Katsuyori Shibata Youtube Videos
Katsuyori Shibata Bio
Katsuyori Shibata (柴田勝頼, Shibata Katsuyori, born November 17, 1979 in Kuwana, Mie) is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. In professional wrestling, he is known for his hard hitting offense and his realistic bouts.
Professional wrestling career
New Japan Pro Wrestling (1999–2004)
Shibata is the son of former JWA and NJPW mid-carder and referee Katsuhisa Shibata. He was an amateur wrestler during his school days and was competing at national level in 1997. His pro debut was October 10, 1999 facing close friend Wataru Inoue on New Japan Pro Wrestling. In 2000, Shibata too part in the 2000 Young Lion's Cup eventually finishing 3rd place with 6 points. Eventually, he and Wataru worked their way up the junior ranks together, though Shibata was a slight step ahead of Inoue throughout their joint rise, and subsequently challenged for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship first against Kendo Kashin on October 28, 2001 but lost. Shibata and Inoue also challenged for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship on two occasions both against The World Class Tag Team but lost both times. By 2003, Shibata graduated to the heavyweight division and joined the Makai Club wrestling as himself and as Makai #4. From there, he continued to rise in the ranks. In July 2003, Shibata challenged for both the IWGP Tag Team Championship and the IWGP U-30 Openweight Championship but failed to win either title. Shibata then entered the 2003 G-1 Climax where he placed 3rd in his block with 5 points. Shibata continued to grow in 2004. On July 19, 2004, he received his first shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Kazuyuki Fujita but lost by knockout. On month later, he entered the 2004 G-1 Climax and won his block scoring 8 points and defeated several former IWGP Champions including Masahiro Chono, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Genichiro Tenryu but would lose in the semi-finals to eventual winner: Hiroyoshi Tenzan. Following the G-1, Shibata joined Masahiro Chono's new stable: Black New Japan where he remained until eventually leaving New Japan in January 2005.
In 2000, Katsuyori Shibata was involved in a serious incident where he hit Masakazu Fukuda with an elbow drop during a match. Fukuda was in a coma and died 4 days later in hospital.
Freelance (2005–2006)
In 2005, Shibata left New Japan, becoming a free lancer and has most notably fought for Big Mouth LOUD and Pro Wrestling NOAH. One of his more famous matches was a heated confrontation with former amateur wrestler Jun Akiyama. In Loud, Shibata took on several big names including Satoshi Kojima, Kensuke Sasaki, & TARU. In NOAH, Shibata teamed with KENTA on several occasions including challenging for the GHC Tag Team Championship and defeating Go Shiozaki and Mitsuharu Misawa where Shibata pinned the future heavyweight champion: Shiozaki. On January 4, 2006, Shibata returned to New Japan at Toukon Shidou Chapter 1 where he defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi. Shibata most recent match was on December 31, 2006, where he defeated Kazuhiro Hamanaka. By January 2007, Shibata left wrestling to focus on Mixed Martial Arts.
Mixed martial arts career
Shibata debuted in Mixed Martial Arts on May 15, 2004 at JF Jungle Fights 2 where he defeated Webster Dauphiney by an Arm Triangle Choke in Round 1. Shibata returned to MMA in 2007 where he joined Fighting and Entertainment Group's K-1 Hero's, In his K-1 HERO'S debut on March 12, 2007 at HERO's 8, he defeated Yoshihisa Yamamoto by TKO in 9 seconds. After two victories, Shibata went on a five fight losing streak. He lost to Ralek Gracie at K-1 HERO's – Middleweight Tournament Opening Round by Submitting to an armbar. Shibata then lost to Kazushi Sakuraba at K-1 HERO'S- Tournament Final once again submitting to an armbar. Shibata fought his last K-1 HERO's fight at K-1 OLYMPIA HERO'S 2007 in KOREA on October 28, 2007 against Heo Min Seok. Shibata lost the fight by TKO in the 2nd round.
In 2008, Shibata began fighting for FEG's new organization: DREAM. His first fight at DREAM was a loss to Jason "Mayhem" Miller at DREAM 3 by TKO. His next fight was against Yoshihiro Akiyama losing to him by Submission. Shibata then fought at DEEP where he drew with Yasuhito Namekawa at DEEP – 38 Impact. He then lost to Hayato Sakurai by TKO at Dynamite!! 2008.
After going winless for 2 years, Shibata would score his biggest victory to date at DREAM 8 when he defeated Ikuhisa Minowa by Unanimous Decision. Later that year at DREAM 12, he defeated fellow New Japan Pro Wrestling alumni: Tokimitsu Ishizawa by TKO. At Dynamite!! 2009, Shibata lost to Hiroshi Izumi by unanimous decision.
Shibata returned to DEEP for two appearances in 2010. On June 6, 2010 he lost to Young Choi by unanimous decision. On Cotober 24, he then faced DEEP Light Heavyweight Champion Yoshiyuki Nakanishi at DEEP: 50th Impact which he lost by TKO.
His most recent fight was a defeat to Satoshi Ishii at K-1 World Max 2010 on November 8, 2010.
Championships and accomplishments
- New Japan Pro Wrestling
- Fighting Spirit Award (2004)
- Tag Team Best Bout (2004) with Masahiro Chono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Shinsuke Nakamura on October 24
Mixed martial arts record
External links
- Professional MMA record for Katsuyori Shibata from Sherdog
- Professional wrestling profile
MMA Shirts
