Fight Facts Retrospective is a branch of the Fight Facts series that chronicles the accomplishments and achievements of legendary fighters and historic promotions. Join us as we celebrate the career of the MMA pioneer Kazushi Sakuraba, ahead of the 20th anniversary of his momentous battle with Royce Gracie at the Pride Fighting Championships Grand Prix 2000 Finals.
Nicknamed “The Gracie Hunter,” the iconic Sakuraba feared no man in any weight class during his unprecedented run in Pride Fighting Championships. A first-ballot MMA hall of famer and an actual Ultimate Fighting Championship hall of famer, Sakuraba almost certainly resides on the MMA-imagined version of Mount Rushmore.