Tsuyoshi Kosaka

Tsuyoshi Kohsaka
高阪剛
Born (1970-03-06) March 6, 1970 (age 54)
Shiga, Japan
Other namesTK, Kakutogi Kai no Kenja ("The Sage of the Combat Sports World")
NationalityJapanese
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight225 lb (102 kg; 16 st 1 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
StyleJudo, Shoot Wrestling, Kickboxing
Fighting out ofTokyo, Japan
TeamRings Japan
Team Alliance
Alliance Square
Teacher(s)Akira Maeda
Rank  4th Dan Black Belt in Judo
Years active1994–2006; 2015–2022
Mixed martial arts record
Total53
Wins30
By knockout10
By submission12
By decision9
Unknown2
Losses21
By knockout10
By submission4
By decision7
Draws2
Other information
WebsiteOfficial blog
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Last updated on: March 19, 2011 (2011-03-19)

Tsuyoshi Kosaka (Japanese: 高阪 剛, Kōsaka Tsuyoshi, born March 6, 1970) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist, submission grappler and professional wrestler who competed in the Heavyweight division. A professional MMA competitor from 1994 till 2022, he has competed for the UFC, PRIDE Fighting Championships, RIZIN, RINGS, Pancrase, and DEEP. Kosaka is the former King of Pancrase Super Heavyweight Champion.

Kosaka is considered to be one of the early pioneers of mixed martial arts and was one of the top ranked Japanese fighters for several years.[1] Known for his grappling skills, Kosaka is trained in Judo and Shoot Wrestling, His "TK guard" position, a precursor to modern butterfly guard, is famous for its efficiency; former UFC champions Frank Shamrock and Maurice Smith have both credited him with having vastly improved their grappling from that particular position.[2]

  1. ^ Bowker, Dylan (15 April 2022). "Tsuyoshi Kosaka on nearly three decades of MMA and Rizin 35 swan song". My MMA News. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  2. ^ Nate Wilcox (25 July 2009). "MMA History XX: Kazushi Sakuraba and Frank Shamrock Emerge at Ultimate Japan". Bloody Elbow.