Best fights of Hayato Sakurai
Over 20 years as a professional, Hayato Sakurai has compiled a 38-13-2 (22) record, including five title fights across three weight classes. Here are his top 10 best fights.
1. Hayato Sakurai KOs Shinya Aoki in their 2nd fight in 27 seconds
On April 5, 2009 Hayato Sakurai faced Shinya Aoki in a welterweight bout. It was their second meeting. Sakurai was 33 years old with a record of 34-8-2, and Aoki was 25 with a record of 20-3. Sakurai was on a 2-fight winning streak and Aoki was on a 3-fight winning streak. Sakurai stopped Shinya Aoki via KO in the 1st round.
2. Hayato Sakurai KOs Dave Menne
On June 25, 2003 Hayato Sakurai faced Dave Menne in a middleweight bout. Sakurai was 27 years old with a record of 20-3-2, and Menne was 28 with a record of 34-9-2. Sakurai was coming off a win and Menne was on a 2-fight winning streak. Sakurai stopped Dave Menne via TKO in the 2nd round.
3. Hayato Sakurai defeats Ryo Chonan in their 2nd fight
On December 31, 2011 Hayato Sakurai faced Ryo Chonan in a welterweight bout. It was their second meeting. Sakurai was 36 years old with a record of 35-12-2, and Chonan was 35 with a record of 20-12. Sakurai was on a 4-fight losing streak, while Chonan was on a 2-fight winning streak. Sakurai won via unanimous decision.
4. Hayato Sakurai defeats Jutaro Nakao
On May 13, 1998 Hayato Sakurai fought Jutaro Nakao for the vacant Shooto middleweight title. Sakurai was 22 years old with a record of 4-0-2, and Nakao was 27 with a record of 5-2-1. Nakao was on a 3-fight winning streak. Sakurai won via unanimous decision. Won the vacant title.
5. Hayato Sakurai defeats Joachim Hansen
On September 25, 2005 Hayato Sakurai faced Joachim Hansen in a lightweight bout. Sakurai was 30 years old with a record of 26-6-2, and Hansen was 26 with a record of 13-2-1. Sakurai was on a 3-fight winning streak and Hansen was on a 7-fight winning streak. Sakurai won via unanimous decision.
6. Hayato Sakurai KOs Jens Pulver
On September 25, 2005 Hayato Sakurai faced Jens Pulver in a lightweight bout. Sakurai was 30 years old with a record of 25-6-2, and Pulver was 30 with a record of 19-5-1. Sakurai was on a 2-fight winning streak and Pulver was coming off a win. Sakurai stopped Jens Pulver via TKO in the 1st round.
7. Hayato Sakurai defeats Ryuki Ueyama
On March 4, 2003 Hayato Sakurai faced Ryuki Ueyama in a welterweight bout. Sakurai was 27 years old with a record of 19-3-2, and Ueyama was 26 with a record of 9-5-3. Sakurai was on a 2-fight losing streak, while Ueyama was on a 4-fight winning streak. Sakurai won via unanimous decision.
8. Hayato Sakurai defeats Phil Baroni
On December 31, 2012 Hayato Sakurai faced Phil Baroni in a welterweight bout. Sakurai was 37 years old with a record of 36-12-2, and Baroni was 36 with a record of 15-15. Both Sakurai and Baroni were coming off a win. Sakurai won via unanimous decision.
9. Hayato Sakurai loses to Matt Hughes via KO
On March 22, 2002 Hayato Sakurai fought Matt Hughes for the UFC welterweight title. Sakurai was 26 years old with a record of 19-1-2, and Hughes was 28 with a record of 30-3. Sakurai was coming off a win and Hughes was on a 8-fight winning streak. Hughes stopped Sakurai via TKO in the 4th round. Failed to capture the title.
10. Hayato Sakurai KOs Hidetaka Monma
On March 15, 2008 Hayato Sakurai faced Hidetaka Monma in a welterweight bout. Sakurai was 32 years old with a record of 31-7-2, and Monma was 34 with a record of 14-7-3. Sakurai was on a 4-fight winning streak and Monma was coming off a win. Sakurai stopped Hidetaka Monma via TKO in the 1st round.