Hiraku Hori

Hiraku Hori (堀啓; born April 3, 1982) is a retired Japanese heavyweight kickboxer.

A professional from 2001 until 2010, he competed almost exclusively in K-1.

Hori made his professional debut at K-1 Survival 2001, winning via third-round knockout.

After winning four of his next five, he faced MMA fighter Kazuhiro Nakamura at K-1 Beast 2003.

After a competitive first round, Hori used his large reach advantage to attack Nakamura with a series of left roundhouse kicks, then knocked him out with a high kick.

Hori was then pitted against fellow Japanese prospect Tatsufumi Tomihara in the quarterfinals of the K-1 Survival 2003 Japan Grand Prix.

He won via decision, and moved on to face Musashi, the premiere heavyweight Japanese star at the time.

Hori lost via TKO due to a low kick.

With a 6-2 professional record, Hori was then matched up with Samoan Mighty Mo at K-1 Burning 2004.

The bout was Mo's K-1 debut, and after the judges declared the fight would go to the overtime fourth round, he defeated Hori with a knockout.

Hori then fought Cyril Abidi in a valiant effort, losing via TKO with just two seconds left in the fight.

Hori then fought in the K-1 Beast 2004 tournament on June 26, 2004.

After winning the quarterfinal match, Hori fought Nobu Hayashi, a 24-fight veteran at the time.

Hori lost in the third round via knockout.

In the quarterfinals of the K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Hiroshima, Hori fought Tsuyoshi Nakasako.

Hori won via decision.