Training Style

Kondo works out 5 days a week. He does stretching, weight training and cardio in the mornings and spars in the p.m. with others at the dojo. Two days a week he does kickbox and boxing and also does a light work out and submission on another day. Some times he will go to Yokohama and work out with other fighters at the Pancrase dojo there.

UFC History

At UFC 27, Yuki defeated Alexandre "Cafe" Dantas (BJJ) by referee stoppage due to strikes in one of the best matches of the year. Dantas showed great grappling ability in the first round, taking Kondo to the mat and eventually getting full mount. Dantas appeared close to getting an armbar in the second round but Kondo showed his experience and escaped. Kondo showed superior striking skills and eventually wore Dantas down, forcing a referee stop due to strikes at 2:28 in the third round. “It is was a good fight and I feel very happy with the victory. I found my weakness and things that I had to work on through the fight.”

At UFC 29 (12/16/00), Kondo lost to Tito Ortiz. Kondo rocked Tito early with a flying knee but Tito recovered quickly and Kondo eventually tapped out to a neck crank at 1:51. “I am very sorry and disappointed that I could not win over Tito, but I am working out very hard and I anticipate the rematch. I want to be the new UFC light heavyweight champion.”

UFC 32
Vladimir Matyushenko def Yuki Kondo via Unanimous decision

More Information

Kondo trained in Shorinji Kempo when he was in high school, earning the rank of 2nd degree black belt. Kondo made his debut with Pancrase when he was 21 years old. The person he looks up to most is Masakatsu Funaki (one of the original founders of Pancrase) and he decided to join Pancrase because of Funaki being part of the organization. Kondo was the Pancrase Neo Blood Champion in 1996 and was the fifth and eighth KOP (King of Pancrase). He is currently the #1 ranked Pancrase contender. In Pancrase competition, Yuki has wins over such notables as Frank Shamrock, Masa Funaki, Semmy Schilt, Guy Mezger, Minoru Suzuki, Pete Williams and Jason DeLucia, to name a few. Yuki has had 42 matches with 30 wins, 9 losses and 3 draws.

In matches where closed fist strikes were allowed, Yuki is 6 and 2.

On 5/26/00, Kondo defeated Abu Dhabi grappling champion and multi-time world Jiu-Jitsu champion, Saulo Ribeiro in 22 seconds at the Colosseum 2000 show in Japan. Kondo caught Ribeiro on the way in with a kick to the head that was followed up by two knees and a barrage of punches that forced Ribeiro’s corner to throw in the towel. Yuki says, "I really appreciate the opportunity to compete in the American Premier MMA event: "UFC". I want to test my skills to face any and all skilled athletes all over the world. I would like as many American people as possible to watch my upcoming fight."

For fun Kondo likes riding his motorcycle and driving his car, among other things.