| Kana Morimoto | |
|---|---|
| Born | 森本佳奈 (1992-07-29)29 July 1992 (age 33) Matsusaka, Mie, Japan |
| Other names | KANA, カナ |
| Height | 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)[1] |
| Weight | 52 kg (115 lb; 8 st 3 lb) |
| Division | Flyweight |
| Style | Kickboxing |
| Fighting out of | Setagaya,Tokyo, Japan |
| Team | Team Aftermath (2024-Present) K-1 Gym Sangenjaya Silver Wolf[2] |
| Years active | 2015-present |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 30 |
| Wins | 24 |
| By knockout | 11 |
| Losses | 6 |
| By knockout | 0 |
| Other information | |
| University | Kokushikan University[3] |
| Website | https://kana-kick.com/profile/ |
Last updated on: 3 November 2020 | |
Kana Morimoto (森本佳奈, born 29 July 1992), popularly known asKANA, is a Japanesekickboxer competing withONE Championship. A professional competitor since 2015, she is the2019 K-1 Women's Flyweight Grand Prix winner, a two-timeKrush Women's Flyweight champion and one-timeK-1 Women's Flyweight champion.
She is the #9 ranked female kickboxer in the world by Combat Press, as of November 2020,[4] and has been ranked in the top ten since June 2018.[5]
Morimoto made her professional debut against a fellow debutante Koto Hiroaka at Krush 58 on 12 September 2015. She won the fight by a second-round knockout. The knockout was preceded by two knockdowns: the first was a standing knockdown in the first round, while the second resulted from an uppercut in the second round.[6]
Morimoto was scheduled to face the #5 ranked J-Girls mini-flyweight Miyako Mitsuhori at Krush 60 on 14 November 2015.[7] Mitsuhori was more experienced than Morimoto, with 20 professional bouts in her four year career.[8] Morimoto won the fight by a first-round knockout.[9]
Morimoto was scheduled to face the undefeated Jeong Hye Jin at Krush 63 on 5 February 2016.[10] Morimoto scored the first knockdown of the fight in the first round, countering Jin's jab with a right hook and following up with punches. Although she wasn't able to knock her opponent out, Morimoto inflicted enough damage that the ringside doctor had to be called in three seconds into the second round, to check the cut above Jin's left eye. The doctor opted to stop the fight, awarding Morimoto the technical knockout.[11]
Morimoto was scheduled to fight the former J-Girls mini-flyweight champion Momi for the vacantKrush Women's Flyweight title at Krush 65 on 10 April 2016.[12] Morimoto won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 29–28, 29–28 and 29–27. Morimoto scored the only knockdown of the fight in the third round, dropping Momi with a head kick.[13]
Morimoto made her first title defense against the one-time Krush title challenger Aki Gracyer at Krush 67 on 18 July 2016.[14] She won the fight by majority decision. Two of the judges scored the fight 30–28 and 29–28 in her favor, while the third judge scored it 29–28 for Graycer.[15]
Morimoto made her second title defense againstKai Ting Chuang at Krush 69 on 30 September 2016. She won the fight by a third-round knockout, landing a head kick with 31 seconds left in the bout.[16]
Morimoto was scheduled to make her third title defense againstMellony Geugjes at Krush 72 on 15 January 2017. Geugjes won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 28–26, 27–26 and 28–26. Morimoto suffered two knockdowns in the bout: she was knocked down with a left jab in the first round and with a right straight in the third round. It was the first loss of Morimoto's professional career.[17]
Morimoto was scheduled to face the former WBC Muaythai International Super Flyweight championGrace Spicer at Krush 76 on 28 May 2017. She won the fight by a wide unanimous decision, with scores of 30–26, 30–26 and 30–25.[18]
