MMA how well known is Hayato Sakurai

[Bucky]

I am doing a little research into Japanese MMA and I am curious as to how famous Hayato Sakurai is to the general public?

I realize he is pretty well-known in MMA circles, but to the average Taro Suzuki walking down the street, is he someone that would be instantly familiar? Certainly the 2008 sex tape that was leaked made him more noteworthy.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

I am doing a little research into Japanese MMA and I am curious as to how famous Hayato Sakurai is to the general public?

I realize he is pretty well-known in MMA circles, but to the average Taro Suzuki walking down the street, is he someone that would be instantly familiar? Certainly the 2008 sex tape that was leaked made him more noteworthy.

Shite!
I wasn't quite sure what "Japanese MMA" meant, opened the link to the sex tape before I'd checked and came to the conclusion that it must be an acronymn for "Man-to-Man Arse." Thank Google, I was wrong.
I'd say this Mixed Martial Artist is not widely known among the non-MMA public.

[Yokohammer]

Mixed Martian Artist?
I tell you, these mixed-bloods are going to ruin the country!

Representing the average Taro Suzuki walking down the street (or lying in the gutter), I have to report that I've never heard of the guy.

[McTojo]

Mixed Martian Artist?
I tell you, these mixed-bloods are going to ruin the country!

Representing the average Taro Suzuki walking down the street (or lying in the gutter), I have to report that I've never heard of the guy.

Starting to sound like me! My seeds are starting to sprout forth.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Shite!
I wasn't quite sure what "Japanese MMA" meant, opened the link to the sex tape before I'd checked and came to the conclusion that it must be an acronymn for "Man-to-Man Arse." Thank Google, I was wrong.
I'd say this Mixed Martial Artist is not widely known among the non-MMA public.

You've been in Japan too long. MMA is widely used in the English speaking world these days.

Bucky, he was a lot more famous 10 years ago. Since the death of Pride MMA is just not as popular in Japan. Most Japanese don't know the difference between MMA, K-1, and pro rasslin.

[yarichin01]

[Bucky]

[maraboutslim]

Pride was awesome. It really was probably the peak of MMA. I mean, I'm down with the UFC, but it's getting way too big and concerned with growth and popularity and entertainment over just letting some guys get in there and go at it. Pride didn't have such a commercial feel to it.

Anyway, now that the UFC has taken over the WEC and integrated the lighter weightclasses in, I hope we'll get to see a lot more Japanese fighters in the UFC. They signed Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto, for example. The bigger Japanese fighters like Akiyama...ok, he's korean, but whatever...and Okami aren't all that exciting but the smaller fighters are great fun and might have a chance of becoming UFC champ. Of course Takanori Gomi has a shot, too. Love that guy.

[Mike Oxlong]

Akiyama hasn't been doing so well in UFC...

Belfort gets quick UFC 133 win over Akiyama

Belfort showed off the punching power that he became known for early in his MMA career, knocking out Yoshihiro Akiyama in just 1:52 in the co-main event at UFC 133.

Belfort knocked him to the ground with a right, then followed up with a flurry of body and face punches until Akiyama fell to the ground. Belfort then finished with two more strikes until Akiyama went limp and the bout was stopped.

This was Belfort's first fight since losing in a title bout to Anderson Silva at UFC 126. In that bout, Belfort was knocked out with a front kick, but he didn't show any signs of wear tonight.

As for Akiyama, this is his third loss in a row in the UFC. His one win was a close split decision over Alan Belcher at UFC 100. After a fantastic career with K-1, he never quite reached his potential in the Octagon.

[Mike Oxlong]

Japanese legend Norifumi ‘Kid’ Yamamoto dies at age 41
Japan’s most popular fighter in the mid-2000s, Yamamoto was considered one of
the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world prior to his first retirement in 2007.
https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/9/18/1 ... -at-age-41

[Taka-Okami]

41 is still only just broken in. Too sad.