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Caol Uno

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Caol Uno
Born (1975-05-08) May 8, 1975 (age 49)
Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
NationalityJapanese
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
DivisionFeatherweight
Lightweight
Reach70 in (180 cm)[1]
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofTokyo, Japan
TeamUno Dojo
Wajitsu Keishukai[2]
Teacher(s)Rumina Sato
Yoshinori Nishi
RankA-class Shootist
Black belt in Judo
Black belt in Jiu-jitsu
Years active1996–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total61
Wins33
By knockout2
By submission18
By decision13
Losses23
By knockout9
By submission3
By decision11
Draws5
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Caol Uno
Medal record
Men's Grappling
Representing  Japan
ADCC World Championship
Silver medal – second place 1999 Abu Dhabi -77kg

Kaoru "Caol" Uno (宇野薫, Uno Kaoru) (born May 8, 1975) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He is the Co-Champion of the UFC 41 Lightweight Tournament and a former Shooto Lightweight Champion. As one of the early Ultimate Fighting Championship's elite Lightweight competitors, Uno competed for the UFC Lightweight Championship on two occasions. Despite falling short in both championship bouts; losing a five-round decision against Jens Pulver at UFC 30, to determine the inaugural UFC Lightweight Champion as well as a draw against B.J. Penn at UFC 41 (in a bout which would have determined the new UFC Lightweight Champion and UFC 41 Lightweight Tournament Winner), Uno is acknowledged as a pioneer for his impact and influence during the early era of the UFC Lightweight Division.

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Uno finished second in the All Japan amateur Shooto tournament in 1996.[3] He was a runner-up in the submission wrestling world championships at ADCC losing in the finals to world-renowned Jean Jacques Machado.

Shooto

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Uno rose through the ranks of the Shooto mixed martial arts organization in Japan. In May 1999, Uno fought the then-legendary Rumina Sato. The fight was hailed as "Fight of the Year", an extremely fast-paced back and forth battle with a wide variety of stand-up and grappling exchanges.[citation needed] Eventually, Uno took the back of Sato and choked him into submission.

The two rematched in December 2000. This fight concluded with Uno standing over Sato on his back, then striking him with a knee and a punch while he was getting up, knocking him out.

UFC

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After his second victory over Rumina Sato, Uno was recruited to fight for the UFC's Bantamweight (later renamed Lightweight) title against Jens Pulver. Throughout the fight, Pulver stopped Uno's takedown attempts and pressed the action on the feet. Uno, who had earned a reputation as being "unflappable", began to show frustration for the first time in his career as Pulver neutralized all his offensive efforts.[citation needed] Pulver took a majority decision win in the fight.

After Pulver left the UFC, the Lightweight Championship was vacated. A tournament was put together pitting the top Lightweights in the UFC (B.J. Penn, Din Thomas, Matt Serra and Caol Uno). In the first round, Uno faced Thomas. Thomas dominated the first round, setting a high pace. However, Uno turned things around, taking the second and third rounds to win the fight.

In the finals of the tournament, Uno faced Penn (who had previously defeated Uno by knockout in under 12 seconds). Uno used angles and effective wrestling techniques to frustrate Penn, who appeared tentative from the start, while Penn was dominant in spurts. The fight was called a draw and neither fighter won the championship belt.

Return to Japan

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Uno then went on to fight Tatsuya Kawajiri in Shooto before fighting at K-1's 2004 Premium Dynamite!! and K-1 MAX: Japan Grand Prix 2005. His next eleven fights were for the then newly established promotion Hero's.

Uno next competed in DREAM's Lightweight Grand Prix. He was seeded directly into the second round, DREAM 3, where he beat Mitsuhiro Ishida via rear-naked choke submission to progress to the Dream 5: Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 Final Round. At Dream 5, Uno lost a unanimous decision to Shinya Aoki.

