Kazuyuki Miyata

Originally from the Ibaraki Prefecture of Japan, Miyata began wrestling from a young age and was talented. Miyata won national and regional championships during his middle school years and later high school years at Tsuchiuranichidai High School, where he befriended future professional mixed martial arts fighters, Hayato Sakurai and Michihiro Omigawa. Miyata continued his wrestling career at Nippon University where he was a collegiate champion in the 139 lbs. weight class in 1999.^[2][3]

Miyata competed in Freestyle Wrestling for Japan at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and was ranked 13th overall. He made it past the 1st round against Otar Tushishvili but lost the second round by decision to Carlos Ortíz. Miyata also finished 17th at the 2001 World Championship 69.0 kg division and 4th at the 2000 Asian Championship 63.0 kg division.^[4]

Miyata made his MMA debut at Rumble on the Rock 6 in 2004, against Royler Gracie where despite dominating the majority of the fight he was caught by submission due to a triangle choke in the second round. Miyata continued his career by fighting in the Japanese promotion, K-1 HERO'S where he held notable wins over Kultar Gill and Ian James Schaffa.

Miyata also fought in the Japanese promotion DEEP but returned to DREAM on October 6, 2009 where he faced Daiki Hata in a reserve bout for the Featherweight Grand Prix. Miyata defeated Hata via unanimous decision.^[5] Miyata then defeated Takafumi Otsuka at DREAM 14 by split decision and Takeshi Inoue at DREAM 16 by unanimous decision. He also walks around 71 kg at 7-8% body fat.^[6]