Akira Shoji
 |
Name | Akira Shoji |
| Nickname | Mr. Pride | |
| Association | Freelance | |
| Weight Class | Light Heavyweight | |
| Height | 5' 8" (173 cm) | |
| Style | Jiu Jitsu, Judo | |
| Birth Date | January 31, 1974 | |
| Fighting Out Of | Toyama | |
| Country | Japan | |
| Akira Shoji Pictures | Official Website |
Akira Shoji is a retired Japanese professional mixed martial artist.
Shoji is most known as being a regular in almost all the beginning PRIDE FC Mixed Martial Art events. Shoji was in every Pride event from PRIDE 1 to PRIDE 7, and was part of the first Pride open weight Grand Prix in 2000.
Professional Record
| Record | 14 - 17 - 5 (Win – Loss – Draw) |
| Wins | 2 (T)KOs 5 Submissions 7 Decisions |
| Losses | 8 (T)KOs 3 Submissions 6 Decisions |
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event Title | Date | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | Kazuo Misaki | TKO (Punches) | Deep: 53 Impact | 4/22/2011 | 2 | 1:13 | |
| Loss | Gilbert Yvel | TKO (Punches) | PRIDE 34: Kamikaze | 4/08/2007 | 1 | 3:04 | |
| Win | Carlos Toyota | Decision (Majority) | DEEP: clubDEEP Toyama - Barbarian Festival 5 | 11/19/2006 | 2 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Kyacey Uscola | TKO (Punches) | KOTC: All Stars | 10/28/2006 | 2 | 2:23 | |
| Win | Todd Medina | Decision (Unanimous) | KOTC: Rapid Fire | 8/4/2006 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Kazuo Misaki | Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke) | DEEP: 23 Impact | 2/05/2006 | 1 | 2:32 | |
| Loss | Mark Weir | KO (Head Kick) | Cage Rage 14: Punishment | 12/03/2005 | 1 | 0:17 | |
| Loss | Dean Lister | Submission (Triangle Choke) | PRIDE: Bushido 6 | 4/03/2005 | 1 | 3:13 | |
| Loss | Paulo Filho | Decision (Split) | PRIDE: Bushido 4 | 7/19/2004 | 2 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Yukio Kawabe | TKO (Punches) | PRIDE: Bushido 3 | 5/23/2004 | 1 | 0:18 | |
| Loss | Murilo Rua | KO (Flying Knee) | PRIDE: Shockwave 2003 | 12/31/2003 | 1 | 2:24 | |
| Loss | Mauricio Rua | KO (Punches) | PRIDE: Bushido 1 | 10/05/2003 | 1 | 3:47 | |
| Win | Dustin Denes | Decision (Unanimous) | AFC 4: Absolute Fighting Championships 4 | 7/19/2003 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Alex Stiebling | Decision (Split) | PRIDE 25: Body Blow | 3/16/2003 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Paulo Filho | Submission (Armbar) | PRIDE 22: Beasts from the East 2 | 9/29/2002 | 1 | 2:48 | |
| Win | David Roberts | Submission (Armbar) | KOTC 13: Revolution | 5/17/2002 | 2 | 4:46 | |
| Loss | Jeremy Horn | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE 18: Cold Fury 2 | 12/23/2001 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Semmy Schilt | KO (Knee and Punches) | PRIDE 16: Beasts from the East | 9/24/2001 | 1 | 8:19 | |
| Loss | Dan Henderson | TKO (Punches and Knees) | PRIDE 14: Clash of the Titans | 5/27/2001 | 3 | 3:18 | |
| Loss | Ricardo Almeida | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE 12: Cold Fury | 12/09/2000 | 2 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Herman Renting | Submission (Armbar) | PRIDE 11: Battle of the Rising Sun | 10/31/2000 | 1 | 3:48 | |
| Win | John Renken | Submission (Armbar) | PRIDE 9: New Blood | 6/04/2000 | 1 | 6:44 | |
| Loss | Mark Coleman | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE Grand Prix 2000: Finals | 5/01/2000 | 1 | 15:00 | PRIDE 2000 Openweight GP Quarterfinal |
| Win | Ebenezer Fontes Braga | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE Grand Prix 2000: Opening Round | 1/30/2000 | 1 | 15:00 | PRIDE 2000 Openweight GP Opening Round |
| Draw | Ryushi Yanagisawa | Draw | Pancrase: 1999 Anniversary Show | 9/18/1999 | 1 | 15:00 | |
| Win | Larry Parker | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE 7 | 9/12/1999 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Guy Mezger | Decision (Split) | PRIDE 6 | 7/04/1999 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Igor Vovchanchyn | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE 5 | 4/29/1999 | 2 | 10:00 | |
| Win | Wallid Ismail | TKO (Punches) | PRIDE 4 | 10/11/1998 | 2 | 1:26 | |
| Draw | Adriano de Souza | Draw | GCM: Vale Tudo | 8/29/1998 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Draw | Daijiro Matsui | Draw | PRIDE 3 | 6/24/1998 | 4 | 10:00 | |
| Win | Juan Mott | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | PRIDE 2 | 3/15/1998 | 1 | 3:47 | |
| Draw | Renzo Gracie | Draw | PRIDE 1 | 10/11/1997 | 3 | 10:00 | |
| Loss | Kaichi Tsuji | Decision (Unanimous) | Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '97 Heavyweight Tournament | 7/27/1997 | 2 | 3:00 | |
| Win | Vidal Serradilla | Submission (Punches) | JECVTO: Japan Extreme Challenge Vale Tudo Open | 5/28/1997 | 1 | 2:16 | |
| Draw | Manabu Ohara | Draw | KP X WK: Koppo vs. Keisyukai | 11/30/1996 | 1 | 20:00 | |
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Though Shoji has a losing record, he gained much popularity for his die hard spirit, and his willingness to take on all comers, including the likes of Mark Coleman, Shogun Rua, Igor Vovchanchyn, and 7 foot tall Semmy Schilt.
According to fight commentator Stephen Quadros during one of the Pride FC events; Shoji writes out his Will before every competition in case he is killed during the fight.
After four years of being on the sidelines Shoji lost a retirement match at Deep: 53 Impact against Kazuo Misaki, which he lost by TKO in the second round. Both Misaki and Shoji broke out in tears after the fight, overwhelmed by emotions, knowing it was Shoji`s final match.
