Hayato Sakurai
Hayato Sakurai | |
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Sakurai in 2007
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Born | Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan |
August 24, 1975
Other names | "Mach", "Yasei no Charisma" ("Wild Charisma") |
Nationality | Japanese |
Height | Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). |
Weight | 76 kg (168 lb; 12.0 st) |
Division | Welterweight |
Team | Mach Dojo[1] |
Teacher(s) | Noboru Asahi Noriaki Kiguchi Caesar Takeshi |
Rank | Honorary black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu[2] |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 52 |
Wins | 37 |
By knockout | 11 |
By submission | 10 |
By decision | 16 |
Losses | 13 |
By knockout | 5 |
By submission | 4 |
By decision | 4 |
Draws | 2 |
Other information | |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Hayato Sakurai (桜井 速人 Sakurai Hayato?, マッハ Mahha, born August 24, 1975) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 1996, he has formerly competed for the UFC, PRIDE, DREAM, Shooto, Vale Tudo Japan, DEEP, and participated in the Yarennoka!, Dynamite!! 2008, Dynamite!! 2009, Dynamite!! 2010, and Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 events. Sakurai finished second (Silver) in the Absolute Class (no weight limit) ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship in 1999 at just under 77 kg. During the height of his career in 2000 and 2001 he was considered to be one of the top pound for pound fighters in MMA. He is the former Shooto Middleweight Champion.
His nickname, "Mach", pronounced ma-ha in Japanese was taken as a tribute to his childhood professional wrestling hero, Higo Shigehisashi better known as Mach Hayato, the first Japanese professional wrestler to completely embrace the Mexican style of Lucha Libre and was also among the group of professional wrestlers who made the transition to shoot wrestling as part of the original UWF movement.
Contents
Background
Sakurai began training in judo during middle school, gaining several championships and then also began training in karate. During high school, he became friends with fellow combat sportsmen Michihiro Omigawa and Kazuyuki Miyata. He later became interested in shootboxing and joined Caesar Takeshi's dojo, competing for his promotion during years. In 1996, he wandered in mixed martial arts and entered Kiguchi Dojo, where he trained with Shooto members Noriaki Kiguchi and Noboru Asahi. At the end, he was scouted by Shooto founder himself, Satoru Sayama, and ended joining Shooto along with a young Takanori Gomi.[3]
Mixed martial arts career
Shooto
Sakurai made his professional debut in the Shooto organization on October 4, 1996 by submitting Caol Uno. Over the next five years he would go undefeated in twenty bouts and would win that organization's Shooto Middleweight Champion. Sakurai was finally defeated in August 2001 by future longtime UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. After the loss, and subsequent to a severe car accident, Sakurai traveled to the United States to fight the UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes, losing by TKO in the fourth round.
PRIDE FC and comeback
After losing to Hughes, Sakurai fought periodically in Shooto and DEEP before joining PRIDE Fighting Championships, Japan's largest MMA organization. During this time he was inconsistent in his performances, often losing to much lower-ranked opponents. He also attempted to fight at 183 lb (83 kg)., but it was clear that his frame was far too small for that weight, and his performances suffered. Some speculated Sakurai's seeming loss of spirit and mental focus came from a car accident he suffered after fighting Silva. However, in 2005 Sakurai regained focus and went to the US to train with legendary coach Matt Hume and AMC Pankration before rattling off four impressive wins against tough competition. It was announced that he would drop down to 160 lb (73 kg). in order to participate in the PRIDE Lightweight Grand Prix. Despite his revered and legendary early career some questioned if Sakurai could make an impact in the division. Sakurai silenced his critics when he defeated former UFC Lightweight Champion Jens Pulver and former Shooto Lightweight Champion Joachim Hansen on the same night to advance to the tournament finals. On December 31, 2005 Sakurai fought mixed martial arts superstar Takanori Gomi for the first ever PRIDE Fighting Championships 160 lb (73 kg) championship of the world. Although fighting with a torn ACL he suffered in training just three weeks prior to the fight, though this was not known outside of his coaching circle at the time, Sakurai initially had the upper-hand, pounding Gomi with brutal inside-leg kicks. A few minutes into the round, Sakurai attempted a throw, which landed Gomi upon the ropes of the ring. Gomi was able to take Sakurai's back and rain down strikes upon him. Seconds after both fighters stood back up, Sakurai was knocked out at the 3:56 mark of the first round. Despite the loss to Gomi, Sakurai would continue to impress with his performances. At Bushido 11 he scored a brutal knockout over WEC veteran Olaf Alfonso.[4] On August 26, 2006, Mach fought Brazilian Luciano Azevedo at Bushido 12. After several minutes of attempted ground-and-pound by Azevedo, the fighters were stood back up. Mach then consistently stuffed Azevedo's takedowns, and landed a fight-ending knee on Azevedo over his left eye. The fight was stopped, TKO by cut.
