Kazuo Takahashi

Kazuo Takahashi (高橋 和生, Takahashi Kazuo), ring name Yoshiki Takahashi (高橋 義生, Takahashi Yoshiki, born March 13, 1969 in Ichikawa, Chiba) is a Japanese retired mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 1993 until 2013 (and then once again in 2018), he competed for the UFC, PRIDE Fighting Championships, Pancrase, RINGS, K-1 HERO'S, and World Victory Road. He is the former King of Pancrase Heavyweight Champion.

Yoshiki Takahashi
Born (1969-03-13) March 13, 1969
Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan[1]
Other namesCannibal Yoshiki
NationalityJapanese
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight84 kg (185 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofTokyo, Japan
TeamSengoku Training Players (2008-2011)
Years active1993-2013
Mixed martial arts record
Total62
Wins30
By knockout9
By submission11
By decision9
By disqualification1
Losses28
By knockout18
By submission7
By decision3
Draws3
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Takahashi excelled in amateur wrestling, becoming a high school state champion in Japan, and also trained in karate. After graduating from Yachiyo Shoin High School, he began to train in submission grappling. He graduated from Nihon University, and he started in Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi in 1992 but joined Pancrase the following year.

Pancrase

Takahashi debuted in mixed martial arts in Pancrase against legally blind yet decorated amateur wrestler George Weingeroff. The Japanese capitalized on his opponent's inability to see his strikes, and knocked him out with a roundhouse kick. However, it was in his second professional fight in which he gained popularity, becoming known for his incredible toughness and desire to win. Fighting Ken Shamrock, Takahashi suffered a broken jaw from a palm strike and knee and ankle damage from a heel hook, but refused to give up. Takahashi was limping badly for the rest of the bout but continued to fight. Eventually, he got caught in a very tight heel hook and could not escape and was forced to tap. Takahashi had to be carried out of the ring after the fight.

In another memorable showing of heart, Takahashi got caught in a heel hook against Bas Rutten which inevitably broke his shin bone in half. Unwilling to stop the match, Takahashi stood up and continued to fight until, upon kicking Rutten with his broken leg, his shin bone completely snapped in half. His shin didn't bend thanks to the kneeboot he was wearing, but the injury was too much and he finally accepted the match was stopped. It would be a year and a half until Takahashi fought again.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In 1997, Takahashi had his debut for Ultimate Fighting Championship at the UFC 12 event, where he was pitted against Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Wallid Ismail. The fight would become infamous for its irregularities and disregard for the rules, as Takahashi seemed to be uninformed of the event's ruleset while Ismail intentionally ignored it.[2]

Wallid tried to take Kazuo down several times, only for the Japanese to keep balance every time by illegally grabbing the fence despite the referee's continuous warnings. Minutes into the match, Yoshiki knocked down Wallid with a right hook that seemed to end the fight, but the Japanese wrestler stood waiting instead of following up, believing his opponent would receive a 10 count like in Pancrase.[2] Takahashi was better informed about the rule allowing low blows, however, and he demonstrated it by shockingly sliding his hand on Ismail's trunks, tearing away his protective cup and hitting multiple knee strikes to the groin.[2] After some more strike exchanges, the Japanese took the Brazilian down and landed headbutts and hammerfists through his guard until the end of the round. As there was no finish, they went into extra round.

New miscommunications would arise at the overtime when Ismail eye-gouged Kazuo, as the Japanese wrestler asked for time to check it out, which was refused due to referee Big John McCarthy not noticing the foul. Takahashi also kicked Ismail on the ground, an illegal attack under the UFC ruleset due to his wrestling shoes. Once cleared up from the confusion, Takahashi dominated the rest of the overtime with effective punches to take the unanimous decision win. He advanced round, but had to pull out due to a hand injury, being replaced by alternate Nick Sanzo.[3]

