Tsuyoshi Kohsaka

Tsuyoshi Kosaka
Born	(1970-03-06) March 6, 1970
Other names	TK, Kakutogi Kai no Kenja ("The Sage of the Combat Sports World")
Nationality	Japanese
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight	225 lb (102 kg; 16 st 1 lb)
Division	Heavyweight
Team	Alliance Square
Teacher(s)	Akira Maeda
Rank	4th Degree Black Belt in Judo
Years active	1995 - 2006 (MMA) 2015- present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	49
Wins	29
By knockout	8
By submission	7
By decision	9
Unknown	5
Losses	18
By knockout	8
By submission	2
By decision	6
Unknown	2
Draws	2
Other information
Website	Official blog
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: March 19, 2011 (2011-03-19)

Tsuyoshi "TK" Kohsaka (高阪 剛, Kōsaka Tsuyoshi, born March 6, 1970) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He has competed in high profile mixed martial arts promotions, such as the UFC, RINGS, Pancrase, and DEEP. Kohsaka is known for his conditioning and grappling prowess as well as fighting many of the greatest heavyweight and light heavyweight fighters of all time. His "TK Guard" is famous for its efficiency and Frank Shamrock and Maurice Smith have both credited him with having vastly improved their work from that particular position.

Career

Training in judo since highschool, Kohsaka competed extensively during his stay at the Senshu University, where he befriended future world judo champion Hidehiko Yoshida. After graduating, Kohsaka became a professional judoka under the sponsorship of Toray Industries, but had to retire after a knee injury. A year after, he joined professional wrestling promotion Fighting Network RINGS.

RINGS

Kohsaka had his first mixed martial arts venture when, thanks to his strong judo background, was sent to represent RINGS in the gi-clad MMA event Lumax Cup 1995, whose tournament he won after besting Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion Egan Inoue.

After his return to RINGS, Kohsaka was put in opening shoot matches, defeating names like Maurice Smith and Willie Peeters. In 1997, however, he was thrown to a bigger challenge when he faced former Pancrase star Frank Shamrock. Tsuyoshi dominated the match, throwing and taking down Shamrock and threatening with submissions, but couldn't lock any of them, while Shamrock defended from half guard. After a failed takedown, however, the judoka was caught in a guillotine choke by Frank and had to spend a rope escape. Even although Kohsaka still attempted a Kimura lock followed by an armbar, the match ended without Kohsaka making Shamrock spend another escape, so Tsuyoshi lost by points. The match, however, was instrumental in Kohsaka's career, as it made him close friends with Frank Shamrock and Maurice Smith, who became his training partners in the team The Alliance.

In April 1999, after a series of matches in UFC, Kohsaka fought Dutch kickboxer Gilbert Yvel in RINGS. The match saw a worn Kohsaka getting ahead in points by multiple fouls from Yvel, but he failed in submitting him while Yvel landed several knockouts until one of them caused the fight to be stopped. They rematched in August, when an improved Kohsaka immediately threw Yvel, hit him with extensive body punches and submitted him with a toehold for a rope escape, but the bout was interrupted for Kohsaka falling out the ring in another hip throw and getting injured. As TK was ahead on points, the victory was granted to him. Finally, Yvel and Kohsaka had a rubber match during the King of Kings Tournament, but it was short and uneventful, as TK was stopped again by a cut despite he wasn't knocked out.

In August 2000, TK faced the King of Kings semi-finalist Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. Started the fight, Kohsaka sprawled a takedown and tried a hip throw, but Nogueira managed to led him to the ground and mounted him. The judoka escaped from under him, only to Nogueira to regain position, but this time Kohsaka reversed him into a leglock, then pressing into his guard. The next round, Kohsaka sprawled again and continued pressing, blocking Nogueira's attempts to work submission from the bottom and striking when possible. At the third round, Nogueira mounted him again and threw punches, but Kohsaka performed again his escape into leglock and kept attacking his guard. A pair of sweeps later, Kohsaka controlled position until the end of the match, which was ruled a draw.

