A professional competitor since 2003, Kanehara has formerly competed for World Victory Road, K-1, the UFC, Pancrase, ZST, and also made an appearance at Dynamite!!
[5] Kanehara made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2003, and compiled a record of 13–6–5 before being signed by World Victory Road.
[2] Kanehara was announced as a participant in World Victory Road's Featherweight Grand Prix.
Following the announcement that Sengoku Lightweight Champion Mizuto Hirota would vacate his belt, Kanehara accepted a challenge from Marlon Sandro.
The two met in a Featherweight title bout at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 13.
After the demise of Sengoku, Kanehara compiled a record of 7–2 which included a 21-second knockout of Joe Pearson at Pancrase 252.
[7] Kanehara was briefly linked to a bout with Urijah Faber on September 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 52.
[19] Kanehara faced Sora Yamamoto at Rizin Landmark 5 on April 29, 2023, winning the fight by unanimous decision.