Keita Nakamura, also known as “K-Taro,” is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist. He has competed in various promotions including the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Shooto, and RIZIN Fighting Federation.
You can follow Keita Nakamura’s biography, career details, wife, net worth, fight purses, fight records, stats, achievements, and more here.
Keita Nakamura’s Biography
| Attribute | Information |
| Full Name | Keita Nakamura |
| Nickname | K-Taro |
| Birth Date | May 22, 1984 |
| Height | 5’11” (180 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77 kg) |
| Birthplace | Katsushika, Tokyo, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Turned Professional | 2003 |
| Current Net Worth | $2.5 million |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Shizuka Sugiyama |
Keita Nakamura was born on May 22, 1984, in Katsushika, Tokyo, Japan. He is also known by his nickname “K-Taro.”
Nakamura’s interest in martial arts began at a young age, and he started training in various disciplines during his teenage years.
Professional Career
Keita Nakamura made his professional debut in October 2003 and quickly amassed an impressive 15-0-2 record in various Japanese promotions, including Shooto.
In 2006, Nakamura entered the UFC but was released after three consecutive losses. Following a brief retirement, he returned to competition in Japan, competing in organizations such as DREAM, Sengoku, and DEEP.
During this period, he won several titles, including the Shooto Inaugural Middleweight Championship, the Sengoku Inaugural Welterweight Championship, and the DEEP Welterweight Championship.
Nakamura made a successful return to the UFC in 2015, where he competed until 2019, amassing a record of 4-7 in the promotion.
After his second UFC release, Nakamura signed with RIZIN Fighting Federation.
Wife
Keita Nakamura is married to Shizuka Sugiyama, a fellow professional MMA fighter. Sugiyama is an American-born Japanese mixed martial artist. They have a son together.
She has competed in various promotions including Jewels, DEEP, RIZIN, and most recently, Pancrase.
Keita Nakamura’s Net Worth Details
Keita Nakamura’s net worth is estimated to be $2.5 million as of 2025. This figure is based on his career earnings from fight purses, bonuses, and potential endorsements over his long career in MMA.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Result | Purse |
| UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik | Sultan Aliev | Loss | $20,000 |
| UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa | Salim Touahri | Win | $36,000 (includes $18,000 win bonus) |
| UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee | Tony Martin | Loss | $21,000 |
| UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia | Li Jingliang | Win | $70,000 (includes $20,000 to show, $20,000 win bonus, $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus) |
Fight Records
| Statistic | Record |
| Total Fights | 49 |
| Wins | 35 |
| Losses | 11 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No Contests | 1 |
| Wins by KO/TKO | 7 |
| Wins by Submission | 17 |
| Wins by Decision | 11 |
Achievements
- Shooto Pacific Rim 168-Pound Championship
- Sengoku Welterweight Grand Prix Winner (2010)
- DEEP Welterweight Championship
- UFC Performance of the Night (1 time)
FAQs
1. Who is Keita Nakamura?
Keita Nakamura is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist and grappler, competing in the Welterweight division of RIZIN. He has been active in MMA since 2003.
2. What are Keita Nakamura’s notable achievements in MMA?
He is the former Sengoku Welterweight Champion, Shooto Pacific Rim Middleweight Champion, and winner of the World Victory Road Welterweight Grand Prix Tournament in 2010.
3. What is Keita Nakamura’s fighting style and stance?
Nakamura uses a southpaw stance and is known for his grappling skills, with many victories coming via rear-naked choke submissions.
4. How did Keita Nakamura perform in the UFC?
Nakamura had two stints in the UFC. In his second run, he achieved notable wins, including a Performance of the Night bonus for submitting Li Jingliang.
5. What is Keita Nakamura’s MMA record?
As of now, Nakamura has competed in 51 MMA fights, achieving 36 wins (9 by knockout, 16 by submission), 12 losses, and 2 draws.
6. Has Keita Nakamura competed outside MMA?
Yes, he participated in submission grappling events like the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship in 2009 and 2011.
7. What teams has Keita Nakamura trained with?
Nakamura trains out of United Gym Tokyo and K-Taro Dojo.
8. What was Keita Nakamura’s most recent fight result?
His latest fight was on March 23, 2024, at RIZIN Landmark Vol. 9 against Roberto Satoshi de Souza, where he lost via corner stoppage in the first round.
9. Why did Keita Nakamura briefly retire from MMA?
Nakamura retired after his initial UFC stint due to vision issues and dissatisfaction with his performance but returned shortly afterward to continue competing.
10. What championships has Keita Nakamura won during his career?
He has held titles such as the DEEP Welterweight Championship and earned accolades like UFC’s Submission of the Year rankings for his performances.