During the next King of Kings tournament, Kohsaka advanced over Mikhail Ilyukhin via knockout and Mikhail's teammate Fedor Emelianenko by doctor stoppage. The latter was again a technical victory which was controversial, as the cut was caused by a missed looping punch where Kohsaka's elbow struck Emelianenko's head, reopening a cut sustained in his previous fight against Ricardo Arona. Since the fight was in a tournament format, a winner and loser were required because draws and no-contests were not awarded, and as Emelianenko could not advance due to the injury, Kohsaka did. He faced Randy Couture in an even match, which saw Kohsaka hip throwing down the wrestling champion to perform ground and pound and using his "TK scissors" move to counter a north/south position, but the split decision was finally given to Couture, eliminating the Japanese.

UFC

In 1998, Kohsaka signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and debuted at the event UFC 18, facing Kimo Leopoldo. The much heavier Kimo controlled the first moments of the fight and tried a kneebar, but the Japanese shooter showed his field of expertise reversing the hold and attempting his own leglocks, always keeping a strong defense. At one point, Leopoldo gained the mount, only for Kohsaka to use the TK scissors and reverse the position into a heel hook attempt. After minutes of fight, TK controlled the standing, landing precise punches and leg kicks before getting down to the mat and performing ground and pound on Kimo until the end of the bout. Kohsaka won by unanimous decision.

Later that year TK fought Pete Williams at UFC Brazil. Williams went aggressively against Kohsaka using his vaunted striking, but Kohsaka kept taking him down with judo throws and attempting armlocks, also using his defensive guard whenever Williams managed to get back his offensive. At the end, Tsuyoshi won again by unanimous decision, which gained him a spot in a tournament for the title which was vacated by Randy Couture.

At 1999's UFC 18, Kohsaka returned to UFC fighting the legendary Bas Rutten in the first round of the "Road to the Heavyweight Title", which was a four-man tournament that would crown the next UFC Heavyweight Champion. Kohsaka dominated the majority of the fight with his superiority at wrestling and ground and pound game plan, but ultimately lost by TKO when Rutten recovered in overtime and knocked him out with knees and punches. However, the fight was the source of heated controversy because referee John McCarthy seemed to unfairly stand the fight back to the feet even though at some moments Kohsaka was mounted on Rutten and actively landing clean effective punches.

In the same year, TK faced Tim Lajcik at UFC 21, where he won via TKO when Lajcik quit between rounds. Kohsaka again utilized a strategy of skilled defense and reversions to set up submissions attempts, eventually sweeping Lajcik against the cage wall and performing a lengthy ground and pound, which made Tim's corner throw the towel after the end of the round.

Kohsaka also took part in the second UFC event in Japanese soil, UFC 23, where he was pitted against Ruas Vale Tudo exponent Pedro Rizzo. The two contenders spent a round cautiously, until Rizzo switched to aggressive leg kicks and Kohsaka tried to take him down in return. Through the match, Pedro blocked TK's efforts to get it to the ground and landed more punches and leg kicks. At the end, after Kohsaka had absorbed a long punishment, Rizzo landed a right hand for the TKO, being declared winner.

Tsuyoshi's last fight in UFC was at UFC 37, fighting Ricco Rodriguez. The fight featured a long, back and forth grappling action, with Rodriguez taking dominant position and Kohsaka reversing and blocking him, until Ricco finally secured a mount and threw punches to the face for the TKO victory.

PRIDE

After RINGS's demise, Kohsaka wandered between Pancrase and the MMA division of New Japan Pro Wrestling. He then landed in PRIDE Fighting Championships, in which his first fight would be a rematch against Fedor Emelianenko for the latter's technical defeat in RINGS, taking place in PRIDE Bushido 6. The fight was one-sided and brutal, with Fedor landing strikes through Kohsaka's guard while the Japanese tried unsuccesfuly to counterattack. At the end, after taking punches during most of the round, a bloody Kohsaka's corner threw the towel between rounds.

