Sherdog’s Top 10: Bloodiest Battles

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6. Ricardo Arona vs. Kazushi Sakuraba
Pride “Critical Countdown 2005” -- July 26, 2005
Saitama Super Arena | Saitama, Japan
Heading into his showdown with Sakuraba, which took place in the second round of the Pride Fighting Championships middleweight grand prix, Arona was probably best known for being slammed into oblivion by Quinton “Rampage” Jackson approximately one year prior, despite a resume that included victories over Jeremy Horn, Guy Mezger, Dan Henderson and Murilo Rua.

Paired against a Japanese icon with a penchant for beating Gracies, Arona did his best to make people forget about his loss to Jackson -- and he did so in shockingly brutal fashion. The early portion of the bout was reasonably competitive, with the most memorable moment being Sakuraba’s reckless diving forays into Arona’s guard. The Brazilian’s decided edge in size and strength began to show, as he pushed his opponent around the ring while landing power punches and knees. Between rounds, Sakuraba’s ear was bleeding, likely the result of one particularly vicious series of knees.

Things became more lopsided in the second frame. A failed takedown attempt by Sakuraba resulted in him receiving a nasty kick to the face, and during a break in the action, Sakuraba looked battered while Arona appeared to be relatively unscathed. For much of the rest of the round, the Japanese fighter’s face was obscured as he continued to eat knee after knee from the merciless Brazilian. When the round ended and the damage was revealed, Sakuraba barely resembled the man who first stepped into the ring, his visage a swollen and bloody mess.

“There is no quit in Kazushi Sakuraba,” said commentator Mauro Ranallo. “He has been quoted many times as saying, if his life is going to end, he wants it to end in the ring.”

Fortunately, it did not come to that, as Sakuraba’s corner threw in the towel before the third round to save their fighter from taking further punishment.

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