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Toby Imada
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Toby Imada
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Timoteo Tobias "Toby" Imada (born April 20, 1978) is a retired American mixed martial artist, grappler and kickboxer of Japanese and Mexican descent. A professional from 1998 until 2013, Imada competed for Bellator, King of the Cage, and the RFA. Imada won the 2009 Submission of the Year award for an inverted triangle choke, defeating Jorge Masvidal.[2]

Key Information

Mixed martial arts career

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Bellator

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In the first season Bellator Lightweight Tournament, Imada advanced to the finals after defeating Alonzo Martinez and Jorge Masvidal. The upset win over Masvidal was notable for Imada's bizarre inverse triangle choke while Masvidal was standing up. The submission has been acknowledged by many MMA mediums as the Submission of the Year for 2009. He was awarded a Bazzie award from Inside MMA on HDNet for the unorthodox submission victory and Submission of the Year Honors at the World MMA Awards.

At Bellator 12, Imada fought top five ranked Eddie Alvarez for the chance to become the first Bellator Lightweight Champion. Alvarez got the better of the battle and won the fight in the second round via rear-naked choke.

Imada returned to Bellator the following April, entering the Lightweight Tournament for the second time. His first fight was originally to be a rematch against Jorge Masvidal.[3] He was then scheduled to fight against Ferrid Kheder at Bellator 15, but an injury forced Kheder out of the bout. Instead, at Bellator 14 Imada fought James Krause and won via armbar submission.[4] With the win over Krause, Imada moved onto the semi-final round against Carey Vanier. In the second round after Vanier lost his footing, Imada capitalized and applied an armbar that caused Vanier to tap out.

Imada then moved on to the finals taking place at Bellator 22. There, Imada fought Pat Curran in the Season Two Lightweight Tournament finals to see who would advance to fight champion Eddie Alvarez. Curran defeated Imada via controversial split decision.[5] Immediately following the decision, some in the crowd began booing.[6] Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez weighed in on the decision, saying "It was a tough fight. It could’ve gone either way.”[7]

Bellator again signed Imada for their Lightweight Tournament taking place during their fourth season. Imada had his quarterfinal fight at Bellator 36. He was originally set to fight Ferrid Kheder who was overweight and decided to leave the arena and not weigh-in. Imada instead fought replacement Josh Shockley.[8] Imada won the fight in the first round after Shockley verbally submitted from Imada's reverse omaplata. The win moved Imada into the semifinals. In the semifinals Imada fought Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Patricky Freire at Bellator 39. He was knocked out at 2:53 of the first round with a flying knee followed by a left hook.

Imada has also fought professionally in kickboxing. In his most recent bout, he defeated Mostafa Abdollahi by majority decision (27–27, 29–27, 29–27) in a non-tournament bout at the Shoot Boxing World Tournament 2012 in Tokyo, Japan on November 17, 2012.[9][10]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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Kickboxing

