{{short description|Japanese mixed martial artist}} {{For|footballer|Naoki Inoue (footballer)}} {{For|athlete|Naoki Inoue (sprinter)}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Naoki Inoue | other_names = | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = 井上直樹 | birth_date ={{birth date and age|1997|6|14}} | birth_place = Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | residence = | nationality = | height = {{height|ft=5|in=8}} | weight = {{convert|125|lb|kg st|abbr=on}} | weight_class = Bantamweight <br/> Flyweight | reach_in = 71 | reach_footnote = | style = Karate, Brazilian jiu-jitsu | stance = | fighting_out_of = Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan | team = Hakushinkai Karate <br /> LAW MMA<ref name=amma20>{{cite web|url=https://asianmma.com/naoki-inoue-is-happy-to-be-fighting-in-japan-again-ahead-of-rizin-22/|title= Naoki Inoue is happy to be fighting in Japan again ahead of Rizin 22|author=James Goyder|date=August 6, 2020|website=asianmma.com}}</ref> <br /> Sonic Squad<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzr9UMGZI50|title=Naoki Inoue working with Tenshin's boxing coach ahead of Rizin 26|author=John Hyon Ko|date=December 21, 2020|via=Youtube}}</ref> | rank = Black belt in karate <br /> Blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu | years_active = 2014–present | mma_kowin = 2 | mma_subwin = 9 | mma_decwin = 10 | mma_koloss = | mma_subloss = | mma_decloss = 4 | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | relatives = Mizuki Inoue | url = | sherdog = 158487 | footnotes = | updated = }}
'''Naoki Inoue''' ({{langx|ja|井上直樹}}; born 14 June 1997) is a Japanese mixed martial artist competing in the bantamweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation, where he is a former Rizin Bantamweight champion. A professional mixed martial artist since 2014, Inoue has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
==Background== When Inoue was seven, his parents told him to do some extracurricular activity. He wanted to be strong, therefore he picked martial arts. Inoue received a first-degree black belt in karate and a blue belt in BJJ. He won the J-Network's All-Japan amateur championship as well as won the DEEP Future King (rookie) tournament in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufcespanol.com/athlete/naoki-inoue|title=Naoki Inoue|website=UFC|date=14 September 2018}}</ref>
==Mixed martial arts career== ===Early career=== Inoue made his amateur mixed martial arts debut on February 9, 2014, when he faced Gaku Sakamoto at Deep - Nagoya Impact 2014. He won via first-round submission using an armbar. Following this, Inoue compiled a professional record of 10–0, with wins over Yuya Shibata and Tomohiro Adaniya, before signing with the UFC in the winter of 2017.
===Ultimate Fighting Championship=== Inoue made his promotional debut on June 17, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia against Carls John de Tomas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/cj-de-tomas-signs-with-ufc-to-make-debut-in-singapore/82307|title=CJ De Tomas signs with UFC, to make debut in Singapore|date=April 3, 2017|website=tiebreakertimes.com.ph|author=Matthew Li}}</ref> At the weigh-ins Carls John de Tomas came in at 131 lbs, five pounds over the flyweight limit of 126 lbs. As a result, he was fined 30% of the purse, which went to Inoue, and their bout proceeded as scheduled at a catchweight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/06/ufc-fight-night-111-early-weigh-in-results-and-live-video-stream-9-p-m-et|title=UFC Fight Night 111 early weigh-in results: Headliner cleared, one prelim fighter heavy|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2017-06-16|accessdate=2017-06-16}}</ref> Inoue won the fight by unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/06/ufc-fight-night-111-results-naoki-inoue-tops-carls-john-de-tomas-in-clash-of-flyweight-newcomers|title=UFC Fight Night 111 results: Naoki Inoue tops Carls John de Tomas in clash of flyweight newcomers|date=17 June 2017|publisher=}}</ref>
Inoue was expected to face Jenel Lausa on September 23, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 117,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mmadna.nl/twee-nieuwe-gevechten-voor-ufc-saitama/|title=UFC adds two Flyweight fights for UFC Japan|publisher=mmadna.nl|author=Marcel Dorff|date=14 July 2017|language=Dutch|accessdate=2017-07-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Naoki Inoue vs. Jenel Lausa added to UFC Fight Night 117 in Japan|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/08/naoki-inoue-jenel-lausa-ufc-fight-night-117-japan|website=MMAjunkie.com|accessdate=August 14, 2017|date=August 12, 2017}}</ref> but was pulled from the card due to a dislocated shoulder.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/bout-pulled-ufc-fight-night-japan|title=Bout Pulled From UFC Fight Night Japan {{!}} Fightful MMA|website=www.fightful.com|language=en|access-date=2017-09-14}}</ref>
