Taisei Sakuraba just had his MMA debut at RIZIN 49: Decade on December 31st, 2024 and he put on an absolute incredible performance. It was a moment that Japanese MMA fans had been waiting for ever since it was first announced earlier this year, as the son of one of the sport’s most popular fighters was finally going into the family business. Taisei’s father is the legendary Kazushi Sakuraba and although many young prospects start fighting at younger and younger ages in the modern era, Taisei was coming into his debut at the age of 26. That might seem old to start fighting professionally, but Taisei still has a lifetime of combat sports training behind him.

He already had experience competing in grappling on the biggest stages in the world after winning his match at Quintet 4 by submission, so he was used to being in front of a crowd. Growing up under the tutelage of his father it’s likely that Taisei has spent more time grappling than most professional fighters ever will, but he used his MMA debut against Yusuke Yachi to show the public his striking for the first time. That proved to be an incredibly smart decision, as the younger Sakuraba managed to get the finish after just 26 seconds of the very first round.

It was an unusual sequence of events in fact, as Taisei threw a kick that Yachi caught and it was the follow-up punch that sent him down to the canvas. With Yachi’s hand occupied by holding Taisei’s leg, he left himself unable to block the incoming strike and it landed hard. That gave Taisei the opportunity to pounce on him with further strikes and the referee called an end to the fight as a result. It was a very quick finish and although it was impressive, it means that fans still haven’t seen too much of Taisei’s full MMA capabilities.

With the success of his debut at RIZIN 49: Decade, chances are good that the promotion would want to get Taisei Sakuraba back in action as soon as they can in 2025. That would likely give fans the chance to see more of what he’s capable of, and allow everyone to make a more accurate assessment of just how far he can go in the sport. Until then, fans will have to make do with watching the replay of his lightning-quick finish:

Taisei Sakuraba wins his MMA debut in 26 seconds!!
pic.twitter.com/4HvQSAz6jB

— MMA Mania (@mmamania) December 31, 2024

 

RIZIN 49: Decade Full Results

Chihiro Suzuki vs. Kleber Koike [Featherweight title]

Kyoji Horiguchi defeats Nkazimulo Zulu via Decision – Unanimous

Horiguchi retains the RIZIN Flyweight world championship

Roberto Satoshi de Souza defeats Vugar Karamov via Submission – Triangle Choke

Satoshi de Souza retains the RIZIN Lightweight world championship

Seika Izawa defeats Lucia Apdelgarim via Submission – Triangle Armbar

Yuki Motoya defeats Kyoma Akimoto via Decision – Unanimous

Razhabali Shaidulloev defeats Yuta Kubo via TKO – Ground & Pound

Karshyga Dautbek defeats Ya-Man via Decision – Unanimous

Ryuya Fukuda defeats Ryusei Ashizawa via Knockout – Punch

Mikio Ueda defeats Tae In Kim via Knockout – Knee

Jose Torres defeats Makoto Shinryu via Decision – Split

Taisei Sakuraba defeats Yusuke Yachi via TKO – Punches

Koji Takeda defeats Suguru Nii via Technical Decision – Unanimous

King Edokpolo defeats Takakenshin via TKO – Knee & Punches

Genji Umeno defeats Taiga via Decision – Unanimous

Sanou Yokouchi defeats Kenshin Saito via Submission – Rear-naked Choke

Preliminary Card / RIZIN Bangaichi

Rukiya Anpo defeats Sina Karimian via Decision – Unanimous

Sho Patrick Usami defeats by Issa Hosokawa via TKO – Body Shots

Tatsuki Shinotsuka defeats Aoi Noda via TKO – Left Hook

Daichi Tomizawa defeats Kota Miura via Knockout – Knee

Taio Asahisa defeats Yura via Decision – Unanimous

Hyuma Yasui defeats Kurobarakun via Decision – Unanimous

Hiroto Gomyo defeats Koki Akada via Decision – Split