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
49 matches 30 wins 18 losses
By knockout 8 4
By submission 20 6
By decision 2 8
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Draw 30–18–1 Hiroyuki Takaya Draw (majority) Shoot Boxing: Ground Zero Tokyo 2013 November 16, 2013 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Featherweight debut.
Loss 30–18 James Krause Decision (unanimous) Resurrection Fighting Alliance 6 January 18, 2013 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Loss 30–17 Luiz Firmino Decision (unanimous) CFA 08: Araujo vs. Bradley October 6, 2012 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 30–16 Sean Wilson TKO (punches) C3 Fights: Rumble at Red Rock August 18, 2012 2 1:51 Red Rock, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 29–16 Patricky Freire KO (flying knee and punches) Bellator 39 April 2, 2011 1 2:53 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 29–15 Josh Shockley Submission (armbar) Bellator 36 March 12, 2011 1 1:36 Shreveport, Louisiana, United States Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 28–15 Ludwing Salazar Submission (armbar) Fite Nite 14 November 9, 2010 2 1:49 San José, Costa Rica
Loss 27–15 Pat Curran Decision (split) Bellator 21 June 10, 2010 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States Bellator Season Two Lightweight Tournament Final.
Win 27–14 Carey Vanier Submission (armbar) Bellator 17 May 6, 2010 2 3:33 Boston, Massachusetts, United States Bellator Season Two Lightweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 26–14 James Krause Submission (armbar) Bellator 14 April 15, 2010 2 2:44 Chicago, Illinois, United States Bellator Season Two Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 25–14 Daisuke Hanazawa KO (punch) KOTC: Toryumon January 30, 2010 2 0:29 Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
Loss 24–14 Eddie Alvarez Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 12 June 19, 2009 2 0:38 Hollywood, Florida, United States Bellator Season One Lightweight Tournament Final; For Bellator Lightweight Championship.
Win 24–13 Jorge Masvidal Technical Submission (inverted triangle choke) Bellator 5 May 1, 2009 3 3:22 Dayton, Ohio, United States Bellator Season One Lightweight Tournament Semifinal; Submission of the Year (2009).
Win 23–13 Alonzo Martinez Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 1 April 3, 2009 1 3:26 Hollywood, Florida, United States Bellator Season One Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 22–13 Jason Meaders TKO (corner stoppage) UnleashedFIGHT October 11, 2008 1 5:00 Alpine, California, United States
Win 21–13 Shad Smith TKO (punches) Total Combat: Nevada May 10, 2008 1 2:25 Laughlin, Nevada, United States Defended Total Combat Lightweight Championship; Smith tested positive for marijuana
Win 20–13 Preston Scharf TKO (submission to punches) Total Combat 26 February 16, 2008 1 4:29 San Diego, California, United States Defended the Total Combat Lightweight Championship.
Win 19–13 David Gardner Submission (rear-naked choke) Total Combat 22 August 3, 2007 2 N/A San Diego, California, United States Won the Total Combat Lightweight Championship.
Win 18–13 Zach Light Submission (armbar) Total Combat 21 June 8, 2007 1 2:35 San Diego, California, United States Welterweight bout.
Win 17–13 Randy Velarde Submission (armbar) KOTC: Caged Chaos March 10, 2007 2 2:23 Laughlin, Nevada, United States
Loss 16–13 João Cunha Submission (armbar) Cage of Fire 5 January 27, 2007 2 2:30 Tijuana, Mexico
Win 16–12 Brandon Adamson TKO (cut) TC 18: Nightmare November 4, 2006 1 3:00 San Diego, California, United States
Win 15–12 Danny Affleje KO (punches) Proving Ground October 21, 2006 1 N/A Yuma, Arizona, United States
Loss 14–12 Tetsuji Kato TKO (punches) FFCF 6: Undisputed June 21, 2006 1 0:13 Mangilao, Guam
Loss 14–11 Hermes França Submission (armbar) TC 14: Throwdown May 13, 2006 1 0:53 Del Mar, California, United States Return to Lightweight.
Win 14–10 Akbarh Arreola Decision (unanimous) Total Combat 12 December 13, 2005 3 5:00 Tijuana, Mexico
Win 13–10 Jerimiah Carson TKO (punches) Total Combat 11 December 10, 2005 2 N/A Yuma, Arizona, United States
Loss 12–10 Jake Shields Decision (unanimous) Kage Kombat November 12, 2005 3 5:00 California, United States
Win 12–9 Tim Carey Submission (rear-naked choke) Total Combat 10 October 15, 2005 1 2:25 San Diego, California, United States
Win 11–9 Akbarh Arreola TKO (corner stoppage) Total Combat 9 July 30, 2005 2 5:00 Tijuana, Mexico
Loss 10–9 Cassio Werneck Submission (triangle choke) WEC 15 May 19, 2005 2 2:54 Lemoore, California, United States Return to Welterweight.
Loss 10–8 Antonio McKee Decision (unanimous) Ultimate Cage Fighting 1 May 9, 2002 2 5:00 Los Angeles, California, United States Lightweight bout.
Loss 10–7 Jason Miller Decision Xtreme Pankration 2 April 12, 2002 2 5:00 Los Angeles, California, United States
Loss 10–6 Dennis Asche Submission (triangle choke) IFC: Warriors Challenge 12 April 11, 2001 2 3:42 Friant, California, United States Middleweight debut.
Loss 10–5 Joe Stevenson Decision KOTC 3: Knockout Nightmare April 15, 2000 2 5:00 San Jacinto, California, United States Lightweight bout.
Win 10–4 Sean McCaan Submission (armbar) IFC: Warriors Challenge 6 March 25, 2000 1 2:51 Friant, California, United States
Loss 9–4 Dave Strasser Submission (armbar) Neutral Grounds 13 November 20, 1999 1 N/A Lakeside, California, United States Neutral Grounds 13 Four-Man Tournament Final.
Win 9–3 David Harris Decision (unanimous) Neutral Grounds 13 November 20, 1999 3 5:00 Lakeside, California, United States Return to Welterweight; Neutral Grounds 13 Four-Man Tournament Semifinal.
Win 8–3 Brennan Kamaka Submission (armbar) Rage in the Cage 2 October 15, 1999 1 6:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Lightweight bout.
Win 7–3 Ken Tonaria Submission (armbar) Ready to Rumble October 13, 1999 N/A N/A Woodland Hills, California, United States
Loss 6–3 Steve Heath Decision (unanimous) Extreme Challenge 27 September 18, 1999 2 5:00 Fresno, California, United States Light Heavyweight debut.
Loss 6–2 Adrian Serrano TKO (corner stoppage) Extreme Challenge 27 August 21, 1999 2 5:00 Davenport, Iowa, United States Welterweight debut.
Win 6–1 Jason Von Flue Submission (armbar) IFC: Warriors Challenge 4 August 7, 1999 2 5:08 Jackson, California, United States
Win 5–1 Johnny Molano Submission (triangle armbar) Kage Kombat 18 May 28, 1999 1 4:03 United States
Win 4–1 Thiago De Fritas Submission (heel hook) Neutral Grounds 12 May 28, 1999 1 N/A United States
Win 3–1 Giovanni Francioso Submission (armbar) Neutral Grounds 11 March 31, 1999 1 5:01 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 2–1 Ken Kellenberger Submission (rear-naked choke) Neutral Grounds 9 January 10, 1999 1 0:45 United States
Loss 1–1 Jason Dallas TKO (punches) Neutral Grounds 6 August 2, 1998 1 N/A United States Neutral Grounds 6 Four-Man Tournament Final.
Win 1–0 Lee Cox Submission (armbar) Neutral Grounds 6 August 2, 1998 1 N/A United States Neutral Grounds 6 Four-Man Tournament Semifinal.

