Igor Tanabe Guimarães is a Brazilian grappler and a jiu-jitsu black belt under Walter Lima Franco and Eduardo Telles, as well as a representative of the Nine-Nine Academy competing internationally. Originally from Brazil, Tanabe was raised in Japan where he developed as an athlete and gained recognition as one of the top talents in gi jiu-jitsu. He earned this reputation during his colored belt career through winning important tournaments hosted by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), such as World, European and Asian Open tournaments.

Igor Tanabe extended his professional mixed martial arts record to 5-0 by defeating Shinsho Anzai at RIZIN Fighting Federation’s event on December 31, 2023. Tanabe has seen considerable success since transitioning from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to MMA, remaining quite active competing for RIZIN FF throughout the year. He held a 2-0 professional record upon signing with the promotion, with his most recent non-RIZIN bout occurring on December 31, 2022. Both of those initial fights ended via first round stoppage, and he added another when making his promotional debut.

Tanabe secured an additional first-round submission victory later in the year, quickly emerging as one of RIZIN FF’s top prospects. It seemed unlikely anyone could halt his winning streak, but the organization matched him against Shinsho Anzai at their New Year’s Eve event to test him. The finish came swiftly, as Tanabe took Anzai’s back within a minute and pursued a rear-naked choke. Anzai resisted for a brief period before Tanabe fully applied the choke with a gable grip, exerting pressure until his opponent lost consciousness to claim another submission win.

OUT COLD 💤

📡 Watch on @FITEtv !🔻https://t.co/eEpfmslhPp pic.twitter.com/48T3a4CHg1

— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 31, 2023