Morimoto was scheduled to face the incumbent ISKA World Atomweight Full Contact championEmilie Machut at Krush 79 on 20 August 2017.[19] She won the fight by a first-round knockout, dropping Machut with a right hook with 5 seconds left in the round. During her post-fight interview, Morimoto called for a rematch with Mellony Geugjes.[20]
Morimoto was scheduled to rematchMellony Geugjes for theKrush Women's Flyweight title at Krush 83 on 9 December 2017. She won the closely contested bout by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–29, 29–28 and 30–28.[21]
Morimoto made herK-1 debut against Polina Petukhova atK-1 World GP 2019: K’FESTA 2 on 21 March 2018. In preparation for the bout, Morimoto trained with the reigningWBA andWBO world championNaoko Fujioka.[22] She won the fight by a dominant unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the 30–26 in her favor. Morimoto scored the sole knockdown of the fight at the very end of the second round, dropping Petukhova with a head kick.[23]
Morimoto was scheduled to make the first title defense of her second title reign againstKim Townsend at Krush 88 on 17 May 2018.[24] The fight was ruled a draw after the first three rounds were contested, with two of the judges scoring the fight as an even 28–28 draw and the third judge scoring the fight 29–28 for Townsend. Morimoto was awarded the unanimous decision, after an extra round was fought.[25]
Morimoto was scheduled to make her second title defense against Liu Shibei in the main event of Krush 92 on 18 August 2018.[26] She won the fight by a second-round knockout, stopping Shibei with a liver kick midway through the round.[27]
Morimoto was scheduled to face the two-time IFMA World medalistJosefine Lindgren Knutsson atK-1 World GP 2018: 3rd Super Lightweight Championship Tournament on 3 November 2018.[28] She won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 29–27, 29–27 and 30–28.[29] During the post-fight press conference, Morimoto revealed that she had suffered a bicep tear, in her right arm, during the second round.[30]
Morimoto and Knutsson were scheduled to rematch atK'Festa 2 on 10 March 2019.[31] Knutsson was more successful in the rematch, winning the fight by majority decision, with scores of 30–28, 30–29 and 29–29.[32]
Morimoto was scheduled to face MahiroK-1 World GP 2019: Japan vs World 5 vs 5 & Special Superfight in Osaka on 24 August 2019.[33] She won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–27, 30–27 and 30–28.[34]
Morimoto was scheduled to participate in the2019 K-1 Women's Flyweight Championship Tournament, held to crown the inaugural women's flyweight champion, on 28 December 2019. She was scheduled to face the reigning ISKA atomweight andEnfusion 52 kg championCristina Morales in the tournament semifinals.[35] Morimoto won the fight by a unanimous decision, with scores of 29–27, 30–27 and 29–27. She scored the sole knockdown of the fight in the third round, dropping Morales with a short right hook.[36]
Morimoto fought a rubber match withJosefine Lindgren Knutsson in the tournament finals. Each held a decision win over the other entering the bout, although Morimoto was regarded as the favorite. The fight was ruled a majority draw following the first three rounds, with one of the judges scoring the bout 29–28 for Morimoto. Morimoto was awarded a split decision after an extra round was fought.[37]
Morimoto was scheduled to faceGloria Peritore in a non-title bout atK'Festa 3 on 22 March 2020.[38] She won the fight by a first-round knockout, landing a right hook with 18 seconds left in the round.[39]
Morimoto was scheduled to faceKotomi atK-1 World GP 2020 in Fukuoka on 3 November 2020.[40] Despite coming into the fight as a favorite, Morimoto lost the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 28–29, 29–30 and 29–30.[41]
