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 Title History:
IWGP Heavyweight Title (3):
Tournament History: None won.
Signature Moves:
- Knee strike
Profile: A big amaresu star at school, Fujita almost made it to the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. He was originally initated into New Japan in April, 1993, but it would be over three years later when he debuted, due to his amaresu commitments. His debut was against a man he would meet in the future on a higher podium, Yuji Nagata, who he was close to during his New Japan years. Tipped for a major role because of his massive potential, Fujita made the slow ascent up the ladder, performing young lion duties and climbing steadily. In 1999, he began to face fighters from the vale tudo scene, a sign of things to come. In January, 2000, he left New Japan to train for vale tudo fights under the guidance of mentor, Antonio Inoki. This would skyrocket his career, as he went on to enter the popular PRIDE promotion and became the Japanese heavyweight ace. His first major win came over Mark Kerr, but victories over Ken Shamrock, Gilbert Yvel, and other big fighting names, boosted his value and made him PRIDE's top native heavyweight. In April, 2001, at the Osaka Dome, he returned to New Japan in triumph, instantly capturing the IWGP Heavyweight Title and remaining undefeated until he was forced to vacate it due to an injury. In June, 2004, shortly after crushing Bob Sapp in a vale tudo fight, Fujita returned to the New Japan ring and won a decision match against Hiroshi Tanahashi to capture IWGP gold for the second time! A year later, he began touring again as part of Team JAPAN with old rivals Nagata, Nakanishi, and Kendo Kashin, leading to his third title reign. A New Japan trueborn, Fujita's power and skill have led him to great success and notability in both the mixed martial arts and pro wrestling worlds. One of Inoki's greatest successors, Fujita is regarded by many as the toughest fighter in Japan.
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