Ryuta Sakurai (born September 8, 1971) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who currently competes in the middleweight division. A veteran who fought for many companies such as Shooto,

Pancrase is a Japanese mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Tokyo. It was founded in 1993 by professional wrestlers Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki. The name was based on pankration, a fighting sport in the An ...

and

PRIDE Pride is a human Emotion, secondary emotion characterized by a sense of satisfaction with one's Identity (philosophy), identity, performance, or accomplishments. It is often considered the opposite of shame or of humility and, depending on conte ...

. Nicknamed Mr. DEEP, he is best known for spending most of his fighting career in DEEP, where he is a former DEEP Middleweight champion.

Career

DEEP

Sakurai defeated

Ryuki Ueyama Ryuki Ueyama (born 17 April 1976 in Tokyo) is a Japanese mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight (MMA), Lightweight division. He has fought for organizations such as Fighting Network RINGS, Deep (m ...

at Deep: 17 Impact on December 18, 2004, by technical knockout in the first round to win the championship. Sakurai would lose the title in February 2006 to Ryo Chonan at Deep: 23rd Impact in the first round due to a cut. He would challenge for the championship in a rematch against rival Riki Fukuda at Deep: 40 Impact, where he lost via unanimous decision. His last fight in DEEP to date was at Deep: 87 Impact on December 21, 2018, to a second round submission loss to Tatsuya Mizuno.

Championship and accomplishments

* DEEP ** DEEP Middleweight Championship (1 time) *GRACHAN **GRAND Welterweight Championship (1 time) * Shooto **5th All Japan Amateur Shooto Light Heavyweight Championship tournament winner (1998)

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, , Hidetaka Arato , Technical Decision (unanimous) , GRACHAN 58 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:48 , Chiba, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 28–26–6 , Radek Hecl , TKO (punches) , GRACHAN 57 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:34 , Chiba, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 27–26–6 , Hiroki Nagaoka , Decision (unanimous) , GRACHAN 48 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Ōta, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 27–25–6 , Daryl Lokoku , Submission (armbar) , GRACHAN 42 x GLADIATOR 011 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:56 , Ōta, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 26–25–6 , Akihito Mamiya , Decision (unanimous) , BRAVE FIGHT 18 x GRACHAN 39 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:53 , Ōta, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 25–25–6 , Tatsuya Mizuno , Submission (rear naked choke) , Deep 87 Impact , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:53 ,

Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 25–24–6 , Hikaru Sato , TKO (punches) , Pancrase 289 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:23 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 24–24–6 , Yoichiro Sato , Submission (guillotine choke) , Deep: 78 Impact , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:22 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 24–23–6 , Taisuke Okuno , Decision (split) , Deep: Cage Impact 2016 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 24–22–6 , Yushin Okami , TKO (corner stoppage) , Deep: 75 Impact , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:23 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 24–21–6 , Svetlozar Savov , Submission (guillotine choke) , Abu Dhabi Warriors 2 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:20 ,

Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, second-most popu ...

, United Arab Emirates , , - , Loss , align=center, 24–20–6 , Ken Hasegawa , Submission (keylock) , Deep: 71 Impact , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:10 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 24–19–6 , Yoshiyuki Nakanishi , Decision (unanimous) , Deep: 69 Impact , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 24–18–6 , Mamed Khalidov , Submission (triangle choke) , KSW 25: Khalidov vs. Sakurai 2 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:03 ,

Wrocław Wrocław is a city in southwestern Poland, and the capital of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. It is the largest city and historical capital of the region of Silesia. It lies on the banks of the Oder River in the Silesian Lowlands of Central Eu ...

, Poland , , - , Win , align=center, 24–17–6 , Yuji Sakuragi , KO (punch and flying knee) , Deep: Cage Impact 2013 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:04 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 23–17–6 , Hiromitsu Kanehara , Submission (arm-triangle choke) , Deep: Haleo Impact , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 0:46 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 22–17–6 , Kazuhiro Nakamura , Decision (majority) , Deep: 60 Impact , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 22–16–6 , Katsuyori Shibata , TKO (punches) , Deep: 55 Impact , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:04 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 21–16–6 , Yoshiyuki Nakanishi , Submission (armbar) , Deep: 52 Impact , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:48 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 20–16–6 , Riki Fukuda , TKO (knees) , Deep: 49 Impact , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:32 ,

, Japan , , - , Draw , align=center, 20–15–6 , Mamed Khalidov , Draw (unanimous) , KSW 13: Kumite , , align=center, 4 , align=center, 3:00 ,

Katowice Katowice (, ) is the capital city of the Silesian Voivodeship in southern Poland and the central city of the Katowice urban area. As of 2021, Katowice has an official population of 286,960, and a resident population estimate of around 315,000. K ...

