrase 334 on June 4, 2023. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Mixed martial arts

 * Shooto
 * Shooto Pacific Rim 168 lb title (one time)
 * Pancrase
 * Welterweight King of Pancrase (One time; former)