Kazuyuki Fujita on Sunday retired from mixed martial arts competition.
Fujita made the announcement following his unanimous decision defeat to Kaido Hoovelson in the 2016 Rizin Fighting Federation open weight grand prix in Saitama, Japan. The 45-year-old was best known for his successful run in Pride Fighting Championships, where he compiled 7-4 record between Jan. 30, 2000 and April 8, 2007. Those four losses came to Mark Coleman, Fedor Emelianenko, Wanderlei Silva and Jeff Monson -- men with 147 victories between them.
A protégé of Antonio Inoki and Marco Ruas, the iron-chinned Fujita closes out his career with a 15-12 mark, having scored notable wins over Ultimate Fighting Championship hall of famer Ken Shamrock, Mark Kerr, Gilbert Yvel and James Thompson.