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There's been several mostly correct answers, but I'll put them in one post.Was watching Sakuraba highlights. He was a good fighter and his grappling abilities are legendary at this point. Why does mma talent from Japan suck so much now though? It makes no sense, they have a ton of martial arts schools and mma is making a comeback.
Its rarity these days to even see a Japanese fighter in the UFC. If you look at Korea recently they have produced way more UFC fighters that had solid careers. Hell its even looking like China is gonna start producing more high level talent.
It really makes no sense
MMA is pretty much dead in Japan. Further still, wrestling and bjj are also rarities there, 2 vital skills for mma.
Insular culture leads to lack of newer training techniques and weight cutting doesn't really exist for them.
Many of the top Japanese fighters end up signing with One or Rizin.