Hiroyuki Takaya

From CageWiki

1 Profile
2 MMA Debut and Shooto
3 K-1 Hero's
4 WEC
5 DREAM
6 Mixed martial arts record
7 Gallery
8 External links

Profile

Hiroyuki "Evil Fist" Takaya (born June 10, 1977) is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist who has fought for organizations such as K-1 Hero's and World Extreme Cagefighting.

He stands 5 ft. 6 in. tall and fights in the featherweight division (145 lbs.).

Takaya will next compete as a featherweight (139 lbs.) for the Japan based, DREAM organization.

MMA Debut and Shooto

Hiroyuki Takaya made his professional mixed martial arts debut at a Shooto event on February 6, 2003 against Hayate Usui who he defeated via TKO (punches) in the second round.

Takaya finished up 2003 with two more victories, both unanimous decisions against Japanese opponents within the Shooto organization.

At the start of 2004, Takaya fought to a draw with Jaoo Roque over three rounds, while in May of that year he added a lot of footage to his highlight reel when he scored a head kick knockout over Stephen Palling.

On the year ends Shooto show of 2004, Takaya faced future Strikeforce lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez and was defeated by unanimous decision after three rounds.

K-1 Hero's

In July of 2005, Takaya moved over into the K-1 Hero's organization where he faced and defeated his first opponent, Jani Lax via TKO in the first round.

At K-1 Hero's 3, Takaya entered the K-1 Hero's middleweight tournament that featured such fighters as Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto, Genki Sudo, Caol Uno and Royler Gracie. In the opening round, Takaya defeated Lithuanian, Remigijus Morkevicius via second round TKO.

Later that night, Takaya faced eccentric UFC veteran, Genki Sudo for a spot in the final. It was not to be however as Sudo caught Takaya in a triangle choke submission which forced the tap a little over midway through the second round.

After defeating Do Hyung Kim via unanimous decision in November of 2005, Takaya entered the 2006 K-1 Hero's middleweight tournament which started at K-1 Hero's 6. He would not get as far as the previous year however as American Top Team product, Gesias Cavalcante knocked him stiff with a flying knee just 30 seconds into the contest.

The losing slide continued at K-1 Hero's 8 for Takaya as he suffered a TKO defeat to Andre Amade due to a broken nose.

WEC

Takaya halted the two fight slide with knockout victories over Jarrod Card and Antonio Carvalho in Japanese organization's, Cage Force and Shooto to earn himself a contract with the ZUFFA operated, World Extreme Cagefighting.

At WEC 32, Takaya made his WEC debut against former UFC lightweight competitor, Leonard Garcia. Takaya was no match for Garcia's wild and powerful brawling style and was battered before finally being knocked out by a wild hook at the 1:31 mark of round 1.

Takaya returned to WEC action at WEC 37 against Cub Swanson. In another disappointing performance, "Evil Fist" was taken down at will and controlled by Swanson en route to losing a unanimous judge's decision (30-27 to Swanson on all cards).

DREAM

Takaya was released from his contract with WEC following his disappointing two fights in the cage. Shortly thereafter, Takaya signed on as one of 15 participants in the 2009 DREAM Featherweight (139 lbs.) tournament.

Takaya will face debutant judoka, Jong-Won Kim in the opening round at DREAM 7 on March 8, 2009.