Hayato Sakurai

Hayato Sakurai
桜井速人
Sakurai in 2007
Born (1975-08-24) August 24, 1975 (age 49)
Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
Other namesMach, Yasei no Charisma (Wild Charisma)
NationalityJapanese
Height1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight76 kg (168 lb; 12 st 0 lb)
DivisionMiddleweight
Welterweight
Lightweight
StyleShootfighting, Wrestling, Muay Thai, BJJ, Judo, Karate
TeamKiguchi Dojo
Gutsman Shooto Dojo
Mach Dojo[1]
Teacher(s)Noboru Asahi
Naoki Sakurada
Noriaki Kiguchi
Caesar Takeshi
RankHonorary black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu[2]
Years active1996-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total53
Wins38
By knockout12
By submission10
By decision16
Losses13
By knockout5
By submission4
By decision4
Draws2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Hayato Sakurai
Medal record
Representing  Japan
Submission Wrestling
ADCC World Championship
Bronze medal – third place 1999 Abu Dhabi -77kg
Silver medal – second place 1999 Abu Dhabi Open

Hayato Sakurai (Japanese: 桜井 速人, Sakurai Hayato) (born August 24, 1975) also known as Mach (マッハ, Mahha), is a Japanese mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 1996, he has formerly competed for the UFC, PRIDE, DREAM, Shooto, Vale Tudo Japan, DEEP, and participated in the Yarennoka!, Dynamite!! 2008, Dynamite!! 2009, Dynamite!! 2010, and Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 events. Sakurai finished second (Silver) in the Absolute Class (no weight limit) ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship in 1999 at just under 77 kg. During the height of his career in 2000 and 2001 he was considered to be one of the top pound for pound fighters in MMA. He is the former Shooto Middleweight Champion.

His nickname, "Mach", pronounced ma-ha in Japanese was taken as a tribute to his childhood professional wrestling hero, Higo Shigehisashi better known as Mach Hayato, the first Japanese professional wrestler to completely embrace the Mexican style of lucha libre and was also among the group of professional wrestlers who made the transition to shoot wrestling as part of the original UWF movement.

  1. ^ "Fight Finder: "Mach" Sakurai". Sherdog. 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15.
  2. ^ "Male Adult Black Meio-Pesado". TOKYO INTERNATIONAL JIU-JITSU OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2009. Archived from the original on December 2, 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.