Kazushi Sakuraba's son booked in dangerous MMA debut at RIZIN

Lucas Rezende

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Publish Date: 11/23/2024

Taisei Sakuraba, the son of MMA legend Kazushi Sakuraba, is following in his father's footsteps, but will be in a pretty tough match up at RIZIN.

Ryan Couture, A.J. McKee, Bella Mir, Kron Gracie, the list of MMA veterans' children who also decided to make a career for themselves in the sport is nothing but short. Although some of them could never achieve what their parents did like Ryan Couture or Kron Gracie, others managed to be even greater. Most notably, A.J. McKee won the Bellator title and was arguably the biggest star in the promotion at one point. Meanwhile, others are just too early into their careers for people to make any judgements, like Frank Mir's daughter Bella.

Kazushi Sakuraba is an MMA legend

As RIZIN announced, another name will be added to that list before the year of 2024 is up, as the son of Japanese legend Kazushi Sakuraba, Taisei, is now set to make his MMA debut. The match will happen on their traditional New Year's Eve show, at RIZIN DECADE. The event celebrates the 10th anniversary of the promotion that came to fill the gap left by PRIDE, the league in which Sakuraba made a name for himself and earned the nickname 'The Gracie Hunter'.

During his time under the PRIDE banner, Kazushi Sakuraba faced and defeated some of the most notable names of his generation, including Vitor Belfort, Royler Gracie, Royce Gracie, Renzo Gracie, Ryan Gracie, Quinton Jackson, Kevin Randleman and Ken Shamrock, among others.

In fact, the now 55-year-old ended his career at Rizin FF, as well, with a TKO loss to Shinya Aoki at Rizin FF SARABA, in December 2015. Sakuraba ended his career with a 26-17-1-2 NC record.

Yachi vs. Sakuraba RIZIN poster

Taisei booked in dangerous MMA debut against RIZIN contender

Now, it is Kazushi Sakuraba's son's time to carry on the family name and make his father proud. Taisei Sakuraba is a 26-year-old lightweight who has experience judo and grappling competitions, and some kickboxing. He doesn't have much actual fight experience, but noted that martial arts has been a part of his life at various forms, since he was 13 years old.

Now, he is expected to take on a rather dangerous and experienced opponent in his MMA debut, 34-year-old Yusuke Yachi, a longtime title contender with a professional record of 27-14.

Rizin Fighting Federaion DECADE is set to take place at the Saitama Super Arena, in Japan, on December 31 at the traditional New Year's Eve card. The night is expected to be headlined by a featherweight title fight between champion Chihiro Suzuki and challenger Kleber Koike Erbst.