Best fights of Kazushi Sakuraba
Over 19 years as a professional, Kazushi Sakuraba has compiled a 26-17-1 (23) record, including three title fights across four weight classes. Here are his top 10 best fights.
1. Kazushi Sakuraba KOs Guy Mezger
On January 30, 2000 Kazushi Sakuraba faced Guy Mezger in a lightweight bout. Sakuraba was 30 years old with a record of 7-1-1, and Mezger was 32 with a record of 22-8-2. Sakuraba was on a 4-fight winning streak, while Mezger was on a 2-fight losing streak. Sakuraba stopped Guy Mezger via TKO in the 1st round.
2. Kazushi Sakuraba chokes out Ikuhisa Minowa
On December 31, 2005 Kazushi Sakuraba faced Ikuhisa Minowa in a welterweight bout. Sakuraba was 36 years old with a record of 18-9-1, and Minowa was 29 with a record of 30-22-8. Sakuraba was coming off a win, while Minowa was coming off a loss. Sakuraba submitted Ikuhisa Minowa via choke-out in the 1st round.
3. Kazushi Sakuraba KOs Royce Gracie
On May 1, 2000 Kazushi Sakuraba faced Royce Gracie in a heavyweight bout. Sakuraba was 30 years old with a record of 8-1-1, and Gracie was 33 with a record of 12-0-1. Sakuraba was on a 5-fight winning streak and Gracie was coming off a win. Sakuraba stopped Royce Gracie via TKO in the 6th round.
4. Kazushi Sakuraba defeats Yoshihiro Akiyama
On December 31, 2006 Kazushi Sakuraba faced Yoshihiro Akiyama in a middleweight bout. Sakuraba was 37 years old with a record of 20-9-1, and Akiyama was 31 with a record of 9-1. Sakuraba was on a 3-fight winning streak and Akiyama was on a 8-fight winning streak. Sakuraba won via no contest.
5. Kazushi Sakuraba submits Kęstutis Smirnovas
On August 5, 2006 Kazushi Sakuraba faced Kęstutis Smirnovas in a light heavyweight bout. Sakuraba was 37 years old with a record of 19-9-1, and Smirnovas was 30 with a record of 18-5. Sakuraba was on a 2-fight winning streak and Smirnovas was on a 3-fight winning streak. Sakuraba submitted Kęstutis Smirnovas via armbar in the 1st round.
6. Kazushi Sakuraba chokes out Renzo Gracie
On August 27, 2000 Kazushi Sakuraba faced Renzo Gracie in a heavyweight bout. Sakuraba was 31 years old with a record of 9-2-1, and Gracie was 33 with a record of 9-1-1. Both Sakuraba and Gracie were coming off a loss. Sakuraba submitted Renzo Gracie via choke-out in the 2nd round.
7. Kazushi Sakuraba draws with Allan Góes
On October 11, 1998 Kazushi Sakuraba faced Allan Góes in a heavyweight bout. Sakuraba was 29 years old with a record of 3-1, and Góes was 27 with a record of 3-1-1. Sakuraba was on a 3-fight winning streak, while Góes was coming off a loss. The fight ended in a unanimous decision.
8. Kazushi Sakuraba loses to Kiyoshi Tamura via unanimous decision
On December 31, 2008 Kazushi Sakuraba faced Kiyoshi Tamura in a middleweight bout. Sakuraba was 39 years old with a record of 24-11-1, and Tamura was 39 with a record of 31-13-3. Sakuraba was coming off a loss, while Tamura was on a 2-fight winning streak. Sakuraba lost via unanimous decision.
9. Kazushi Sakuraba defeats Vitor Belfort
On April 29, 1999 Kazushi Sakuraba faced Vitor Belfort in a heavyweight bout. Sakuraba was 29 years old with a record of 3-1-1, and Belfort was 22 with a record of 6-1. Belfort was on a 2-fight winning streak. Sakuraba won via unanimous decision.
10. Kazushi Sakuraba submits Ebenezer Fontes Braga
On July 4, 1999 Kazushi Sakuraba faced Ebenezer Fontes Braga in a heavyweight bout. Sakuraba was 29 years old with a record of 4-1-1, and Braga was 30 with a record of 10-3-1. Sakuraba was coming off a win. Sakuraba submitted Ebenezer Fontes Braga via armbar in the 1st round.