Sakurai fought against former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion and future The Ultimate Fighter 6 Winner Mac Danzig at PRIDE 33. Sakurai won the fight via knockout in the second round. Sakurai was then defeated by David Baron by submission in the first round. Sakurai then defeated Kuniyoshi Hironaka via unanimous decision. Sakurai then went on to defeat former professional wrestler Katsuyori Shibata by TKO at Dynamite!! 2008.
DREAM
Next, he competed in the DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix, facing top-ranked Lightweight Shinya Aoki at DREAM 8. Sakurai won in impressive fashion by knocking Aoki out in 27 seconds with knees to the head and punches. He then lost at DREAM 10 in the semi-final of the tournament to eventual winner Marius Zaromskis in a huge upset, conceding the loss via knockout from a head kick and punches. Sakurai fought against Akihiro Gono at the Dynamite!! 2009 New Year's Eve show in Saitama, Japan. Sakurai controlled the fight early on, but eventually lost via armbar submission in the second round. He fought Nick Diaz at DREAM 14 and was caught in an armbar submission again. After this fight he has speculated on retiring saying that he was good physically, but not mentally.[5]
Sakurai was to have a rematch against Marius Žaromskis in DREAM 17 a non-title fight.[6] However, he injured his leg which has forced off of the DREAM 17 card and was replaced by Eiji Ishikawa.[7]
Sakurai returned at Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 where he faced Ryo Chonan. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[8]
He then faced Phil Baroni at the subsequent New Year's card by Dream, DREAM 18, defeating him via unanimous decision.[9]
Post-DREAM
Almost a year later, Sakurai returned to face Jae Suk Lim at Mach Dojo / Gladiator: Mach Festival. Sakurai lost by TKO in the first round.
He competed in the Tokyo International Jiu-Jitsu Open Championship 2009, ranking himself as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt for his grappling expertise. He opened the first round against Akira Uemura, but was eliminated.
Fighting style
Sakurai was renowned for his well rounded set of skills, excelling on every field of the MMA game. On the stand-up, he favoured grinding low kicks and an advanced boxing, along with a wide usage of knee strikes, including flying knees.[10] A prolific clinch user, although he was not a high level judoka, Sakurai excelled in performing hip throws during his matches, favouring o goshi, uki goshi and ippon seoi nage.[10] Finally, his grappling technique was one of his biggest strenghts, using his shoot wrestling expertise to great effect. He was the only user of this discipline in reaching the ADCC finals both in his weight and absolute division,[10] submitting heavier and more decorated grapplers like Ricco Rodriguez and Vinny Magalhães.
Championships and accomplishments
- Shooto
- Shooto Welterweight Championship (One Time)
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown | ||
52 matches | 37 wins | 13 losses |
By knockout | 11 | 5 |
By submission | 10 | 4 |
By decision | 16 | 4 |
Draws | 2 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 37–13–2 | Jae Suk Lim | TKO (punches) | Mach Dojo / Gladiator: Mach Festival | September 29, 2013 | 1 | 5:21 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 37–12–2 | Phil Baroni | Decision (unanimous) | DREAM 18 | December 31, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 36–12–2 | Ryo Chonan | Decision (unanimous) | Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 | December 31, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
Loss | 35–12–2 | Jason High | Decision (split) | Dynamite!! 2010 | December 31, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
Loss | 35–11–2 | Nick Diaz | Submission (armbar) | DREAM 14 | May 29, 2010 | 1 | 3:54 | Saitama, Japan | Non-title bout |
Loss | 35–10–2 | Akihiro Gono | Submission (armbar) | Dynamite!! The Power of Courage 2009 | December 31, 2009 | 2 | 3:56 | Saitama, Japan | |
Loss | 35–9–2 | Marius Žaromskis | KO (head kick) | DREAM 10 | July 20, 2009 | 1 | 4:03 | Saitama, Japan | DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix Semifinal Round |
Win | 35–8–2 | Shinya Aoki | KO (knees & punches) | DREAM 8 | April 5, 2009 | 1 | 0:27 | Nagoya, Japan | DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix Opening Round |
