UFCKanako Murata Record: 12-3-0
StrawweightRecord12-3-0
Age32
DivisionStrawweight
Combat Edge Elo1654
Last fight2023.10.07
Kanako Murata has a 12-3-0 professional record and is 32 years old in the Strawweight division, representing Combat Sports Academy. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 19, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Kanako Murata bio
Personal background
Kanako Murata is a Japanese strawweight in the UFC, a 5'1" wrestling-based grappler from Matsuyama, in Ehime Prefecture, who holds a 12-3 professional record. Born on August 10, 1993, she was, by her own account, destined for combat sports: the granddaughter of a judo dojo master, she stepped onto the mats around the age of three and became a national-level judoka in her high school years before pivoting to freestyle wrestling. On the mat she excelled internationally, winning a Junior World Championship in 2011 and a gold medal at the Asian Championships in 2012, a pedigree that still defines her takedown-heavy, top-control game. She fights out of Combat Sports Academy and carries one of the deepest grappling bases in the division despite giving up reach to nearly every opponent.
Path to the UFC
Murata turned professional in 2016 and quickly became one of Japan's brightest prospects, debuting with a decision win over Natalya Denisova at the inaugural RIZIN FF 1. She built her name across RIZIN and Pancrase before signing with Invicta FC, where she captured the vacant strawweight title — a championship run that drew the UFC's attention. After a standout regional career, she signed with the promotion in 2020.
RIZIN and Invicta years
Murata's early arc was not without a hard lesson: in December 2016 she ran into veteran Rin Nakai and was submitted by rear-naked choke in the third round, the first loss of her career. She rebounded emphatically, reeling off a long winning streak that showcased her wrestling and her knack for the Von Flue choke, including a second-round Von Flue finish of Angela Magana at RIZIN 12 in 2018. The capstone came in November 2019, when she edged Emily Ducote by decision at Invicta FC 38 to claim the vacant strawweight championship.
UFC tenure
Murata opened her UFC run in November 2020 by grinding out a decision over Randa Markos, leaning on her trademark takedowns and top pressure. The step up in competition has been unforgiving since: in June 2021 she was forced out against Virna Jandiroba via a second-round doctor stoppage on an arm and shoulder injury, and after a long layoff she dropped a decision to Vanessa Demopoulos in October 2023.
Fighting style
Murata is a wrestling-first fighter who wins by imposing position. Her professional finishes break down to four submissions and two knockouts against six decisions for a balanced 50% finish rate, but the through-line is grappling control — relentless takedown entries, smothering top pressure, and submission threats like the Von Flue and rear-naked choke when opponents give her the openings. At 5'1" she is short even for the division and gives up significant reach, so closing distance and getting fights to the mat is essential to her success; when she is kept at range or outpointed standing, as in her UFC decision losses, her path to victory narrows.
Career highlights
- Former Invicta FC strawweight champion — defeated Emily Ducote at Invicta FC 38 in 2019 to win the vacant title.
- World-class wrestling base — a 2011 Junior World freestyle wrestling champion who built her MMA game on elite takedowns and top control.
- RIZIN standout — rose through Japan's premier promotion with a string of finishes, including a Von Flue choke of Angela Magana at RIZIN 12.
Career snapshot
Kanako Murata career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1654Good ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#1240
Women's StrawweightTBD
Peak1693
Last move-20
Opponent quality1539avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1693 Elo after defeating Randa Markos (2020-11-14)
Outside the active ladder after 24 months without a counted pro MMA fight. Current and peak Elo stay raw.
Similar Elo in Women's Strawweight
Recent Elo history
LossVanessa Demopoulos2023-10-07 | Decision - Unanimous-20LossVirna Jandiroba2021-06-19 | TKO-19WinRanda Markos2020-11-14 | Decision (unanimous)+10WinEmily Ducote2019-11-01 | Decision (Split)+9WinLiana Pirosin2019-06-07 | Rear Naked Choke +10Kanako Murata quick answers
What is Kanako Murata's record?
Kanako Murata's professional MMA record is 12-3-0.
How old is Kanako Murata?
Kanako Murata is 32 years old.
What weight class is Kanako Murata?
Kanako Murata fights at Strawweight in UFC.
How tall is Kanako Murata?
Kanako Murata is 5'1" tall with a 34,0" reach.
How much does Kanako Murata weigh?
Kanako Murata competes at Strawweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 115 lbs.
What is Kanako Murata's Combat Edge Elo?
Kanako Murata's Combat Edge Elo is 1654, with a peak Elo of 1693.
How strong is Kanako Murata's recent opposition?
Kanako Murata's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1539 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Kanako Murata's last fight?
Kanako Murata's latest tracked pro fight was against Vanessa Demopoulos at UFC Fight Night on 2023.10.07.
What is Kanako Murata's recent form?
Kanako Murata's recent tracked pro form is L-L-W-W-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Kanako Murata usually win?
Kanako Murata's 12 recorded wins include 2 knockouts, 4 submissions, and 6 decisions, with 50% ending before the final bell.
2Wins by knockout
4Wins by submission
6Wins by decision
1Loss by knockout
1Loss by submission
1Loss by decision
Kanako Murata stats
Record : 12 / 3 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
2.15Fighter3.72Division average
Significant striking accuracy
57%Fighter45%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
2.40Fighter4.24Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
53%Fighter54%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
3.38Fighter1.24Division average
Takedown accuracy
56%Fighter37%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
100%Fighter55%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
0.75Fighter0.39Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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