Was Sakuraba ever a champion?

[ReasonableMMAFan]

The man is so revered(if not the most revered, as I don't think I've ever seen anybody talk shit about him.) in the mma community, but I can't recall him ever winning a title belt or anything of the sort. I guess that just speaks to his legacy against the Gracies and all his memorable fights with other legends of mma.

 

[Hi-Tech]

He was the people's champ.

The one and only universally popular MMA fighter without haters.

 

[Coconut Joe]

 

[Cam Zink]

Everytime champion.

 

[BlancaDiablo]

The Gracie Hunter. Potential for GOAT talk. Always wanted to see Gracie Hunter vs Frank Shamrock.

 

[Mochan]

Yes, he was the champion for UFC Japan (UFC 15)

 

[binny]

ufc japan heavyweight tournament champion

 

[hasar]

He couldn't beat juiced up Wanderlei. Was so close winning Pride belt.

 

[eiyuu]

He had the Saku Belt . . .

. . . the most important title in MMA history. But he lost to Wanderlei Silva and gave it to him

 

[CPH]

The corrupt Pride bosses did him some favors now and then. Unfortunately, what they really enjoyed was putting him in suicidal match ups and watching him lose.

Saku was champion material at 170-185 though, no question.

 

[MuddyFugger]

Anyone remember them calling Cro Cop the "uncrowned champion"?...

Lame

 

[GIBLERTBAPTISTA]

Saku belt, the most prestigious belt of them all. If im not mistaken Stipe is the lineal Saku belt holder atm

 

[Ez Eric]

He was too busy fighting LHWs and HWs.

Imagine if he came to the US and cut to 170 or possibly even 155. His record and health would have been much better. But the man just had too much heart and took brutal beatings from monsters like Wand, Arona, Manhoef, etc.

 

[Mochan]

He had the Saku Belt . . .

. . . the most important title in MMA history. But he lost to Wanderlei Silva and gave it to him

The Saku Belt is currently with me.

 

[WinZip]

The corrupt Pride bosses did him some favors now and then. Unfortunately, what they really enjoyed was putting him in suicidal match ups and watching him lose.

Saku was champion material at 170-185 though, no question.

crazy thing is, if he were a fighter today, he'd probably fight at LW.

 

[Mochan]

The man is so revered(if not the most revered, as I don't think I've ever seen anybody talk shit about him.) in the mma community, but I can't recall him ever winning a title belt or anything of the sort. I guess that just speaks to his legacy against the Gracies and all his memorable fights with other legends of mma.

The thing with Sakuraba is, everyone who was a fan of MMA at the time understands just how great he was, but he isn't hyped up anywhere today so the TUF Newbs who never saw him don't really get exposed enough to him to hate on him.

That said, I have seen people talk trash on Sakuraba, discredit him and his wins, and even some call him a fake fighter who say all his wins were just works.

 

[Mochan]

crazy thing is, if he were a fighter today, he'd probably fight at LW.

And he'd a be a takedown machine at LW, with that crazy low single of his.

AND BTW your avatar is freaking awesome. RAR RAR RAR!!

 

[CPH]

crazy thing is, if he were a fighter today, he'd probably fight at LW.

I wonder how much of Saku's slacker image (with regards to nutrition, training) was just marketing. Meaning: would he actually have the discipline to drop his 6' frame to 155, Nate-style?

 

[aichokyu]

He was a UFC tournanent champion
Open weight mind you

 

[KantoTerror]

He was too pussy to fight opponents his own size & weight....