Sakurai v Hansen. Remarkably underrated battle between two absolutely brilliant fighters.
16 Likes
Hellboy was something special.
He was probably a top 3 lw in his prime. His fights with Aoki are legendary.
12 Likes
Easy to say much the same about Sakurai. These two certainly matched up well against each other.
5 Likes
Both dudes had epic fights with Aoki too, now that I think about it.
Mach is a legend, ahead of his time
7 Likes
Sakurai was my dude. Wish he’d beaten Nick. Lol
3 Likes
Hanson was one of teh names I first heard of in the lighter weights when I really got into mma.
I wonder what he’s upto now?!
5 Likes
Bushido 9 is the GOAT event IMO.
That LW tournament was absolutely stacked. Loaded with great storylines and the fights delivered. MW tournament was just a bonus.
2 Likes
I have n quotes through mutual friends about a potential interview with Hanson
I was told that he was “struggling” with speech and that it would not be a good idea.
I got to see him fight in the MFC tournament in Atlantic City
He was a relative unknown at that time and his aura made the others in the tournament take note of him
One of my early favorites
4 Likes
Struggling with speech from brain trauma?
Really hoping not trauma. That would be a bummer.
2 Likes
He’s only got 3 ko losses.
Unless he had a bunch of gym wars I would assume it’s not from fighting
Edit: apparently he had a stroke in 2016 and that’s why he retired
What an awesome fight. Man I wish mma still looked like this.
I was just minding my own business reading about Jews when I scrolled past this thread. Had to double take. I reckon in another ten years whatever is left after skynet won’t know who these fighters are. Damn shame.
Both were top 3-5 in their primes. Silva beating Sakurai at Welterweight and then eventually beating a former LHW champ and taking Cormier to a decision well past Silva prime gives a great overview of how elite Anderson was.
Part of me wanted it to be Stan ya never know with them crazy Japaneses and mixing shit in the day.
My nicknames origin would kindly request you please hold his and his ilks beers