Kickboxing and shootboxing record

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Kickboxing Record
5 Wins (2 (T)KO's, 3 decisions), 3 Losses, 0 Draws
Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location
Win 5-3 Iran Mostafa Abdollahi Decision (majority) Shoot Boxing World Tournament 2012 November 17, 2012 3 3:00 Japan Tokyo
Win 4-3 Japan Satoru Suzuki KO (Front Choke) Shoot Boxing 2012 - Act 3 June 3, 2012 2 3:00 Japan Tokyo
Loss 3-3 Netherlands Andy Souwer Decision (Unanimous) Shoot the Shooto 2011 October 9, 2011 3 3:00 Japan Bunkyō, Tokyo
Loss 3-2 Thailand Bovy Sor Udomson Decision (Unanimous) Shootboxing 2011 - Act 4 September 10, 2011 3 3:00 Japan Koto, Tokyo
Win 3-1 Japan Hiroki Shishido Decision (Unanimous) Shootboxing 2011 - Act 3[12] June 5, 2011 3 3:00 Japan Bunkyō, Tokyo
Loss 2-1 Thailand Buakaw Por. Pramuk TKO (Leg Kicks) S-Cup 2010 November 23, 2010 2 2:29 Japan Bunkyō, Tokyo
Shoot Boxing World Tournament 2010 Final
Win 2-0 Netherlands Andy Souwer Decision (Split) S-Cup 2010 November 23, 2010 3 3:00 Japan Bunkyō, Tokyo
Shoot Boxing World Tournament 2010 Semifinal
Win 1-0 Japan Takaaki Umeno KO (Uppercut) S-Cup 2010 November 23, 2010 3 3:00 Japan Bunkyō, Tokyo
Shoot Boxing World Tournament 2010 Quarterfinal

Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes


Submission grappling record

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|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;" | style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Result | style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Opponent | style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Method | style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Event | style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Date | style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Round | style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Time | style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Notes |- |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss||Brazil Ricardo Morais || Choke || 1998 ADCC World Championships|| March 20, 1998 || 1 || 9:22 || |- |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss||Russia Karimula Barkalaev || Choke || 1998 ADCC World Championships|| March 20, 1998|| 1 || 3:05 || |- |style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win||Palestine Liberation Organization Lafee Al Ajloony || Shoulder Injury || 1998 ADCC World Championships|| March 20, 1998|| 1 || 3:46 || |- |}

References

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Toby Imada

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Toby Imada is a retired American mixed martial artist of Japanese and descent, renowned for his prowess as a black belt in both and . He competed professionally from 1998 to 2013, compiling a record of 30 wins, 18 losses, and 1 draw, with 19 of his victories coming by submission. Born on July 16, 1978, in , , Imada began his journey in the early 1990s with before expanding into and , which formed the foundation of his versatile fighting style. Throughout his career, Imada fought in major promotions including Bellator Fighting Championships and , competing internationally in locations such as , , and . His most iconic moment came at Bellator 5 on May 1, 2009, when he defeated via a rare inverted in the second round, a finish that earned him the 2009 Submission of the Year award from multiple outlets including and . This victory propelled him to a lightweight title shot against later that year, though he ultimately lost by submission. Imada's record highlights his submission dominance, with 63% of his wins ending in taps, but he also faced setbacks, including knockouts by fighters like Patricky Freire in Bellator 39. Post-retirement, Imada transitioned into coaching, serving as an instructor at Switch Fitness in , , where he emphasizes fundamental techniques, creative drills, and consistent training to develop students' skills in power, precision, speed, and strength. His legacy endures as a pioneer in early MMA , influencing the through his technical innovations and global competitive .

