Setsuna Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 *** I know he just recently FA'd, but nobody will likely pick him up ( except the guy who does it to empty his bank account ** http://www.mmatycoon.com/fighterprofilepublic.php?FID=3892 Koji Kenjahara, at one point the brightest native star fighting in his hometown of Tokyo, Japan, has officially announced his retirement from Choke Pankration. It was a career that spanned 14 fights, 13 of which were in Choke, 6 of which were title bouts. Here we will take a look back at one of the best fighters to come out in the early days of Japan's mmatycoon. He's participated on every Choke tour and has been one of the most active fighters in the Tokyo-based promotion. Koji Kenjahara ( 1-0 ) vs. Orion Sapporo ( 1-0 ) In his Choke debut, Kenjahara made short work of Sapporo, quickly scoring a takedown and locking on an armbar for the submission. Sapporo would go on to amass a record of 4-4 before retiring post-multigate. Koji Kenjahara ( 2-0 ) vs. Masato Takaya ( 2-1 ) In a good back and forth fight, Kenjahara and Takaya showed early how competitive the 135 lb scene was in Japan's early days. Takaya dominated the action for the most part, landing strikes on the outside and takedowns from the clinch. Midway through the third, Kenjahara looked to lock on a triangle, but instead switched to an armbar ending the fight. Takaya is still competing, and just recently fought for the Icon World Title. His record stands at 9-6. Koji Kenjahara ( 3-0 ) vs. Shiro Nakamura ( 2-0 ) Nakamura came into this fight as the major favourite, being an undefeated brown belt in the early days of Tokyo's mma scene. This meant little to Kenjahara, as he immediately took him down and rattled of every submission attempt he possibly could. Nakamura was able to survive, but lost by a 30-27 unanimous decision. He retired shortly afterwards at 2-2. Koji Kenjahara ( 4-0 ) vs. Peeing Inbutts ( 3-0 ) For the Choke Bantamweight Title Kenjahara made this one look easy. He was taken down early but quickly transitioned to a kimura to get the sub less than a minute in. Kenjahara became the first ever Choke 135 lb champion. Koji Kenjahara ( 5-0 ) vs. Shinjo Tepenake ( 4-0 ) for the Choke Bantamweight Title Once again, Koji was able to get the fight to the ground where he's most comfortable and elicit the submission. Tapanake was game though,a dn tried his own fair share of submission attempts. The world's best blue belt shruged them all of however, and was able to catch him in a deep kimura. Koji Kenjahara ( 6-0 ) vs. Senshi Nagasaki ( 4-0 ) for the Choke Bantamweight Title Kenjahara faces another brown belt, and once again makes things look easy. In less than 90 seconds, Koji had his opponent on the ground and tapping as a result of an armbar. Nagasaki has continued competing and is currently 6-3. Koji Kenjahara ( 7-0 ) vs. Klaus Von Mueller ( 4-1 ) for the Choke Bantamweight Title After running through 4 straight opponents in Choke, the Killer Kraut got his shot at the title. For once, Kenjahara was facing someone with dangerous stand-up ability. After absorbing some shots, Koji pulled guard but Klaus quickly backed off. Koji got to his feet and quickly charged the German fighter, getting the fight to the ground and effectively sealing the deal. Koji locked on an americana to go 8-0. Klaus has continued to be a pivotal part of Choke's 135 lb scene, amassing a record of 9-4 and is currently ranked 18th in the world. Koji Kenjahara ( 8-0 ) vs. Shinji Ikari ( 5-1 ) for the Choke Bantamweight Title In a bjj war, Kenjahara proved yet again that belt colours don't matter. Here, his blue belt trumps the purple belt of celebrated bjj player Shinji Ikari. Kenjahara controlled from the opening bell, finally sealing the deal with his patented armbar. At 9-0, and ranked #3 in the entire world, this was truly Kenjahara's highest moment. He'd taken the Japanese scene by storm, fight any and all competitors oftentimes with only 2 weeks between fights. This may have been his undoing as well, as without the proper time to train, his opponents continued to get better while Koji stayed relatively the same. Ikari is currently 8-3 and has recently joined Icon's Rising Sun promotion. Koji Kenjahara ( 9-0 ) vs. Eiki Daikaura ( 6-0 ) for the Choke Featherweight Title It was, and still is, one of the biggest fights in Choke's history. At Shine Tour vol. 4, in front of 7000 fans, Kenjahara stepped up in weight to fight the 145 lb champion. There was a ton of hype going into the fight, but no one knew exactly how it was going to play out. Koji had been incredibly consistent with his takedowns, but Daikaura's about as dangerous of a muay-thai practitioner as the world's ever seen. It was a fight that was billed as being an epic champ vs,. champ showdown. It was anti-climactic to say the least. After some ill-advised training pre-fight, Koji came in exhausted already, and after a couple failed takedowns attempts basically wilted to Daiakura's striking. It was the beginning of the end of the 135 lb champion. He came back later on to defend his title vs. Sonny Jawo and was met with an equally brutal beatdown. He's subsequently struggled in his last three fights against quality opposition and has since decided to call it a career. And what a career it was. We ( wait, me ) at Choke Pankration would like to wish Koji the best in his future, as well as that of his previous managers. It's been a blast to have you onboard!