Twenty years ago this week, on October 14th, 2004, I stepped onto the global stage, making my debut in Pride FC—one of the premier MMA organizations in the world at the time, alongside the UFC.
Pride was legendary, a breeding ground for iconic battles that shaped the sport and continue to be remembered by generations of fight fans.
After a triumphant MMA debut the year prior, where I claimed victory over the reigning Pancrase Welterweight Champion, I was honored with an invitation to compete in Pride Bushido 5 in Osaka, Japan.
My opponent? The feared Japanese knockout specialist, Hayato “Mach” Sakurai. With a formidable record of 23 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws, Sakurai was regarded as one of the most dangerous Welterweights in the world.
I entered fight week with a deep sense of respect for my opponent, and his accomplishments, fully aware of the legacy I was stepping into. The weight of fighting not just for personal glory but to honor my ancestors lineage made the challenge even more profound.
MMA is a raw, unrelenting sport, and stepping into the ring in a top-tier event, against a seasoned veteran with 30 professional fights in his home country, the odds seemed overwhelmingly against me.
But I was prepared. I was hungry. I was determined. Months of relentless training, the discipline, the sacrifices, and the countless battles with my teammates had steeled me for this moment.
In the second round, I executed the plan and secured the victory with an armbar. It was my opponent’s first loss by submission.
As I tell my students, the real battle is fought and won long before competition day. It’s in the daily choices, the discomfort, and the unwavering dedication to the grind that the chapter of Fight Night is written.
The desire to prepare must always burn brighter than the desire to win.
This particular moment not only shaped the professional I am today, but also reinforced the values I carry with me today.
The journey, the process, and the sacrifices define us far more than the result ever will.
On the last slide, I stand side-by-side in the streets of Osaka with long-time student, turned unconditional friend, brother & employee @ryantakezio