Naoki Inoue

Naoki Inoue is a Japanese mixed martial artist competing in the bantamweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation, where he is a former Rizin Bantamweight champion. A professional mixed martial artist since 2014, Inoue has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

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Background

When Inoue was seven, his parents told him to do some extracurricular activity. He wanted to be strong, therefore he picked martial arts. Inoue received a first-degree black belt in karate and a blue belt in BJJ. He won the J-Network's All-Japan amateur championship as well as won the DEEP Future King tournament in 2011.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Inoue made his amateur mixed martial arts debut on February 9, 2014, when he faced Gaku Sakamoto at Deep - Nagoya Impact 2014. He won via first-round submission using an armbar. Following this, Inoue compiled a professional record of 10–0, with wins over Yuya Shibata and Tomohiro Adaniya, before signing with the UFC in the winter of 2017.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Inoue made his promotional debut on June 17, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia against Carls John de Tomas. At the weigh-ins Carls John de Tomas came in at 131 lbs, five pounds over the flyweight limit of 126 lbs. As a result, he was fined 30% of the purse, which went to Inoue, and their bout proceeded as scheduled at a catchweight. Inoue won the fight by unanimous decision.
Inoue was expected to face Jenel Lausa on September 23, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 117, but was pulled from the card due to a dislocated shoulder.
Inoue faced Matt Schnell on June 23, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 132. He lost the fight via split decision.

Cage Fury FC

After departing from the UFC, Inoue faced Sean Santella in a flyweight bout at CFFC 72 on February 16, 2019. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Return to DEEP

Inoue eventually returned to DEEP, facing Toshiaki Kitada at Deep 93 on December 15, 2020. He won the fight via first-round submission.

Rizin FF

On January 24, 2020, news surfaced that Inoue was scheduled to face Trent Girdham at Rizin 21 – Hamamatsu on February 22, 2020. Inoue won the fight via unanimous decision.
In his sophomore bout in the promotion, Inoue faced Shooto Watanabe at Rizin 22 – Starting Over on August 9, 2020. He won the fight via first-round submission.
Inoue faced Yuki Motoya at Rizin 26 on December 31, 2020. He won the fight by rear naked choke, three minutes into the first round.

Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix 2021

Inoue faced Shintaro Ishiwatari in the opening round of the Bantamweight Grand Prix at Rizin 28 on June 13, 2021. He won the bout via soccer kick knockout in the first round.
Inoue was scheduled to face Yuto Hokamura in the quarterfinals on September 19, 2021, at Rizin 30. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
In the semi-finals, Inoue faced Hiromasa Ougikubo on December 31, 2021, at Rizin 33. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Later bantamweight career

After suffering his first loss under the Rizin banner, Inoue was booked to face Kenta Takizawa at Rizin 37 on July 31, 2022. However, in late July it was reported that Inoue withdrew from the bout citing a knee injury.
Inoue faced Kenta Takizawa on December 31, 2022, at Rizin 40 and won by submission via kimura in the second round.
Inoue faced the former Bellator Bantamweight Champion Juan Archuleta at Rizin 42 on May 6, 2023. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Inoue was scheduled to face Shinobu Ota at Rizin Landmark 6 on October 1, 2023. However, Inoue withdrew from the bout due to an unknown reason and was replaced by Shoko Sato.
Inoue faced Shoko Sato at RIZIN Landmark 9 on March 23, 2024. He went on to win the bout via unanimous decision.

Rizin bantamweight champion

Inoue faced Kim Soo-chul for the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship on September 29, 2024 at Rizin 48. He won the bout via technical knockout in the first round.