Kohsaka returned in PRIDE 31 against legendary Brazilian grappler and Brazilian Top Team coach Mario Sperry. The bout was even shorter, as Kohsaka knocked him out with punches after a brief struggle. Knowing the end of his career was near, TK announced his intentions to retire should he lose any of his matches in 2006. The day of his fight with Sperry was also the same day of his son's birth.

At PRIDE Total Elimination Absolute, Kohsaka fought Mark Hunt in what would be his last fight. TK struggled with the much heavier kickboxer, taking his back and performing an inverted triangle keylock only to Hunt to force his way out via raw strength. Back to standing, Kohsaka traded strikes with Hunt and landed effective hits despite the difference in level, absorbing heavy punches and delivering combos against the ropes. At the second round, the Japanese shooter again tried unsuccessfully to grapple with Hunt, and after long series of strikes, the kickboxer knocked him out with a right punch, finally ending the match.

Post-PRIDE

From 2003 to 2005, he worked sporadically in pro wrestling for New Japan Pro Wrestling, challenging Yoshihiro Takayama for the NWF Heavyweight Championship and feuding with Yuji Nagata. He also would defeat the 50ibs heavier Ricardo Morais in a MMA match for NJPW.

He also fought for Pancrase, defeating the similarly much heavier Ron Waterman for the Pancrase Super Heavyweight Championship. He returned to the company for a match against Mike Kyle, losing by doctor decision in a controversial fashion, as as Kyle eye-gouged Kohsaka and actually damaged his cornea during the match without being penalized.

Rizin Fighting Federation

Rizin Fighting Federation announced Kohsaka would debut for the promotion against James Thompson. The bout took place on December 29, 2015 and Kohsaka won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Personal life

Kohsaka now owns and operates a dojo in Japan where he trains his A-Square team along with Hidehiko Yoshida and his stable.

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • Heel hook
  • Reverse ankle lock

• Signature moves
  • Cross armbreaker
  • Palm strike
  • Rear naked choke
  • Roundhouse kick
  • Tai otoshi

Championships and accomplishments

• Fighting Network RINGS
  • 2000 Rising Stars Heavyweight Tournament Semifinalist

• Lumax Cup
  • Tournament of J'95 Winner

• Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling
  • Pancrase Super Heavyweight Championship (1 Time, First, Last)

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • UFC 16 Heavyweight Superfight Winner

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
49 matches	29 wins	18 losses
By knockout	8	8
By submission	7	2
By decision	9	6
Unknown	5	2
Draws	2

