Kazuma Sone has retired from MMA following his loss at Rizin 33. Following his second round stoppage loss to Shinobu Ota the former Shooto bantamweight champion announced he was hanging up his gloves.
Sone made his debut in 2008. He held the Shooto bantamweight title from 2018 until 2019 and also won belts with now defunct Japanese promotions Tenkaichi and Demolition.
The 33 year old fought five times for Rizin and also appeared on a ONE Warrior Series card. He retires with a record of 24-22-1.
Sone lost three out of his first four fights as a professional. But he bounced back to win his next five and holds victories over the likes of Yuto Hokamura, Mamoru Uoi and Teruto Ishihara.
His victory over Ishihara at Shooto 0131 last year would turn out to be the last of Sone’s career. He beat the UFC veteran by unanimous decision in something of an upset.
But Sone has lost seven out of his last eight MMA fights and after getting stopped by wrestling veteran Ota in the second round he has decided to call time on his 13 year MMA career.
