Kazushi Sakuraba is heading to the UFC Hall of Fame, the promotion announced on Saturday during UFC 212. The MMA legend will be inducted on July 6 during International Fight Week as part of the Hall’s Pioneer Era.
Sakuraba established much of his legend status in PRIDE Fighting Championships, but 20 years ago he stepped in the Octagon for the UFC’s Ultimate Japan tournament.
“I never could have dreamed at that time that one day I would be invited to join the other legends in the UFC Hall of Fame,” Sakuraba said in a statement provided by the UFC.