Inoue faced Matt Schnell on June 23, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 132.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Ovince-St-Preux-vs-Tyson-Pedro-Two-Other-Bouts-Booked-for-UFC-Fight-Night-132-in-Singapore-135049|title=Ovince St. Preux vs. Tyson Pedro, Two Other Bouts Booked for UFC Fight Night 132 in Singapore|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2018-04-15}}</ref> He lost the fight via split decision.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/06/matt-schnell-naoki-inoue-ufc-fight-night-132-singapore-results|title=UFC Fight Night 132 results: Matt Schnell counters his way to split over Naoki Inoue|date=2018-06-23|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-06-23|language=en-US}}</ref>
On January 11, 2019, it was reported that Inoue was removed from the UFC roster.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://asianmma.com/naoki-inoue-cut-by-ufc-signs-with-cffc/|title=Naoki Inoue cut by UFC, signs with CFFC|publisher=asianmma.com|author=Asian MMA|date=2019-01-11|access-date=2026-03-02}}</ref>
===Cage Fury FC=== After departing from the UFC, Inoue faced Sean Santella in a flyweight bout at CFFC 72 on February 16, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|website=MMAJunkie.com|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2019/01/naoki-inoue-signs-with-cffc-meets-sean-santella-in-february|title=Two-time UFC vet Naoki Inoue signs with CFFC, meets Sean Santella in February|author=MMAJunkie.com Staff|date=January 5, 2019|accessdate=January 7, 2019}}</ref> He lost the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mymmanews.com/cffc-72-results/|title=CFFC 72 results – Sean Brady is STILL CFFC WW Champion; Daukaus New Middleweight Champion|author=Kyle Carroll|date=February 2019|website=mymmanews.com}}</ref>
===Return to DEEP=== Inoue eventually returned to DEEP, facing Toshiaki Kitada at Deep 93 on December 15, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asianmma.com/full-fight-card-released-for-deep-93/|title= Full fight card released for Deep 93 |date=December 11, 2019|website=asianmma.com}}</ref> He won the fight via first-round submission.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asianmma.com/koji-takeda-submits-juri-ohara-in-trilogy-title-bout-at-deep-93/|title= Koji Takeda submits Juri Ohara at Deep 93|date=December 15, 2019|website=asianmma.com|author=Hidetoshi Miura}}</ref>
===Rizin FF=== On January 24, 2020, news surfaced that Inoue was scheduled to face Trent Girdham at Rizin 21 – Hamamatsu on February 22, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/1/24/21079925/several-fights-announced-rizin-21-february-mma|title=Several fights announced for RIZIN 21 |author=Guilherme Cruz|publisher=mmafighting.com|date=January 24, 2020}}</ref> Inoue won the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lowkickmma.com/naoki-inoue-defeats-trent-girdham-at-rizin-21/|title=Naoki Inoue Defeats Trent Girdham At RIZIN 21|date=February 22, 2020|website=lowkickmma.com|author=Michael Clifton}}</ref>
In his sophomore bout in the promotion, Inoue faced Shooto Watanabe at Rizin 22 – Starting Over on August 9, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lowkickmma.com/rizin-announce-major-signing-adds-more-bouts-to-rizin-22-23/|title=RIZIN Announces Major Signing, Adds More Bouts To RIZIN 22,23|date=July 20, 2020|website=lowkickmma.com|author=Michael Clifton}}</ref> He won the fight via first-round submission.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/08/rizin-ff-22-live-results|title=Rizin FF 22 live results|author=Simon Head|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=August 9, 2020}}</ref>
Inoue faced Yuki Motoya at Rizin 26 on December 31, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asianmma.com/ayaka-hamasaki-and-miyuu-yamamoto-face-off-in-super-atomweight-title-fight-at-rizin-26/|title= Ayaka Hamasaki and Miyuu Yamamoto face off in super atomweight title fight at Rizin 26|date=December 2, 2020|website=asianmma.com}}</ref> He won the fight by rear naked choke, three minutes into the first round.<ref>{{cite web |title=【RIZIN】元UFC戦士・井上直樹が鮮烈一本勝ち、四天王・元谷友貴からタップを奪い、タイトル挑戦を熱望！ |url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/f89827a5df24ea4e8738586bea94de0d34ce7658 |website=news.yahoo.co.jp |access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>
==== Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix 2021 ==== Inoue faced Shintaro Ishiwatari in the opening round of the Bantamweight Grand Prix at Rizin 28 on June 13, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-23|title=Kai Asakura faces Shooto Watanabe at postponed Rizin 28 {{!}} Asian MMA|url=https://asianmma.com/kai-asakura-faces-shooto-watanabe-at-postponed-rizin-28/|access-date=2021-04-23|website=AsianMMA|language=en}}</ref> He won the bout via soccer kick knockout in the first round.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cruz|first=Guilherme|date=2021-06-13|title=RIZIN 28 results, videos: Roberto Satoshi wins lightweight belt with 72-second submission|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/6/13/22531889/rizin-28-results-videos-roberto-satoshi-title-tenshin-nasukawa-kleber-koike-mma|access-date=2021-06-14|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}}</ref>
Inoue was scheduled to face Yuto Hokamura in the quarterfinals on September 19, 2021, at Rizin 30.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-20|title=Ayaka Hamasaki faces Emi Fujino at Rizin 30 {{!}} Asian MMA|url=https://asianmma.com/ayaka-hamasaki-faces-emi-fujino-at-rizin-30/|access-date=2021-07-20|website=AsianMMA|language=en}}</ref> He won the fight by unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web |title=ＲＩＺＩＮ"Ｖ本命"井上直樹が"豪腕"金太郎に辛勝 鼻血も決定打許さず |url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/1981b4591bfcc1a32e7b50e59711f85447855348 |website=news.yahoo.co.jp |access-date=19 September 2021}}</ref>
In the semi-finals, Inoue faced Hiromasa Ougikubo on December 31, 2021, at Rizin 33.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-30|title=Rizin FF 33 bantamweight grand prix semifinals set: Former champion Kai Asakura draws Kenta Takizawa|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/11/rizin-ff-33-bantamweight-grand-prix-semifinals-kai-asakura-vs-kenta-takizawa|access-date=2021-11-30|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}}</ref> He lost the bout via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web|title=【ＲＩＺＩＮ】扇久保博正が井上直樹に判定勝ちで決勝進出 バンタム級Ｔ - 格闘技 : 日刊スポーツ|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/202112310000428.html|access-date=2021-12-31|website=nikkansports.com|language=ja}}</ref>
====Later bantamweight career==== After suffering his first loss under the Rizin banner, Inoue was booked to face Kenta Takizawa at Rizin 37 on July 31, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Goyder |first1=James |title=Naoki Inoue faces Kenta Takizawa at Rizin 37 |url=https://asianmma.com/naoki-inoue-faces-kenta-takizawa-at-rizin-37/ |website=asianmma.com |access-date=4 July 2022 |date=24 June 2022}}</ref> However, in late July it was reported that Inoue withdrew from the bout citing a knee injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asianmma.com/naoki-inoue-tears-meniscus-out-of-rizin-37/|title= Naoki Inoue tears meniscus, out of Rizin 37 |date=July 26, 2022|website=asianmma.com}}</ref>
Inoue faced Kenta Takizawa on December 31, 2022, at Rizin 40<ref>{{Cite web |title=【RIZIN】大みそかBellator対抗戦の最後のカードは武田光司！ 榊原CEOも期待「満場一致でお願いしたい」（オリコン） |url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/d58ac831f4fd7ebb938d47a04770183a68e10a14 |access-date=2022-11-12 |website=Yahoo!ニュース |language=ja |archive-date=2022-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112052644/https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/d58ac831f4fd7ebb938d47a04770183a68e10a14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and won by submission via kimura in the second round.<ref>{{Cite web |title=【RIZIN】井上直樹が1年ぶり復帰戦で鮮やか一本！ 瀧澤の顔が鮮血で染まる（ENCOUNT） |url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/ba1db05d6ef67871630f46bba41e1bc6d4ac1230 |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=Yahoo!ニュース |language=ja}}</ref>
Inoue faced the former Bellator Bantamweight Champion Juan Archuleta at Rizin 42 on May 6, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=【RIZIN】アーチュレッタを迎え撃つのは井上直樹！ 「自分がRIZINのチャンピオンとして顔としてやっていく」（アーチュレッタ）、「次につなげるために勝つ」（井上） |url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/8eb0cc275c9bd5e1ee818eea89921cab76a10ecf |website=news.yahoo.co.jp |access-date=6 March 2023 |archive-date=6 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306112803/https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/8eb0cc275c9bd5e1ee818eea89921cab76a10ecf |url-status=dead }}</ref> He lost the fight by unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web |title=【RIZIN】元ベラトール王者アーチュレッタ 井上直樹に判定勝利！バンタム級王座決定戦へ進出 |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/battle/news/2023/05/06/kiji/20230506s00003000482000c.html |website=sponichi.co.jp |access-date=6 May 2023}}</ref>
Inoue was scheduled to face Shinobu Ota at Rizin Landmark 6 on October 1, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asianmma.com/naoki-inoue-faces-shinobu-ota-at-rizin-landmark-6/|title= Naoki Inoue faces Shinobu Ota at Rizin Landmark 6 |date=September 4, 2023|website=asianmma.com}}</ref> However, Inoue withdrew from the bout due to an unknown reason and was replaced by Shoko Sato.
