Kleber Koike Erbst

Kleber Koike Erbst (born October 16, 1989; クレベル・コイケ・エルベスト) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation, where he is the former Rizin Featherweight Champion. He has also competed in Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW), where is the former KSW Featherweight Champion.

Background
Born in São Paulo, Brazil, to a Brazilian father of German, Portuguese and Japanese descent and a Japanese mother, Kleber lived in Brazil in his teenage years, until financial troubles led his parents to move to Japan. Erbst initially stayed in Brazil with relatives, but at the age of 14, joined them in Japan. Initially intending to help his parents and return to Brazil, but once he met jiu-jitsu, he decided to stay in Japan. When financial crisis hit Japan, his parents decided to move back to Brazil, leaving behind an 18 years old Erbst who wanted to stay. To finance his fighting career, Erbst took odd jobs such as construction, trash collection, etc. to pay for the sign-up fees.

Mixed martial arts career
Bonsai Jiu-jitsu club competitor, submission specialist. His favorite technique is Triangle choke. A holder of a black belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu from the city of Iwata. In 2008–2014 he fought mainly at Japanese galas DEEP and Rings, beating at that time, among others of the former Shooto champion of Hideki Kadowaka.

Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki
At the KSW 30: Genesis defeated Anzor Azhiev by triangle choke in the 1st round. He was also awarded the Submission of the Night bonus award.

After a successful debut for the KSW, he took part in a featherweight tournament organized by the Chinese federation Rebel FC, which won and became a champion, defeating the American Miguel Torres.

At KSW 33: Materla vs. Khalidov, which took place on November 28, 2015, fought a duel with Artur Sowiński for the inaugural KSW Featherweight Championship, eventually losing by the judges' decision. Both were awarded the Fight of the Night bonus award.

After another stint returning to Asia, picking two third round submission wins at Pancrase 277 and Rebel FC 4, Kleber returned to KSW, facing Leszek Krakowski on October 1, 2016, at KSW 36. He won the bout via triangle choke in the first round. He was awarded the Submission of the Night bonus award.

Featherweight championship and loss of the title
On May 27, 2017, at the KSW 39 held at the Stadion Narodowy, he won the KSW Featherweight Championship, defeating then featherweight champion Marcin Wrzosek via unanimous decision.

Kleber was to defend his title against Artur Sowiński at KSW 41 on December 23, 2017. However, after missing weight, Erbst was stripped of the belt, meaning only Sowiński was eligible for the title. Erbst won the bout via rear-naked choke in the third round.

Kleber was scheduled to rematch Marcin Wrzosek for the vacant featherweight title on June 9, 2018, at KSW 44. However Wrzosek suffered a pectoral muscle tear and was forced out of the rematch. As a result, Marian Ziółkowski stepped in against Erbst in a catchweight fight. Erbst won the bout via armbar in the first round. He was awarded the Submission of the Month bonus award.

Kleber faced Mateusz Gamrot on December 1, 2018, at KSW 46: Narkun vs. Khalidov 2. He lost the bout via a unanimous decision.

Rizin Fighting Federation
After a first round submission win at ONE Japan Series against Akiyo Nishiura, Kleber made his Rizin debut on December 31, 2020, at during Rizin 26 against Kyle Aguon He won the bout via brabo choke in the first round.

Kleber faced Kazumasa Majima at Rizin 27 on March 21, 2021. He won via triangle choke in the second round.

Kleber faced Mikuru Asakura at Rizin 28. He won the bout after choking Mikuru unconscious via triangle choke.

Kleber headlined Rizin Trigger 2 on February 23, 2022, against Ulka Sasaki. After overcoming a knockdown in the first round, Kleber submitted Sasaki in the second round via rear-naked choke.

Kleber faced Kyohei Hagiwara on May 5, 2022, in the main event of Rizin Landmark 3. He won the bout in the first round with a face crank.

Rizin FF Featherweight championship
On October 23, 2022, Kleber faced reigning champion Juntaro Ushiku for the Rizin Featherweight Championship at Rizin 39. taking control in the first round with a tackle takedown, and in the second round, he threw him down with a hip throw and set up a triangle choke to win by triangle choke to win the title.

Kleber faced reigning Bellator Featherweight Champion Patrício Pitbull in a non-title bout at Bellator MMA vs. Rizin on December 31, 2022. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.

Rizin title stripped
Kleber was set to make his first title defense against Chihiro Suzuki on June 24, 2023, at Rizin 43. At the weigh-ins, Kleber weighed in at 145.88 pounds, 0.88 pounds over the divisional title limit. As a result, upon commencement of the fight, Kleber was officially stripped of the championship, and only Suzuki is eligible to win the title. Although Kleber submitted Suzuki via triangle choke at the 2:59 minute mark of the opening round, the fight result was immediately overturned into a no-contest, due to Kleber's weight miss.

Koike Erbst faced Masanori Kanehara at Rizin 44 on September 24, 2023. He lost the bout via unanimous decision, having his BJJ skills be nullified by Kanehara's wrestling acumen.

Koike Erbst faced Yutaka Saito on December 31, 2023, at Rizin 45, and won the bout via brabo choke in the third round.

Koike Erbst next faced former Bellator and Rizin Bantamweight champion Juan Archuleta at Rizin 47 on June 9, 2024. He won the fight via an inverted heel hook submission in the first round.

Mixed martial arts

 * Rizin Fighting Federation
 * Rizin Featherweight Championship (One time; former)
 * Most submission wins in Rizin FF history (seven)
 * Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki
 * KSW Featherweight Championship (One time; former)
 * Submission of the Night (three times) vs. Anzor Azhiev, Leszek Krakowski and Marian Ziółkowski
 * Fight of the Night (one time) vs. Artur Sowiński
 * Rebel FC
 * Rebel FC Featherweight Tournament Winner