Win | 34–8–2 | Katsuyori Shibata | TKO (punches) | Fields Dynamite!! 2008 | December 31, 2008 | 1 | 7:01 | Saitama, Japan | |
Win | 33–8–2 | Kuniyoshi Hironaka | Decision (unanimous) | Dream 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 Final Round | September 23, 2008 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
Loss | 32–8–2 | David Baron | Submission (guillotine choke) | Shooto: Shooto Tradition 1 | May 3, 2008 | 1 | 4:50 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 32–7–2 | Hidetaka Monma | TKO (punches) | Dream 1: Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 First Round | March 15, 2008 | 1 | 4:12 | Saitama, Japan | |
Win | 31–7–2 | Hidehiko Hasegawa | Decision (unanimous) | Yarennoka! | December 31, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
Win | 30–7–2 | Mac Danzig | KO (punch) | PRIDE 33 | February 24, 2007 | 2 | 4:01 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 29–7–2 | Luciano Azevedo | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Pride - Bushido 12 | August 26, 2006 | 1 | 4:35 | Nagoya, Japan | |
Win | 28–7–2 | Olaf Alfonso | KO (punch) | Pride - Bushido 11 | June 4, 2006 | 1 | 1:54 | Saitama, Japan | |
Loss | 27–7–2 | Takanori Gomi | KO (punches) | Pride FC: Shockwave 2005 | December 31, 2005 | 1 | 3:56 | Saitama, Japan | Final of PRIDE Lightweight Grand Prix to crown inaugural PRIDE Lightweight Champion. |
Win | 27–6–2 | Joachim Hansen | Decision (unanimous) | Pride: Bushido 9 | September 25, 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Semifinal of PRIDE Lightweight Grand Prix |
Win | 26–6–2 | Jens Pulver | TKO (punches) | Pride: Bushido 9 | September 25, 2005 | 1 | 8:56 | Tokyo, Japan | Opening Round of PRIDE Lightweight Grand Prix |
Win | 25–6–2 | Shinya Aoki | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Alive Road | August 20, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | |
Win | 24–6–2 | Milton Vieira | Decision (split) | Pride: Bushido 7 | May 22, 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Loss | 23–6–2 | Crosley Gracie | Submission (armbar) | PRIDE Bushido 5 | October 14, 2004 | 2 | 1:02 | Osaka, Japan | |
Win | 23–5–2 | Brady Fink | Submission (guillotine choke) | PRIDE Bushido 4 | July 19, 2004 | 1 | 4:08 | Nagoya, Japan | |
Loss | 22–5–2 | Rodrigo Gracie | Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE Bushido 2 | February 15, 2004 | 2 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | |
Win | 22–4–2 | Daiju Takase | Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE Shockwave 2003 | December 31, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
Loss | 21–4–2 | Ryo Chonan | TKO (cut) | Deep - 12th Impact | September 15, 2003 | 3 | 2:10 | Japan | |
Win | 21–3–2 | Dave Menne | TKO (cut) | DEEP: 10th Impact | June 25, 2003 | 2 | 2:02 | Japan | |
Win | 20–3–2 | Ryuki Ueyama | Decision (unanimous) | Deep - 8th Impact | March 4, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Japan | |
Loss | 19–3–2 | Jake Shields | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Year End Show 2002 | December 14, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Loss | 19–2–2 | Matt Hughes | TKO (strikes) | UFC 36 | March 22, 2002 | 4 | 3:01 | Las Vegas, United States | For UFC Welterweight Championship |
Win | 19–1–2 | Dan Gilbert | Submission (heel hook) | Shooto: To The Top Final Act | December 16, 2001 | 1 | 1:52 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Loss | 18–1–2 | Anderson Silva | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: To The Top 7 | August 26, 2001 | 3 | 5:00 | Japan | Lost Shooto Welterweight Championship |
Win | 18–0–2 | Jean Louis Alberch | Decision | GT: Golden Trophy 2001 | March 1, 2001 | 2 | 3:00 | France | |
Win | 17–0–2 | Frank Trigg | KO (knees) | Shooto: R.E.A.D. Final | December 17, 2000 | 2 | 2:25 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 16–0–2 | Luiz Azeredo | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: R.E.A.D. 8 | August 4, 2000 | 3 | 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | |
Win | 15–0–2 | Tetsuji Kato | Decision (split) | Shooto: R.E.A.D. 2 | March 17, 2000 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Defended Shooto Welterweight Championship |
