Legendary MMA fighter named the toughest opponent of his career

"This is Hayato Sakurai, as fighting him was the first title fight of my life. I had fear because when we arrived in Japan for the fight with him, my teammates locked me in a room with only a TV. I had to watch all the highlights from Hayato's career. I was truly enthralled as I watched his fights.

I watched his movements and noticed a lot. At that point, as I recall, Sakurai had beaten five Brazilians. So I said: "Oh my God, I'm in trouble." Fighting Hayato Sakurai was my first serious fight fighting such a famous fighter," Bloody Elbow quoted Silva as saying.