Toshiomi Kazama Record: 11-5-0

UFC run

Kazama's UFC tenure has been a difficult, instructive stretch against rising talent. He debuted in February 2023 against unbeaten Japanese standout Rinya Nakamura, who knocked him out in the first round, and he followed that with a first-round TKO loss to Garrett Armfield in August 2023. He broke through for his signature Octagon moment in August 2024, submitting Charalampos Grigoriou with a second-round triangle choke that showcased exactly the grappling that made his reputation in Japan. The level remained unforgiving in August 2025, when Elijah Smith stopped him by first-round knockout via slam.

Fighting style

Kazama is a grappler first and foremost, and his finishing numbers stand out: with six submission wins and three knockouts among his 11 victories, he carries an 82 percent finish rate, one of the higher marks in his division. His judo background fuels his takedowns and scrambles, and once the fight hits the mat he is dangerous from a variety of positions, as the triangle-choke finish of Grigoriou demonstrated. The clear vulnerability is on the feet against the UFC's elite: all four of his losses inside the promotion's orbit have come by knockout, with Nakamura, Armfield and Smith all finding finishes before Kazama could impose his grappling. When he can close distance and drag opponents into his world, he is a genuine submission threat; when forced to strike at range against bigger punchers, he has been caught.

Career highlights

• Road to UFC breakthrough — defeated veteran Keremuaili Maimaitituoheti by decision to help earn his place in the UFC.
• Signature Octagon finish — submitted Charalampos Grigoriou with a second-round triangle choke for his first UFC win.
• Elite finish rate — six submissions and three knockouts give him an 82 percent finish rate, a grappling-heavy profile forged in Pancrase.