Inoue faced Shoko Sato at RIZIN Landmark 9 on March 23, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rogers |first1=Kian |title=Elite BJJ Black Belts To Compete At RIZIN Landmark 9 |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/elite-bjj-black-belts-to-compete-at-rizin-landmark-9/ |access-date=5 February 2024 |website=Jitsmagazine}}</ref> He went on to win the bout via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |title=【試合結果】RIZIN LANDMARK 9 in KOBE 第10試合／井上直樹 vs. 佐藤将光 - RIZIN FIGHTING FEDERATION オフィシャルサイト |url=https://jp.rizinff.com/_ct/17690944 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=jp.rizinff.com |language=en}}</ref>
====Rizin Bantamweight champion==== Inoue faced Kim Soo-chul for the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship on September 29, 2024 at Rizin 48.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2024-07-28 |title=UFC Alum Naoki Inoue Gets Title Shot, Roberto Satoshi vs. Luiz Gustavo Set for RIZIN 48 |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/07/28/ufc-alum-naoki-inoue-title-shot-roberto-satoshi-luiz-gustavo-rizin-48/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref> He won the bout via technical knockout in the first round.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RIZIN 48 Sees Roberto De Souza Defend Gold, Naoki Inoue Claim It |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/29/rizin-48-results/ |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
In his first title defense, Inoue faced Yuki Motoya on March 29, 2026, at Rizin 50.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2024-12-31 |title=Naoki Inoue to Defend RIZIN Bantamweight Title Against Yuki Motoya in March |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/12/31/naoki-inoue-defend-rizin-bantamweight-title-against-yuki-motoya-march/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref> He won the fight via split decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sargent |first=Robert |title=Naoki Inoue Defeats Yuki Motoya Again to Retain Title at Rizin 50 |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Naoki-Inoue-Defeats-Yuki-Motoya-Again-to-Retain-Title-at-Rizin-50-196532 |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}</ref>
Inoue made his second title defense against Ryuya Fukuda on July 25, 2025, at Super Rizin 4.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Guilherme |date=2025-06-08 |title=RIZIN announces 3 title fights, return of Patricky Pitbull for July card in Japan |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/6/8/24444985/rizin-announces-three-title-fights-return-patricky-pitbull-july-card-japan |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref> He won the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Guilherme |date=2025-07-28 |title=Super RIZIN 4 results: Mikuru Asakura gets revenge on Kleber Koike, Shunta Nomura beats Patricky Pitbull to set up title fight |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/pfl/457148/pfl-announces-first-4-events-for-2026-plans-for-24-total-shows-next-year |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=MMA Fighting: UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) News, Results |language=en-US}}</ref>
For his third title defense, Inoue faced Danny Sabatello on December 31, 2025, at Rizin: Shiwasu no Cho Tsuwamono Matsuri.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2025-11-10 |title=Six Title Fights, RIZIN Super Powerhouse Festival Announced for New Year’s Eve |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/11/10/six-title-fights-rizin-super-powerhouse-festival-announced-for-new-years-eve/ |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref> He lost the title via split decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Guilherme |date=2025-12-31 |title=RIZIN NYE results: Danny Sabatello grinds out title win, Seika Izawa survives scare to go 18-0 |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/rizin/464131/rizin-nye-results-danny-sabatello-grinds-out-title-win-seika-izawa-survives-scare-to-go-18-0 |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=MMA Fighting: UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) News, Results |language=en-US}}</ref>
