Shintaro Matsukura is a Japanese kickboxer fighting out of Tokyo, Japan. He is the current WPMF World Super Middleweight champion.
Career
On March 2, 2008 Matsukura participated to the K-1 tryouts, he passed every steps and was selected by the officials including K-1 youth development director Kensaku Maeda.[1]
Matsukura turned professional on July 20, 2008 at the MAJKF BREAK THROUGH 5 event. He was defeated by unanimous decision against Kenichi Hashimoto.[2]
Matsukura returned to amateur competition when he participated to the 2009 K-1 Koshien -70 kg tournament. Matsukura won the tournament, defeating three opponents in the same day.[3]
On March 27, 2010 Matsukura faced Yuuki at K-1 WORLD MAX 2010 ～-70 kg Japan Tournament～. He won the fight by knockout in the second round after flooring his opponent three times.[4]
In 2010 Matsukura participated to the annual New Year's eve event of japanese combat sport combining MMA and kickboxing called World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight. He lost to Yusuke Ike by knockout in the second round.[5]
On July 7, 2011 Matsukura took part in a one night 4-man tournament for the inaugural Krush Championship. He lost in the semi-final against Yutaro Yamauchi by split decision after an extra round.[6]
On September 25, 2011 Matsukura faced Yuya Yamamoto in the quarter-final of the K-1 MAX Japan 70 kg Tournament. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[7]
On September 9, 2012 Matsukura took part in the Krush Youth Grand Prix at 70 kg. In a fight serving as the semi-final bout he defeated Kazuya Akimoto by extra round knockout.[8] The final happened at Krush 24 on November 10, Matsukura Taisei Kondo by extra round knockout to win the Grand Prix.[9]
On January 14, 2013 Matsukura took part in the Krush Grand Prix 2013. In the quarter-final bout he defeated Keita Makihira by unanimous decision.[10] In the semi-final he lost Yuta Kubo by unanimous decision.[11]
Matsukura faced Yoshihiro Sato at Krush. 2 in Nagoya on September 1, 2013. He lost by unanimous decision.[12][13]
On February 6, 2015 Matsukura took part in a Krush tournament for the vacant 70 kg title. He lost in the semi-final to Hiroki Nakajima by unanimous decision.[15]
On March 11, 2018 Matsukura took part in the 2018 Kunlun Fight 70 kg World Championship qualifying tournament at Kunlun Fight 70. In the semi-final bout he lost to Hu Yafei by majority decision.[19]
On June 18, 2018 Matsukura made his RISE promotional debut at RISE 125. He lost to Lee Sung-hyun by extra round unanimous decision.[20]
On July 5, 2019 Matsukura rematched Lee Sung-hyun for the vacant RISE Middleweight title. He lost the fight by unanimous decision after five rounds.[21]
On September 19, 2020 Matsukura faced Kouki for the vacant WPMF World Super Middleweight title at Suk Wan Kingtong "Go for the top". Matsukura won by knockout in the first round to become the new champion.[22]
On March 13, 2021 Matsukura took part in the KNOCK Black inaugural Middleweight championship tournament. He defeated Kohei Tokeshi by first round knockout in the semi-final.[23] In the final happening on July 18 at KNOCK OUT 2021 vol.3 Matsukura defeated Hijiri Tamura by unanimous decision to capture the title.[24]
On March 3, 2022 it was announced Matsukura relinquished the KNOCK OUT Black Middleweight title following his departure from TRY HARD Gym and signature to the K-1 promotion.[25] For his return to K-1 Matsukura faced Julio Cesar Mori at K-1: K'Festa 5 on April 3, 2022. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[26]
