is a Brazilian-born Japanese

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

who competes in the

Featherweight Featherweight is a weight class in the combat sports of boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Greco-Roman wrestling. Boxing Professional boxing History A featherweight boxer weighs in at a limit of . In the early days of the division, ...

division of Rizin Fighting Federation, where he is the current Rizin Featherweight Champion. He has also competed in Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW), where is the former KSW Featherweight Champion.

Background

Born in

São Paulo São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...

, Brazil, to a Brazilian father of German, Portuguese and Japanese descent and a Japanese mother, Kleber lived in Brazil in his teenage years, until financial troubles led his parents to move to Japan. Erbst initially stayed in Brazil with relatives, but at the age of 14, joined them in Japan. Initially intending to help his parents and return to Brazil, but once he met jiu-jitsu, he decided to stay in Japan. When

financial crisis A financial crisis is any of a broad variety of situations in which some financial assets suddenly lose a large part of their nominal value. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many financial crises were associated with Bank run#Systemic banki ...

hit Japan, his parents decided to move back to Brazil, leaving behind an 18 years old Erbst who wanted to stay. To finance his fighting career, Erbst took odd jobs such as construction, trash collection, etc. to pay for the sign-up fees.

Mixed martial arts career

Bonsai Jiu-jitsu club competitor, submission specialist. His favorite technique is Triangle choke. A holder of a black belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu from the city of Iwata. In 2008–2014 he fought mainly at Japanese galas DEEP and Rings, beating at that time, among others of the former Shooto champion of Hideki Kadowaka.

Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki

At the KSW 30: Genesis defeated Anzor Azhiev by triangle choke in the 1st round. He was also awarded the ''Submission of the Night'' bonus award. After a successful debut for the KSW, he took part in a featherweight tournament organized by the Chinese federation Rebel FC, which won and became a champion, defeating the American Miguel Torres. At KSW 33: Materla vs. Khalidov, which took place on November 28, 2015, fought a duel with Artur Sowiński for the inaugural KSW Featherweight Championship, eventually losing by the judges' decision. Both were awarded the ''Fight of the Night'' bonus award. After another stint returning to Asia, picking two third round submission wins at Pancrase 277 and Rebel FC 4, Kleber returned to KSW, facing Leszek Krakowski on October 1, 2016, at KSW 36. He won the bout via triangle choke in the first round. He was awarded the ''Submission of the Night'' bonus award.

Featherweight championship and loss of the title

On May 27, 2017, at the KSW 39 held at the Stadion Narodowy, he won the KSW Featherweight Championship, defeating then featherweight champion Marcin Wrzosek via unanimous decision. Kleber was to defend his title against Artur Sowiński at KSW 41 on December 23, 2017. However, after missing weight, Erbst was stripped of the belt, meaning only Sowiński was eligible for the title. Erbst won the bout via rear-naked choke in the third round. Kleber was scheduled to rematch Marcin Wrzosek for the vacant featherweight title on June 9, 2018, at KSW 44. However Wrzosek suffered a pectoral muscle tear and was forced out of the rematch. As a result, Marian Ziółkowski stepped in against Erbst in a catchweight fight. Erbst won the bout via armbar in the first round. He was awarded the ''Submission of the Month'' bonus award. Kleber faced Mateusz Gamrot on December 1, 2018, at KSW 46: Narkun vs. Khalidov 2. He lost the bout via a unanimous decision.

Rizin Fighting Federation

After a first round submission win at ONE Japan Series against Akiyo Nishiura, Kleber made his Rizin debut on December 31, 2020, at during Rizin 26 against Kyle Aguon He won the bout via brabo choke in the first round. Kleber faced Kazumasa Majima at Rizin 27 on March 21, 2021. He won via triangle choke in the second round. Kleber faced

Mikuru Asakura is a Japanese mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight (MMA), featherweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation. He also competed for Road Fighting Championship, Fighting Network Rings and Deep (mixed martia ...

at Rizin 28. He won the bout after choking Mikuru unconscious via triangle choke. Kleber headlined Rizin Trigger 2 on February 23, 2022, against Ulka Sasaki. After overcoming a knockdown in the first round, Kleber submitted Sasaki in the second round via rear-naked choke. Kleber faced Kyohei Hagiwara on May 5, 2022, in the main event of Rizin Landmark 3. He won the bout in the first round with a face crank.

