Issue 086
March 2012
Pride FC was once the destination of choice for hardcore MMA fans and while many of its top fighters enjoyed crossover success, those who didn’t will still always hold a special place in the hearts of the faithful
About
Kazushi Sakuraba
Charismatic wrestler who helped to define oriental MMA.
Hayato Sakurai
Pioneering pro wrestler who came to Pride via Shooto and the UFC.
Don Frye
Two-time UFC tournament champion and all-round macho man.
Bob Sapp
Gargantuan NFL player turned kickboxer, MMA fighter and recording artist.
Heath Herring
Incredibly durable heavyweight who could dish out a beating.
Hidehiko Yoshida
Won Olympic gold in judo at Barcelona ‘92.
Ikuhisa Minowa
Showman in tight red trunks who specializes in below the waist submissions.
Known For
Kazushi Sakuraba
Capes, trouncing the Gracie clan and never knowing when to quit.
Hayato Sakurai
‘Mach’s potent mix of submission wrestling and KO power put him high on most pound-for-pound lists in his prime.
Don Frye
An epic moustache, stars and stripes briefs and a never say die attitude.
Bob Sapp
Sapp is massive in Japan. He has endorsed hundreds of products including Bob Sapp noodles, a Bob Sapp comic book and Bob Sapp sex toys.
Heath Herring
Outrageous hairstyles, cowboy hats and range riding coats.
Hidehiko Yoshida
In Pride, he fought them all and came out with an even record. His losses were inflicted by names like Wanderei, Barnett and ‘Cro Cop.’
Ikuhisa Minowa
Although he stands a mere five-foot-nine, ‘Minowaman’ is willing to take on the giants.
Pride Highlight
Kazushi Sakuraba
When Sakuraba defeated Royce Gracie in the 2000 GP quarter final, the Japanese people began to believe. One of the most influential fights in MMA history.
Hayato Sakurai
Dealt with Jens Pulver and Joachim Hansen on the same night to advance to the 2005 lightweight grand prix final.
Don Frye
Frye’s slugfest with Yoshihiro Takayama at Pride 21 was like the man himself: low on elegance but high in excitement and pure entertainment.
Bob Sapp
He picked up ‘Minotauro’ at Shockwave in 2002 and dumped him on his head. Nog survived and went on to win by armbar in a classic. The Beast is human after all.
Heath Herring
Brutal knees to the head did in ‘Smashing Machine’ Mark Kerr at Pride 15 and earned Herring a tilt at the title.
Hidehiko Yoshida
Proudly wearing his judo gi, he went in at the deep end, taking on and beating veteran tough guy Don Frye at Pride 23.
Ikuhisa Minowa
His 27-second heel hook sub on kickboxer Stefan Leko is a handy snapshot that shows what the man is all about.
Post Pride Career
Kazushi Sakuraba
‘The Gracie Hunter’ dropped a decision to Royce on the Hero’s US show and was then outpointed by Ralek at Dream 14.
Hayato Sakurai
Still mixing it with top guys like Nick Diaz, ‘Mayhem’ Miller and Aoki, but has lost more than he’s won lately.
Don Frye
‘The Predator’ marches on. In December 2011, he was knocked out when challenging for the Gladiator Challenge light heavyweight title.
Bob Sapp
Even Japan grew tired in the end, and Sapp has taken to criss-crossing the globe, picking up the check of any promoter who will have him.
Heath Herring
When Yoshihiro Nakao kissed Heath before their bout on NYE 0’5, he was rewarded with a hammering that graces any respectable MMA highlight reel.
Hidehiko Yoshida
The old man dug in to grind out a points win in a bad tempered contest against debutant Satoshi Ishii, in front of 45,000 fans at K-1 Dynamite 2009.
Ikuhisa Minowa
Business as usual. Felled Bob Sapp, Hong Man Choi and Sokoudjou to take the Dream super hulk tournament in 2009.
Prospects
Kazushi Sakuraba
A star attraction on Dream cards. There will always be a market for a Sakuraba fight, but his current losing streak suggests it may be time to hang up the gloves.
Hayato Sakurai
Looked gassed but hung on to beat fellow veteran Ryo Chonan on New Year’s Eve, breaking a run of four defeats. Possibly a last hurrah.
Don Frye
After a nuclear attack, all that will remain are cockroaches and Don Frye. Outside the cage, he is an outrageous commentator and an unlikely agony uncle.
Bob Sapp
In both kickboxing and MMA, the losses far outweigh the wins now. His One FC date with Rolles Gracie in Indonesia is his first high-profile fight in a while.
Heath Herring
Not fought since Brock Lesnar used him for 15 minutes of ground ‘n’ pound practice. ‘The Texas Crazy Horse’ looks set to concentrate on his acting career.
Hidehiko Yoshida
Bowed out in 2010 with a match against his pupil, Kazuhiro Nakamura.
Ikuhisa Minowa
As well as being close to a century of fights, Minowaman has moonlighted as ‘Tiger Mask’ in the insane world of Japanese pro wrestling.
...
