Jose ‘Pele’ Landi-Jons

Sakuraba is possibly the most popular Japanese fighter of all time. The former pro-wrestler took on some of the world’s best fighters in a series of thrilling matches. His legendary battles with Wanderlei Silva (who he fought three times) will go down in MMA history books as some of the most entertaining yet brutal encounters ever seen. Known for his cauliflower ears and strapped-up knees, he fought for PRIDE from their early events right through until this year, though age and injuries have taken their toll on him. In his prime though, he faced and defeated no less than four members of the Gracie family, and holds wins over fighters such as Vitor Belfort and Kevin Randleman. He will fight later this year in the K-1 HERO’s tournament.

Jorge 'Macaco' Patino

29-year-old submission stylist Newton started his professional career as a teenager, facing enormous fighter Jean Riviere on Extreme Fighting in Canada on just a day’s notice. Newton lost after putting on a gutsy and entertaining performance, but went on to become a regular for both PRIDE and UFC between 1998 and 2004. Charismatic and skilled, Newton won the UFC welterweight title from Pat Miletich in 2001, though he lost it to Matt Hughes later that year. His battles with Dan Henderson, Miletich, Jose ‘Pele’ Landi-Jons and Matt Hughes (who he faced twice) were some of the most memorable fights of the ’98-2002 period. Newton has lost as many as he has won, but is always fantastic entertainment. ‘The Ronin’, whose MMA record is 12-10, has not fought since losing 3 fights by decision in 2004 but will appear in the K-1 tournament alongside Sakuraba.

The background

A gifted amateur wrestler in high school, Sakuraba learned the submission wrestling style of Catch while training as a pro wrestler for UWF-I. The promotion presented a (reasonably) realistic version of pro wrestling, based around kicks, suplexes and submissions, and even as one of the ‘young boys’ (rookie), Sakuraba was reputed to have incredible fluidity on the mat. Highly rated by Japanese insiders, few people outside the country gave him much chance of beating Newton. The Canadian had fought an all-out war with wrestler Dan Henderson at UFC 17 in Alabama just 39 days earlier. Newton dropped a controversial decision and was widely considered one of the still-fledgling sport’s elite at around 180 pounds. Set for an intriguing mid-card match over three ten-minute rounds in front of a half-filled Budokan Hall in Tokyo, this was Sakuraba’s second PRIDE outing and Newton’s first.

Who needs punching?

Throughout the entire 15 minutes and 19 seconds of this fight, only 17 strikes were thrown, with six of those in the opening round. Clearly both were looking to prove who the best grappler was, as they missed numerous opportunities to strike and instead concentrated on going for the submission. Sakuraba started with a couple of sharp low kicks, and it took only a few seconds for him to pull out the first of his grappling tricks. Newton shot in for a leg trip takedown. Using his impeccable balance, Sakuraba blocked, hopped, and turned this into a takedown of his own. Easily passing Newton’s guard, Sakuraba moved quickly all the way around Newton’s body and went for a very sneaky armbar. The fight could have been over there as he had the hold tightly clamped on, but Newton powered out. Still, Sakuraba had shown the tremendous speed, fluidity, technique, and an innovative streak that would be the main course of this submission wrestling feast.

With Sakuraba on his back, Newton tried working from the side mount but the Japanese fighter simply slipped out from under him. Grabbing hold of Newton’s foot as he shifted positions, Sakuraba put his opponent on his back with an almost gentle takedown. Making the first of numerous attempts to either grab or fake a toehold, Sakuraba kept Newton on the defensive. Even with his back turned, Sakuraba seemed to be constantly looking for trailing limbs to trap. Not long after, Newton was on his back with Sakuraba standing over him. Controlling Newton’s leg with one hand, Sakuraba passed his guard and went for another fast armbar that Newton defended. Just five minutes had passed, and this was already looking like a classic.

Allowing Newton to stand up, Sakuraba went for another couple of low kicks and Newton rushed in with a wild punch – the first of the match. Sakuraba countered this with another effortless takedown, using nothing but leverage and technique. Sakuraba instead dropped to one side of Newton’s guard and went for another toehold that had him scrambling for freedom. The Canadian took Sakuraba’s back and started looking for a rear naked choke, but Sakuraba of course defended with absolute calm and shrugged Newton off, dropping into a side mount. With a minute left he threw his first punch, grazing a short right hand off Newton’s chin. With no openings on the ground, Sakuraba stood back and after Newton followed, the Japanese up-and-comer threw a left high kick before ending an enthralling round with a double-leg takedown as the time expired.

A textbook finish

With Newton shooting in for a takedown early in the second round, Sakuraba dropped down and allowed his opponent to take his back. Looking for a kimura, Sakuraba ended up on top, setting off a chain of incredible rolling reversals that ended with Sakuraba back in the same position and Newton sitting high on his back. Newton then threw a couple of knees to the body and followed with a nice left hook that snaked under Sakuraba’s armpit and bounced off his face. Sakuraba, who was still turtled on the ground, retaliated by grabbing Newton’s foot and pushing him off balance. Newton responded by expertly trapping Sakuraba’s right arm with both legs. Laying in a pair of body shots, Newton was in a good striking position and Sakuraba took evasive action to roll out of harm’s way.

The next minute saw both men throw the odd punch on the ground, Sakuraba go for a kimura and Newton threaten to set up a triangle or armbar from the guard. Following up a right-hand punch, Sakuraba went for another armbar that had Newton scrambling desperately out of trouble. Once more Sakuraba ended up face down on the mat and looking to grab one of Newton’s limbs. With Newton sitting on his back Sakuraba grabbed his right ankle and rolled forwards, bringing Newton with him and simultaneously giving himself room and position to isolate the left leg in the perfect position for a kneebar. With the leg completely trapped and Sakuraba stretching it out so expertly, Newton had no choice and tapped out. With a sudden, beautiful finish and so much artistry on display throughout the fight, this was one of the very best of the era and more than eight years later remains a classic technical battle to savour. With luck, the two may well meet again in the upcoming HERO’s tournament, and we may see a replay of this wonderful contest.

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