Championships and Accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
62 matches 30 wins 28 losses
By knockout 9 18
By submission 11 7
By decision 9 3
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 3
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 30-28-3 (1) Dusko Todorovic TKO (punches) RINGS The Outsider 51: 10th Anniversary Road to Las Vegas July 21, 2018 1 1:41 Kawasaki,_Kanagawa, Japan
Loss 30-27-3 (1) Ryo Kawamura TKO (punches) Pancrase 252: 20th Anniversary September 29, 2013 1 1:43 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Win 30-26-3 (1) Kenichi Yamamoto KO (knee) U-Spirits: U-Spirits Again March 9, 2013 1 6:29 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 29-26-3 (1) Yuji Sakuragi KO (punch) Pancrase: Progress Tour 9 August 5, 2012 1 4:59 Tokyo, Japan
Win 29-25-3 (1) Chang Seob Lee Submission (scarf hold armlock) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 15 October 30, 2010 1 2:28 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 28-25-3 (1) Antony Rea TKO (punches) Fury 1: Clash of the Titans May 21, 2010 1 N/A Cotai, Macau
Loss 28-24-3 (1) Valentijn Overeem KO (flying knee) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 4 August 24, 2008 1 2:42 Saitama, Japan
Loss 28-23-3 (1) Fábio Silva KO (knee) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 3 June 8, 2008 2 0:25 Saitama, Japan
Loss 28-22-3 (1) Mark Burch KO (knee) BodogFIGHT: Alvarez vs Lee July 14, 2007 1 3:45 Trenton, New Jersey, United States
Loss 28-21-3 (1) Melvin Manhoef TKO (punches) HERO'S 8 March 12, 2007 1 2:36 Nagoya, Japan
NC 28-20-3 (1) Mark Burch No Contest (Accidental Eye Gouge) BodogFIGHT: Costa Rica February 18, 2007 1 1:05 Costa Rica
Loss 28-20-3 Vitor Belfort KO (punch) PRIDE FC: Critical Countdown Absolute July 1, 2006 1 0:36 Saitama, Japan
Win 28-19-3 Kestutis Arbocius Decision (majority) Pancrase: Spiral 8 October 2, 2005 3 5:00 Yokohama, Japan
Win 27-19-3 Yuji Sakuragi Submission (armlock) Pancrase: Spiral 5 July 10, 2005 2 3:01 Yokohama, Japan
Loss 26-19-3 Igor Vovchanchyn KO (punch) PRIDE 29: Fists of Fire February 20, 2005 1 1:10 Saitama, Japan
Loss 26-18-3 Heath Herring TKO (punches) PRIDE Total Elimination 2004 April 25, 2004 1 4:53 Saitama, Japan
Loss 26-17-3 Josh Barnett Submission (triangle/armbar) NJPW: Ultimate Crush October 13, 2003 2 Tokyo, Japan For the Pancrase Openweight Championship.
Win 26-16-3 Tsuyoshi Ozawa TKO (doctor stoppage) Pancrase: 2003 Neo-Blood Tournament Opening Round July 27, 2003 1 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Defended the King of Pancrase Heavyweight Championship.
Win 25-15-3 Hideki Tadao Decision (majority) Pancrase: Spirit 6 August 25, 2002 3 5:00 Umeda Stella Hall
Win 24-15-3 Katsuhisa Fujii TKO (punches) Pancrase: Proof 7 December 1, 2001 1 1:12 Yokohama, Japan Won the inaugural Pancrase Heavyweight Championship.
Win 23-15-3 Marcelo Tigre DQ (eye gouging) Pancrase: 2001 Anniversary Show September 30, 2001 1 3:20 Kanagawa, Japan
Win 22-15-3 Hiroya Takada Submission (guillotine choke) Pancrase: 2001 Anniversary Show September 30, 2001 2 0:22 Kanagawa, Japan
Win 21-15-3 Katsuomi Inagaki Technical Submission (arm triangle choke) Pancrase: Proof 5 August 25, 2001 1 1:38 Osaka, Japan
Win 20-15-3 David Frendin TKO (punches) Pancrase: Proof 4 June 26, 2001 1 0:26 Tokyo, Japan
Win 19-15-3 Mitsuyoshi Sato Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Proof 1 February 4, 2001 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 18-15-3 Sanae Kikuta Submission (arm triangle choke) Pancrase: Trans 7 December 4, 2000 1 7:22 Tokyo, Japan
Win 18-14-3 Masutatsu Yano Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: 2000 Neo-Blood Tournament Second Round August 27, 2000 1 10:00 Osaka, Japan
Loss 17-14-3 Semmy Schilt TKO (strikes) Pancrase: Trans 3 April 30, 2000 1 7:30 Yokohama, Japan For King of Pancrase Openweight Championship.
Win 17-13-3 John Cronk Submission (elbows and headbutts) Pancrase: Breakthrough 11 December 18, 1999 1 7:59 Yokohama, Japan
Win 16-13-3 Osami Shibuya Submission (guillotine choke) Pancrase: 1999 Anniversary Show September 18, 1999 1 6:08 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 15-13-3 John Lober Draw Pancrase: Breakthrough 6 June 11, 1999 2 3:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 15-13-2 Omar Bouiche Submission (armbar) Pancrase: Breakthrough 4 April 18, 1999 1 8:47 Yokohama, Japan