Background

Personal background

Timoteo Tobias Imada, known professionally as Toby Imada, was born on July 16, 1978, in , . Of Japanese and descent, Imada's heritage reflects a blend of cultural influences that later informed his approach to . Standing at 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) with a reach of 69 in (175 cm), Imada competed primarily in the featherweight and divisions, weighing between 145 and 156 lbs (66–71 kg). These physical attributes contributed to his agile and technical fighting style throughout his career. Imada resides in , , where he has been affiliated with local training facilities, while maintaining a fighting base in . He retired from professional in 2013 following his final bout on January 18, 2013.

Martial arts training

Toby Imada's martial arts journey began with an early focus on disciplines, particularly , which he started training in at the age of 15. This foundational exposure to emphasized throws, pins, and submissions, including techniques like the inverted triangle choke that he later adapted for applications. Imada's background provided him with a strong base in controlled , allowing him to develop precise control and transitional skills essential for . Building on his judo roots, Imada evolved into wrestling, enhancing his takedown proficiency with moves such as single-leg takedowns, which complemented his arsenal. He also pursued , refining his submission game to include chokes and joint locks that showcased his ground dominance. This development in submission expertise was honed through consistent training against larger opponents, contributing to his reputation for securing high-percentage finishes from inferior positions. Additionally, Imada trained in shootboxing, a hybrid striking and grappling style that incorporated knees, elbows, and throws, broadening his versatility in stand-up and clinch exchanges. Imada's training incorporated influences from Japanese traditions through his judo and shootboxing regimens, as well as Mexican martial arts elements via boxing and striking fundamentals tied to his heritage. His Japanese and Mexican descent served as a motivator for embracing this diverse skill set, drawing from both cultural grappling and striking lineages. Post-2005, following the legalization of MMA in California, Imada intensified his regimen with daily sessions in dedicated camps, transitioning from heavyweight grappling-focused practice to a lightweight-oriented approach that emphasized speed, , and hybrid techniques for MMA versatility. This evolution allowed him to integrate his submission prowess—evident in 19 MMA victories by submission—into a well-rounded fighting style.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Toby Imada launched his professional mixed martial arts career on August 2, 1998, at Neutral Grounds 6, suffering a first-round TKO loss to Jason Dallas via punches. Later that same evening, he rebounded with a submission victory over Lee Cox using an armbar, marking his initial foray into the sport at . Imada's early bouts emphasized his prowess, as evidenced by subsequent submission wins, including a rear-naked choke against Ken Kellenberger on January 10, 1999, at Neutral Grounds 9, and an armbar over on August 7, 1999, at IFC Warriors Challenge 4. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Imada honed his skills in regional promotions such as (KOTC) and the International Fighting Championship (IFC), where he alternated between striking exchanges and ground control. A notable early challenge came on April 15, 2000, at KOTC 3, when he dropped a decision to future UFC contender , highlighting the competitive depth of the circuit. By the mid-2000s, Imada had shifted focus to Total Combat events, competing more frequently as he transitioned from down to to better suit his frame and style. One standout performance in this evolution was his February 16, 2008, TKO win over Preston Scharf at Total Combat 26, where punches prompted a submission stoppage in the first round. Imada's regional tenure was marked by a mix of triumphs and instructive defeats, such as his loss to ace on November 12, 2005, at Kage Kombat, and a submission to Cassio Werneck on May 19, 2005, at WEC 15, both of which underscored the importance of defensive wrestling in his development. Additional setbacks, including an armbar loss to Hermes Franca on May 13, 2006, at Total Combat 14, fueled adjustments that strengthened his resilience against elite technicians. By October 11, 2008, following a TKO corner stoppage victory over Jason Meaders at Unleashed Fight, Imada had compiled a professional record of 22-13, positioning him as a battle-tested competitor ready for larger stages.

