Toshiomi Kazama
Japan
Finished via slam KO
Kazama lost to Elijah Smith via KO (slam) at 4:10 of Round 1 at UFC Vegas 109 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Fighting for the first time in almost a full calendar year, Kazama came away with his third loss in four tries and wasn't all that competitive, which isn't surprising considering he entered as a (+450) betting underdog, the largest on the entire card. Kazama did threaten with a few leglock attempts before throwing up a triangle-choke attempt from his back, which turned out to be the beginning of the end. Smith lifted Kazama into the air and sent him back to the canvas with a brutal slam to his head that had him out cold, and Smith poured on a couple brutal (and unnecessary) follow-up shots before referee Chris Tognoni could rush in to stop the damage. It's a life-changing beating for Kazama, who is now part of Smith's highlight reel forever. He'll need some time off after this one.
Fighting for the first time in almost a full calendar year, Kazama came away with his third loss in four tries and wasn't all that competitive, which isn't surprising considering he entered as a (+450) betting underdog, the largest on the entire card. Kazama did threaten with a few leglock attempts before throwing up a triangle-choke attempt from his back, which turned out to be the beginning of the end. Smith lifted Kazama into the air and sent him back to the canvas with a brutal slam to his head that had him out cold, and Smith poured on a couple brutal (and unnecessary) follow-up shots before referee Chris Tognoni could rush in to stop the damage. It's a life-changing beating for Kazama, who is now part of Smith's highlight reel forever. He'll need some time off after this one.
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Booked for UFC Vegas 109
Kazama will face off against Elijah Smith at UFC Vegas 109 on Aug. 9, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Kazama will look to build off his most recent fight after earning his first UFC win against Charalampos Grigoriou at UFC on ESPN 61 in August of 2024. The 28-year-old Japanese fighter is 11-4 overall in his professional career and 1-2 during his time with the UFC.
Kazama will look to build off his most recent fight after earning his first UFC win against Charalampos Grigoriou at UFC on ESPN 61 in August of 2024. The 28-year-old Japanese fighter is 11-4 overall in his professional career and 1-2 during his time with the UFC.
Finally earns first UFC win
Kazama defeated Charalampos Grigoriou via submission (triangle choke) at 1:55 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
The end result was great, but by all accounts Kazama should have been handed his third straight knockout defeat to begin his UFC run. He made a point to pressure Grigoriou the entirety of the opening frame, and it worked. Yet, once the bell rang for Round 2, Grigoriou pushed forward and crushed Kazama with a massive left hand. Referee Jason Herzog was close to stopping the bout, but allowed Kazama to work through it. He eventually found the stoppage via triangle choke after Grigoriou foolishly followed him to the mat as opposed to letting Kazama stand back up. The victory ensures Kazama will receive another opportunity with the company, but little should be expected. As one of the few finishers on the card, Kazama will also walk away with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
The end result was great, but by all accounts Kazama should have been handed his third straight knockout defeat to begin his UFC run. He made a point to pressure Grigoriou the entirety of the opening frame, and it worked. Yet, once the bell rang for Round 2, Grigoriou pushed forward and crushed Kazama with a massive left hand. Referee Jason Herzog was close to stopping the bout, but allowed Kazama to work through it. He eventually found the stoppage via triangle choke after Grigoriou foolishly followed him to the mat as opposed to letting Kazama stand back up. The victory ensures Kazama will receive another opportunity with the company, but little should be expected. As one of the few finishers on the card, Kazama will also walk away with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Taking on Grigoriou in August
Kazama will fight Charalampos Grigoriou at a UFC event in Las Vegas on August 10, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Kazama was previously slated to fight Grigoriou in March but withdrew from the fight for an unspecified reason. The five-foot-seven fighter from Japan will hope to bounce back against Grigoriou, as Kazama will head into the fight coming off a pair of first round knockout losses to start his UFC career.
Kazama was previously slated to fight Grigoriou in March but withdrew from the fight for an unspecified reason. The five-foot-seven fighter from Japan will hope to bounce back against Grigoriou, as Kazama will head into the fight coming off a pair of first round knockout losses to start his UFC career.
WDs from Grigoriou fight
Kazama withdrew from his scheduled fight against Charalampos Grigoriou at UFC Vegas 88, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
It's unclear what caused Kazama to pul out of the event, but the 26-year-old bantamweight will have to wait a bit longer before his next chance to earn his first UFC win. Chad Anheliger will take Kazama's place against Grigoriou.
It's unclear what caused Kazama to pul out of the event, but the 26-year-old bantamweight will have to wait a bit longer before his next chance to earn his first UFC win. Chad Anheliger will take Kazama's place against Grigoriou.
Scheduled against newcomer
Kazama is scheduled to compete against Charalampos Grigoriou in a bantamweight fight at UFC Vegas 87 on March 16, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Kazama will fight a recent contract winner from Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. Grigoriou defeated Cameron Smotherman in one minute to win a UFC deal. As for Kazama, he will try to maintain his and prevent a three-fight losing streak.
Kazama will fight a recent contract winner from Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. Grigoriou defeated Cameron Smotherman in one minute to win a UFC deal. As for Kazama, he will try to maintain his and prevent a three-fight losing streak.