====Post-championship==== Inoue faced Marcirley Alves in a crossover fight between PFL and Rizin on May 23, 2026, at PFL Brussels.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2026-03-27 |title=PFL/RIZIN Crossover Sees Naoki Inoue Face Marcirley Alves |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2026/03/27/pfl-rizin-crossover-sees-naoki-inoue-face-marcirley-alves/ |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref> He won the fight via split decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knapp |first=Brian |title=Unbeaten Patrick Habirora squashes Benson Henderson in PFL Brussels headliner |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Unbeaten-Patrick-Habirora-squashes-Benson-Henderson-in-PFL-Brussels-headliner-201290 |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}</ref>
== Championships and accomplishments ==
=== Mixed martial arts === *'''Rizin Fighting Federation''' ** Rizin Bantamweight Championship (One time) ***Two successful title defenses
==Mixed martial arts record== {{MMArecordbox |ko-wins=2 |ko-losses=0 |sub-wins=9 |sub-losses=0 |dec-wins=10 |dec-losses=5 |nc= }} {{MMA record start}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|21–5 |Marcirley Alves |Decision (split) |PFL Brussels: Habirora vs. Henderson |{{dts|2026|May|23}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Brussels, Belgium | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|20–5 |Danny Sabatello |Decision (split) |Rizin: Shiwasu no Cho Tsuwamono Matsuri |{{dts|2025|December|31}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Saitama, Japan |{{small|Lost the Rizin Bantamweight Championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|20–4 |Ryuya Fukuda |Decision (unanimous) |Super Rizin 4 |{{dts|2025|July|27}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Saitama, Japan |{{small|Defended the Rizin Bantamweight Championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|19–4 |Yuki Motoya |Decision (split) |Rizin 50 |{{dts|2025|March|29}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Takamatsu, Japan |{{small|Defended the Rizin Bantamweight Championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|18–4 |Soo Chul Kim |TKO (punches) |Rizin 48 |{{dts|2024|September|29}} |align=center|1 |align=center|3:55 |Saitama, Japan |{{small|Won the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|17–4 |Shoko Sato |Decision (unanimous) |Rizin Landmark 9 |{{dts|2024|March|23}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Kobe, Japan | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|16–4 |Juan Archuleta |Decision (unanimous) |Rizin 42 |{{dts|2023|May|06}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Tokyo, Japan | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|16–3 |Kenta Takizawa |Submission (kimura) |Rizin 40 |{{dts|2022|December|31}} |align=center|2 |align=center|3:53 |Saitama, Japan | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|15–3 |Hiromasa Ougikubo |Decision (unanimous) |Rizin 33 |{{dts|2021|December|31}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Saitama, Japan |{{small|2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Semifinal.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|15–2 |Yuto Hokamura |Decision (unanimous) |Rizin 30 |{{dts|2021|September|19}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Saitama, Japan |{{small|2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|14–2 |Shintaro Ishiwatari |KO (punches and soccer kick) |Rizin 28 |{{dts|2021|June|13}} |align=center|1 |align=center|2:01 |Tokyo, Japan |{{small|2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Opening round.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|13–2 |Yuki Motoya |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Rizin 26 |{{dts|2020|December|31}} |align=center|1 |align=center|3:00 |Saitama, Japan | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|12–2 |Shooto Watanabe |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Rizin 22 |{{dts|2020|August|9}} |align=center|1 |align=center|1:40 |Yokohama, Japan | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|11–2 |Trent Girdham |Decision (unanimous) |Rizin 21 |{{dts|2020|February|22}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Hamamatsu, Japan | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|10–2 |Toshiaki Kitada |Submission (rear-naked choke) |DEEP 93 Impact |{{dts|2019|December|15}} |align=center|1 |align=center|2:41 |Tokyo, Japan |{{small|Bantamweight debut.