UFC return

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Uno was spotted in attendance at UFC 94, fueling talk of a return to the UFC's Lightweight division. It was later confirmed that Uno had signed with the UFC and would face Spencer Fisher at UFC 99: The Comeback. In spite of finishing the bout pounding Fisher with punches from top crucifix position, Uno lost by a controversial unanimous decision. Then, on November 21, 2009, Uno fought UFC newcomer Fabrício Camões to a majority draw at UFC 106.

On March 31, 2010, Uno fought Gleison Tibau at UFC Fight Night 21. He was overpowered by the much bigger Tibau, and suffered a loss via TKO (punches).[4] After the fight he was released from the promotion.

Post-UFC career

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After parting ways with the UFC, the fighter's trajectory in the Japanese MMA circuit was marked by a diverse range of outcomes. Following his featherweight debut in Dynamite!! 2010, where he faced a unanimous decision loss against Kazuyuki Miyata, he rebounded with a victory over Akiyo Nishiura at Dream: Fight for Japan! in May 2011. However, a notable setback occurred in September 2011 when he suffered a knockout defeat due to a head kick from Takeshi Inoue at DREAM 17.

Undeterred, he demonstrated resilience in subsequent matches, securing wins via submission over opponents such as Kyu Hwa Kim, Anthony Avila, and Daniel Romero in 2013. The trend continued with victories against Jesse Brock,[5] Taiki Tsuchiya, and Raja Shippen in 2014..[6] Despite facing challenges and a decision loss to Yoshifumi Nakamura in January 2015, he rebounded with a submission win against Jung Ho Hwang in April 2016.

The fighter continued to navigate the competitive landscape, experiencing both victories and defeats. Notable moments include a submission win over Markus Held in November 2019 and a KO loss to Taison Naito in May 2021. The journey reached its recent chapter with decision losses to Akira Haraguchi in November 2021 and a knockout defeat to Shota Takagi at Shooto 2023 Vol.7 in November 2023.[7]

Professional wrestling career

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Uno debuted in professional wrestling in December 2000 as part of the Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye event. He teamed up with Akira Shoji against The Great Sasuke and Daijiro Matsui, but his team lost when Sasuke pinned him.

All Japan Pro Wrestling (2002–2003)

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Uno then signed up with All Japan Pro Wrestling in June 2002, where he debuted as a partner for Kendo Kashin against Kaz Hayashi and Kashin's double Mr. Problem (played again by Matsui), albeit in another losing effort. In November, he became also part of the event Wrestle-1, co-promoted with K-1. Coming under a monkey mask (which he quickly lost) and the name "The Apeman Nigo", Uno teamed up with Kashin to defeat La Parka and Super Parka.[8]

He returned to AJPW in May 2003 under his Apeman Nigo persona. He and Kaz Hayashi lost to Kashin and Low Ki, but at the next event he teamed up with Ki to beat Gran Naniwa and Ryuji Hijikata. At the next day, he competed under his true name with Keiji Mutoh, winning over 728% Machine and The Apeman 200%, and then recovered his Nigo mask to team with Mutoh and Taka Michinoku in a winning effort against The Great Sasuke, The Great Kosuke and The Apeman. Uno's last appearance for AJPW would be in July, allying with Kashin and Robbie Brookside to beat Hayashi, Jimmy Yang and Ebessan.

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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Submission wrestling

