Kana Morimoto

Kana Morimoto (森本佳奈, born 29 July 1992), popularly known as KANA, is a Japanese kickboxer competing as a flyweight with K-1, where she is the current flyweight champion. A professional competitor since 2015, she is the 2019 K-1 Women's Flyweight Grand Prix winner and two-time Krush Women's Flyweight champion.

Kana Morimoto
Born森本佳奈
(1992-07-29) 29 July 1992
Matsusaka, Mie, Japan
Other namesKANA, カナ
NationalityJapanese
Height1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)[1]
Weight52 kg (115 lb; 8 st 3 lb)
DivisionFlyweight
StyleKickboxing
Fighting out ofSetagaya, Tokyo, Japan
TeamK-1 Gym Sangenjaya Silver Wolf[2]
Years active2015-present
Kickboxing record
Total26
Wins22
By knockout11
Losses4
By knockout0
Other information
UniversityKokushikan University[3]
Websitehttps://kana-kick.com/profile/
Last updated on: 3 November 2020

She is the #9 ranked female kickboxer in the world by Combat Press, as of November 2020,[4] and has been ranked in the top ten since June 2018.[5]

Kickboxing career

Early career

Morimoto made her professional debut against a fellow debutante Koto Hiroaka at Krush 58 on 12 September 2015. She won the fight by a second-round knockout. The knockout was preceded by two knockdowns: the first was a standing knockdown in the first round, while the second resulted from an uppercut in the second round.[6]

Morimoto was scheduled to face the #5 ranked J-Girls mini-flyweight Miyako Mitsuhori at Krush 60 on 14 November 2015.[7] Mitsuhori was more experienced than Morimoto, with 20 professional bouts in her four year career.[8] Morimoto won the fight by a first-round knockout.[9]

Morimoto was scheduled to face the undefeated Jeong Hye Jin at Krush 63 on 5 February 2016.[10] Morimoto scored the first knockdown of the fight in the first round, countering Jin's jab with a right hook and following up with punches. Although she wasn't able to knock her opponent out, Morimoto inflicted enough damage that the ringside doctor had to be called in three seconds into the second round, to check the cut above Jin's left eye. The doctor opted to stop the fight, awarding Morimoto the technical knockout.[11]

First Krush title reign

Morimoto was scheduled to fight the former J-Girls mini-flyweight champion Momi for the vacant Krush Women's Flyweight title at Krush 65 on 10 April 2016.[12] Morimoto won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 29–28, 29–28 and 29–27. Morimoto scored the only knockdown of the fight in the third round, dropping Momi with a head kick.[13]

Morimoto made her first title defense against the one-time Krush title challenger Aki Gracyer at Krush 67 on 18 July 2016.[14] She won the fight by majority decision. Two of the judges scored the fight 30–28 and 29–28 in her favor, while the third judge scored it 29–28 for Graycer.[15]

Morimoto made her second title defense against Kai Ting Chuang at Krush 69 on 30 September 2016. She won the fight by a third-round knockout, landing a head kick with 31 seconds left in the bout.[16]

Morimoto was scheduled to make her third title defense against Mellony Geugjes at Krush 72 on 15 January 2017. Geugjes won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 28–26, 27–26 and 28–26. Morimoto suffered two knockdowns in the bout: she was knocked down with a left jab in the first round and with a right straight in the third round. It was the first loss of Morimoto's professional career.[17]

Spicer and Machut bouts

Morimoto was scheduled to face the former WBC Muaythai International Super Flyweight champion Grace Spicer at Krush 76 on 28 May 2017. She won the fight by a wide unanimous decision, with scores of 30–26, 30–26 and 30–25.[18]

Morimoto was scheduled to face the incumbent ISKA World Atomweight Full Contact champion Emilie Machut at Krush 79 on 20 August 2017.[19] She won the fight by a first-round knockout, dropping Machut with a right hook with 5 seconds left in the round. During her post-fight interview, Morimoto called for a rematch with Mellony Geugjes.[20]

Second Krush title reign

Morimoto was scheduled to rematch Mellony Geugjes for the Krush Women's Flyweight title at Krush 83 on 9 December 2017. She won the closely contested bout by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–29, 29–28 and 30–28.[21]

Morimoto made her K-1 debut against Polina Petukhova at K-1 World GP 2019: K’FESTA 2 on 21 March 2018. In preparation for the bout, Morimoto trained with the reigning WBA and WBO world champion Naoko Fujioka.[22] She won the fight by a dominant unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the 30–26 in her favor. Morimoto scored the sole knockdown of the fight at the very end of the second round, dropping Petukhova with a head kick.[23]

