Bernard Ackah


Bernard Ackah is a Japanese-based Ivorian taekwondo practitioner, kickboxer, mixed martial artist and comedian.

Biography

Martial arts career and background

Ackah was born in Bonn Germany to Ivorian Parents and moved to Japan at the age of 2. He practiced judo during his middle school and high school days. In 1998, he went to South Korea and stayed there for 3 years to practice taekwondo at the prestigious Yonsei University.
He made his professional mixed martial arts debut in March 2007 with a first-round knockout victory over Hyun Pyo Shin at K-1 Hero's 8. He entered the spotlight later that year at Dynamite!! USA when he also knocked out former NFL player-turned-mixed martial artist Johnnie Morton. He then went on to lose his next three fights, however, including one to Dutch kickboxer Melvin Manhoef. He ended this losing streak seven seconds into his fight with Ryūshi Yanagisawa at Deep: 43rd Impact with a KO victory. He has since won two fights, both in the Deep promotion.
He entered kickboxing in December 2007 when he faced Japanese legend Musashi at K-1 PREMIUM 2007 Dynamite!!. He lost the fight via knockout in the third round. He also fought at K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Fukuoka and took on Tsuyoshi Nakasako, who defeated him via decision. His kickboxing record stands at two wins and three losses.

Television career

He is known to anime fans as the voice of the Master of Ceremonies in the original Japanese version of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's. He also made an appearance on the 19th Sasuke competition and failed the "Jumping Spider" in the First Stage. He recently made in appearance in Kamen Rider series, starting Kamen Rider Wizard as the Phantom Caitsith and Kamen Rider Drive as the Gunman Roidmude.

Professional wrestling career

On November 30, 2014, Ackah made his professional wrestling debut for the Dramatic Dream Team promotion, where he was introduced as Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion LiLiCo's bodyguard. He wrestled his first match on December 13, defeating Kazuki Hirata.

Personal life

He can speak English, French, German, Korean, and Japanese.
He is married to a Japanese woman, living in his wife's parents' house, and has 3 children.

Mixed martial arts record

Kickboxing