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
62 matches 34 wins 23 losses
By knockout 2 9
By submission 19 3
By decision 13 11
Draws 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 34–23–5 Shota Takagi KO (knee and punches) Shooto 2023 Vol.7 November 19, 2023 2 0:56 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 34–22–5 Akira Haraguchi Decision (unanimous) VTJ 2021 November 6, 2021 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 34–21–5 Taison Naito KO (punch) Shooto – Professional Shooto 2021 Vol. 3 May 16, 2021 2 4:59 Tokyo, Japan
Win 34–20–5 Markus Held Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto 30th Anniversary Tour: Final November 24, 2019 2 1:56 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 33–20–5 Duane van Helvoirt Decision (unanimous) Shooto 30th Anniversary Tour at Korakuen Hall May 6, 2019 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 33–19–5 Yutaka Saito Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Professional Shooto 4/23 April 23, 2017 5 5:00 Chiba, Japan
Win 33–18–5 Jung Ho Hwang Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto-Mobstyles: Fight and Mosh April 23, 2016 2 0:31 Chiba, Japan
Loss 32–18–5 Shigeki Osawa TKO (punches) Shooto: Professional Shooto 7/26 July 26, 2015 2 4:03 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 32–17–5 Yoshifumi Nakamura Decision (unanimous) Shooto - 1st Round 2015 January 25, 2015 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan For Shooto Pacific Rim Lightweight Championship.
Win 32–16–5 Raja Shippen Submission (rear-naked choke) Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 6th October 4, 2014 2 4:33 Tokyo, Japan
Win 31–16–5 Taiki Tsuchiya Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 4th Round 2014 May 5, 2014 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 30–16–5 Jesse Brock Decision (unanimous) Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 4th February 23, 2014 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 29–16–5 Daniel Romero Submission (inverted triangle choke) Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 3rd October 5, 2013 2 2:23 Tokyo, Japan
Win 28–16–5 Anthony Avila Submission (rear-naked choke) Vale Tudo Japan: VTJ 2nd June 22, 2013 3 1:53 Tokyo, Japan
Win 27–16–5 Kyu Hwa Kim Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: 2nd Round 2013 March 16, 2013 1 4:10 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 26–16–5 Shintaro Ishiwatari Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 10th Round September 30, 2012 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 26–15–5 Takeshi Inoue KO (head kick) DREAM 17 September 24, 2011 1 4:17 Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Win 26–14–5 Akiyo Nishiura Decision (unanimous) Dream: Fight for Japan! May 29, 2011 2 5:00 Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Loss 25–14–5 Kazuyuki Miyata Decision (unanimous) Dynamite!! 2010 December 31, 2010 3 5:00 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Featherweight debut.
Loss 25–13–5 Gleison Tibau TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi March 31, 2010 1 4:13 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Draw 25–12–5 Fabrício Camões Draw (majority) UFC 106 November 21, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 25–12–4 Spencer Fisher Decision (unanimous) UFC 99 June 13, 2009 3 5:00 Cologne, Germany
Loss 25–11–4 Shinya Aoki Decision (unanimous) Dream 5: Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 Final Round July 21, 2008 2 5:00 Osaka, Japan Semi-Final Round of DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix
Win 25–10–4 Mitsuhiro Ishida Submission (rear-naked choke) Dream 3: Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 Second Round May 11, 2008 2 1:39 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Quarter-Final Round of DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix
Loss 24–10–4 Andre Amade Decision (unanimous) HERO'S 10 September 17, 2007 3 5:00 Yokohama, Japan HERO'S 2007 Lightweight Grand Prix Semi-Final.
Win 24–9–4 Katsuhiko Nagata Decision (unanimous) HERO'S 9 July 16, 2007 3 5:00 Yokohama, Japan HERO'S 2007 Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter-Final.
Win 23–9–4 Ali Abdelaziz Submission (armbar) HERO'S 8 March 12, 2007 1 1:58 Nagoya, Japan
Loss 22–9–4 Gesias Cavalcante Decision (majority) HERO'S 7 October 9, 2006 2 5:00 Yokohama, Japan HERO'S 2006 Lightweight Grand Prix Final.
Win 22–8–4 Ivan Menjivar Decision (unanimous) HERO'S 7 October 9, 2006 2 5:00 Yokohama, Japan HERO'S 2006 Lightweight Grand Prix Semi-Final.
