Kiyotaka Shimizu (清水清隆, Shimizu Kiyotaka, born March 14, 1984) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. Shimizu fought primarily in Pancrase, as well as Shooto and Sengoku.
He is a former Flyweight King Of Pancrase,[3] where he holds the joint record for consecutive title defenses (6). He is currently the #2 ranked bantamweight (123 lbs) in Shooto.[4]
Early life
Kiyotaka Shimizu was born in Ishibashi and attended the Sakushin Gakuin High School. He initially belonged to the basketball club, and was expected to take over the family shop. He became interested in martial arts in the second year of high school. He would eventually move to Tokyo and joined the SK Absolute gym.[5]
Mixed martial arts career
Pancrase
He would begin his career as an amateur kickboxer, participating in the 2007 KAMINARIMON CLIMAX tournament, fighting in the 121 lbs weight class. He won all four fights, including the final against Yudai Sudo.[6]
Shimizu won the Flyweight Neo Blood flyweight tournament 15th. In the first round he beat Toshihiro Shimizu with a rear naked choke. He won the same way against Takuma Ishii in the semifinals. In the finals he beat Yuichiro Yajima through a unanimous decision.[7]
On February 7, 2010, Shimizu challenged Mituhisa Sunabe, the former Flyweight King Of Pancrase. and he became the new flyweight King Of Pancrase. He would go on to defend the title against Isao Hirose and Mitsuhisa Sunabe.
On April 3, 2011, Pancrase Inc. has changed from 125 lb In 120 lb weight limit of the flyweight. Pancrase was changed to "super flyweight" from the "flyweight" the name of the class 125 lb. And, Shimizu has been moved to the super flyweight King Of Pancrase.[8] He would fight Sunabe for the third time and beat him through a majority decision, as well as defending against Seiji Ozuka.
On December 1, 2012, Shimizu successfully defended the Super Flyweight King of Pancrase title against top contender Yuki Yasunaga of the 3rd round via KO at main event of year end "Progress Tour",[9] and would defend for the sixth time against Atsushi Yamamoto.
During Pancrase 273 he faced Ryuichi Miki in a flyweight Championship assessment bout, and lost a unanimous decision.
Shooto
Moving from Pancrase to other organizations he accumulated an 8–5 record. Unsuccessful in Vale Tudo Japan, he nevertheless achieved a remarkable 5–1 record with Shooto which earned him a chance to challenge for the Shooto Bantamweight (123 lb) Championship against Hiromasa Ougikubo. He would lose by way of TKO in the first round.[10]
Shimizu was scheduled to fight Takahiro Kohori at Shooto 0531.[11] He won the fight by a first-round TKO.[12]
Shimizu was next scheduled to face Tatsuro Taira at Shooto 0329 on March 29, 2020.[13] However, the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] The bout was then rebooked to take place at Shooto 1123 on November 23, 2020 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.[15][16]
Shimizu faced Yuto Uda at Shooto 0516, on May 16, 2021.[17] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[18]
Shimizu faced the undefeated Wataru Yamauchi at Shooto 2022 Vol.7 on November 27, 2022, in his retirement bout.[19] He lost the fight by a first-round technical knockout.[20]
Championships and accomplishments
Kickboxing
KAMINARIMON CLIMAX
2007 KAMINARIMON CLIMAX 55 kg Amateur Tournament Championship