Rizin FF Featherweight championship

On October 23, 2022, Kleber faced reigning champion Juntaro Ushiku for the Rizin Featherweight Championship at Rizin 39. taking control in the first round with a tackle takedown, and in the second round, he threw him down with a hip throw and set up a triangle choke to win by triangle choke to win the title. Kleber faced reigning Bellator Featherweight Champion Patrício Pitbull in a non-title bout at

Bellator MMA vs. Rizin ''Bellator MMA vs. Rizin FF'' and ''Rizin 40'' (also known as '' Bellator MMA x Rizin 1'') was a mixed martial arts event being co-promoted by Bellator MMA and the Rizin Fighting Federation that took place on December 31, 2022, at the Saitama Supe ...

on December 31, 2022. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.

Rizin title stripped

Kleber was set to make his first title defense against Chihiro Suzuki on June 24, 2023, at Rizin 43. At the weigh-ins, Kleber weighed in at 145.88 pounds, 0.88 pounds over the divisional title limit. As a result, upon commencement of the fight, Kleber was officially stripped of the championship, and only Suzuki is eligible to win the title. Although Kleber submitted Suzuki via triangle choke at the 2:59 minute mark of the opening round, the fight result was immediately overturned into a no-contest, due to Kleber's weight miss. Koike Erbst faced

Masanori Kanehara Masanori Kanehara (born November 18, 1982) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing the Bantamweight division in DEEP and Rizin FF. A professional competitor since 2003, Kanehara has formerly competed for World Victory Road, K ...

at Rizin 44 on September 24, 2023. He lost the bout via unanimous decision, having his BJJ skills be nullified by Kanehara's wrestling acumen. Koike Erbst faced Yutaka Saito on December 31, 2023, at Rizin 45, and won the bout via brabo choke in the third round. Koike Erbst next faced former Bellator and Rizin Bantamweight champion Juan Archuleta at Rizin 47 on June 9, 2024. He won the fight via an inverted heel hook submission in the first round.

Regaining Rizin FF Featherweight championship

Koike Erbst faced Chihiro Suzuki in a rematch for the Rizin Featherweight Championship at Rizin 49 on December 31, 2024. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

* Rizin Fighting Federation ** Rizin Featherweight Championship (Two times; current) **Most submission wins in Rizin FF history (seven) * Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki ** KSW Featherweight Championship (One time; former) **Submission of the Night (three times) **Fight of the Night (one time) * Rebel FC ** Rebel FC Featherweight Tournament Winner

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, 34–8–1 (1) , Razhabali Shaydullaev , KO (punches) , Rizin: Otoko Matsuri , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:02 ,

Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 34–7–1 (1) , Chihiro Suzuki , Decision (unanimous) , Rizin 49 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Saitama, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 33–7–1 (1) , Juan Archuleta , Submission (inverted heel hook) , Rizin 47 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:25 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 32–7–1 (1) , Yutaka Saito , Technical Submission (brabo choke) , Rizin 45 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:22 , Saitama, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 31–7–1 (1) ,

, Decision (unanimous) , Rizin 44 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Saitama, Japan , , - , NC , align=center, , Chihiro Suzuki , NC (missed weight) , Rizin 43 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:59 ,

Sapporo is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in Hokkaido, Japan. Located in the southwest of Hokkaido, it lies within the alluvial fan of the Toyohira River, a tributary of the Ishikari River. Sapporo is the capital ...

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, , Patrício Pitbull , Decision (unanimous) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Saitama, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, , Juntaro Ushiku , Submission (triangle choke) , Rizin 39 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:29 ,

Fukuoka is the List of Japanese cities by population, sixth-largest city in Japan and the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The city is built along the shores of Hakata Bay, and has been a center of international commerce since ancient times. ...

