User:Luchuslu/Kondo

Yuki Kondo (近藤 有己) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. A veteran of Pancrase, the UFC, Pride Fighting Championships and Sengoku, Kondo has competed in more than 80 mixed martial arts bouts. He is a four-time King of Pancrase in three different weight classes.

Early life and career
Kondo began training in Shorinji Kempo when he was in high school. After watching Pancrase co-founder and Submission wrestling master Masakatsu Funaki fight, he decided to pursue a career in mixed martial arts with Pancrase. He made his professional debut at age 21.

Early Pancrase days
Kondo made his Pancrase debut on Jan. 28, 1996 vs. Takafumi Ito, winning via first round guillotine choke. It was the first win in a eight-fight unbeaten streak for Kondo who defeated Pancrase co-founder Minoru Suzuki, Super heavyweight kickboxer Semmy Schilt, future UFC heavyweight contender Pete Williams and future UFC, Strikeforce and WEC titlist Frank Shamrock. His win vs. Williams earned Kondo the 1996 Truth Tour Neo Blood Tournament Championship.

After dropping three straight bouts to Jason DeLucia, Masakatsu Funaki and Guy Mezger, Kondo rebounded with another winning streak which earned him a rematch vs. Funaki for the Openweight King of Pancrase title at Pancrase: Alive 4 on April 27, 1997. Kondo locked Funaki in a triangle choke/armbar combination to earn the submission victory and the title from his icon. He defended the title against DeLucia at the Pancrase 1997 Anniversary Show, but lost it in a rubber match with Funaki at Pancrase: Alive 11 on Dec. 20, 1997.

Kondo went 3-0-2 in his next five bouts to earn another crack at the Openweight title. He lost to Guy Mezger via majority decision at Pancrase: Advance 12 on Dec. 19, 1998. His next title shot came against Semmy Schilt at Pancrase: Breakthrough 4 on April 19, 1998, where he earned a points decision to join Masakatsu Funaki as the only two-time Openweight Kings of Pancrase. He defended the title vs. Kiuma Kunioku on Sept. 18, 1999 before losing in a rematch with Semmy Schilt at Pancrase: Breakthrough 10 on Nov. 28.

UFC
After defeating Jiu-Jitsu Champion Saulo Ribeiro in just 22 seconds at Colosseum 2000, Kondo told the crowd that he wanted to conpete in the UFC. "I want to test my skills to face any and all skilled athletes all over the world. I would like as many American people as possible to watch my upcoming fight."

He made his debut against Alexandre Dantas at UFC 27 on Sept. 22, 2000. Dantas was a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu expert making his MMA debut against Kondo, a seasoned veteran of the sport. Dantas displayed his excellent grappling skills by mounting Kondo and almost securing an armbar. However, Kondo escaped and used his superior striking to pick apart Dantas en route to a TKO win.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling
 * Openweight King of Pancrase (Two Times)
 * Light Heavyweight King of Pancrase
 * Interim Middleweight King of Pancrase
 * Middleweight King of Pancrase
 * Pancrase 1996 Truth Tour Neo Blood Tournament winner


 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Light Heavyweight title contender