Gladiator 37 on Nov. 15 in Osaka features Shuya Kimura vs. Koji Nakamura for the vacant featherweight title and Natsuki Kumazaki's first flyweight title defense.
What we know
- Gladiator 37 takes place on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, at 176BOX in Toyonaka, Osaka
- Shuya Kimura (5-3) faces Koji Nakamura (16-18-4) for the vacant Gladiator featherweight title over three five-minute rounds
- Koki Nakagawa vacated the featherweight title after severe arm injuries in a workplace accident; he plans five surgeries
- Natsuki Kumazaki (6-1), promoted to full flyweight champion after NavE retired, makes his first defense against Takamoto Taniguchi (3-0)
- Reliable head Jun returns after nearly three years to face Black Combat's Hwang Jun-ho, and Takeshi Kunigami meets Black Combat's Heo Seong-haeng
Japanese promotion Gladiator has announced the card for Gladiator 37 on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 176BOX in Toyonaka, Osaka. Former RIZIN fighter Shuya Kimura (5-3), returning to Gladiator for the first time since October 2024, meets veteran Koji Nakamura (16-18-4) for the vacant featherweight title.
The belt was vacated by Koki Nakagawa, who suffered muscle ruptures and fractures when his left arm was caught in a machine at work. He has five surgeries planned, including a graft from his thigh, and is aiming to return. Kimura, 26, has lost three straight since a first-round KO of Takeshi Yokoyama at RIZIN in March 2025; Nakamura, 41, won his Gladiator debut in June.
Natsuki Kumazaki (6-1) was promoted from interim to full flyweight champion after NavE retired following his September win, and makes his first defense against unbeaten Takamoto Taniguchi (3-0), who has finished all three pro opponents.
The card also features two Korean Black Combat fighters: Nakagawa's coach Jun, a former Gladiator bantamweight champion, ends a layoff of two years and 11 months against Hwang Jun-ho, and Takeshi Kunigami faces Heo Seong-haeng.
The belt was vacated by Koki Nakagawa, who suffered muscle ruptures and fractures when his left arm was caught in a machine at work. He has five surgeries planned, including a graft from his thigh, and is aiming to return. Kimura, 26, has lost three straight since a first-round KO of Takeshi Yokoyama at RIZIN in March 2025; Nakamura, 41, won his Gladiator debut in June.
Natsuki Kumazaki (6-1) was promoted from interim to full flyweight champion after NavE retired following his September win, and makes his first defense against unbeaten Takamoto Taniguchi (3-0), who has finished all three pro opponents.
The card also features two Korean Black Combat fighters: Nakagawa's coach Jun, a former Gladiator bantamweight champion, ends a layoff of two years and 11 months against Hwang Jun-ho, and Takeshi Kunigami faces Heo Seong-haeng.
- Summary
- Gladiator 37 on Nov. 15 in Osaka features Shuya Kimura vs. Koji Nakamura for the vacant featherweight title and Natsuki Kumazaki's first flyweight title defense.
- Key points (one per line)
- Shuya Kimura meets Koji Nakamura for the vacant Gladiator featherweight title on Nov. 15 in Toyonaka, Osaka
Koki Nakagawa vacated the belt after serious arm injuries in a workplace accident
Flyweight champion Natsuki Kumazaki defends against unbeaten Takamoto Taniguchi
Two Black Combat fighters appear, including against returning former champion Jun
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- Gong Kakutogi | https://gonkaku.jp/articles/25215
Fighters in this story
Natsuki Kumazaki
Koji Nakamura
Shuya Kimura
Takamoto TaniguchiSources
Summarized with AI from the sources above. Read the originals for the full story.
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