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 30–5–1 , Kyohei Hagiwara , Submission (face crank) , Rizin Landmark 3 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:37 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 29–5–1 , Ulka Sasaki , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Rizin Trigger 2 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:22 , Fukuroi, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 28–5–1 ,

, Technical Submission (triangle choke) , Rizin 28 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:49 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 27–5–1 , Kazumasa Majima , Submission (triangle choke) , Rizin 27 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:02 ,

Nagoya is the largest city in the Chūbu region of Japan. It is the list of cities in Japan, fourth-most populous city in Japan, with a population of 2.3million in 2020, and the principal city of the Chūkyō metropolitan area, which is the List of ...

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 26–5–1 , Kyle Aguon , Technical Submission (brabo choke) , Rizin 26 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:22 , Saitama, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 25–5–1 , Akiyo Nishiura , Submission (brabo choke) , ONE Japan Series: Road to Century , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:15 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 24–5–1 , Mateusz Gamrot , Decision (unanimous) , KSW 46: Narkun vs. Khalidov 2 , , align=Center, 5 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Gliwice Gliwice (; , ) is a city in Upper Silesia, in southern Poland. The city is located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Kłodnica river (a tributary of the Oder River, Oder). It lies approximately 25 km west from Katowice, the regional capital ...

, Poland , , - , Win , align=center, 24–4–1 , Marian Ziółkowski , Submission (armbar) , KSW 44: The Game , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:44 ,

Gdańsk Gdańsk is a city on the Baltic Sea, Baltic coast of northern Poland, and the capital of the Pomeranian Voivodeship. With a population of 486,492, Data for territorial unit 2261000. it is Poland's sixth-largest city and principal seaport. Gdań ...

, Poland , , - , Win , align=center, 23–4–1 , Artur Sowiński , Submission (rear-naked choke) , KSW 41: Mankowski vs. Soldic , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:56 ,

Katowice Katowice (, ) is the capital city of the Silesian Voivodeship in southern Poland and the central city of the Katowice urban area. As of 2021, Katowice has an official population of 286,960, and a resident population estimate of around 315,000. K ...

, Poland , , - , Win , align=center, 22–4–1 , Marcin Wrzosek , Decision (unanimous) , KSW 39: Colosseum , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Warsaw Warsaw, officially the Capital City of Warsaw, is the capital and List of cities and towns in Poland, largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the Vistula, River Vistula in east-central Poland. Its population is officially estimated at ...

, Poland , , - , Win , align=center, 21–4–1 , Leszek Krakowski , Submission (triangle choke) , KSW 36: Materla vs. Palhares , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:24 ,

Zielona Góra Zielona Góra (; ''Green Mountain''; ) is the largest city in Lubusz Voivodeship, located in western Poland, with 140,403 inhabitants (). The region is closely associated with vineyards and holds an annual Zielona Góra Wine Fest, Wine Fest. Zie ...

, Poland , , - , Win , align=center, 20–4–1 , George Hickman , Submission (triangle choke) , Rebel FC 4: Battle Royale Ascension , , align=Center, 3 , align=center, 4:35 ,

Qingdao Qingdao, Mandarin: , (Qingdao Mandarin: t͡ɕʰiŋ˧˩ tɒ˥) is a prefecture-level city in the eastern Shandong Province of China. Located on China's Yellow Sea coast, Qingdao was long an important fortress. In 1897, the city was ceded to G ...

, China , , - , Win , align=center, 19–4–1 , Yusuke Yachi , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Pancrase 277 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 0:37 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 18–4–1 , Artur Sowiński , Decision (unanimous) , KSW 33: Materla vs. Khalidov , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Kraków , officially the Royal Capital City of Kraków, is the List of cities and towns in Poland, second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city has a population of 804,237 ...