Win 21–8–4 Kultar Gill Submission (rear-naked choke) HERO'S 6 August 5, 2006 2 3:30 Tokyo, Japan HERO'S 2006 Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter-Final.
Win 20–8–4 Ole Laursen Submission (rear-naked choke) HERO'S 5 May 3, 2006 2 4:36 Tokyo, Japan HERO'S 2006 Lightweight Grand Prix Opening Round.
Win 19–8–4 Rich Clementi Decision (unanimous) HERO'S 4 March 15, 2006 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 18–8–4 Norifumi Yamamoto TKO (doctor stoppage) HERO'S 3 September 7, 2005 2 4:04 Tokyo, Japan HERO'S 2005 Lightweight Grand Prix Semi-Final.
Win 18–7–4 Hideo Tokoro Decision (unanimous) HERO'S 3 September 7, 2005 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan HERO'S 2005 Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter-Final.
Loss 17–7–4 Joachim Hansen KO (knee) HERO'S 1 March 26, 2005 3 4:48 Saitama, Japan
Win 17–6–4 Serkan Yılmaz Submission (armbar) K-1 MAX: Japan Grand Prix 2005 February 23, 2005 1 1:59 Tokyo, Japan
Win 16–6–4 Chandet Sorpantrey Submission (rear-naked choke) K-1: Premium 2004 Dynamite!! December 31, 2004 2 0:19 Osaka, Japan
Draw 15–6–4 Tatsuya Kawajiri Draw Shooto: 3/22 in Korakuen Hall March 22, 2004 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 15–6–3 Hermes França KO (punch) UFC 44 September 26, 2003 2 2:46 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Draw 15–5–3 B.J. Penn Draw (split) UFC 41 February 28, 2003 5 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States For the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship. UFC Lightweight Championship tournament final.
Win 15–5–2 Din Thomas Decision (unanimous) UFC 39 September 27, 2002 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States UFC Lightweight Championship tournament opening round.
Win 14–5–2 Yves Edwards Decision (unanimous) UFC 37 May 10, 2002 3 5:00 Bossier City, Louisiana, United States
Loss 13–5–2 B.J. Penn KO (punches) UFC 34 November 2, 2001 1 0:11 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States UFC Lightweight title eliminator.
Win 13–4–2 Fabiano Iha TKO (punches) UFC 32 June 29, 2001 1 1:48 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
Loss 12–4–2 Jens Pulver Decision (unanimous) UFC 30 February 23, 2001 5 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States For the inaugural UFC Lightweight Championship.
Win 12–3–2 Rumina Sato KO (punch) Shooto: R.E.A.D. Final December 17, 2000 1 2:21 Chiba, Chiba, Japan Defended the Shooto World Welterweight (154 lbs.) Championship.
Loss 11–3–2 Marcio Barbosa Technical Submission (guillotine choke) Shooto: R.E.A.D. 9 August 27, 2000 3 1:49 Yokohama, Japan
Win 11–2–2 Dennis Hallman Decision (unanimous) Shooto: R.E.A.D. 3 April 2, 2000 3 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Draw 10–2–2 André Pederneiras Draw Vale Tudo Japan 1999 December 11, 1999 3 8:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 10–2–1 Din Thomas Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: Renaxis 4 September 5, 1999 3 3:16 Tokyo, Japan
Win 9–2–1 Rumina Sato Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: 10th Anniversary Event May 29, 1999 3 4:02 Yokohama, Japan Won the Shooto World Welterweight (154 lbs.) Championship.
Win 8–2–1 Ricardo Botelho Submission (punches) Vale Tudo Japan 1998 October 25, 1998 3 2:03 Tokyo, Japan
Win 7–2–1 Zvonko Jakovcevic Submission (triangle choke) Shooto: Las Grandes Viajes 4 July 29, 1998 1 3:15 Tokyo, Japan
Win 6–2–1 Ian James Schaffa Technical Submission (armbar) Shooto: Las Grandes Viajes 3 May 13, 1998 3 3:13 Tokyo, Japan
Win 5–2–1 Yuji Fujita Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Las Grandes Viajes 2 March 1, 1998 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 4–2–1 Naoya Uematsu Submission (Achilles lock) Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '97 Lightweight Tournament December 20, 1997 1 0:23 Japan
Win 4–1–1 Hiroki Kotani Decision (unanimous) Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '97 Lightweight Tournament December 20, 1997 2 3:00 Japan
Win 3–1–1 Masahito Wachi Decision (unanimous) Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '97 Lightweight Tournament December 20, 1997 2 3:00 Japan
Draw 2–1–1 Takuya Kuwabara Draw Shooto: Reconquista 4 October 12, 1997 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 2–1 Yuzo Tateishi Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: Gig June 25, 1997 1 2:14 Tokyo, Japan
Win 1–1 Patrick Tapels Submission (rear-naked choke) Japan Extreme Challenge Vale Tudo Open May 28, 1997 1 2:20 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 0–1 Hayato Sakurai Submission (armbar) Shooto: Let's Get Lost October 4, 1996 1 2:52 Tokyo, Japan

