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FanSided

PRIDE never die: Ranking the top 25 PRIDE fighters in history

By Chad Porto

Emelianenko Fedor, the Winner of the PRIDE Heavy Weight Title Match (Photo by Tomokazu Tazawa/Getty Images)
Emelianenko Fedor, the Winner of the PRIDE Heavy Weight Title Match (Photo by Tomokazu Tazawa/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 12: Kazushi Sakuraba of Team PRIDE awards the winners during the QUINTET Ultra event at Red Rock Resort Spa & Casino on December 12, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 12: Kazushi Sakuraba of Team PRIDE awards the winners during the QUINTET Ultra event at Red Rock Resort Spa & Casino on December 12, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) /

9. Ricardo Arona

For a lot of newer fans, Richardo Arona is a name that you probably won’t know, but should. A three-time gold medalist at the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, Arona became one of the best fighters in PRIDE during his stay with the promotion. After starting off with a win over Jeremy Horn and fighting Fedor Emelianenko in RINGS, Araona moved on to PRIDE and defeated Guy Mezger, Dan Henderson and Murilo Rua in succession before moving on and losing to Quinton Jackson. Wins over Wanderlei Silva and Kazushi Sakuraba would follow; closing out his PRIDE career at 8-4.

Arona wasn’t done and even got a contract offer from Bellator in 2014 at the age of 36, but turned them down due to the mounting injuries he suffered from his time in PRIDE and RINGS. Arona will probably never fight again, but that’s ok because his legacy is cemented as one of the greatest PRIDE fighters of all time and one of the greatest fighters period.

8. Kazushi Sakuraba

Kazushi Sakuraba is one of those fighters in the world of MMA who’s legacy is based on a major rivalry. Unlike a guy like Ken Shamrock or Conor McGregor, who’s biggest feuds were with one or two people, Sakuraba fought an entire family. During his time in PRIDE, Sakuraba, who at the time didn’t have an official black belt, was known for his impressive record against the Gracie family.

Sakuraba defeated Royler, Royce, Renzo, and Ryan Gracie in succession. Only Ryan was able to survive until the end, losing by unanimous decision. Sakuraba also defeated Quinton Jackson, Kevin Randleman, and Vitor Belfort among others while in PRIDE. While he never won a title in the promotion, his brutal and chaotic style made him an instant fan favorite.