Quick Facts
Biography
Kazuo Takahashi, ring name Yoshiki Takahashi (born March 13, 1969 in Ichikawa, Chiba) is a Japanese retired mixed martial artist. He has competed in many large MMA promotions, including the UFC, World Victory Road, Pancrase, and Pride Fighting Championships. Takahashi is best known for his incredible toughness, heart, and will to win. He has fought many top fighters in mixed martial arts, including Masakatsu Funaki, Bas Rutten, Valentijn Overeem, Igor Vovchanchyn, Ken Shamrock, Vitor Belfort, and Josh Barnett. His nickname is "Cannibal Yoshiki".
Biography
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. 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 twice with roundhouse kicks. 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 paired with Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Wallid Ismail. The fight would become infamous for its irregularities and disregard of the rules, as Takahashi seemed to be uninformed of the event's ruleset while Ismail intentionally ignore it. Wallid tried to take Kazuo down, but they hit the cage wall and stayed on it, and both of them kept grabbing the fence despite the referee's continuous warnings. Shortly after, Yoshiki knocked down Wallid with a right punch which seemed to end the fight, but the Japanese wrestler stood waiting, believing his opponent would receive a 10 count like in Pancrase; when he learned that the match would continue, he tried to kick Ismail, but it happened to be an illegal attack because his wrestling shoes. Recovering the pace, Ismail eye-gouged Kazuo, and the Japanese wrestler asked for time to check it out, which was refused as UFC didn't include it on the rules like Pancrase. Takahashi had also to be informed of the end of the round, as he didn't know its duration. However, the most shocking event of the night came at its end: having been informed that groin attacks were legal, Takahashi slid his hand on Ismail's trunks, tore away his protective cup and started striking his groin, which the Brazilian tried to counter by eye-gouging him again. After the fight, the judges gave the unanimous decision to Takahashi for dominating most of the match with strikes and headbutts, and he advanced round in the event's tournament, but had to pull out for a hand injury, being replaced by alternate Nick Sanzo.
Championships and Accomplishments
- Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling
- Pancrase Heavyweight Championship (1 Time, first)
- One Successful Title Defense
- 2000 Pancrase Heavyweight Championship Tournament Winner
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- UFC 12 Lightweight Tournament Finalist
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 61 matches | 30 wins | 27 losses |
| By knockout | 9 | 17 |
| 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 | 30-27-3 (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 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 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 | For 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 Semifinals. Pulls out of the finals 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 |