12 Facts About Kazuo Takahashi

Kazuo Takahashi, ring name Yoshiki Takahashi, is a Japanese retired mixed martial artist.

Kazuo Takahashi is the former King of Pancrase Heavyweight Champion.

Kazuo Takahashi graduated from Yachiyo Shoin High School and Nihon University.

Kazuo Takahashi started in Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi in 1992 but joined Pancrase the following year.

Kazuo Takahashi debuted in mixed martial arts in Pancrase against legally blind yet decorated Wrestler George Weingeroff.

Kazuo Takahashi was limping badly for the rest of the bout but continued to fight.

Kazuo Takahashi had to be carried out of the ring after the fight.

Unwilling to stop the match, Kazuo Takahashi stood up and continued to fight until, upon kicking Rutten with his broken leg, his shin bone completely snapped in half.

In 1997, Kazuo Takahashi had his debut for Ultimate Fighting Championship at the UFC 12 event, where he was pitted against Jiu-Jitsu specialist Wallid Ismail.

Kazuo Takahashi was better informed about the rule allowing low blows and he demonstrated it by shockingly sliding his hand on Ismail's trunks, tearing away his protective cup and hitting multiple knee strikes to the groin.

Kazuo Takahashi kicked Ismail on the ground, an illegal attack under the UFC ruleset due to his Wrestling shoes.

Once cleared up from the confusion, Kazuo Takahashi dominated the rest of the overtime with effective punches to take the unanimous decision win.