Morimoto was scheduled to make the first title defense of her second title reign against Kim Townsend at Krush 88 on 17 May 2018.[24] The fight was ruled a draw after the first three rounds were contested, with two of the judges scoring the fight as an even 28–28 draw and the third judge scoring the fight 29–28 for Townsend. Morimoto was awarded the unanimous decision, after an extra round was fought.[25]

Morimoto was scheduled to make her second title defense against Liu Shibei in the main event of Krush 92 on 18 August 2018.[26] She won the fight by a second-round knockout, stopping Shibei with a liver kick midway through the round.[27]

K-1

Morimoto was scheduled to face the two-time IFMA World medalist Josefine Lindgren Knutsson at K-1 World GP 2018: 3rd Super Lightweight Championship Tournament on 3 November 2018.[28] She won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 29–27, 29–27 and 30–28.[29] During the post-fight press conference, Morimoto revealed that she had suffered a bicep tear, in her right arm, during the second round.[30]

Morimoto and Knutsson were scheduled to rematch at K'Festa 2 on 10 March 2019.[31] Knutsson was more successful in the rematch, winning the fight by majority decision, with scores of 30–28, 30–29 and 29–29.[32]

Morimoto was scheduled to face Mahiro K-1 World GP 2019: Japan vs World 5 vs 5 & Special Superfight in Osaka on 24 August 2019.[33] She won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–27, 30–27 and 30–28.[34]

2019 K-1 Women's Flyweight Tournament

Morimoto was scheduled to participate in the 2019 K-1 Women's Flyweight Championship Tournament, held to crown the inaugural women's flyweight champion, on 28 December 2019. She was scheduled to face the reigning ISKA atomweight and Enfusion 52 kg champion Cristina Morales in the tournament semifinals.[35] Morimoto won the fight by a unanimous decision, with scores of 29–27, 30–27 and 29–27. She scored the sole knockdown of the fight in the third round, dropping Morales with a short right hook.[36]

Morimoto fought a rubber match with Josefine Lindgren Knutsson in the tournament finals. Each held a decision win over the other entering the bout, although Morimoto was regarded as the favorite. The fight was ruled a majority draw following the first three rounds, with one of the judges scoring the bout 29–28 for Morimoto. Morimoto was awarded a split decision after an extra round was fought.[37]

K-1 Women's Flyweight champion

Morimoto was scheduled to face Gloria Peritore in a non-title bout at K'Festa 3 on 22 March 2020.[38] She won the fight by a first-round knockout, landing a right hook with 18 seconds left in the round.[39]

Morimoto was scheduled to face Kotomi at K-1 World GP 2020 in Fukuoka on 3 November 2020.[40] Despite coming into the fight as a favorite, Morimoto lost the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 28–29, 29–30 and 29–30.[41]

Morimoto was scheduled to make the first defense of her K-1 Women's Flyweight Championship at K-1 World GP 2022 Japan on 27 February 2022, in an immediate rematch with the Krush Women's Flyweight champion Kotomi.[42] Kotomi later withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Ran, who faced Morimoto in a non-title bout.[43] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[44]

Morimoto faced Souris Manfredi in a non-title bout at K-1: Ring of Venus on 25 June 2022.[45] Morimoto knocked Manfredi down twice in the first round, before winning the fight by a third-round knockout, stopping Manfredi with a head kick at the 2:26 minute mark of the last round.[46]

Morimoto faced the former Enfusion and WAKO champion Aurore Dos Santos in a non-title bout at K-1 World GP 2022 in Osaka on December 3, 2022.[47] She won the fight by first-round technical knockout, as she stopped Dos Santos with a flurry of punches with just five seconds left in the opening frame.[48]

Morimoto made her second K-1 Women's Flyweight title defense against the one-time FEA and WAKO world champion Funda Alkayış at K-1 World GP 2023: K'Festa 6 on March 12, 2023.[49] She won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.[50]

On May 25, 2023, K-1 announced that Morimoto would make her third flyweight championship defense against Amy Pirnie at K-1 World GP 2023 on July 17, 2023.[51] That same day, Pirnie released a statement on her Instagram profile claiming that she was still in negotiations with the promotion at the time the bout was announced and would be withdrawing from them due to the perceived bad treatment.[52] Morimoto was re-scheduled to face McKenna Wade at the same event.[53] She won the fight by a first-round knockout, 58 seconds into the opening round.[54]

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur
  • K-1
    • 2014 K-1 Challenge Women's B Class -50 kg Tournament Winner[55]
    • 2015 K-1 Challenge Women's B Class -50 kg Tournament Winner[56]

