MMA Fighter Bios: KAZUSHI SAKURABA

KAZUSHI SAKURABA

BORN: Katagami, Akita, Japan
6’0, 185 pounds

One of the most entertaining and loved fighters across the world, Kazushi Sakuraba has become an MMA legend. Using a combination of flash and flair, grappling and wrestling peppered in with some striking, Sakuraba captured the imagination of the MMA world.
Sakuraba competed in the UFC’s Ultimate Japan tournament and like many times in his career fought heavyweights while being 183 pounds himself. Marcus Silveira would be his first opponent in the event the fight ended in controversial fashion. Silveira lands some big shots and Sakuraba dropped for a single leg shot and the bout was stopped by the referee thinking Sak was KOd. After a tape review the referee changed his decision to a no-contest. The two would fight again later that evening and Sakuraba made things right the second time around by taking out Silveira via armbar. submitting Silveira with an armbar.
But it wasn’t the UFC where Sak would flourish, he’d make Pride FC his home and become a national hero. He would successfully defeat Vernon White, Carlos Newton, Vitor Belfort, Ebenezer Fontes Braga and Anthony Macias, in what would be an undefeated record in Pride.
But although he is an indefinable persona in MMA, Sak is well known by many as “The Gracie Hunter”, and the man who really put the Gracie legacy to the test. Between 1999 and 2000 he would defeated 4 Gracies—Rolyer, Royce, Renzo and Ryan. Two technical submissions via kimura, a decision win over Ryan, and a corner throwing in the towel for Royce after a grueling unlimited rounds match which ended after 90 minutes of action. Sakuraba became an MMA icon.
While the Gracie’s could not solve the riddle of Sakuraba with their BJJ prowess, it was a fellow Brazilian who would derail Sak temporarily. It wasn’t though by BJJ, but Muay Thai. Wanderlei Silva would punch, knee and soccer kick his way to a tough TKO victory over the Japanese sensation. It was the first time we watched Sak take a major barrage of strikes and be finished off in devastating fashion.
Sak was back and scored a win over Quinton Jackson via guillotine to earn another shot at Silva. But once again the Brazilian triumphed over Sakuraba after the Japanese fighter was slammed and broke his collar bone. Another striker in Mirko Filipovic hammered Sak with strikes and broke his orbital bone in the process of winning via TKO.
While still a solid fighter at 185 with something great to offer the sport, Sakuraba still would continue to make big journeys up in weight classes to fight larger opponents and suffer some tough losses in the process. He would go 10-7 over the next few years, but still score wins over Kevin Randleman, Ken Shamrock, Ikuhisa Minowa, while being defeated by some bigger and tougher fighters including Ricardo Arona and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
If Sakuraba stayed at 185 his entire career he’d have a very different record most likely, but that was one of the best parts about him—he’d fighter whoever was tossed into the ring with him. Be it a terrifying fighter like Wanderlei Silva, vicious striker like Cro Cop, a fighter 2 weight classes above him like Nogueira, or whoever else was in the picture, Sak would take on all comers. And he’d keep coming—fighting Wanderlei Silva 3 times.
A lot of heart, a lot of skill, and a lot of excitement and inspiration he brought into the ring. And a lot of thanks he gets back from the MMA world.

SAK FACTS
UFC Ultimate Japan Tournament Winner
Nicknames include The Gracie Hunter, The IQ Wrestler
Has fought and defeated 4 Gracies
Fought Marcus Silveira 2 times in a night
Fought Wanderlei Silva 3 times in his career
Fought Nino Schembri 2 times in his career
3 KO wins   
16 Submission wins
1 Draw
2 No Contests