, Poland , , - , Win , align=center, 20–15–5 , Hiroki Sato , KO (punch) , Deep: Cage Impact 2009 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:13 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 19–15–5 , Hosea Ware , Submission (straight armbar) , Deep: 44 Impact , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:46 ,

, Japan , , - , Draw , align=center, 18–15–5 , Hiromitsu Kanehara , Draw (majority) , Deep: 42 Impact , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 18–15–4 , Riki Fukuda , TKO (punches) , Deep: 40 Impact , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:45 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 18–14–4 , Sojiro Orui , Decision (split) , Deep: 38 Impact , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 17–14–4 , Kozo Urita , Submission (armbar) , Deep: 37 Impact , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:22 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 16–14–4 , Young Choi , Decision (unanimous) , Deep: 35 Impact , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 15–14–4 , Riki Fukuda , Decision (unanimous) , Deep: 34 Impact , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 15–13–4 , Eiji Ishikawa , TKO (cut) , Deep: 32 Impact , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 14–13–4 , Murilo Bustamante , KO (punch) , Deep: 29 Impact , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:50 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 14–12–4 , Ryo Chonan , Decision (majority) , Deep: 28 Impact , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 14–11–4 , Geovani Pereira , Submission (kimura) , Deep: 27 Impact , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:57 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 13–11–4 , Xavier Foupa-Pokam , Technical Submission (armbar) , Deep: 25 Impact , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:47 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 12–11–4 , Ryo Chonan , TKO (cut) , Deep: 23 Impact , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:57 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 12–10–4 , Paulo Filho , Submission (armbar) , Pride: Bushido 9 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:49 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 12–9–4 ,

Yasuhito Namekawa (born October 27, 1974) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division. Namekawa made his mixed martial arts debut for Fighting Network RINGS in 1998. He fought in mainly shootfighting bouts until 1999 when ...

, Submission (armbar) , Deep: 19th Impact , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:40 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 11–9–4 , Murilo Bustamante , Decision (unanimous) , Pride: Bushido 6 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Yokohama is the List of cities in Japan, second-largest city in Japan by population as well as by area, and the country's most populous Municipalities of Japan, municipality. It is the capital and most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a popu ...

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 11–8–4 ,

, TKO (punches) , Deep: 17th Impact , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:40 , Tokyo , , - , Win , align=center, 10–8–4 , David Bielkheden , Decision (unanimous) , Shooto: 7/16 in Korakuen Hall , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–8–4 , Yushin Okami , Decision (unanimous) , Pride: Bushido 2 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 9–7–4 , Tetsuya Onose , KO (punches) , Deep: 13th Impact , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:56 , Tokyo , , - , Win , align=center, 8–7–4 , Hirohide Fujinuma , Submission (kimura) , Deep: 12th Impact , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:46 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 7–7–4 , Eiji Ishikawa , TKO (punches) , Deep: 9th Impact , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:22 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 7–6–4 , John Renken , Submission (kimura) , Shooto: 2/23 in Korakuen Hall , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:09 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 6–6–4 , Yuichi Nakanishi , Decision (unanimous) , Shooto: 1/24 in Korakuen Hall , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 5–6–4 , Jun Kitagawa , TKO (cut) , Shooto: Gig West 3 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:23 ,

Osaka is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the List of cities in Japan, third-most populous city in J ...

, Japan , , - , Draw , align=center, 4–6–4 , Masato Nishiguchi , Draw (unanimous) , Shooto: Gig East 10 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Draw , align=center, 4–6–3 , Marcelo Machado , Draw (unanimous) , Shooto: Treasure Hunt 4 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 , Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 4–6–2 , Nathan Schouteren , Submission (armbar) , Shooto Holland: Night of the Warriors , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:27 ,

Deventer Deventer (; Sallaans dialect, Sallands: ) is a List of cities in the Netherlands by province, city and Municipalities of the Netherlands, municipality in the Salland historical region of the Provinces of the Netherlands, province of Overijssel, ...

, Netherlands , , - , Loss , align=center, 3–6–2 , Shiko Yamashita , Decision (unanimous) , Shooto: Gig East 3 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Draw , align=center, 3–5–2 , Izuru Takeuchi , Draw , Shooto: Gateway to the Extremes , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 , Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 3–5–1 , Jun Kitagawa , Decision (unanimous) , Shooto: Renaxis 3 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 , Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 3–4–1 , Yuki Sasaki , Submission (heel hook) , Shooto: Shooter's Passion , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:00 , Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 3–3–1 , Cyrille Diabate , TKO , GT: Golden Trophy 1999 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:00 , France , , - , Win , align=center, 3–2–1 , Nobuhiro Tsurumaki , TKO (cut) , Shooto: Shooter's Soul , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:54 , Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan , , - , Draw , align=center, 2–2–1 , Izuru Takeuchi , Draw (majority) , Shooto: Las Grandes Viajes 6 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 2–2 , Masashi Kita , TKO (punches) , Shooto: Shooter's Dream , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:00 , Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 1–2 , Masanori Suda , Submission (armbar) , Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '97 Heavyweight Tournament , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:25 , Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 1–1 , Hiroyuki Yoshioka , Submission (armbar) , Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '96 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:38 , Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Katsuhisa Fujii , Decision , Lumax Cup: Tournament of J '96 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:00 , Japan ,

References

External links