Win | 14–0–2 | Haroldo Bunn | TKO (punches) | VTJ 1999: Vale Tudo Japan 1999 | December 11, 1999 | 3 | 1:31 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 13–0–2 | Brad Aird | Submission (armbar) | Shooto: Renaxis 2 | July 16, 1999 | 1 | 0:37 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 12–0–2 | Marcelo Aguiar | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: 10th Anniversary Event | May 29, 1999 | 3 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | |
Win | 11–0–2 | Jean Louis Alberch | Submission (armbar) | GT: Golden Trophy 1999 | March 20, 1999 | 1 | 0:33 | France | |
Win | 10–0–2 | Damien Riccio | Decision | GT: Golden Trophy 1999 | March 20, 1999 | 1 | 5:00 | France | |
Win | 9–0–2 | James Schiavo | Submission (toe hold) | GT: Golden Trophy 1999 | March 20, 1999 | 1 | 0:26 | France | |
Win | 8–0–2 | Ademir Oliveira | KO (flying knee) | Shooto: Devilock Fighters | January 15, 1999 | 1 | 0:34 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 7–0–2 | Sergei Bytchkov | Submission (armbar) | VTJ 1998: Vale Tudo Japan 1998 | October 28, 1998 | 1 | 4:59 | Japan | |
Win | 6–0–2 | Ronny Rivano | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shooto: Las Grandes Viajes 4 | July 29, 1998 | 1 | 1:10 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 5–0–2 | Jutaro Nakao | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Las Grandes Viajes 3 | May 13, 1998 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Won Shooto Welterweight Championship |
Draw | 4–0–2 | Marcelo Aguiar | Draw | VTJ 1997: Vale Tudo Japan 1997 | November 29, 1997 | 3 | 8:00 | Japan | |
Win | 4–0–1 | Alex Cook | Submission (rear naked choke) | Shooto: Reconquista 4 | October 12, 1997 | 1 | 1:09 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 3–0–1 | Ali Elias | Submission (armbar) | Shooto: Reconquista 3 | August 27, 1997 | 1 | 1:23 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 2–0–1 | Hiroyuki Kojima | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Gig | June 25, 1997 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Draw | 1–0–1 | Takuya Kuwabara | Draw | Shooto: Reconquista 1 | January 18, 1997 | 3 | 3:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 1–0 | Caol Uno | Submission (armbar) | Shooto: Let's Get Lost | October 4, 1996 | 1 | 2:52 | Tokyo, Japan |
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest
Mixed martial arts exhibition record
Exhibition record breakdown | ||
1 match | 1 win | 0 losses |
By knockout | 1 | 0 |
By submission | 0 | 0 |
By decision | 0 | 0 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Draw | 0-0-1 | Rumina Sato | Technical Draw | World&Wild 1 | April 4, 2008 | 1 | 3:00 | Tokyo, Japan |
Kickboxing record
Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 1-0 | ![]() |
Decision (unanimous) | Shootboxing Battle Summit Ground Zero Tokyo 2007 | October 28, 2007 | 3 | 3:00 | Tokyo, Japan |
Submission grappling record
Result | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Notes |
Loss | ![]() |
Points | ADCC 2000 –77 kg | 2000 | 1 | ||
Loss | ![]() |
Points | ADCC 1999 Absolute | 1999 | 20:00 | ||
Win | ![]() |
Points | ADCC 1999 Absolute | 1999 | 10:00 | ||
Win | ![]() |
Points | ADCC 1999 Absolute | 1999 | 15:00 | ||
Win | ![]() |
Submission | ADCC 1999 –77 kg | 1999 | 1 | 00:17 | |
Loss | ![]() |
Submission | ADCC 1999 –77 kg | 1999 | 1 | 5:09 | |
Win | ![]() |
Points | ADCC 1999 –77 kg | 1999 | 10:00 | ||
Win | ![]() |
ADCC 1999 –77 kg | 1999 | 15:00 |
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Greatest Pride Fighting Knockouts, video of Sakurai's match with Olaf Alfonso, retrieved on February 16, 2007
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ [1] Archived June 26, 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Snowden, Jonathan. MMA Encyclopedia, ECW Press, 2010
External links
- Official website
- Official blog
- ^ PRIDE profile
- Professional MMA record for Hayato Sakurai from SherdogLua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 28: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles containing Japanese-language text
- Official website not in Wikidata
- 1975 births
- Living people
- Japanese mixed martial artists
- Japanese practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
- Welterweight mixed martial artists
- Japanese kickboxers
- Middleweight kickboxers
- Japanese submission wrestlers
- People from Ibaraki Prefecture
- Japanese judoka