Shinya Sato

Masanori Kanehara (born November 18, 1982) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and the 2009 Sengoku Featherweight Grand-Prix Champion and inaugural Sengoku Featherweight Champion.

Kanehara was announced as a participant in World Victory Road's Featherweight Grand Prix. He advanced to the semi-final round with a pair of closely-contested decision victories over Jong Man Kim in the first round and Chan Sung Jung in the second round.

Kanehara lost in the semi-finals to Hatsu Hioki, but ended up replacing Hioki in the final against Michihiro Omigawa after Hioki wasn't medically cleared due to a concussion. A 17-to-1 long shot, Kanehara ended up winning the tournament, making him the 2009 Sengoku Featherweight Grand-Prix Champion and Sengoku Featherweight Champion.

Following the announcement that Sengoku Lightweight Champion Mizuto Hirota would vacate his belt, Kanehara accepted a challenge from Marlon Sandro. The two met in a Featherweight title bout at Sengoku Raiden Championships 13. Kanehara lost via KO in the first round.

Source: Wikipedia