Wt: 183

26 Career MMA Victories

Specializes in Catch Wrestling

UFC Ultimate Japan Winner 1997*

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards include:

2001 Best Box Office Draw

2001 Feud of the Year (vs. Wanderlei Silva)

2000 Best Shootfighter

2000 Best Shoot Match (vs. Royce Gracie)

*UFC Ultimate Japan – Sakuraba’s story:

In order to gain attention for the Japanese Kingdom Pro Wrestling, Hiromitsu Kanehara and Yoji Anjoh signed on for competition in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Ultimate Japan tournament to be held December 21, 1997.  However, Kanehara was injured during training for the tournament, and Sakuraba came up as his late hour substitute. The tournament was for heavyweights, and Sakuraba, at 183 pounds, was seventeen pounds beneath the UFC’s 200 pound description for the weight class. Reporting himself as 203 pounds in order to gain entry, Sakuraba was matched off against 243 pound Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt, Marcus Silveira.

Following a barrage of blows by Silveira, Sakuraba dropped for a low-single, only for the fight to be prematurely ended on a KO.  Referee John McCarthy had incorrectly considered Sakuraba to have been knocked out.  A noisy protest followed from the crowd and Sakuraba attempted in vain to take the microphone and address the Japanese audience.  After reviewing tape, McCarthy changed his decision to a no-contest.  Tank Abbott, who had earlier defeated Yoji Anjoh, was forced to drop out of the tournament due to a broken hand, allowing Sakuraba and Silveira to face off once again that night in what was to be the championship bout of the tournament.  Sakuraba earned the victory, submitting Silveira with an armbar.  Afterwards, Sakuraba famously stated, “In fact, professional wrestling is strong”.

Kazushi Sakuraba Links

Kazushi Sakuraba Fighter Profile at sherdog.com

Kazushi Sakuraba YouTube Search Page