Hidehiko Yoshida – The Legendary Judo Champion Who Conquered MMA
Hidehiko Yoshida’s Iconic Fights and Rivalries Throughout his MMA career, Yoshida became known for his fierce rivalries with some of the biggest names in the sport. His legendary battles with fighters like Royce Gracie, Tank Abbott, and Wanderlei Silva are often highlighted when discussing his MMA legacy. Yoshida faced Gracie twice in PRIDE—once in a no-contest match and again in a time-limit draw, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest level against Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialists. Throughout his MMA career, Yoshida fought some of the sport's biggest names. One of his most famous victories came against Don Frye at PRIDE 23 in 2002. Yoshida defeated Frye via a first-round armbar submission, marking a significant milestone as it was Frye's first loss in six years. This victory catapulted Yoshida into the spotlight, further cementing his legacy in both judo and MMA.
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