Morimoto was scheduled to make the first defense of herK-1 Women's Flyweight Championship atK-1 World GP 2022 Japan on 27 February 2022, in an immediate rematch with theKrush Women's Flyweight championKotomi.[42] Kotomi later withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Ran, who faced Morimoto in a non-title bout.[43] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[44]
Morimoto faced Souris Manfredi in a non-title bout atK-1: Ring of Venus on 25 June 2022.[45] Morimoto knocked Manfredi down twice in the first round, before winning the fight by a third-round knockout, stopping Manfredi with a head kick at the 2:26 minute mark of the last round.[46]
Morimoto faced the formerEnfusion andWAKO champion Aurore Dos Santos in a non-title bout atK-1 World GP 2022 in Osaka on December 3, 2022.[47] She won the fight by first-round technical knockout, as she stopped Dos Santos with a flurry of punches with just five seconds left in the opening frame.[48]
Morimoto made her secondK-1 Women's Flyweight title defense against the one-timeFEA andWAKO world champion Funda Alkayış atK-1 World GP 2023: K'Festa 6 on March 12, 2023.[49] She won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.[50]
On May 25, 2023, K-1 announced that Morimoto would make her third flyweight championship defense againstAmy Pirnie atK-1 World GP 2023 on July 17, 2023.[51] That same day, Pirnie released a statement on herInstagram profile claiming that she was still in negotiations with the promotion at the time the bout was announced and would be withdrawing from them due to the perceived bad treatment.[52] Morimoto was rescheduled to face McKenna Wade at the same event.[53] She won the fight by a first-round knockout, 58 seconds into the opening round.[54]
Morimoto was scheduled to make the fourth defense of herK-1 Women's Flyweight (-52kg) Championship atK-1 ReBIRTH 2 on December 9, 2023, against WKU world championAntonia Prifti.[55] She lost the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the contest 30–29 for Prifti.[56]
Morimoto signed withONE Championship on September 6, 2024.[57]
Morimoto faced Moa Carlsson on January 31, 2025, atONE Friday Fights 95. She won the fight via unanimous decision.[58]
Morimoto facedPhetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom for theONE Women's Atomweight Kickboxing World Championship on March 23, 2025, atONE 172.[59] She lost the bout via unanimous decision.[60]
Morimoto will face the formerONE Atomweight Muay Thai World champion andONE Atomweight Kickboxing World championStamp Fairtex atONE 173 on November 16, 2025.[61]
| 24 Wins (11(T)KOs), 6 Losses | ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-16 | Win |  Stamp Fairtex | ONE 173 | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 24–6 |
| 2025-03-23 | Loss | Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom | ONE 172 | Saitama,Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | 23–6 |
| For theONE Women's Atomweight Kickboxing World Championship. | ||||||||
| 2025-01-31 | Win |  Moa Carlsson | ONE Friday Fights 95,Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok,Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 23–5 |
| 2024-12-07 | Loss |  Anissa Meksen | ONE Friday Fights 92,Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok,Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 22–5 |
| 2023-12-09 | Loss |  Antonia Prifti | K-1 ReBIRTH 2 | Osaka, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 22–4 |
| Loses theK-1 Women's Flyweight Championship. | ||||||||
| 2023-07-17 | Win |  McKenna Wade | K-1 World GP 2023 | Tokyo, Japan | KO (Body kick) | 1 | 0:58 | 22–3 |
| Defends theK-1 Women's Flyweight Championship. | ||||||||
| 2023-03-12 | Win |  Funda Alkayış | K-1 World GP 2023: K'Festa 6 | Tokyo, Japan | TKO (retirement/low kicks) | 2 | 1:31 | 21–3 |
| Defends theK-1 Women's Flyweight Championship. | ||||||||
