He's known as "The Gracie Hunter", and for good reason. Kazushi Sakuraba has defeated more members of the famed Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gracie family than anyone else in the history of mixed martial arts. This, combined with a very respectable record (23-9-1) has brought him great fame and respect within the sport. Having fought all around the world and on the biggest stages in MMA such as the UFC and K-1, he is known most from his long run in PRIDE.
Born in Akita, Japan on July 14th 1969, Sakuraba began wrestling early in high school and continued during his years in college. In 1992 Sakuraba put the amateur ranks of wrestling behind when he joined up with the Japan based "Union of Wrestling Force International" (UWFI). He also had a short stint with the rival wrestling organization "New Japan Pro Wrestling" at a time when it and the UWFI were feuding. Not long after the UWFI ended, Sakuraba joined most of the other former UWFI fighters in forming "Kingdom." But when that too collapsed after only one year, Sakuraba joined forces with Nobuhiko Takada and Naoki Sano in creating a stable of fighters called "Takada Dojo", with a goal of focusing on mixed martial arts events.
Sakuraba would make his official MMA debut on December 21, 1997 at UFC's Ultimate Japan 1, and would face former Extreme Fighting Champion Marcus Silveira. However the match ended prematurely when the referee mistook a single-leg takedown by Sakuraba as a knockout. The fight was ruled a no-contest and a rematch was scheduled for that very same night. In the rematch Sakuraba earned the victory with a submission by armbar. This would be the one and only time Kazushi Sakuraba would enter the UFC's octagon.
On March 15th, 1998 Sakuraba would make his first appearance in what would be a long and fruitful career within the PRIDE Fighting Championship organization when he faced Vernon "Tiger" White at PRIDE 2. Once again winning the bout by armbar submission. Over the next two years Sakuraba would have eight more fights within PRIDE before receiving his first loss, beating notable fighters like Carlos Newton, Vitor Belfort, Royler Gracie, Guy Mezger, and Royce Gracie. Sakurabas' first loss would come at the hands of Igor Vovchanchyn at the 2000 PRIDE Grand Prix Finals. He would rebound three months later by defeating his third Gracie, when during PRIDE 10 he submitted Renzo Gracie by Kimura. Just four months later he would add yet another Gracie to his resume, taking Ryan Gracie by unanimous decision at PRIDE 12.
At the time this was absolutely unheard off, the Gracie family was legendry. Having created their own style of fighting known as "Brazilian Jiu Jitsu", the Gracies created a fighting challenge known simply as "The Gracie Challenge." It was an open call to all fighters of any style to test their skills against Gracie Jiu Jitsu in a practically rule-less environment. Eventually this would evolve when Rorion Gracie turned it into the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in 1993. When Sakuraba defeated Royler Gracie during PRIDE 8 the fight-world was shocked, as no man had defeated a Gracie in an actual legitimate match (Royce had one previous loss but only because he couldn't begin the match) in over five decades.
Kazushi Sakuraba had twenty-seven fights while in PRIDE, his last being a win against Ikuhisa "The Punk" Minowa during PRIDE Shockwave 2005 on December 31st, 2005. Since then Sakuraba has been fighting in the "K-1" organization and has continued to do well, losing only once in six fights. At nearly 40 years old, Sakuraba continues to fight with strength, honor, and courage. With any luck MMA fans will continue to enjoy his fighting spirit for years to come.
Born in Akita, Japan on July 14th 1969, Sakuraba began wrestling early in high school and continued during his years in college. In 1992 Sakuraba put the amateur ranks of wrestling behind when he joined up with the Japan based "Union of Wrestling Force International" (UWFI). He also had a short stint with the rival wrestling organization "New Japan Pro Wrestling" at a time when it and the UWFI were feuding. Not long after the UWFI ended, Sakuraba joined most of the other former UWFI fighters in forming "Kingdom." But when that too collapsed after only one year, Sakuraba joined forces with Nobuhiko Takada and Naoki Sano in creating a stable of fighters called "Takada Dojo", with a goal of focusing on mixed martial arts events.
Sakuraba would make his official MMA debut on December 21, 1997 at UFC's Ultimate Japan 1, and would face former Extreme Fighting Champion Marcus Silveira. However the match ended prematurely when the referee mistook a single-leg takedown by Sakuraba as a knockout. The fight was ruled a no-contest and a rematch was scheduled for that very same night. In the rematch Sakuraba earned the victory with a submission by armbar. This would be the one and only time Kazushi Sakuraba would enter the UFC's octagon.
On March 15th, 1998 Sakuraba would make his first appearance in what would be a long and fruitful career within the PRIDE Fighting Championship organization when he faced Vernon "Tiger" White at PRIDE 2. Once again winning the bout by armbar submission. Over the next two years Sakuraba would have eight more fights within PRIDE before receiving his first loss, beating notable fighters like Carlos Newton, Vitor Belfort, Royler Gracie, Guy Mezger, and Royce Gracie. Sakurabas' first loss would come at the hands of Igor Vovchanchyn at the 2000 PRIDE Grand Prix Finals. He would rebound three months later by defeating his third Gracie, when during PRIDE 10 he submitted Renzo Gracie by Kimura. Just four months later he would add yet another Gracie to his resume, taking Ryan Gracie by unanimous decision at PRIDE 12.
At the time this was absolutely unheard off, the Gracie family was legendry. Having created their own style of fighting known as "Brazilian Jiu Jitsu", the Gracies created a fighting challenge known simply as "The Gracie Challenge." It was an open call to all fighters of any style to test their skills against Gracie Jiu Jitsu in a practically rule-less environment. Eventually this would evolve when Rorion Gracie turned it into the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in 1993. When Sakuraba defeated Royler Gracie during PRIDE 8 the fight-world was shocked, as no man had defeated a Gracie in an actual legitimate match (Royce had one previous loss but only because he couldn't begin the match) in over five decades.
Kazushi Sakuraba had twenty-seven fights while in PRIDE, his last being a win against Ikuhisa "The Punk" Minowa during PRIDE Shockwave 2005 on December 31st, 2005. Since then Sakuraba has been fighting in the "K-1" organization and has continued to do well, losing only once in six fights. At nearly 40 years old, Sakuraba continues to fight with strength, honor, and courage. With any luck MMA fans will continue to enjoy his fighting spirit for years to come.
1 comment:
Interesting read! I didnt know the controversy around his debut! I've heard stories where umpires stand fighters up when they are in a triangel choke... Its the risk you run with umpires that are not used to MMA, I guess...
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