Kazushi Sakuraba

57, from Shōwa, Akita, Japan

Artwork for NJPW Road to Destruction 2024: Day 5Image of Kazushi Sakuraba

Biography

Kazushi Sakuraba is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler, currently signed to Rizin Fighting Federation. He has competed in traditional puroresu for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and shoot-style competition for UWFi and Kingdom Pro Wrestling (KPW). He has fought in MMA competition in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Pride Fighting Championships, Hero's and Dream. He is known as the "Gracie Hunter" or the "Gracie Killer" due to his wins over four members of the famed Gracie family: Royler Gracie, Renzo Gracie, Ryan Gracie, and Royce Gracie. In particular, Sakuraba is famous for his initial fight with Royce, which lasted ninety minutes and ended after Royce was unable to continue due to damage received from Sakuraba.

Timeline

2024Aged 55

  • Poster for NOAH: Wrestle Magic 2024

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for Josh Barnett's Bloodsport Bushido

    (Unknown)

  • Poster for NJPW Road to Destruction 2024: Day 5

    Kazushi Sakuraba

2023Aged 54

  • Poster for NOAH: Great Muta Final

    (Unknown)

2022Aged 53

2021Aged 52

  • Poster for CyberFight Festival 2021

    Kazushi Sakuraba

2020Aged 51

2019Aged 50

  • Poster for Quintet Ultra

    (Unknown)

2018Aged 49

  • Poster for Quintet 2

    Himself

  • Poster for Quintet 3

    (Unknown)

2017Aged 48

  • Poster for RIZIN 7

    (Unknown)

2016Aged 47

  • Poster for NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka 2016

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for NJPW The New Beginning in Niigata 2016

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for NJPW Invasion Attack 2016

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2016

    Kazushi Sakuraba

2015Aged 46

  • Poster for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 9

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Pioneers of MMA: Kazushi Sakuraba

    Himself

  • Poster for NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka 2015

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for NJPW The New Beginning in Sendai

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for NJPW Invasion Attack 2015

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2015

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for NJPW Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall 2015

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 17

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 18

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for NJPW G1 Climax 25: Day 19 (Final)

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for NJPW Destruction in Kobe 2015

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2015

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for NJPW Power Struggle 2015

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for NJPW Tag League Finals 2015

    Kazushi Sakuraba

  • Poster for RIZIN SARABA

    (Unknown)

2014Aged 45

2013Aged 44

2012Aged 43

  • Poster for NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2012

    Kazushi Sakuraba

2011Aged 42

  • Poster for DREAM 17

    Self

2010Aged 41

  • Poster for DREAM 14

    Self

  • Poster for DREAM 16

    Self

2009Aged 40

  • Poster for Baton

    Robot Guard (voice)

  • Poster for DREAM 11

    Self

  • Poster for DREAM 12

    Self

2008Aged 39

  • Poster for Dream 2

    himself

2007Aged 38

2006Aged 37

2005Aged 36

2004Aged 35

  • Poster for Pride Critical Countdown 2004

    Self

2003Aged 34

  • Poster for Pride 25: Body Blow

    Self

  • Poster for Pride Total Elimination 2003

    Self

  • Poster for Pride Final Conflict 2003

    Self

  • Poster for Pride Shockwave 2003

    Self

2002Aged 33

2001Aged 32

  • Poster for Pride 13: Collision Course

    Self

  • Poster for Pride 15: Raging Rumble

    Self

  • Poster for Pride 17: Championship Chaos

    Self

2000Aged 31

  • Poster for Pride Grand Prix 2000 Opening Round

    Self

  • Poster for Pride Grand Prix 2000 Finals

    Self

  • Poster for Pride 10: Return of the Warriors

    Self

  • Poster for PRIDE 11

    Self

  • Poster for Pride 12: Cold Fury

    Self

1999Aged 30

  • Poster for Pride 5

    Self

  • Poster for Pride 6

    Self

  • Poster for Pride 7

    Self

  • Poster for Pride 8

    Self

1998Aged 29

  • Poster for Pride 2

    Self

  • Poster for Pride 3

    Self

  • Poster for Pride 4

    Self

1997Aged 28

  • Poster for UFC 15.5: Ultimate Japan 1

    Self

1996Aged 27

Year unknown

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