Following the first loss of his mixed martial arts career, Matsune was scheduled to fight Hiroshi Umemura, who was likewise looking to rebound from a loss. During the first round of their fight, Matsune opened the fight with a leaping hook, to which Umemura responded with a reactive single leg takedown. Matsune managed to scramble back to his feet by utilizing a kimura trap. Matsune spent the rest of the round successfully defending takedowns and landing strikes. In the beginning of the second round, Matsune landed an early high kick, and landed a takedown on a staggered Umemura. After controlling Umemura on the ground for the remainder of the fight, Matsune was awarded a unanimous decision win. Matsune next fought Daiji Takahashi, with both fighters' most recent win being Hiroshi Umemura. Matsune convincingly won the first round of the fight, mixing striking and grappling, with Takahashi remaining on the defensive for most of the round. In the second round Takahashi pressured Matsune into the ring corner, and clinched up with him. Both fighters found moments of success landing knees and short strikes, with Matsune being unable to escape the clinch due to exhaustion. Matsune won a majority decision, with two of the three judges awarding him the victory (20–19, 20–19, 19–19). Due to the inconclusive nature of their first fight, a rematch was immediately scheduled. Matsune decisively won their rematch, implementing the same gameplan as in the first round of their previous encounter. Matsune earned his only career TKO win during SuperBrawl 23, against Lincoln Tyler. After a grueling first round, Tyler's corner called the fight off. Matsune returned to Shooto to face Itchaku Murata during Shooto: Gig East 11. In all three rounds Matsune looked to close distance and use the bodylock to take Murata down. Matsune successfully controlled his opponent on the ground, managing to score a knockdown in the third round as well. Murata won a unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the third round a 10–8. After the fight he asked to be included in the upcoming Featherweight tournament. Title fights Riding a five fight winning streak, Matsune was included in Shooto's Featherweight Survivor Tournament. He was scheduled to face Kimihito Nonaka in the semi final bout of the tournament. Matsune opened the first round with a takedown, landing ground-and-pound from half guard, while Nonaka attempted to sweep. The second and third round followed the