Bellator Fighting Championships

Toby Imada entered Bellator Fighting Championships in amid momentum from his regional successes, signing for the inaugural Season 1 Lightweight Tournament. In the quarterfinals on April 3, he defeated Alonzo Martinez via submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round at 3:26. Advancing to the semifinals on May 1, Imada secured a dramatic technical submission (inverted ) victory over in the third round at 3:22, a finish later awarded Submission of the Year for due to its technical brilliance and viral appeal. Imada reached the tournament finals, which doubled as the inaugural lightweight title bout against on June 19 at Bellator 12. Alvarez submitted Imada via rear-naked choke in the second round at 0:38, claiming the championship. Returning for Season 2 in the featherweight division, Imada won his quarterfinal matchup against James Krause via armbar submission in the second round at 2:44 on April 15. In the semifinals on May 6, he tapped Carey Vanier with an armbar in the second round at 3:33. However, in the finals on June 10 against Pat Curran, Imada dropped a controversial after three rounds. Imada competed once more in Bellator's Season 4 Tournament in 2011, opening with a first-round armbar submission over Josh Shockley at 1:19 on March 12. His run ended in the quarterfinals on April 2, where Patricky Freire knocked him out via flying knee and punches at 2:53. Throughout his Bellator tenure from 2009 to 2011, Imada's five submission victories, including the iconic Masvidal finish, bolstered his reputation as a specialist and contributed to the promotion's early visibility by generating highlight-reel moments that drew widespread online attention.

Later career

Following his departure from Bellator, Imada transitioned to other regional promotions, including the Championship Fighting Alliance (CFA) and the Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA), as he sought to continue competing in the lightweight division during the early 2010s. On August 18, 2012, Imada earned a TKO victory over Sean Wilson via punches in the second round at 1:51 at C3 Fights: Rumble at Red Rock. His next bout came on October 6, 2012, against Luiz Firmino at CFA 8: Araujo vs. Bradley in , where he suffered a loss after three rounds, dropping his record to 30-17. Firmino's superior striking and grappling defense proved decisive in the bout, marking a challenging return to the regional circuit for the 34-year-old veteran. Imada's subsequent MMA appearance came on January 18, 2013, at RFA 6: Krause vs. Imada 2 in , a rematch against James Krause from their Bellator encounter, which Imada had won by armbar submission. Krause dominated the standup and ground exchanges, securing a victory (30-27 across all judges) to avenge the prior defeat. Imada returned once more on November 16, 2013, facing Hiroyuki Takaya at Shoot Boxing Ground Zero Tokyo in , , where the bout ended in a after three rounds. These final bouts highlighted the physical toll of a long career, as Imada, then 35, navigated the demands of a highly competitive and landscape. Imada retired from professional MMA later that year, concluding a 15-year run with a final record of 30 wins, 18 losses, and 1 draw, remembered for his resilient prowess and memorable submissions throughout his tenure.

Other combat sports

Kickboxing and shootboxing

Toby Imada competed in shootboxing from 2010 to 2013. In his debut at the Shoot Boxing World Tournament S-Cup on November 23, 2010, he advanced through the quarterfinals with a knockout victory over Takaaki Umeno via and the semifinals with an upset win over , before losing the final to Buakaw Por. Pramuk by second-round TKO (leg kicks). In 2011, Imada secured a unanimous decision win over Hiroki Shishido on June 5 at Shootboxing Act 3, but lost unanimous decisions to Bovy Sor Udomson on September 10 at Act 4 and to Andy Souwer in a rematch on October 9 at Shoot the Shooto. Imada continued in the 2012 World Tournament, with a second-round knockout (front choke) over Satoru Suzuki on June 3 at Act 3 in Korakuen Hall, Tokyo. He followed with a majority decision victory against Mostafa Abdollahi on November 17, 2012, at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo. Imada's final appearance came on November 16, 2013, at Ground Zero , where he fought to a against Hiroyuki Takaya after three five-minute rounds. Over his shootboxing career from 2010 to 2013, Imada compiled an overall record of 5-3-1, with 2 wins by KO/TKO and 3 by decision, demonstrating versatility in striking while leveraging his ground skills within the constrained rules.

Submission grappling

Imada's involvement in pure submission grappling was limited primarily to his early competitive years, with his most notable appearance at the 1998 ADCC World Championships in the under 77 kg division. There, he secured a win against Lafee Al Ajloony via shoulder injury at 3:46 of the first round, but suffered submission losses to Karimula Barkalaev by rear-naked choke at 3:05 of the first round and to Ricardo Morais by anaconda choke at 9:22 of the first round. His overall record in submission grappling stands at 1-2, reflecting these ADCC bouts as his only documented competitive outings in the discipline. Imada's performance in no-gi grappling drew from his black belt-level proficiency in , which emphasized throws and transitions effective without grips, and , which provided versatile submission techniques adaptable to open-weight rulesets like ADCC. His early training laid a foundational base for these no-gi applications. This tournament experience sharpened his ground control and finishing ability under pressure, contributing to the submission expertise that defined his later achievements, where he recorded numerous tapout victories. Following 1998, Imada did not compete in any major submission grappling tournaments, focusing instead on integrated combat sports.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Imada captured the Total Combat Lightweight Championship on August 3, 2007, with a submission victory over David Gardner, and made multiple successful defenses of the title in subsequent bouts. In Bellator Fighting Championships, he reached the finals of the Season 2 Lightweight Tournament in 2010, falling to Pat Curran via split decision. Imada earned the 2009 Submission of the Year award from the for his finish against at Bellator 5. He also received a Bazzie Award from Inside MMA for the same unorthodox submission, recognizing his artistry in techniques. Throughout his career, Imada garnered nominations in the for his submission prowess, highlighting his reputation as a specialist in chokes and joint locks. A key element of Imada's legacy in is his record of 19 submission victories, which accounted for the majority of his 30 professional wins and underscored his dominance on the ground.