| 2022-12-03 | Win |  Aurore Dos Santos | K-1 World GP 2022 in Osaka | Osaka,Japan | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 2:55 | 20–3 |
| 2022-06-25 | Win | Souris Manfredi | K-1: Ring of Venus | Tokyo,Japan | KO (High kick) | 3 | 1:28 | 19–3 |
| Defends theK-1 Women's Flyweight Championship. | ||||||||
| 2022-02-27 | Win |  Ran | K-1 World GP 2022 Japan | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 18–3 |
| 2020-11-03 | Loss | Kotomi | K-1 World GP 2020 in Fukuoka | Fukuoka, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 17–3 |
| 2020-03-22 | Win |  Gloria Peritore | K'Festa 3 | Tokyo,Japan | KO (Right hook) | 1 | 2:42 | 17–2 |
| 2019-12-28 | Win | Josefine Lindgren Knutsson | K-1 World GP 2019 Japan: ～Women's Flyweight Championship Tournament～ | Nagoya,Japan | Ext. R. Decision (Split) | 4 | 3:00 | 16–2 |
| Won theK-1 Women's Flyweight Championship. | ||||||||
| 2019-12-28 | Win |  Cristina Morales | K-1 World GP 2019 Japan: ～Women's Flyweight Championship Tournament～ | Nagoya,Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 15–2 |
| 2019-08-24 | Win | Mahiro | K-1 World GP 2019: Japan vs World 5 vs 5 & Special Superfight in Osaka | Osaka,Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 14–2 |
| 2019-03-10 | Loss | Josefine Lindgren Knutsson | K'Festa 2 | Tokyo,Japan | Decision (Majority) | 3 | 3:00 | 13–2 |
| 2018-11-03 | Win | Josefine Lindgren Knutsson | K-1 World GP 2018: 3rd Super Lightweight Championship Tournament | Saitama, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 13–1 |
| 2018-08-18 | Win |  Liu Shibei | Krush 92 | Nagoya,Japan | KO (Liver kick) | 2 | 1:38 | 12–1 |
| Defends theKrush Women's Flyweight title. | ||||||||
| 2018-05-17 | Win |  Kim Townsend | Krush 88 | Tokyo,Japan | Ext. R. Decision (Unanimous) | 4 | 3:00 | 11–1 |
| Defends theKrush Women's Flyweight title. | ||||||||
| 2018-03-21 | Win |  Polina Petukhova | K-1 World GP 2018: K'FESTA.1 | Saitama, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 10–1 |
| 2017-12-09 | Win |  Mellony Geugjes | Krush 83 | Tokyo,Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 9–1 |
| Wins theKrush Women's Flyweight title. | ||||||||
| 2017-08-20 | Win | Emilie Machut | Krush 79 | Tokyo,Japan | KO (Right hook) | 1 | 2:55 | 8–1 |
| 2017-05-28 | Win | Grace Spicer | Krush 76 | Tokyo,Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 7–1 |
| 2017-01-15 | Loss | Mellony Geugjes | Krush 72 | Tokyo,Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 6–1 |
| Loses theKrush Women's Flyweight title. | ||||||||
| 2016-09-30 | Win |  Kill Bee | Krush 69 | Tokyo,Japan | KO (Head kick) | 3 | 2:29 | 6–0 |
| Defends theKrush Women's Flyweight title. | ||||||||
| 2016-07-18 | Win | Aki Gracyer | Krush 67 | Tokyo,Japan | Decision (Majority) | 3 | 3:00 | 5–0 |
| Defends theKrush Women's Flyweight title. | ||||||||
| 2016-04-10 | Win | Momi | Krush 65 | Tokyo,Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 4 | 3:00 | 4–0 |
| Wins theKrush Women's Flyweight title. | ||||||||
| 2016-02-05 | Win |  Jeong Hye Jin | Krush 63 | Tokyo,Japan | TKO (Doctor stoppage) | 2 | 0:03 | 3–0 |
| 2015-11-14 | Win | Miyako Mitsuhori | Krush 60 | Tokyo,Japan | KO (Punch) | 1 | 1:09 | 2–0 |
| 2015-09-12 | Win | Koto Hiraoka | Krush 58 | Tokyo,Japan | KO (Right hook) | 2 | 1:54 | 1–0 |
| Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes | ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-04-26 | Win | Mari Suzuki | K-1 Amateur 5, B-Class Challenge Tournament Final | Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 2 | 2:00 | |
| 2015-02-15 | Win | Shizuka Kobayashi | K-1 Amateur 4, Final | Tokyo, Japan | Decision | |||
| 2015-02-15 | Win | Reiko Asai | K-1 Amateur 4, Semi Final | Tokyo, Japan | Decision | |||
| Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes | ||||||||