Submission grappling record

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KO PUNCHES
Result Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Notes
Win England Leigh Remedios Submission (straight armlock) Polaris 10 May 25, 2019 1 5:10
Loss Brazil Marcos de Souza Submission (armbar) Quintet April 11, 2018 1
Loss Brazil Fredson Paixao Submission (armbar) UFC Fan Expo 2010 2 3:15
Win United States Javier Vazquez Decision CAND 2004 3
Loss Japan Minoru Suzuki and Japan Tsuyoshi Kohsaka Submission The Contenders X-Rage Vol.2 October 3, 2002 1 14:39 Partnered with Japan Osami Shibuya
Draw Japan Minoru Suzuki and Japan Takafumi Ito Draw The Contenders 5 Prospective M-1 October 6, 2001 1 10:00 Partnered with Japan Daiju Takase
Loss Brazil Fernando Vasconcelos Points ADCC 2001 Absolute 2001
Loss Japan Takanori Gomi Decision The CONTENDERS 6 October 8, 2001 3
Win Japan Yasushi Miyake Decision The CONTENDERS 4 2000
Loss Japan Genki Sudo Decision The CONTENDERS 2000 2000 2
Loss Brazil Marcio Feitosa Souza Points ADCC 2000 –77 kg 2000 1
Loss Brazil Jean-Jacques Machado Submission (rear naked choke) ADCC 1999 –77 kg 1999 1 4:45
Win Brazil Eddie Ruiz Submission ADCC 1999 –77 kg 1999 1 6:00
Win Brazil Pedro Duarte Decision ADCC 1999 –77 kg 1999 3 20:00
Win United States John Lewis Submission (rear naked choke) ADCC 1999 –77 kg 1999 1 8:05
Draw Japan Yasushi Miyake - The CONTENDERS 1 1999 3

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Caol Uno - lightweight - Mixed Martial Arts Fighter - FIGHT! Magazine". Archived from the original on 2011-09-19. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  2. ^ "According to a report on Sportsnavi, Caol Uno has ended his 12-year association with Wajyutsu..." Bloody Elbow. 2 May 2009.
  3. ^ "Caol Uno". UFC. 31 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Gleison Tibau vs. Caol Uno at Fight Night 21". tatame.com. Archived from the original on 2010-01-24. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
  5. ^ "Caol Uno Continues on UFC Comeback Trail as Part of VTJ 4th Main Event". mmaweekly.com. February 16, 2014.
  6. ^ "Hiroyuki Takaya Scores Quick Stoppage, Caol Uno Tops Jesse Brock at 'VTJ 4th'". Sherdog. February 23, 2014.
  7. ^ "【修斗】宇野薫が"顔面ヒザ蹴り"KO負け、勝利のオーディンがまさかの休止宣言（イーファイト）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  8. ^ Wilson, Kevin. "All Japan Wrestle-1". Puroresu Central. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
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