Kickboxing and grappling

Imada competed in and shootboxing, achieving an overall record of 5-3 in these striking disciplines. His successes included two wins by or technical knockout, showcasing his striking power alongside his background. In shootboxing, a hybrid ruleset permitting throws and limited , Imada reached the semifinal of the 2012 Shoot Boxing World Tournament in , advancing through earlier rounds before a competitive loss. Imada earned recognition for his adaptability in hybrid combat environments, particularly leveraging techniques to secure victories against established . For instance, in his 2010 shootboxing debut, he defeated veteran via submission, crediting his foundation for enabling throws and chokes within the ruleset. This approach highlighted his cross-disciplinary skills, though he captured no formal titles in or shootboxing. In submission grappling, Imada's early highlight was his participation in the 1998 ADCC World Championships, the inaugural event of the prestigious no-gi grappling tournament, where he competed in the middleweight division. His grappling record stands at 1-2, reflecting limited but notable forays into pure submission wrestling. Imada's reputation in grappling was further bolstered by his submissions, which demonstrated similar inverted and leg-based techniques.

Professional records

Mixed martial arts record

Toby Imada compiled a professional mixed martial arts record of 30 wins (9 by knockout/TKO, 19 by submission, and 2 by decision), 18 losses (4 by knockout/TKO, 6 by submission, and 8 by decision), and 1 draw across 49 bouts from 1998 to 2013.
DateResultOpponentMethod/EventRoundTime
August 2, 1998LossJason DallasTKO (punches) / NG 6 - Neutral Grounds 61N/A
August 2, 1998WinLee CoxSubmission (armbar) / NG 6 - Neutral Grounds 61N/A
January 10, 1999WinKen KellenbergerSubmission (rear-naked choke) / NG 9 - Neutral Grounds 910:45
March 31, 1999WinGiovanni LemmSubmission (armbar) / NG 11 - Neutral Grounds 1115:01
May 28, 1999WinThiago de FritasSubmission (heel hook) / NG 12 - Neutral Grounds 121N/A
August 2, 1999WinJohnny MolanoSubmission (triangle armbar) / KK 18 - Kage Kombat 1814:03
August 7, 1999WinJason Von FlueSubmission (armbar) / IFC WC 4 - Warriors Challenge 425:08
August 21, 1999LossAdrian SerranoTKO (corner stoppage) / EC 27 - Extreme Challenge 2725:00
September 18, 1999LossSteve HeathDecision (unanimous) / IFC WC 5 - Warriors Challenge 535:00
October 13, 1999WinKen TonariaSubmission (armbar) / Ready to Rumble - Let's Get Ready to RumbleN/AN/A
October 15, 1999WinBrennan KamakaSubmission (armbar) / RITC 2 - Marching of the Warriors16:00
November 20, 1999WinDavid HarrisDecision (unanimous) / NG 13 - Neutral Grounds 1335:00
November 20, 1999LossDave StrasserSubmission (armbar) / NG 13 - Neutral Grounds 131N/A
March 25, 2000WinSean McCannSubmission (armbar) / IFC WC 6 - Warriors Challenge 612:51
April 15, 2000LossJoe StevensonDecision (unanimous) / KOTC 3 - Knockout Nightmare25:00
April 11, 2001LossDennis AscheSubmission (triangle choke) / IFC WC 12 - Warriors Challenge 1223:42
April 12, 2002LossJason MillerDecision (unanimous) / XP 2 - Xtreme Pankration 225:00
May 9, 2002LossAntonio McKeeDecision (unanimous) / UAGF 1 - Ultimate Cage Fighting 125:00
May 19, 2005LossCassio WerneckSubmission (triangle choke) / WEC 15 - Judgment Day24:54
July 30, 2005WinAkbarh ArreolaTKO (retirement) / TC 9 - Resurrection25:00
October 15, 2005WinTim CareySubmission (rear-naked choke) / TC 10 - Total Combat 1012:25
November 12, 2005LossJake ShieldsDecision (unanimous) / KK - Kage Kombat35:00
