Many wondered what Kazushi Sakuraba had left to give to MMA heading into Rizin Fighting Federation's inaugural event. As it turns out, he didn't have much.
Competing for the first time since 2011, the all-time legend lost in lopsided fashion to Shinya Aoki, wilting under a first-round assault from the ONE lightweight champion in the main event of Tuesday's debut in Saitama, Japan.
Sakuraba, 46, was never once in the fight. Aoki (39-6, 1 NC) secured an early takedown, moved swiftly into mount, then began raining down a relentless procession of punches upon the catch wrestler.