Michinori Tanaka


Michinori Tanaka is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the bantamweight division of the Legacy Fighting Alliance. A professional mixed martial artist since 2010, Tanaka has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
𝕏 Pnori_Pnori

Mixed martial arts career

Shooto

Tanaka started his professional career in 2010. Until the first half of 2012, he fought only for Shooto, where he won the 2011 rookie 132-pound tournament.

Pacific Xtreme Combat

Tanaka faced Crisanto Pitpitunge on May 18, 2013, at PXC 37 for the bantamweight title. He won the title via unanimous decision after five rounds.
Tanaka defended his title against Kyle Aguon on October 25, 2013, at PXC 40. He defeated Aguon via unanimous decision over five rounds.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In February 2014, it was announced that Tanaka has signed a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
In his debut, Tanaka faced Roland Delorme on June 14, 2014, at UFC 174. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Tanaka faced Kang Kyung-ho on September 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 52. He lost the fight via split decision. Despite the loss on the scorecards, Tanaka was awarded his first Fight of the Night bonus award. Subsequently, Tanaka had his bonus award rescinded and in turn, was suspended for nine months after testing positive for banned substances during his post fight drug screening.
Tanaka was briefly linked to a bout with Russell Doane on January 2, 2016, at UFC 195. However, Doane was forced from the bout with injury and replaced by Joe Soto. He won the fight by split decision.
Tanaka next faced Rani Yahya on September 24, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 95. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Tanaka faced promotional newcomer Ricardo Ramos on February 4, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 104. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
In May 2017, Tanaka was released from the company.

Post-UFC career

In January 2018, it was announced that Tanaka has signed a contract with the Absolute Championship Berkut.
After two winning bouts in his native Japan, Tanaka signed a multi-fight contract with Legacy Fighting Alliance in April 2020. Tanaka is expected to make his promotional debut by headlining LFA 117 against Ricardo Dias on November 5, 2021. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Tanaka faced Ary Farias at LFA 138 on August 5, 2022. He lost the fight by split decision. Two judges scored the fight 29–28 for Farias, while the third judge awarded an identical scorecard to Tanaka.
Tanaka rebounded against Kunihisa Sasa on April 30, 2023, at Pancrase 333, winning the bout via unanimous decision.
Tanaka next faced Sindile Manengela on July 9, 2023, at Pancrase 336, winning the bout via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • * Fight of the Night Pacific Xtreme Combat
  • * PXC bantamweight title
  • ** One successful title defenseShooto
  • * Shooto rookie 132 lb champion
  • * Shooto rookie MVP award