December 10, 2005WinJerimiah CarsonTKO (retirement) / TC 11 - Total Combat 1123:00
December 17, 2005WinAkbarh ArreolaDecision (unanimous) / TC 12 - Total Combat 1235:00
May 13, 2006LossHermes FrancaSubmission (armbar) / TC 14 - Throwdown10:53
June 21, 2006LossTetsuji KatoTKO (punches) / FFCF 6 - Undisputed10:13
October 21, 2006WinDanny AfflejeKO (punches) / TC 17 - Proving Ground1N/A
November 4, 2006WinBrandon AdamsonTKO (cut) / TC 18 - Nightmare13:00
January 27, 2007LossJoao CunhaSubmission (armbar) / COF 5 - Cage of Fire 522:30
March 10, 2007WinRandy VelardeSubmission (armbar) / KOTC - Caged Chaos22:23
June 8, 2007WinZach LightSubmission (armbar) / TC 21 - Total Combat 2112:35
August 3, 2007WinDavid GardnerSubmission (rear-naked choke) / TC 22 - Total Combat 222N/A
February 16, 2008WinPreston ScharfTKO (submission to punches) / TC 26 - Total Combat 2614:29
May 10, 2008WinShad SmithTKO (punches) / Total Combat - Nevada12:25
October 11, 2008WinJason MeadersTKO (corner stoppage) / UF - Unleashed Fight15:00
April 3, 2009WinAlonzo MartinezSubmission (rear-naked choke) / BFC - Bellator Fighting Championships 113:26
May 1, 2009WinJorge MasvidalTechnical submission (inverted triangle choke) / BFC - Bellator Fighting Championships 533:22
June 19, 2009LossEddie AlvarezSubmission (rear-naked choke) / BFC - Bellator Fighting Championships 1220:38
January 30, 2010WinDaisuke HanazawaKO (punch) / KOTC - Toryumon20:29
April 15, 2010WinJames KrauseSubmission (armbar) / BFC - Bellator Fighting Championships 1422:44
May 6, 2010WinCarey VanierSubmission (armbar) / BFC - Bellator Fighting Championships 1723:33
June 10, 2010LossPat CurranDecision (split) / BFC - Bellator Fighting Championships 2135:00
November 8, 2010WinLudwing SalazarSubmission (armbar) / FN 14 - FiteNite 1421:49
March 12, 2011WinJosh ShockleySubmission (armbar) / BFC - Bellator Fighting Championships 3611:19
April 2, 2011LossPatricky FreireKO (flying knee and punches) / BFC - Bellator Fighting Championships 3912:53
August 18, 2012WinSean WilsonTKO (punches) / C3 Fights - Rumble at Red Rock21:51
October 6, 2012LossLuiz FirminoDecision (unanimous) / CFA 8 - Araujo vs. Bradley35:00
January 18, 2013LossJames KrauseDecision (unanimous) / RFA 6 - Krause vs. Imada 235:00
November 16, 2013DrawHiroyuki TakayaDraw (majority) / Shoot Boxing - Ground Zero Tokyo 201335:00

Kickboxing and shootboxing record

Toby Imada competed in eight professional and shootboxing bouts between 2010 and 2012, compiling a record of 5 wins (2 by KO/TKO, 1 by submission, and 2 by decision) and 3 losses (1 by KO/TKO and 2 by decision). All of his appearances took place under shootboxing rules, a hybrid striking format that permits throws and limited alongside punches, kicks, and knees.
ResultRecordOpponentMethodRound/TimeEventDateLocation
Win5–3Mostafa AbdollahiDecision (majority) (27–27, 29–27, 29–27)33:00Shoot Boxing World Tournament 2012November 17, 2012
Win4–3Satoru SuzukiSubmission (front choke)21:46Shoot Boxing 2012 Act 3June 3, 2012
Loss3–3Andy SouwerDecision (unanimous)33:00Shoot the Shooto 2011 Day 2November 6, 2011
Loss3–2Bovy Sor UdomsonDecision (unanimous)33:00Shoot Boxing Battle Summit Ground Zero Tokyo 2011September 10, 2011
Win3–1Hiroki ShishidoTKO (doctor stoppage due to cut)22:59Shoot Boxing 2011 Act 3 (SB169)June 4, 2011
Loss2–1Buakaw Por. PramukTKO (punches and leg kicks)22:29Shoot Boxing S-Cup 2010 (final)November 23, 2010
Win2–0Andy SouwerDecision (split)33:00Shoot Boxing S-Cup 2010 (semifinal)November 23, 2010
Win1–0Takaaki UmenoKO (uppercut)33:00Shoot Boxing S-Cup 2010 (quarterfinal)November 23, 2010

