Kazushi Sakuraba: Profile, Career Stats, Face/Heel Turns, Titles Won & Gimmicks

On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of Kazushi Sakuraba, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.

Kazushi Sakuraba (桜庭和志) was born in Shōwa, Akita, Japan (now Katagami, Akita, Japan) on July 14, 1969, and he is currently 55 years old.

He is currently working for Pro Wrestling NOAH and Independent Circuit on the Heavyweight brand under the ring name of Kazushi Sakuraba.

Kazushi Sakuraba Profile Index

Profile Info

Gender Male
Real Name Kazushi Sakuraba (桜庭和志)
Ring Names
- Kazushi Sakuraba ( August 13, 1993 - Present)
Born July 14, 1969 (age 55)
Nationality Japan
Birth Place Shōwa, Akita, Japan (now Katagami, Akita, Japan)
Billed From
- Katagami, Akita, Japan
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight
- 187 lbs (85 kg) ( December 21, 1997 - Present)
- 183 lbs (83 kg) ( August 13, 1993 - December 20, 1997)
Nicknames IQ Wrestler; The Gracie Hunter

Career History

Roles
- Wrestler ( December 31, 2011 - Present)
- MMA Fighter ( December 29, 2015 - December 29, 2015)
- Coach ( April 1, 2008 - November 30, 2012)
- MMA Fighter ( June 26, 1996 - September 24, 2011)
- Part Time Wrestler ( December 31, 2000 - December 31, 2000)
- Wrestler ( August 13, 1993 - January 28, 1998)

Promotions History

Promotion	from	to
Promotion INDY	June 22, 2024	Present
Promotion NOAHBrand Heavyweight	September 16, 2019	Present
Promotion DDT	February 23, 2017	May 10, 2017
Promotion NJPWBrand Heavyweight	August 12, 2012	July 3, 2016
Promotion UFC	December 21, 1997	December 21, 1997
Promotion WAR	July 21, 1996	July 21, 1996
Promotion NJPWBrand Junior Heavyweight	October 9, 1995	June 17, 1996

Images History

Nov 2021
Sep 2019
Feb 2017
Aug 2012
Apr 2008
May 2000
May 2000
Aug 1993
Face / Heel Turns

Alignment from to
Heel July 28, 2019 Present
Face November 21, 1999 July 27, 2019
Tweener August 13, 1993 November 20, 1999

Alignment	from	to
Heel	July 28, 2019	Present
Face	November 21, 1999	July 27, 2019
Tweener	August 13, 1993	November 20, 1999

Finishers
- Cross Armbreaker ( August 13, 1993 - Present)
- Sakuraba Lock - Kimura Lock ( August 13, 1993 - Present)
Theme Songs
- Theme Song "Speed TK Re-Mix" by Tetsuya Komuro - Single ( August 12, 2012 - Present)
- Theme Song "Are You Gonna Go My Way" by Lenny Kravitz - Single ( October 9, 1995 - June 17, 1996)

Titles & Accomplishments

Pro Wrestling Noah
- 1 GHC Tag Team Championship (with Takashi Sugiura)
Other Accomplishments
- UFC Hall of Fame induction (class of 2017 - Pioneer wing)
- UFC Japan Heavyweight Tournament Winner (1997)
- Sherdog Mixed Martial Arts Hall of Fame induction
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame induction (class of 2004)
- Kingdom One Million Yen Tournament Winner (1997)
- Nikkan Sports Outstanding Performance Award (1999)
- Nikkan Sports Wrestler of the Year (2000)
- Tokyo Sports Best Tag Team Award (2020 - with Takashi Sugiura)
- Tokyo Sports Most Valuable Player (2000)
- Tokyo Sports Outstanding Performance (1999)
- WON Best Box Office Draw (2001)
- WON Feud of the Year (2001 - vs. Wanderlei Silva)
- WON Best Shootfighter (2000)
- WON Best Shoot Match (2000 - vs. Royce Gracie)