Nobutatsu Suzuki

Nobutatsu Suzuki (鈴木 信達) is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the Lightweight division of ONE FC.

A professional MMA competitor since 2005, he has also competed for Vale Tudo Japan.

He was the inaugural ONE FC Welterweight Champion.

Suzuki is from Tokyo, Japan and began training in Kyokushin Karate when he was 15 years old after losing a street fight.

He went on to become a five-time Heavyweight Champion, competing in various tournaments and championships.

Unusually, despite being one of the top Welterweights in Asia he also has a full-time job as a legal assistant.

Suzuki began his professional career when he was 27 years old in 2005 against Sojiro Orui, the fight went to a draw because the time ran out.

Suzuki then won his next three fights by knockout before having another draw this time against Petras Markevicius.

Suzuki went on to win six more fights all ending by knockout, He was 9-0-2 before being defeated for the first time against UFC vet Keita Nakamura at Vale Tudo Japan 2012.

After the loss Suzuki was picked up by ONE Championship, his first fight was against UFC veteran Phil Baroni, Suzuki won the fight via TKO after Baroni broke his ankle.

Suzuki was to get a shot at the inaugural ONE FC Welterweight Championship against Adam Kayoom at ONE Fighting Championship: Warrior Spirit.

However, on November 11, 2013, ONE FC officials announced that Adam Kayoom was injured, and was going to be replaced by Vitor Pinto.

However, Pinto was not medically cleared and the bout was cancelled.

Suzuki faced Brock Larson for the inaugural ONE FC Welterweight Championship on March 14, 2014 at ONE FC: War of Nations.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

In his first title defense, Suzuki faced Ben Askren on August 29, 2014 at ONE FC: Reign of Champions.

He lost the fight and title due to strikes in the first round.