}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|9–2 |Sean Santella |Decision (unanimous) |Cage Fury FC 72 |{{dts|2019|February|16}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|9–1 |Matt Schnell |Decision (split) |UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Edwards |{{dts|2018|June|23}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Kallang, Singapore | |- | {{yes2}}Win |align=center| 9–0 | Carls John de Tomas | Decision (unanimous) |UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia | {{dts|2017|June|17}} |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Kallang, Singapore |{{small|Catchweight (131 lb) bout; de Tomas missed weight.}} |- | {{yes2}}Win |align=center| 8–0 | Tomohiro Adaniya | Decision (majority) | DEEP 78 Impact | {{dts|2017|March|18}} |align=center| 2 |align=center| 5:00 |Tokyo, Japan | |- | {{yes2}}Win |align=center| 7–0 | Yuya Shibata | Submission (armbar) | DEEP Cage Impact 2016 in Osaka | {{dts|2016|October|9}} |align=center| 2 |align=center| 2:51 |Tokyo, Japan | |- | {{yes2}}Win |align=center| 6–0 | Go Minamide | Decision (majority) | DEEP 77 Impact | {{dts|2016|August|27}} |align=center| 2 |align=center| 5:00 |Tokyo, Japan | |- | {{yes2}}Win |align=center| 5–0 | Naoyuki Kato | Submission (rear-naked choke) | DEEP Nagoya Impact: Kobudo Fight 17 | {{dts|2016|June|12}} |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:44 |Tokyo, Japan | |- | {{yes2}}Win |align=center| 4–0 | Iyori Akiba | Submission (rear-naked choke) | DEEP Cage Impact 2016 | {{dts|2016|April|23}} |align=center| 1 |align=center| 4:32 |Tokyo, Japan | |- | {{yes2}}Win |align=center| 3–0 | Chikara Shimabukuro | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP 74 Impact | {{dts|2015|December|20}} |align=center| 2 |align=center| 5:00 |Tokyo, Japan | |- | {{yes2}}Win |align=center| 2–0 | Kenji Yamanaka | Submission (rear-naked choke) | DEEP 72 Impact | {{dts|2015|May|16}} |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:21 |Tokyo, Japan | |- | {{yes2}}Win |align=center| 1–0 | Kanta Sato | Submission (armbar) | DEEP Nagoya Impact: Kobudo Fight 16 | {{dts|2015|March|8}} |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:49 |Tokyo, Japan | {{small|Flyweight debut.}} {{end}}
==Amateur mixed martial arts record== {{MMA record start}} |- | {{yes2}}Win |align=center| 2-0 | Kenichi Kimura | Decision (Unanimous) |Deep - Amateur Deep 20: Kobudo Fight | {{dts|2014|March|2}} |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Tokyo, Japan | |- | {{yes2}}Win |align=center| 1-0 | Gaku Sakamoto | Submission (armbar) | Deep - Nagoya Impact 2014 | {{dts|2014|February|9}} |align=center| 1 |align=center| 3:04 |Tokyo, Japan |{{small|.}} |- |}
==Amateur Kickboxing record== {{Kickboxing record start|norec=y|title=Amateur Kickboxing Record|record=}} |- style="background:#cfc;" | 2016-11-20|| Win||align=left|{{flagicon|JPN}} Ryota Shibasaki || J-Network All Japan A-League Tournament, Final|| Tokyo, Japan || KO || 1 || 0:46 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|Wins 2016 J-NETWORK All Japan A-League Lightweight title.}} |- style="background:#cfc;" | 2016-11-20|| Win||align=left|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kaisei Kondo || J-Network All Japan A-League Tournament, Semi Final|| Tokyo, Japan || Decision (Unanimous)|| || |- style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 2016-11-20|| Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroki Sato || J-Network All Japan A-League Tournament, Quarter Final|| Tokyo, Japan || Decision (Unanimous)|| || |- | colspan=9 | '''''Legend''''': {{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win |border=1px solid #CCFFCC}} {{legend2|#FFBBBB|Loss |border=1px solid #FFBBBB}} {{legend2|#c5d2ea|Draw/No contest |border=1px solid #c5d2ea}} {{legend2|White|Notes |border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{end}}
==See also== * List of current Rizin FF fighters * List of male mixed martial artists
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Twitter|naokiinouemma|Naoki Inoue}} * {{Instagram|naokiinouemma|Naoki Inoue}} * {{UFC|naoki-inoue}} * [https://jp.rizinff.com/_tags/%E4%BA%95%E4%B8%8A%E7%9B%B4%E6%A8%B9 Naoki Inoue] at Rizin * {{Sherdog}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Inoue, Naoki}} Category:1997 births Category:Sportspeople from Toyohashi Category:Japanese male karateka Category:Japanese male mixed martial artists Category:Flyweight mixed martial artists Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing karate Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Category:Japanese practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu Category:Living people Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters Category:21st-century Japanese sportsmen