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Kazushi Sakuraba on UFC Hall of Fame induction: ‘I gave everything I could to MMA’
Perhaps lost in the shuffle this past weekend because of UFC 212, which took place inside Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was the announcement that mixed martial arts (MMA) “pioneer” Kazushi Sakuraba would be inducted into the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Hall of Fame despite just one appearance inside the Octagon almost two decades ago.
From an official UFC press release:
Sakuraba only competed at one UFC event, debuting as a last-minute replacement at UFC Japan: “Ultimate Japan” on Dec. 21, 1997 in Yokohama, Japan. During the event, he competed against former Extreme Fighting heavyweight champion Marcus “Conan” Silveira twice, winning the second match after an initial “No Contest” to win the UFC heavyweight tournament. Following his UFC tournament victory, Sakuraba entered PRIDE Fighting Championships, defeating UFC Hall of Famers Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock, former UFC welterweight champion Carlos Newton, former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort and UFC 13 lightweight tournament winner Guy Mezger during his seven-year tenure with the organization. He ended his PRIDE run tied with UFC Hall of Famer and former PRIDE heavyweight champion “Minotauro” Nogueira for most submissions in PRIDE history (11).
Indeed, it has certainly been an incredible run for the “Gracie Hunter,” one that is more than deserving of eternal enshrinement in UFC’s Hall of Fame. After all, when outspoken and skeptical legends such as Don Frye pile on with praise, it is more than well deserved.
“Sakuraba is just magic,” Frye said. “He walks into that arena and it’s like Elvis [Presley]. He proved to the world that the Gracies could be beat. He was the man who did it.”
The honor and the moment clearly was not lost on Sakuraba, who reiterated his gratitude on Instagram earlier this week, detailing his journey and appreciation of the sport and its loyal fans … while drinking a celebratory ビール.
A post shared by Kazushi Sakuraba (@saku39ks) on Jun 3, 2017 at 8:51pm PDT
Truly a one-of-a-kind MMA treasure.
Sakuraba will be inducted into UFC’s Hall of Fame alongside other undisclosed honorees during International Fight Week, which takes place this summer in Las Vegas, Nevada, from July 5-8, 2017.
Perhaps lost in the shuffle this past weekend because of UFC 212, which took place inside Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was the announcement that mixed martial arts (MMA) “pioneer” Kazushi Sakuraba would be inducted into the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Hall of Fame despite just one appearance inside the Octagon almost two decades ago.
From an official UFC press release:
Sakuraba only competed at one UFC event, debuting as a last-minute replacement at UFC Japan: “Ultimate Japan” on Dec. 21, 1997 in Yokohama, Japan. During the event, he competed against former Extreme Fighting heavyweight champion Marcus “Conan” Silveira twice, winning the second match after an initial “No Contest” to win the UFC heavyweight tournament. Following his UFC tournament victory, Sakuraba entered PRIDE Fighting Championships, defeating UFC Hall of Famers Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock, former UFC welterweight champion Carlos Newton, former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort and UFC 13 lightweight tournament winner Guy Mezger during his seven-year tenure with the organization. He ended his PRIDE run tied with UFC Hall of Famer and former PRIDE heavyweight champion “Minotauro” Nogueira for most submissions in PRIDE history (11).
Indeed, it has certainly been an incredible run for the “Gracie Hunter,” one that is more than deserving of eternal enshrinement in UFC’s Hall of Fame. After all, when outspoken and skeptical legends such as Don Frye pile on with praise, it is more than well deserved.
“Sakuraba is just magic,” Frye said. “He walks into that arena and it’s like Elvis [Presley]. He proved to the world that the Gracies could be beat. He was the man who did it.”
The honor and the moment clearly was not lost on Sakuraba, who reiterated his gratitude on Instagram earlier this week, detailing his journey and appreciation of the sport and its loyal fans … while drinking a celebratory ???.
Sakuraba will be inducted into UFC’s Hall of Fame alongside other undisclosed honorees during International Fight Week, which takes place this summer in Las Vegas, Nevada, from July 5-8, 2017.