Not every fighter in MMA has a black belt in jiu-jitsu. Deep MMA fighter Jinnosuke Kashimura (5-4) gets to join that short roster of fighters who are pros and have a black belt. The 22-year-old was awarded his black belt at his gym, Igloo, by coach Kenta Yamanaka. Igloo has produced many high-level jiu-jitsu athletes including Rizin fighter Igor Tanabe and 2022 ADCC Oceania & Asian Trial winner Kenta Iwamoto.
Kashimura posted on Instagram and X the news that he had received his black belt.
I got blackbelt pic.twitter.com/JLj4pCbsep
— JIN (鹿志村仁之介) (@themoodyjin) October 19, 2023
Kashimura gave an exclusive comment to MMASucka upon the news. “Since I was a child, I have longed for black [belt], which can be worn by people who are proficient in jiu-jitsu,” he said. “I thought I couldn’t do it, but there are good things to keep doing… And I’m happy with the black belt from the honorable Igloo which is cooler than any qualification or position.
Undefeated MMA fighter and black belt Igor Tanabe also talked to MMASucka about Kashimura receiving his black belt and achieving it at such a young age. “First time I met him he was a green belt and I was blue. It’s amazing to see both of us now on the black belt kind of going through the same path which is ‘BJJ to MMA,’ he said. “And about his young age, it’s not surprising if you see his level.”
As a jiu-jitsu competitor, Kashimura received gold as a brown belt in All Japan (which is part of the Japanese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) in 2021 and 2022.
As an MMA fighter Kashimura has previously fought on Road to UFC in 2022, in which he was a last-minute replacement opponent for Won Bin Ki. He spoke to MMASucka about that fight.
He has fought in Pancrase and has competed in the promotion’s Neo-Blood tournament. He now competes regularly in Deep. All 5 of his wins have come by way of submission.
Kashimura will be fighting at Deep 116 Impact in Tokyo against Yuta Hashimoto on November 11. The fight will be available live on Deep’s YouTube channel via a subscription.
