Experienced Japanese fighters who should crossover next

Below are Japanese fighters with the highest “division point dominance” ratings who have never fought in the USA, have at least 10 fights, and compete within weight divisions that the UFC/StrikeForce currently utilize (Men, Women 135-145).

Sadly, there is not much to look forward to, as far as proven experienced fighters go.

1. Masakazu Imanari (#18 Bantamweight, 25-10-2)

Imanari is ranked #1 on his list, based on the possibility of him making the Flyweight limit (of which I have no idea if he can or not) and for his exceptional ledger.  It is quite surprising Imanari has only left Japan in his last two fights, but has still not left eastern Asia.  He holds a rare distinction of being listed in two of the Top 10 FightMatrix All-Time Ranking lists, being the #6 Featherweight and #8 Bantamweight of All-Time, spending considerable time in both divisions.  He has even competed at Lightweight.  Now 36, the door is closing on Imanari.  He is battle-tested against foreign fighters, with wins over Jorge Gurgel, Mike Thomas Brown and Abel Cullum.  Though, he is very inconsistent.  Here’s hoping we see him get one chance in the UFC.

2. Rin Nakai (#6 Women 135lb, 11-0-1)

The musclebound 5’1″ Nakai may be more famous for her risque photos (just Google search) than her undefeated record, but if Rousey runs out of American challengers, Nakai may be an interesting opponent for the minute or two that the fight lasts.

3. Mitsuhisa Sunabe (#7 Flyweight, 16-7-4)

Fresh off of a win this Sunday against a lesser opponent, Sunabe might be the best Flyweight in Japan right now.  Even though, he competes at 120lb, at 5’8″, he could be an interesting match-up for the typical Flyweight fighter.  The losses are starting to add up though.

4. Haruo Ochi (#9 Flyweight, 9-2-1)

After moving down from 132lb to 123lb, Ochi is undefeated at 5-0 with his last three wins coming against three fighters in the Top 20 Flyweight All-Time list.  Entering his physical prime at age 28, the book on this guy is too thin to make any conclusions, but with another solid win, he quickly becomes a worthy contender for at least a one-off UFC Flyweight opportunity.

5. Akira Kibe (#16 Flyweight, 16-10-2)

A late bloomer, Kibe finally gets into the rankings by entering the weak Flyweight division after spending the first 10 years of his career as an undersized Bantamweight and Featherweight.  Despite having gone 6-0 in his last six, Kibe’s ledger suggests he’d probably be fodder for America’s top Flyweights.

Yasuhiro Urushitani is not listed.  Although he never fought in the USA, he did participate in a UFC show in Australia.