Kazushi Sakuraba

Kazushi Sakuraba is a legendary mixed martial artist and professional wrestler who fundamentally changed how the world viewed Japanese combat sports. Born in 1969, he rose through the ranks of UWFi (Union of Wrestling Forces International), a shoot-style promotion where he trained under Billy Robinson in catch wrestling and master Bovy Chowaikung in muay thai. This foundation gave him an unorthodox but deeply technical game that would define his MMA career.

Sakuraba became a superstar in Japan and beyond by doing what many thought impossible: he systematically defeated members of the seemingly unbeatable Gracie family. He earned the nickname 'Gracie Killer' or 'Gracie Hunter' by submitting Royler Gracie, Renzo Gracie, Ryan Gracie, and three-time UFC Tournament champion Royce Gracie. His dominance extended far beyond the Gracies. Over his career he defeated 15 champions across multiple top organizations, including UFC champions Vitor Belfort, Quinton Jackson, Kevin Randleman, and Carlos Newton, as well as legendary strikers and grapplers like Ken Shamrock. Despite often competing many weight classes above his natural size, his superior conditioning, intelligent positioning, and catch-wrestling mastery allowed him to control much larger opponents.

Sakuraba's fights in Pride routinely drew over 20 million viewers in Japan, making him a cultural icon. He became the first of only two Japanese UFC champions and competed at the highest level across Pride, Pancrase, Dream, Rizin, and other elite promotions throughout a career spanning decades. Rather than fade away, Sakuraba founded Quintet in 2018, a submission-wrestling promotion that strips away points and judges, leaving only pure grappling and the tap-out. Now in his mid-50s, he continues to compete and lead teams at Quintet events, embodying a legacy as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time and a tireless advocate for technical, catch-wrestling-based combat sports.