Keita Nakamura

K-Taro

Japan

Can't quite establish footwork
WelterweightUFC
April 20, 2019
Nakamura lost to Sultan Aliev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Saint Petersburg.
ANALYSIS
Nakamura tried to used his footwork to set up his boxing. However, he was never really able to get into advantageous positions. He did some solid work in the striking department, but in the end Aliev was able to take over the fight with his wrestling. He scored enough takedowns to sway the judges and that was the story of the fight.
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Takes split decision Saturday in Australia
WelterweightUFC
December 1, 2018
Nakamura defeated Salim Touahri via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Adelaide, Australia.
ANALYSIS
While it was far from a masterpiece from either man, the correct fighter won. It took about a round and a half before Nakamura found his range. Once he began consistently pushing forward and using his size edge to his advantage, Touhari had no answers. Nakamura is an accomplished mat specialist who is an underrated striker. The 34-year-old has now alternated wins and losses in his last seven contests. That won't get Nakamura into the title conversation any time soon, but he makes for valuable roster depth.
Can't find range in loss to Tony Martin
WelterweightUFC
April 21, 2018
Nakamura lost to Tony Martin via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Atlantic City.
ANALYSIS
It was a truly abysmal effort from Nakamura in a fight in which he landed just 21 total strikes. And while he did manage to score a successful takedown in both Rounds 1 and 3, he did little with his positional advantage. A pro since 2003 and with 42 professional fights under his belt, it has become abundantly clear that Nakamura represents nothing more than roster depth. He has alternated wins and losses in his six UFC bouts.
To battle Tony Martin in April
WelterweightUFC
March 6, 2018
Nakamura will fight Tony Martin at UFC Atlantic City on April 21, Alexander K. Lee of MMAfighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The 33-year-old veteran most recently secured a victory over Alex Morono by split decision in September and has tallied seven wins over his last nine fights. Posting a career record of 33-8, Nakamura has finished 17 fights with submissions and 10 by decisions, but will now matchup with Tony Martin, who owns eight submissions himself across 12 career wins. Martin is making the move up from lightweight to welterweight, so Nakamura will look to give him a rude welcoming to the division.
Wins by split decision at UFC Fight Night at Saitama Super Arena
WelterweightUFC
September 22, 2017
Nakamura defeated Alex Morono via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Friday in Japan.
ANALYSIS
Nakamura showed great durability in this fight. He absorbed a few big right hands over the course of the fight and was never hurt. "K-Taro" also showed great body kicks, even hurting "The Great White" with a left kick in the first round. He was able to use the threat of the body kicks to create openings for head kicks as the fight went to the later rounds. Nakamura cut Morono in the first round after hurting him to the body, but he suffered a bad cut himself in the third round. However, he likely won the fight in the first two rounds because he hurt Morono in the first round and he had two takedowns in the second round.
Loses decision against Dos Santos
WelterweightUFC
October 1, 2016
Nakamura lost to Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Portland, Ore.
ANALYSIS
Early in this fight, it looked like it would be another vintage performance for Nakamura. He was taking down Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, doing solid work on top and working for his trademark rear-naked choke. However, on the ground Nakamura was not able to secure the choke. Whenever the fight would return to the feet, he would struggle mightily. The decision came down to the second round and the judges saw it for Dos Santos.