Professional

Awards
  • Beyond Kickboxing
    • 2022 Beyond Kick "Female Fighter of the Year"[57]

Kickboxing record
Kickboxing record
22 Wins (11 (T)KOs), 3 Losses
Date Result OpponentEventLocation MethodRoundTimeRecord
2023-07-17WinEngland McKenna WadeK-1 World GP 2023Tokyo, JapanKO (Body kick)10:5822–3
Defends the K-1 Women's Flyweight Championship.
2023-03-12WinTurkey Funda AlkayışK-1 World GP 2023: K'Festa 6Tokyo, JapanTKO (retirement/low kicks)21:3121–3
Defends the K-1 Women's Flyweight Championship.
2022-12-03WinFrance Aurore Dos SantosK-1 World GP 2022 in OsakaOsaka, JapanTKO (Punches)12:5520–3
2022-06-25WinFrance Souris ManfrediK-1: Ring of VenusTokyo, JapanKO (High kick)31:2819–3
Defends the K-1 Women's Flyweight Championship.
2022-02-27WinJapan RanK-1 World GP 2022 JapanTokyo, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:0018–3
2020-11-03LossJapan KotomiK-1 World GP 2020 in FukuokaFukuoka, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:0017–3
2020-03-22WinItaly Gloria PeritoreK'Festa 3Tokyo, JapanKO (Right hook)12:4217–2
2019-12-28WinSweden Josefine Lindgren KnutssonK-1 World GP 2019 Japan: ～Women's Flyweight Championship Tournament～Nagoya, JapanExt. R. Decision (Split)43:0016–2
Won the K-1 Women's Flyweight Championship.
2019-12-28WinSpain Cristina MoralesK-1 World GP 2019 Japan: ～Women's Flyweight Championship Tournament～Nagoya, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:0015–2
2019-08-24WinJapan MahiroK-1 World GP 2019: Japan vs World 5 vs 5 & Special Superfight in OsakaOsaka, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:0014–2
2019-03-10LossSweden Josefine Lindgren KnutssonK'Festa 2Tokyo, JapanDecision (Majority)33:0013–2
2018-11-03WinSweden Josefine Lindgren KnutssonK-1 World GP 2018: 3rd Super Lightweight Championship TournamentSaitama, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:0013–1
2018-08-18WinChina Liu ShibeiKrush 92Nagoya, JapanKO (Liver kick)21:3812–1
Defends the Krush Women's Flyweight title.
2018-05-17WinAustralia Kim TownsendKrush 88Tokyo, JapanExt. R. Decision (Unanimous)43:0011–1
Defends the Krush Women's Flyweight title.
2018-03-21WinPoland Polina PetukhovaK-1 World GP 2018: K'FESTA.1Saitama, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:0010–1
2017-12-09WinNetherlands Mellony GeugjesKrush 83Tokyo, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:009–1
Wins the Krush Women's Flyweight title.
2017-08-20WinFrance Emilie MachutKrush 79Tokyo, JapanKO (Right hook)12:558–1
2017-05-28WinEngland Grace SpicerKrush 76Tokyo, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:007–1
2017-01-15LossNetherlands Mellony GeugjesKrush 72Tokyo, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:006–1
Loses the Krush Women's Flyweight title.
2016-09-30WinTaiwan Kill BeeKrush 69Tokyo, JapanKO (Head kick)32:296–0
Defends the Krush Women's Flyweight title.
2016-07-18WinJapan Aki GracyerKrush 67Tokyo, JapanDecision (Majority)33:005–0
Defends the Krush Women's Flyweight title.
2016-04-10WinJapan MomiKrush 65Tokyo, JapanDecision (Unanimous)43:004–0
Wins the Krush Women's Flyweight title.
2016-02-05WinSouth Korea Jeong Hye JinKrush 63Tokyo, JapanTKO (Doctor stoppage)20:033–0
2015-11-14WinJapan Miyako MitsuhoriKrush 60Tokyo, JapanKO (Punch)11:092–0
2015-09-12WinJapan Koto HiraokaKrush 58Tokyo, JapanKO (Right hook)21:541–0
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes
Amateur Kickboxing record
Date Result OpponentEventLocation MethodRoundTime
2015-04-26WinJapan Mari SuzukiK-1 Amateur 5, B-Class Challenge Tournament FinalTokyo, JapanDecision22:00
2015-02-15WinJapan Shizuka KobayashiK-1 Amateur 4, FinalTokyo, JapanDecision
2015-02-15WinJapan Reiko AsaiK-1 Amateur 4, Semi FinalTokyo, JapanDecision
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also

References
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