Jin Akimoto


Jin Akimoto is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Bantamweight and Flyweight divisions. He spent the entirety of his career, barring one fight, in Shooto. Between 2000 and 2004 he was ranked as one of the best bantamweights in the world.

Personal life

Jin Akimoto was born in Sagamihara, in the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan. He is the youngest of three siblings, with an older brother and sister. He gratuated from Kanagawa Prefectural Yaei Higashi High School. He moved to Tokyo, where he graduated from Kyorin University. After retiring from martial arts, he pursued a career in politics, as well as opening his own gym.

Martial arts career

Akimoto made his debut in 1995 during Shooto - Vale Tudo Access 4 against Kazuyoshi Kudo, whom he beat by rear naked choke. He would achieve two more submission wins over Masataka Kawakami and Yoshinori Haraigawa.
He would then draw against Mitsuhiro Sakamoto. In a rematch he lost a majority decision. In his next fights he accumulated a 2-3-1 record, all decisions. His 5-3-2 record earned him a bantamweight title fight against Mamoru Yamaguchi. He lost a majority decision.
Bouncing back, he fought Yoshinobu Ota and won a unanimous decision and an armbar win against Greg Piper. In a rematch against Mamoru Yamaguchi during Shooto: R.E.A.D. Final he lost a unanimous decision.
Akimoto bounced back with unanimous decision wins over Hiroaki Yoshioka and Takeyasu Hirono, as well as a kneebar win over Alfonso Alcarez and a TKO win over Tomoyuki Tachi.
He subsequetly lost his next six fights He then drew twice against Junji Ikoma, and lost against Ryuichi Miki and Ayumu Shioda. Akimoto failed to win a single fight during this five year period, with a record of 0-8-2. He would retire on a win, beating Kenji Hosoya with a guillotine choke during Shooto: Gig Tokyo 4.

Mixed martial arts record