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Win	29–18–2	James Thompson	TKO (punches)	Rizin Fighting Federation 1: Day 1	December 29, 2015	2	1:58	Saitama, Japan
Loss	28–18–2	Mark Hunt	TKO (punches)	Pride FC - Total Elimination Absolute	May 5, 2006	2	4:15	Osaka, Japan	Pride 2006 Openweight Grand Prix opening round.
Win	28–17–2	Mario Sperry	TKO (punches)	Pride 31 - Dreamers	February 26, 2006	1	1:20	Saitama, Japan
Loss	27–17–2	Mike Kyle	Technical decision (unanimous)	Pancrase: Spiral 8	October 2, 2005	3	1:17	Yokohama, Japan
Win	27–16–2	David Shvelidze	Submission (armbar)	Rings Russia: CIS vs. The World	August 20, 2005	1	N/A	Yekaterinburg, Russia
Loss	26–16–2	Fedor Emelianenko	TKO (doctor stoppage)	Pride: Bushido 6	April 3, 2005	1	10:00	Yokohama, Japan
Win	26–15–2	Ron Waterman	Decision (unanimous)	Pancrase: Brave 10	November 7, 2004	3	5:00	Urayasu, Japan	Won Pancrase Super Heavyweight Championship
Win	25–15–2	Ricardo Morais	Decision (unanimous)	NJPW: Ultimate Crush	October 13, 2003	3	5:00	Tokyo, Japan
Win	24–15–2	Dolgorsürengiin Sumyaabazar	TKO (doctor stoppage)	NJPW: Ultimate Crush	May 2, 2003	1	2:56	Tokyo, Japan
Loss	23–15–2	Antônio Rogério Nogueira	Decision (unanimous)	Deep - 6th Impact	September 7, 2002	3	5:00	Tokyo, Japan
Loss	23–14–2	Ricco Rodriguez	TKO (punches)	UFC 37	May 10, 2002	2	3:25	Bossier City, Louisiana, United States
Loss	23–13–2	Bazigit Atajev	Decision (majority)	Rings: World Title Series 5	December 21, 2001	3	5:00	Yokohama, Japan
Win	23–12–2	Koba Tkeshelashvili	KO (knee)	Rings: 10th Anniversary	August 11, 2001	1	2:17	Tokyo, Japan
Loss	22–12–2	Renato Sobral	Decision (majority)	Rings: World Title Series 2	June 15, 2001	3	5:00	Yokohama, Japan
Loss	22–11–2	Randy Couture	Decision (unanimous)	Rings: King of Kings 2000 Final	February 24, 2001	2	5:00	Tokyo, Japan	King of Kings 2000 Tournament Quarterfinal
Win	22–10–2	Fedor Emelianenko	TKO (doctor stoppage)	Rings: King of Kings 2000 Block B	December 22, 2000	1	00:17	Osaka, Japan	King of Kings 2000 Tournament 2nd Round. Kohsaka cut Emelianenko with an illegal elbow, which led to doctor stoppage
Win	21–10–2	Mikhail Ilyukhin	KO (punches)	Rings: King of Kings 2000 Block B	December 22, 2000	2	01:53	Osaka, Japan	King of Kings 2000 Tournament 1st Round
Draw	20–10–2	Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira	Draw	Rings: Millennium Combine 3	August 23, 2000	2	5:00	Osaka, Japan
Win	20–10–1	Greg Wikan	Submission (toe hold)	Rings USA: Rising Stars Block A	July 15, 2000	1	02:53	Orem, Utah, United States	Rising Stars Heavyweight Tournament 2000 2nd Round. Later pulls out due to injury
Win	19–10–1	Travis Fulton	Decision (unanimous)	Rings USA: Rising Stars Block A	July 15, 2000	3	05:00	Orem, Utah, United States	Rising Stars Heavyweight Tournament 2000 1st Round
Loss	18–10–1	Gilbert Yvel	TKO (cut)	Rings: King of Kings 1999 Block B	December 22, 1999	3	05:00	Osaka, Japan
Win	18–9–1	Chris Haseman	Decision (split)	Rings: King of Kings 1999 Block B	December 22, 1999	1	01:17	Osaka, Japan
Loss	17–9–1	Pedro Rizzo	TKO (punches)	UFC 23	November 19, 1999	3	01:12	Urayasu, Japan
Win	17–8–1	Gilbert Yvel	Technical Decision (lost points)	Rings: Rise 5th	August 19, 1999	1	08:17	Japan
Win	16–8–1	Tim Lajcik	TKO (corner stoppage)	UFC 21	July 16, 1999	2	05:00	Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States
Loss	15–8–1	Yoshihisa Yamamoto	TKO (palm strikes)	Rings: Rise 3rd	May 22, 1999	3	00:44	Japan
