Best fights of Naoki Inoue
Over 11 years as a professional, Naoki Inoue has compiled a 21-5 (11) record, including four title fights across two weight classes. Here are his top 10 best fights.
1. Naoki Inoue KOs Soo Chul Kim
On September 29, 2024 Naoki Inoue fought Soo Chul Kim for the vacant Rizin bantamweight title. Inoue was 27 years old with a record of 17-4, and Kim was 32 with a record of 22-7-1. Inoue was coming off a win and Kim was on a 4-fight winning streak. Inoue stopped Soo Chul Kim via TKO in the 1st round. Won the vacant title.
2. Naoki Inoue defeats Ryuya Fukuda
On July 27, 2025 Naoki Inoue defended his Rizin bantamweight title against Ryuya Fukuda. Inoue was 28 years old with a record of 19-4, and Fukuda was 0 with a record of 0-0. Inoue was on a 3-fight winning streak. Inoue won via unanimous decision. Defended the title.
3. Naoki Inoue defeats Yuki Motoya in their 2nd fight
On March 29, 2025 Naoki Inoue defended his Rizin bantamweight title against Yuki Motoya. It was their second meeting. Inoue was 27 years old with a record of 18-4, and Motoya was 0 with a record of 0-0. Inoue was on a 2-fight winning streak. Inoue won via split decision. Defended the title.
4. Naoki Inoue loses to Juan Archuleta via unanimous decision
On May 6, 2023 Naoki Inoue faced Juan Archuleta in a bantamweight bout. Inoue was 25 years old with a record of 16-3, and Archuleta was 35 with a record of 27-4. Inoue was coming off a win and Archuleta was on a 2-fight winning streak. Inoue lost via unanimous decision. Went the distance with Archuleta.
5. Naoki Inoue defeats Marcirley Alves
On May 23, 2026 Naoki Inoue faced Marcirley Alves in a bantamweight bout. Inoue was 28 years old with a record of 20-5, and Alves was 26 with a record of 15-4. Inoue was coming off a loss, while Alves was on a 3-fight winning streak. Inoue won via split decision.
6. Naoki Inoue KOs Shintaro Ishiwatari
On June 13, 2021 Naoki Inoue faced Shintaro Ishiwatari in a bantamweight bout. Inoue was 23 years old with a record of 13-2, and Ishiwatari was 36 with a record of 26-8-4. Inoue was on a 4-fight winning streak, while Ishiwatari was coming off a loss. Inoue stopped Shintaro Ishiwatari via KO in the 1st round.
7. Naoki Inoue submits Shooto Watanabe
On August 9, 2020 Naoki Inoue faced Shooto Watanabe in a bantamweight bout. Inoue was 23 years old with a record of 11-2, and Watanabe was 31 with a record of 20-4-6. Inoue was on a 2-fight winning streak and Watanabe was on a 7-fight winning streak. Inoue submitted Shooto Watanabe via rear-naked choke in the 1st round.
8. Naoki Inoue loses to Hiromasa Ougikubo via unanimous decision
On December 31, 2021 Naoki Inoue faced Hiromasa Ougikubo in a bantamweight bout. Inoue was 24 years old with a record of 15-2, and Ougikubo was 34 with a record of 23-5-2. Inoue was on a 6-fight winning streak and Ougikubo was on a 3-fight winning streak. Inoue lost via unanimous decision. Went the distance with Ougikubo.
9. Naoki Inoue submits Yuki Motoya
On December 31, 2020 Naoki Inoue faced Yuki Motoya in a bantamweight bout. Inoue was 23 years old with a record of 12-2, and Motoya was 0 with a record of 0-0. Inoue was on a 3-fight winning streak. Inoue submitted Yuki Motoya via rear-naked choke in the 1st round.
10. Naoki Inoue submits Kenta Takizawa
On December 31, 2022 Naoki Inoue faced Kenta Takizawa in a bantamweight bout. Inoue was 25 years old with a record of 15-3, and Takizawa was 0 with a record of 0-0. Inoue was coming off a loss. Inoue submitted Kenta Takizawa via kimura in the 2nd round.