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A fresh chapter in MMA history will be written on December 31, as Taisei Sakuraba, son of the iconic Kazushi Sakuraba, steps into the cage for his professional debut. The 26-year-old will face seasoned veteran Yusuke Yachi at RIZIN DECADE, a blockbuster event celebrating the promotion’s milestone.
Taisei Sakuraba, nicknamed “Saku Jr.,” carries a name synonymous with innovation and resilience in the sport. Starting judo at just 13, he gradually expanded his martial arts repertoire at 24. His competitive achievements already hint at his potential: in 2023, he submitted two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Masato Uchishiba with a kneebar in a grappling match. Earlier this year, he showcased his striking prowess by securing a knockout in an amateur kickboxing bout.
While Taisei’s record is a clean slate at 0-0, his opponent, Yusuke Yachi, is a battle-tested warrior. With a professional career spanning over a decade, Yachi boasts a record of 27-14 and notable accomplishments, including titles at Shooto and PXC. Yachi has won four of his last five fights under the RIZIN banner, displaying well-rounded skills with multiple submissions in his arsenal.
The stakes are high for both fighters. Taisei seeks to honor his father’s legacy while carving his path, and Yachi is determined to halt the rookie’s momentum.
RIZIN DECADE promises to be a spectacle, with Taisei’s debut among the highlights. The card will also feature a featherweight title clash between Chihiro Suzuki and Kleber Koike, alongside exciting matchups such as Mikio Ueda vs. Tae In Kim and “Ya-Man” Ren Sugiyama vs. Karshyga Dautbek. Adding to the star power, Ryan Garcia will step into the ring for a boxing exhibition against Rukiya Anpo.
With the world watching, Taisei Sakuraba’s debut could mark the beginning of a new dynasty in MMA.
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