Akihiro Gono

Quick Facts

Full Name	Akihiro Gono
Occupation	Judoka
Date Of Birth	Oct 7, 1974(1974-10-07)
Age	50
Birthplace	Higashikurume
Country	Japan
Birth City	Higashikurume
Horoscope	Capricorn

Akihiro Gono Biography

Akihiro Gono is one of the most popular and richest Judoka who was born on October 7, 1974 in Higashikurume, Higashikurume, Japan. Akihiro Gono (郷野聡寛 , Gōno Akihiro) (born October 7, 1974) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 1994, he is best known for his clever and deceptive fighting style, and for his flashy ring entrances. Gono has competed for the UFC, PRIDE Fighting Championships, Pancrase, the World Series of Fighting, DEEP, World Victory Road, Shooto, Bellator, and also participated in the Dynamite!! 2009 event.

In September 2005, Akihiro took part in the PRIDE Welterweight Grand Prix. He became controversial for criticizing Ryo Chonan and Masanori Suda’s performances and right to fight in the tournament, somewhat they called off on him back. At the first round, Gono won an upset over Daniel Acacio, showing one more time his ability to avoid damage in stand-up and counterattack. The same night, at the second round, he faced Dan Henderson, suffering an accidental headbutt before losing the match by KO.

In 2006, Gono returned to PRIDE, this time playing a new character, DJ Gozma, a parody of Japanese musician DJ OZMA. His entrances involved Gono wearing a vintage suit, including shoes and an orange wig, and accompanied by oddly- dressed male dancers while the song age♂age♂EVERY☆Night by DJ OZMA played in the background. Also, when the fighters were introduced in the ring, Gono would drop his suit’s pants to reveal zebra stripped fighting briefs.

Gono fought fellow PRIDE veteran Hayato Sakurai at Dynamite!! 2009 winning the fight via armbar, late in the second round.

He began fighting in PRIDE Bushido with Bushido 2 in 2004, facing Murilo’s brother Maurício “Shogun” Rua. Gono avoided Rua’s first flurries with an elusive style, throwing Rua to the mat twice, but he was knocked out via punches and kicks when Maurício finally caught him. However, Akihiro recovered from his defeat at his next event, facing Gracie family member Rodrigo Gracie. The match was heated, as Rodrigo had submitted Gono’s fellow shooter Hayato Sakurai in his debut while Gono had defeated Cesar Gracie’s student Tim McKenzie back in Pancrase. During the match, Gono traded strikes with Gracie and was taken down and pressed at the first round, but he came back at the second, stopping takedowns and capitalizing with strikes, including a head stomp which bloodied Gracie.

Akihiro Gono Net Worth

Akihiro Gono is one of the richest Judoka from Japan. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Akihiro Gono 's net worth $5 Million. (Last Update: December 11, 2023)

Akihiro Gono began fighting mixed martial arts in 1994, competing in the Lumax Cup tournaments as a sambo representative. He got a win over Kazunari Murakami via head kick, but lost to him in their rematch the next year. Gono originally debuted in Fighting Network Rings’s undercard, but he moved to Shooto after the Lumax Cup. His run there was uneventful, although he drew Jutaro Nakao and led Matt Hughes to a decision in his first years. The 2000 would be his breakout year, winning about veteran Masanori Suda, knocking out Ivan Salaverry via spinning kick and drawing with Murilo “Ninja” Rua.

Gono left Shooto for Pancrase in 2001 and became a member of Sanae Kikuta’s Grabaka team. He again showed improvement, beating twice renowned Keiichiro Yamamiya and Chris Haseman and having a spirited match with Yuki Kondo, as well as a draw with Chael Sonnen. He stopped fighting for Pancrase in 2005 in order to focus in PRIDE Fighting Championships, though still as a Grabaka member.

Gono’s last apparition in Pride was at Shockwave 2006, fighting a revenge match with Yuki Kondo which came from their Pancrase days. Despite injuring his hand earlier in the match, Gono won the match by unanimous decision.

Height, Weight & Body Measurements

Akihiro Gono height 5 ft 7 in Akihiro weight 170  lbs & body measurements will update soon.

Who is Akihiro Gono Dating?

According to our records, Akihiro Gono is possibily single & has not been previously engaged. As of December 1, 2023, Akihiro Gono’s is not dating anyone.

Relationships Record : We have no records of past relationships for Akihiro Gono. You may help us to build the dating records for Akihiro Gono!

Just under a year after he announced his retirement, Gono returned to MMA when he faced Taisuke Okuno at DEEP: 62nd Impact on April 26, 2013. He lost the fight by KO. Gono then fought to a draw against Yuki Okano at DEEP – Cage Impact 2013 on November 24, 2013.

Facts & Trivia

Akihiro Ranked on the list of most popular Judoka. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in Japan. Akihiro Gono celebrates birthday on October 7 of every year.