Kanako Murata

Kanako Murata (村田 夏南子, born August 10, 1993) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and former wrestler, who competes in the Strawweight division. A professional mixed martial artist since 2016, Murata has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Rizin Fighting Federation and Invicta FC where she is a former Invicta FC Strawweight Champion.

Background
Murata was born and raised in Matsuyama, Japan. The granddaughter of a judo dojo master, Murata started training judo at the age of three. She was a national champion in judo in her high school years. After judo, she transitioned to freestyle wrestling in which she won Junior World Championship in 2011.

Rizin Fighting Federation
Murata was scheduled to make her professional debut against Natalya Denisova at Rizin 1 on April 17, 2016. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Murata made her flyweight debut against Maia Kahaunaele-Stevenson at KOTC: Firefight on June 4, 2016. She won the fight by a third-round technical knockout.

Murata remained at flyweight for her next fight with Ilona Wijmans at Shoot Box Girls S-Cup 2016 on July 7, 2016. She won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.

Murata was scheduled to face Kyra Batara in a strawweight bout at Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 1st Round on September 26, 2016. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Murata was scheduled to face Rin Nakai in a flyweight bout at Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 2nd Round on December 29, 2016. Murata suffered her first professional loss, tapping to a rear-naked choke in the third round.

Murata was scheduled to face Claire Fryer in a strawweight bout at Pancrase 288 on July 2, 2017. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Murata was scheduled to face Yukari Nabe in a flyweight bout at DEEP 79 Impact on September 16, 2017. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Murata remained at flyweight for her next fight, against Lanchana Green at Rizin 10 on May 6, 2018. She won the fight by a first-round anaconda choke submission.

Murata was scheduled to face Angela Magana at Rizin 12 on August 12, 2018. She won the fight by a first-round submission.

Murata made her last appearance with Rizin against Saray Orozco at Rizin 15 on April 21, 2019. Murata was originally scheduled to face Shinju Nozawa-Auclair, before Nozawa-Auclair withdrew due to a ligament injury. She won the fight by her second career, and second consecutive, Von Flue choke submission.

Invicta
It was announced on August 30, 2018, that Murata had signed with Invicta FC, and would compete in their strawweight division.

Murata was scheduled to make her promotional debut with Invicta, almost a year after signing with them, against Liana Pirosin at Invicta FC 35: Bennett vs. Rodriguez II on June 7, 2019. She won the fight by a first-round rear-naked choke submission. This fight earned her a "Performance of the Night" award.

Murata was scheduled to fight Emily Ducote for the vacant Invicta FC Strawweight Championship at Invicta FC 38: Murata vs. Ducote on November 1, 2019. She won the fight by split decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Murata announced on July 5, 2020, that she had signed with the UFC.

Murata was expected to face Lívia Renata Souza on November 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos. However, Souza pulled out in early November due to an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Randa Markos. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Murata faced Virna Jandiroba on June 19, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 25. She lost the fight via doctor stoppage after round 2 due to a elbow dislocation caused by an armbar applied by Jandiroba.

After a two-year layoff, Murata faced Vanessa Demopoulos on October 7, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 229. She lost the fight via unanimous decision. 13 out of 14 media outlets scored the bout as a win for Murata.

On November 7, 2023 it was announced that Murata was no longer with the UFC.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Invicta Fighting Championships
 * Invicta FC Strawweight Championship (One time, former)
 * Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Liana Pirosin