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 It's pretty amazing that he won anything with those primaries. hehe. I'm 100% sure that someone is going to snatch him, just for the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setsuna Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 No doubt on both counts. He was the little train that could for the first part of his career. Even back in the early days, those were still pretty bad primaries. Still never been submitted though, his secondaries must have been alright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 It's pretty amazing that he won anything with those primaries. hehe. I'm 100% sure that someone is going to snatch him, just for the money. Koji has Woeful boxing, Feeble Muay Thai, Feeble wrestling and holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu That was the first thing i noticed to. Either he trained in classes with 40 people + did no sparring or is the slowest learner in the games history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j666 Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 cool little writeup man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfire200 Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 The little guy will be missed, he was always a surprise, and always found a way to win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSUMike Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Koji has Woeful boxing, Feeble Muay Thai, Feeble wrestling and holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu That was the first thing i noticed to. Either he trained in classes with 40 people + did no sparring or is the slowest learner in the games history. My guess is his secondaries are through the roof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankyFin Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 R.I.P. Koji . i love those ol bastards who fought on heart & talent alone ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 My guess is his secondaries are through the roof. It's been my experience that if you train your secondaries through the roof. You primaries increase to levels above what Koji achieved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 It's been my experience that if you train your secondaries through the roof. You primaries increase to levels above what Koji achieved. x2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 He's still 20 though. He could easily just take couple years of hard training and them come to dominate, as he did that good with those stats.... Provided that he isn't the worlds slowest learner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 The way he won with those stats is a bit of a miracle! The manager must of done really well with setting up tactics as well. Almost like a Greg Jackson. And for me...Personally I don't like picking up free agents. They were let go for a reason, and their legacy (if they're legends like this fighter here) should be preserved in a way before it gets tainted by some noob asshole. I rather let them retire in peace. So yeah you don't have to worry about me picking up someone like him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 23, 2010 Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 With those stats, he should have a shot at the HOF (if and when there is one). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 23, 2010 Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 how would you pick up a guy and drain his bank account, for future reference!??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 23, 2010 Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 how would you pick up a guy and drain his bank account, for future reference!??? Don't worry about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 I missed out on this guy by 1 FREAKIN point of manager rank!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 I picked him up. And not for the money, I do plan on working on him and getting back on track. And his secondaries are pretty much crap too, dont think much training went into him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 I picked him up. And not for the money, I do plan on working on him and getting back on track. And his secondaries are pretty much crap too, dont think much training went into him. In that case can I have his money? Thats the only reason I was going for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setsuna Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Thanks nomid, it would be nice to see Koji take an extended beak and start working his way back up through the ranks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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