On this day: Sakuraba submitted Newton with a kneebar at PRIDE 3 in 1998

Twenty-eight years ago on this date, Kazushi Sakuraba submitted Carlos Newton via kneebar at PRIDE 3 in 1998, delivering one of the most technically lauded finishes of MMA's formative era and a result widely credited with helping grow the sport's global audience.

Sakuraba, nicknamed "The Gracie Hunter," entered that fight as a rapidly rising grappling technician out of Japan. Now 56 and carrying a professional record of 26-17-1, the six-foot southpaw built much of his legacy on unorthodox ground work and submission variety. His career numbers bear that out — he averaged 1.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside 1.26 significant strikes landed per minute, painting the picture of a fighter equally comfortable creating danger on the feet and on the mat.

Newton, the Canadian grappler known as "The Ronin," was already regarded as one of the more skilled submission wrestlers in the world at the time of their meeting. Now 49, he finished his career at 16-14-0. Standing five-foot-nine, Newton averaged 2.47 takedown attempts per 15 minutes across his career, and his submission threat remained a constant at 0.9 attempts per 15 minutes, making him a credible and dangerous opponent for anyone willing to engage on the ground.

Why it matters

• The bout showcased submission grappling at a level rarely seen on major MMA cards in 1998, raising the sport's technical profile.
• Sakuraba's kneebar finish demonstrated the effectiveness of leg locks years before they became a mainstream focus in MMA strategy.
• The result added to Sakuraba's growing reputation as a tactically creative fighter capable of beating top-level international competition.
• Newton's career trajectory kept him relevant at the highest levels of the sport for years after this defeat, underlining the quality of the matchup.