Sherdog’s Top 10: Greatest Pride FC Fighters

8. Kazushi Sakuraba

Readers of Sherdog's Top 10 Flyweights know that I think many Japanese MMA stars of the 2000s are overrated, having faced a weaker level of opposition. A giant exception to that is the immortal Sakuraba, whom I consider underrated at eighth place on this list. In the year 2000, Sakuraba was likely the best pound-for-pound fighter in the entire sport, and his constant willingness to face greats who were much larger than him is utterly awe-inspiring. By modern standards, Sakuraba didn't have the most complete game, but then again, that was MMA circa 2000 for you. He was a very good wrestler who also had a fantastic and active submission game. Back then it was a rare combo few could resist. In terms of striking, he had good kicks and some defense, but was very limited with his boxing. Of course, no description of Sakuraba is complete without noting his excellent cardio, limitless toughness and fantastic creativity in his fights, whether he was doing backflips onto a downed opponent, cartwheels to pass their guard, or double Mongolian-chopping their head as part of his ground-and-pound. His Pride career started an amazing 11-1-1, cementing himself as the promotion's biggest star. During that time, he submitted future UFC welterweight champion Carlos Newton, had a time limit draw against skilled, larger BJJ world champion Allan Goes—this was so early in Pride's history that they didn't yet render judges’ decisions—shockingly dominated Vitor Belfort, submitted good opponents for the time in Ebenezer Fontes Braga and Anthony Macias, finished Royler and Renzo Gracie with kimuras, easily defeated the talented Ryan Gracie, and of course had his legendary 90-minute victory against Royce Gracie, with his four wins against jiu-jitsu’s royal family earning him the nickname “The Gracie Hunter.” His lone loss during that run was against heavyweight Igor Vovchanchyn, who was a good 30 pounds heavier, on the same night that Sakuraba had gone through the grueling 90-minute battle with Gracie. Obviously, that was an impossible situation, and the loss should in no way count against his greatness. However, I should mention that Sakuraba absolutely should have lost a decision he was gifted against yet another larger fighter, Guy Mezger. The judges declared the fight tied after the regulation 15 minutes, which would require an extra period. Mezger's team, the Lion's Den, including Ken Shamrock, were rightly incensed and made the decision not to have Mezger come out, giving Sakuraba the win.

Alas, beginning in 2001, Sakuraba's tendency to face much larger foes caught up with him. He suffered the first of what would be three knockout losses against Wanderlei Silva, who walked around at 225 pounds at the time, a good 30-35 pounds heavier than Sakuraba. He even fought top heavyweight Mirko Filipovic, who also knocked him out. His career still had the occasional success; despite being slammed around like crazy, Sakuraba choked out a young and much larger Quinton Jackson, and scored an armbar victory over former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman. The only bad loss to a fighter his size Sakuraba suffered during this time was to Brazilian Antonio Schembri, one that he avenged by decision in a rematch. Interestingly, Sakuraba left Pride on a two-fight winning streak, having knocked out Ken Shamrock with his hands in less than two and a half minutes, a consequence of having worked on his boxing with long-time rival Chute Boxe, and then submitting Ikuhisa Minowa at the end of Pride's 10-minute first round. Thus ended Sakuraba's nearly eight-year career in Pride, one that will be talked about for decades to come.

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