Win 14-13-2 Minoru Suzuki TKO (lost points) Pancrase: 1998 Anniversary Show September 14, 1998 1 8:06 Japan
Draw 13-13-2 Katsuomi Inagaki Draw Pancrase: Advance 8 June 21, 1998 2 3:00 Kobe, Japan
Loss 13-13-1 Semmy Schilt TKO Pancrase: Advance 6 May 12, 1998 1 5:44 Tokyo, Japan
Win 13-12-1 Leon Dijk Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Advance 4 March 18, 1998 2 3:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 12-12-1 Osami Shibuya Submission Pancrase: Advance 2 February 6, 1998 1 9:35 Yokohama, Japan
Loss 12-11-1 Yuki Kondo Submission (arm triangle choke) Pancrase: Alive 10 November 16, 1997 1 7:27 Kobe, Japan
Win 12-10-1 Kim Jong Wang KO (knees) Pancrase: Alive 9 October 29, 1997 1 1:06 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 11-10-1 Jason Godsey Submission (rear naked choke) Pancrase: 1997 Anniversary Show September 6, 1997 2 1:20 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 11-9-1 Jason DeLucia Submission (armbar) Pancrase: Alive 5 May 24, 1997 1 5:13 Kobe, Japan
Win 11-8-1 Satoshi Hasegawa TKO Pancrase: Alive 4 April 27, 1997 1 6:20 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 10-8-1 Semmy Schilt TKO Pancrase: Alive 3 March 22, 1997 1 7:00 Nagoya, Japan
Win 10-7-1 Wallid Ismail Decision UFC 12 February 7, 1997 1 15:00 Alabama, United States UFC 12 Lightweight Tournament Semifinal; pulled out of the final due to injury.
Win 9-7-1 Keiichiro Yamamiya Submission Pancrase: Truth 9 November 9, 1996 1 7:12 Kobe, Japan
Loss 8-7-1 Vernon White KO (kick) Pancrase: 1996 Anniversary Show September 7, 1996 1 19:43 Tokyo, Japan
Win 8-6-1 Ryushi Yanagisawa Decision (lost points) Pancrase: 1996 Neo-Blood Tournament, Round 1 July 22, 1996 1 15:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 7-6-1 Manabu Yamada Draw Pancrase: Truth 6 June 25, 1996 1 10:00 Fukuoka, Japan
Win 7-6 Takafumi Ito Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Truth 5 May 16, 1996 1 10:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 6-6 Vernon White Decision (lost points) Pancrase: Truth 3 April 7, 1996 1 10:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 6-5 Jason DeLucia KO Pancrase: Truth 2 March 2, 1996 1 3:37 Kobe, Japan
Loss 6-4 Ken Shamrock Decision (lost points) Pancrase: Truth 1 January 28, 1996 1 20:00 Yokohama, Japan
Win 6-3 Scott Bessac KO Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 6 November 4, 1995 1 2:26 Yokohama, Japan
Win 5-3 Osami Shibuya Submission Pancrase: 1995 Anniversary Show September 1, 1995 1 5:12 Japan
Loss 4-3 Bas Rutten TKO Pancrase: Road To The Championship 1 May 31, 1994 1 1:37 Tokyo, Japan
Win 4-2 Andre Van Den Oetelaar Decision (lost points) Pancrase: Pancrash! 3 April 21, 1994 1 30:00 Osaka, Japan
Win 3-2 Katsuomi Inagaki Submission (rear naked choke) Pancrase: Pancrash! 1 January 19, 1994 1 5:41 Yokohama, Japan
Loss 2-2 Masakatsu Funaki TKO Pancrase: Yes, We Are Hybrid Wrestlers 4 December 8, 1993 1 3:09 Japan
Win 2-1 James Mathews Submission Pancrase: Yes, We Are Hybrid Wrestlers 3 November 8, 1993 1 1:11 Kobe World Commemoration Hall
Loss 1-1 Ken Shamrock Submission (heel hook) Pancrase: Yes, We Are Hybrid Wrestlers 2 October 14, 1993 1 12:23 Nagoya, Japan
Win 1-0 George Weingeroff KO (high kick) Pancrase: Yes, We Are Hybrid Wrestlers 1 September 21, 1993 1 1:23 Tokyo, Japan

Mixed rules
Professional record breakdown
1 match 1 win 0 losses
By knockout 0 0
By submission 1 0
By decision 0 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 1–0 Superman Sattasaba Submission (scarf hold) PWFG Stack of Arms October 4, 1992 1 2:37 Tokyo, Japan
gollark: I managed to get a 3G PB prize IOU for a 3G prize from CB prize. That was a weird day.
gollark: Via madness, there are actually 3G PB prizes in existence.
gollark: If you particularly care it's probably possible to get something more compact than JSON, but I guess that usually won't matter.
gollark: Well, obviously.
gollark: I know it in that I know the syntax and semantics of that syntax, and concepts up to about "monad", but not the fancy stuff like you'd see on /r/haskell.

References
  1. Official profile at Pancrase(in Japanese)
  2. TSM Tap Out Preview PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix: Total Elimination 2004, Thesmartmarks.com
  3. Scott Newman (2006-01-20). "MMA Review: #77: UFC 12: Judgement Day". The Oratory. Retrieved 2017-05-11.
  4. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/index.html
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