Submission grappling record

Toby Imada competed in submission grappling tournaments early in his career, with his most prominent appearance at the 1998 ADCC World Championships in . Representing the at age 19, he entered the under 88 kg and over 99 kg divisions but was eliminated in the quarterfinals of both.
ResultOpponentMethodEventDate
LossKarimula BarkalaevSubmission (choke)1998 ADCC World ChampionshipsMarch 20, 1998
LossRicardo MoraisSubmission (choke)1998 ADCC World ChampionshipsMarch 20, 1998

References

  1. https://switchfitsd.com/instructor/toby-imada/
  2. https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Toby-Imada-514
  3. https://www.mmafighting.com/2009/12/26/submission-of-the-year-toby-imadas-inverted-triangle
  4. https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/Sherdogs-Submission-of-the-Year-22020
  5. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/toby-imada
  6. https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-who-toby-imada-man-finished-jorge-masvidal-stunning-submission
  7. https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/Sherdogs-Submission-of-the-Year-22020
  8. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1721393/2020/04/04/bellator-first-event-2009-jon-anik-11th-anniversary/
  9. https://www.sherdog.com/events/TC-26-Total-Combat-26-6279
  10. https://www.sherdog.com/events/WEC-15-Judgment-Day-3048
  11. https://www.sherdog.com/events/BFC-Bellator-Fighting-Championships-1-9708
  12. https://www.sherdog.com/events/BFC-Bellator-Fighting-Championships-5-10010
  13. https://www.sherdog.com/events/BFC-Bellator-Fighting-Championships-12-10246
  14. https://www.sherdog.com/events/BFC-Bellator-Fighting-Championships-14-12778
  15. https://www.sherdog.com/events/BFC-Bellator-Fighting-Championships-17-12779
  16. https://www.sherdog.com/events/BFC-Bellator-Fighting-Championships-21-12697
  17. https://www.sherdog.com/events/BFC-Bellator-Fighting-Championships-36-16121
  18. https://www.sherdog.com/events/BFC-Bellator-Fighting-Championships-39-16153
  19. https://www.sherdog.com/news/pressreleases/Toby-Imada-returns-to-Bellator-Fighting-Championships-23102
  20. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/38576678/3-eras-bellator-mma-tourneys-circuses-classic-fights-bellator-300
  21. https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2354547/toby-imada
  22. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2013/01/resurrection-fighting-alliance-6-results-krause-larson-get-decision-wins
  23. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/82705-rfa-6-the-james-krause-vs-toby-imada-ii
  24. https://www.mmafighting.com/2010/11/23/180816/toby-imada-credits-judo-for-shoot-boxing-win-over-andy-souwer
  25. https://shootboxing.org/result/18570/
  26. https://shootboxing.org/result/18527/
  27. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/74224-1998-adcc-world-championships
  28. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/545374-1998-adcc-world-championships-karimula-barkalaev-vs-toby-imada
  29. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/545468-1998-adcc-world-championships-ricardo-the-mutant-morais-vs-toby-imada
  30. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2010/06/bellator-21-recap-curran-edges-imada-in-surprising-split-fujii-stays-unbeaten/
  31. https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/31/2009-mma-awards-show-honors-top-moments-year/
  32. https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/4/The-Weekly-Wrap-Dec-26-Jan-1-21824
  33. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2010/09/nominations-close-this-weekend-for-2010-world-mma-awards
  34. https://fightsportasia.wordpress.com/2012/03/11/shootboxing-andy-souwer-vs-satoru-suzuki-announce/
  35. https://www.mmafighting.com/2011/06/05/177175/toby-imada-continues-to-shake-up-shoot-boxing-ai-takahashi-beat
  36. https://www.mmafighting.com/2011/09/10/173628/bovy-sor-udomson-downs-toby-imada-three-times-to-win-thriller-i
  37. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Imada-Stuns-Souwer-Falls-to-Buakaw-at-2010-SCup-28352
  38. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/75535-shooto-shoot-the-shooto-2011-day-2
  39. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Weekend-Rundown-Teixeira-Wins-10th-Straight-32920
  40. https://www.mmafighting.com/2010/11/23/181508/buakaw-por-pramuk-captures-shoot-boxing-s-cup-toby-imada-upset
  41. https://thescienceof8limbs.com/2010/11/24/buakaw-becomes-shootboxing-s-cup-champion/
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