Report Last Updated - 3/02
Birthdate - 7/14/68
6' 203 lbs. - Tokyo, Japan
Team - Takada Dojo
Style - Pro-Wrestling/Submission/Muay Thai
Career Highlights
- Defeats Marcus Conan Silvera in a rematch to win the Heavyweight tournament at Ultimate Japan
- Beats Vitor Belfort via decision at Pride 5
- Scores a submission victory over Royce Gracie in the second round of the Pride GP Tournament
- Defeats Renzo Gracie at Pride 10
- Beats his fourth Gracie, Ryan, by decision at Pride 12
Striking - Kazushi Sakuraba is a wonderful striker and uses everything in the book to take opponents out. His jabs and knees are pretty good, but Saku's kicks are lethal. He uses high kicks when he can, his great back kick once and while, but his low kicks are constant, accurate, and punishing. Not to seem boring, Sakuraba uses Mongolian Chops and Jumping Punches at times to stun opponents.
Wrestling - Sakuraba trained with one of the best Japanese wrestlers (Sakuya Datchi), so his ability to shoot legs and dominate on the mat are strong. Saku above all knows how to use his body effeciently, he moves and has his opponent move exactly how he wants and lets his fighting superiority take over from there.
Hooking - Though he may not have a vast array of submission holds, what Saku uses is very effective. He uses his strength and momentum well and can take people out with usually armlocks. Sakuraba has a great submission style in which he worms on a hold slowly than explodes with it to get a quick and sometimes gruesome win.
Strengthes - Sakuraba's strengthes are many and weaknesses are few, so he has proven to be one of the top Mixed Martial Artists in the world. He is a knowledgable competitor, who learns well from his mistakes and tries to catch people. Saku uses his bizarre antics such as wearing a pro wrestling mask and cracking jokes in interviews to appear as an oddball. In the ring, he toys with opponents and uses unorthodox moves to compound his unique approach to the sport. Though he appears to be a goofball, Sakuraba is a very dangerous man.
Weaknesses - The criticisms of Sakuraba are few and far between as he has been dominant. He has held back a few times and lack of aggression in MMA can be hurt one's standing with the judges. Saku also seems to give up his back too much, though we've seen him use it as a setup for his spinning murigatame.
Outlook - What a phenominal star Kazushi Sakuraba has become since getting involved with Pride. Saku brings undeniable fighting ability and pro wrestling appeal to be one of the most popular and successful fighters in the world. He has opened up his style and seems destined to meet and defeat a great number of marquis opponents before he finishes his career in MMA.