Takumi Nakayama commonly known simply as Takumi in Japan is a Japanese fighter from Osaka Japan. Takumi was born on November 11, 1973.

Before making his MMA debut, Takumi fought in the All Japan Combat Wrestling 69kg class where he came in as a runner up as he lost to Takashi Ouchi in the final. He also competed in the All Japan Shooto Amateur Welterweight Championships where he also came in as a runner up losing to Takuto Hida in the final.

Takumi fought for most of the early part of his career in Shooto where he fought big names such as Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro, Rumina Sato, Joachim Hansen and Tatsuya Kawajiri.

After a long stay in Shooto, Takumi began fighting in other promotions around the world including KOTC where he won the KOTC lightweight title defeating Charlie Kohler. Takumi however lost the title to Mac Danzig in his first defense.

In between touring around and fighting across the world, Takumi won the Interim King of Pancrase featherweight title defeating Tomonari Kanomata.

Marlon Sandro vacated the King of Pancrase featherweight title when he signed and began competing full time Bellator and Takumi was named the King of Pancrase featherweight champion.