Taisei Sakuraba, son of PRIDE legend and UFC Hall of Fame member Kazushi Sakuraba, made his MMA debut at RIZIN Decade on New Year’s Eve.
It couldn’t have gone any better.
The 26-year old second generation star was making the walk for first time at RIZIN’s biggest show of the year, not to mention its 10-year anniversary. And while your average debuting fighter might take on a fellow newcomer, or someone with just a handful of fights, Sakuraba (Jr) jumped straight into the deep end, facing 40+ fight veteran and RIZIN Fighting Federation mainstay Yusuke Yachi.
Yachi, with roughly 15 years experience as a pro, entered the night at 27-14. His most recent outing, back in September, saw him earn a unanimous decision victory over the dangerous Sho Patrick Usami.
There's going to be some talk of the quick stoppage, but that isn't on Taisei Sakuraba. THAT is how you make your debut against a 40+ fight veteran. Mere seconds. The legacy continues! #RIZIN_Decade (footage courtesy of RIZIN FF/RIZIN.tv) pic.twitter.com/bQyAc6pTnj
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) December 31, 2024
Taisei Sakuraba wasted no time in putting an end to Yachi’s night in Saitama. Fighting at the same famed Saitama Super Arena his father had once stalked, Sakuraba dropped Yachi off a caught kick, then piled on with ground n’ pound, at least a couple of blows connecting flush. While there might be a bit of talk of a quick stoppage, Yachi was certainly taking damage, and that’s on the ref, not Sakuraba, who picks up the win in his debut in the biggest way possible. The entire fight took a grand total of 26 seconds, the RIZIN Decade broadcast later announced.
Following the victory, Taisei Sakuraba vowed to continue training and improving – and who can blame him, with the very sizeable shoes he has to fill. Meanwhile, he joins the likes of Royce and Khonry Gracie, and Antonio and A.J. McKee, as a second generation fighter in MMA.
