Best fights of Izuru Takeuchi
Over 12 years as a professional, Izuru Takeuchi has compiled a 25-11-7 (6) record, including six title fights across two weight classes. Here are his top 10 best fights.
1. Izuru Takeuchi defeats Nate Marquardt
On October 29, 2002 Izuru Takeuchi faced Nate Marquardt in a middleweight bout. Takeuchi was 28 years old with a record of 8-4-3, and Marquardt was 23 with a record of 15-3-1. Takeuchi was coming off a loss, while Marquardt was on a 2-fight winning streak. Takeuchi won via unanimous decision.
2. Izuru Takeuchi defeats Kiuma Kunioku
On April 23, 2004 Izuru Takeuchi faced Kiuma Kunioku in a middleweight bout. Takeuchi was 29 years old with a record of 11-5-5, and Kunioku was 27 with a record of 30-17-7. Kunioku was coming off a loss. Takeuchi won via majority decision.
3. Izuru Takeuchi defeats Chris Lytle
On December 21, 2002 Izuru Takeuchi faced Chris Lytle in a middleweight bout. Takeuchi was 28 years old with a record of 9-4-3, and Lytle was 28 with a record of 10-7-5. Both Takeuchi and Lytle were coming off a win. Takeuchi won via majority decision.
4. Izuru Takeuchi defeats Ronald Jhun
On January 12, 2002 Izuru Takeuchi faced Ronald Jhun in a middleweight bout. Takeuchi was 27 years old with a record of 7-3-3, and Jhun was 31 with a record of 14-6. Jhun was coming off a win. Takeuchi won via majority decision.
5. Izuru Takeuchi defeats Yuichi Nakanishi in their 2nd fight
On November 28, 2007 Izuru Takeuchi fought Yuichi Nakanishi for the vacant Pancrase middleweight title. It was their second meeting. Takeuchi was 33 years old with a record of 22-9-6, and Nakanishi was 0 with a record of 0-0. Takeuchi was on a 2-fight winning streak. Takeuchi won via unanimous decision. Won the vacant title.
6. Izuru Takeuchi defeats Hikaru Sato
On August 27, 2006 Izuru Takeuchi faced Hikaru Sato in a middleweight bout. Takeuchi was 32 years old with a record of 19-7-6, and Sato was 26 with a record of 14-15-3. Takeuchi was coming off a loss, while Sato was coming off a win. Takeuchi won via unanimous decision.
7. Izuru Takeuchi submits Junior Santos
On June 1, 2008 Izuru Takeuchi faced Junior Santos in a middleweight bout. Takeuchi was 33 years old with a record of 24-9-6, and Santos was 0 with a record of 0-0. Takeuchi was on a 4-fight winning streak. Takeuchi submitted Junior Santos via heel hook in the 1st round.
8. Izuru Takeuchi KOs Myung Ho Bae
On February 4, 2006 Izuru Takeuchi faced Myung Ho Bae in a middleweight bout. Takeuchi was 31 years old with a record of 17-6-6, and Bae was 0 with a record of 0-0. Takeuchi was on a 2-fight winning streak. Takeuchi stopped Myung Ho Bae via TKO in the 1st round.
9. Izuru Takeuchi loses to Nate Marquardt in their 3rd fight via KO
On May 1, 2005 Izuru Takeuchi fought Nate Marquardt for the Pancrase middleweight title. It was their third meeting. Takeuchi was 30 years old with a record of 15-5-6, and Marquardt was 26 with a record of 20-6-2. Takeuchi was on a 3-fight winning streak and Marquardt was coming off a win. Marquardt submitted Takeuchi via choke-out in the 3rd round. Failed to capture the title.
10. Izuru Takeuchi submits Mitsuhiro Ito
On October 1, 2004 Izuru Takeuchi faced Mitsuhiro Ito in a middleweight bout. Takeuchi was 30 years old with a record of 12-5-6, and Ito was 0 with a record of 0-0. Takeuchi submitted Mitsuhiro Ito via armlock in the 2nd round.