, Poland , , - , Win , align=center, 18–3–1 , Miguel Torres , Submission (brabo choke) , rowspan=2 , Rebel FC 3: The Promised Ones , rowspan=2 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:40 , rowspan=2 ,

, China , , - , Win , align=center, 17–3–1 , Takahiro Ashida , Submission (triangle choke) , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:06 , , - , Win , align=center, 16–3–1 , Anzor Azhiev , Submission (triangle choke) , KSW 30: Genesis , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:16 ,

Poznań Poznań ( ) is a city on the Warta, River Warta in west Poland, within the Greater Poland region. The city is an important cultural and business center and one of Poland's most populous regions with many regional customs such as Saint John's ...

, Poland , , - , Win , align=center, 15–3–1 , Katsuyoshi Beppu , Submission (triangle choke) , Deep: Hamamatsu Impact 2014 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:29 ,

Hamamatsu is a Cities of Japan, city located in western Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. In September 2023, the city had an estimated population of 780,128 in 340,591 households, making it the prefecture's largest city, with a population density of over the t ...

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 14–3–1 , Hideki Kadowaki , Submission (rear-naked choke) , DEEP: Cage Impact 2013 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:21 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 13–3–1 , Yutaka Ueda , TKO (punches) , Deep: Cage Impact 2013 in Hamamatsu , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:81 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 12–3–1 , Liu Si Cong , Submission (triangle choke) , Real Fight MMA Championship 2 , , align=Center, 1 , align=center, 2:19 ,

Zhengzhou Zhengzhou is the capital of Henan, China. Located in northern Henan, it is one of the nine National central city, national central cities in China, and serves as the political, economic, technological, and educational center of the province. Th ...

, China , , - , Win , align=center, 11–3–1 , Albert Cheng , Submission (triangle choke) , Real Fight MMA Championship 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:00 ,

, China , , - , Win , align=center, 10–3–1 , Teppei Hori , Submission (triangle choke) , Rings: Vol. 2: Conquisito , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:40 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 9–3–1 , Atsushi Ueda , Submission (armbar) , ZST: Battle Hazard 6 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:07 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 8–3–1 , Yoshifumi Dogaki , Submission (armbar) , Heat 23 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:06 ,

Kobe Kobe ( ; , ), officially , is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. With a population of around 1.5 million, Kobe is Japan's List of Japanese cities by population, seventh-largest city and the third-largest port city after Port of Toky ...

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 7–3–1 , Hidenobu Koike , Submission (triangle choke) , Deep: Cage Impact 2011 in Hamamatsu , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:16 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 6–3–1 , Shinichiro Tanaka , Submission (triangle choke) , Deep: Shizuoka Impact 2011 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:18 , Shizuoka, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 5–3–1 , Yusuke Hoshiko , Decision (unanimous) , Heat 16 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Osaka is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the List of cities in Japan, third-most populous city in J ...

, Japan , , - , Draw , align=center, 4–3–1 , Mitsuru Yamaguchi , Draw (unanimous) , Deep: Cage Impact 2010 in Hamamatsu , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 4–3 , Toshiaki Kitada , Submission (armbar) , Deep: 44 Impact , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:56 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 4–2 , Takashi Fujii , KO (head kick) , Deep: Hamamatsu Impact , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:40 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 3–2 , Yoshiro Maeda , DQ (knee to groin) , Deep: Osaka Impact , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 3–1 , Toshikazu Iseno , Decision (unanimous) , Deep: 42 Impact , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 , Yasutomo Katsuki , Submission (rear-naked choke) , rowspan=2 , Heat: New Age Cup 1 , rowspan=2 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:28 , rowspan=2 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Keizo Sakuragi , Submission (rear-naked choke) , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:39 , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Masaki Wada , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Deep: clubDeep Hamamatsu , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:11 ,

, Japan ,

Footnotes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Erbst Koiker, Kleber Brazilian male mixed martial artists Japanese male mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Mixed martial artists utilizing shootboxing Brazilian practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu Japanese practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu People awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu Japanese people of Brazilian descent Martial artists from Shizuoka Prefecture Rizin Fighting Federation champions 1989 births Living people Martial artists from São Paulo 21st-century Brazilian sportsmen