Loss	15–7–1	Gilbert Yvel	TKO (doctor stoppage)	Rings: Rise 2nd	April 23, 1999	1	14:58	Japan
Loss	15–6–1	Bas Rutten	TKO (punches)	UFC 18	January 8, 1999	1	14:15	Kenner, Louisiana, United States	Road to the Heavyweight Title Tournament Semifinals
Win	15–5–1	Pete Williams	Decision	UFC Brazil	October 16, 1998	1	15:00	São Paulo, Brazil	Qualifies for the Road to the Heavyweight Title Tournament
Draw	14–5–1	Kiyoshi Tamura	Draw	Rings: Fourth Fighting Integration	June 27, 1998	1	30:00	Tokyo, Japan
Win	14–5	Volk Han	Submission	Rings: Third Fighting Integration	May 29, 1998	1	10:10	Tokyo, Japan
Win	13–5	Kimo Leopoldo	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 16	March 13, 1998	1	15:00	Kenner, Louisiana, United States
Win	12–5	Rob van Esdonk	Submission (heel hook)	Rings Holland: The King of Rings	February 8, 1998	2	0:57	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Loss	11–5	Mikhail Ilyukhin	N/A	Rings: Battle Dimensions Tournament 1997 Final	January 21, 1998	N/A	N/A
Win	11–4	Jerry Askoff	N/A	Rings: Battle Dimensions Tournament 1997 Opening Round	October 25, 1997	N/A	N/A	United States
Win	10–4	Borislav Jeliazkov	Decision (lost points)	Rings - Mega Battle Tournament 1997 Semifinal 1	October 25, 1997	1	00:00	Japan
Loss	9–4	Frank Shamrock	Decision	Rings - Extension Fighting 7	September 26, 1997	1	30:00	Japan
Loss	9–3	Kiyoshi Tamura	Submission (toe hold)	Rings - Extension Fighting 2	April 22, 1997	1	13:57	Japan
Win	9–2	Mikhail Ilyukhin	N/A	Rings - Budokan Hall 1997	January 22, 1997	N/A	N/A	Tokyo, Japan
Loss	8–2	Volk Han	Submission (armbar)	Rings - Battle Dimensions Tournament 1996 Final	January 1, 1997	1	13:52
Win	8–1	Dick Vrij	N/A	Rings - Battle Dimensions Tournament 1996 Opening Round	October 25, 1996	N/A	N/A
Loss	7–1	Volk Han	Submission (armbar)	Rings - Maelstrom 6	August 24, 1996	1	13:52	Japan
Win	7–0	Scott Sollivan	Submission (arm-triangle choke)	Various Fights	June 6, 1996	1	2:58	United States
Win	6–0	Willie Peeters	Submission (rear-naked choke)	Rings Holland - Kings of Martial Arts	February 18, 1996	N/A	N/A	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Win	5–0	Maurice Smith	Submission (heel hook)	Rings - Budokan Hall 1996	January 24, 1996	1	4:13	Tokyo, Japan
Win	4–0	Egan Inoue	Decision (unanimous)	Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '95	October 13, 1995	1	3:40	Japan	Won Lumax Cup Tournament of J '95
Win	3–0	Susumu Yamasaki	Submission (heel hook)	Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '95	October 13, 1995	1	0:52	Japan	Tournament of J '95 Semifinals
Win	2–0	Hiroyuki Yoshioka	TKO (punches)	Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '95	October 13, 1995	3	3:00	Japan	Tournament of J '95 First Round
Win	1–0	Wataru Sakata	N/A	Rings - Budokan Hall 1995	January 25, 1995	N/A	N/A	Tokyo, Japan

Submission grappling record

Result	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Notes
Loss	Fabrício Werdum	Points	ADCC 2003 +99 kg	2003
Loss	Jean-Jacques Machado	Submission (armbar)	ADCC 2001 Absolute	2001
Loss	Rolles Gracie	Points	ADCC 2001 -99 kg	2001
Loss	Tom Erikson	Decision	The Contenders	1997	5	5:00

External links

• Official blog (Japanese)
• Alliance Square official website (Japanese)
• Professional MMA record for Tsuyoshi Kohsaka from Sherdog
• Tsuyoshi Kosaka on UFC.com

• Sherdog.com Preview: PRIDE 31 “Unbreakable” Tsuyoshi Kohsaka vs. Mario Sperry