Best fights of Ryuta Sakurai
Over 27 years as a professional, Ryuta Sakurai has compiled a 28-27-6 (21) record, including seven title fights across three weight classes. Here are his top 10 best fights.
1. Ryuta Sakurai submits Yasuhito Namekawa
On July 8, 2005 Ryuta Sakurai faced Yasuhito Namekawa in a welterweight bout. Sakurai was 33 years old with a record of 11-9-4, and Namekawa was 30 with a record of 20-13-2. Sakurai was coming off a loss, while Namekawa was coming off a win. Sakurai submitted Yasuhito Namekawa via armbar in the 1st round.
2. Ryuta Sakurai loses to Ryo Chonan in their 2nd fight via majority decision
On February 16, 2007 Ryuta Sakurai fought Ryo Chonan for the DEEP middleweight title. It was their second meeting. Sakurai was 35 years old with a record of 14-11-4, and Chonan was 30 with a record of 12-7. Sakurai was on a 2-fight winning streak, while Chonan was coming off a loss. Sakurai lost via majority decision. Failed to capture the title. Went the distance with Chonan.
3. Ryuta Sakurai draws with Hiromitsu Kanehara
On June 30, 2009 Ryuta Sakurai faced Hiromitsu Kanehara in a middleweight bout. Sakurai was 37 years old with a record of 18-15-4, and Kanehara was 38 with a record of 19-22-1. Sakurai was coming off a loss, while Kanehara was coming off a win. The fight ended in a unanimous decision.
4. Ryuta Sakurai KOs Ryuki Ueyama
On December 18, 2004 Ryuta Sakurai fought Ryuki Ueyama for the vacant DEEP middleweight title. Sakurai was 33 years old with a record of 10-8-4, and Ueyama was 28 with a record of 9-8-4. Sakurai was coming off a win, while Ueyama was on a 2-fight losing streak. Sakurai stopped Ryuki Ueyama via TKO in the 1st round. Won the vacant title.
5. Ryuta Sakurai loses to Kazuhiro Nakamura via majority decision
On October 19, 2012 Ryuta Sakurai faced Kazuhiro Nakamura in a middleweight bout. Sakurai was 41 years old with a record of 22-16-6, and Nakamura was 33 with a record of 15-11. Sakurai was on a 2-fight winning streak, while Nakamura was coming off a loss. Sakurai lost via majority decision. Went the distance with Nakamura.
6. Ryuta Sakurai defeats David Bielkheden
On July 16, 2004 Ryuta Sakurai faced David Bielkheden in a welterweight bout. Sakurai was 32 years old with a record of 9-8-4, and Bielkheden was 25 with a record of 5-1. Sakurai was coming off a loss, while Bielkheden was on a 5-fight winning streak. Sakurai won via unanimous decision.
7. Ryuta Sakurai draws with Mamed Khalidov
On May 7, 2010 Ryuta Sakurai fought Mamed Khalidov for the KSW light heavyweight title. Sakurai was 38 years old with a record of 20-15-5, and Khalidov was 29 with a record of 20-4-1. Sakurai was on a 2-fight winning streak, while Khalidov was coming off a loss. The fight ended in a unanimous decision.
8. Ryuta Sakurai KOs Hiroki Sato
On December 19, 2009 Ryuta Sakurai faced Hiroki Sato in a middleweight bout. Sakurai was 38 years old with a record of 19-15-5, and Sato was 0 with a record of 0-0. Sakurai was coming off a win. Sakurai stopped Hiroki Sato via KO in the 1st round.
9. Ryuta Sakurai submits Hosea Ware
On October 10, 2009 Ryuta Sakurai faced Hosea Ware in a middleweight bout. Sakurai was 38 years old with a record of 18-15-5, and Ware was 0 with a record of 0-0. Sakurai submitted Hosea Ware via straight armbar in the 1st round.
10. Ryuta Sakurai submits Kozo Urita
On August 17, 2008 Ryuta Sakurai faced Kozo Urita in a middleweight bout. Sakurai was 36 years old with a record of 16-14-4, and Urita was 0 with a record of 0-0. Sakurai was coming off a win. Sakurai submitted Kozo Urita via armbar in the 1st round.