In 1995, Yuki Nakai stepped into the Vale Tudo Japan ring as an underdog—and left as a legend. Yuki Nakai was the smallest fighter in a tournament with people twice his size.
After losing sight in one eye in a brutal, no-rules fight against a much larger opponent, Nakai went on to face Rickson Gracie, one of the greatest grapplers of all time. His courage, skill, and unbreakable spirit changed the course of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Japan forever. Yuki Nakai kept his eye injury a secret for a long time. The reason, we will find out in today.
The documentary “Choke” told Rickson Gracie’s story. This is Yuki Nakai’s.
Yuki Nakai shares:
The truth behind the infamous eye injury
What it was like to fight Rickson Gracie after losing his sight
How he became Japan’s first BJJ black beltThe legacy of Vale Tudo 1995 and its impact on martial arts
The History of Shooto and Tiger Mask
Training Japans most controversial fighters and future UFC Ledgend.
Whether you’re a BJJ practitioner, MMA fan, or just love stories of resilience, Nakai’s journey will inspire you to push past your limits.
This is Terminally Curious with Kayne Masters
▶ Have a question about the Podcast?
Leave it down Below!
***************************
Get in touch in the comments below and head to* :
▶ Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/terminallycuriouspodcast/
▶ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@terminallycuriousKM?sub_confirmation=1
▶ TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@mastered00
▶ Twitter : https://x.com/KayneMasters
▶ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1EqIHJnaNiQ9aUhXKcMKit▶
Email : mastered.podcast@gmail.com
Chapters (Clickable Timestamps)
(00:00) Introduction: Yuki Nakai’s Life and Daily Training
(02:00) Growing Up in Rural Hokkaido
(03:00) Discovering Pro Wrestling and Early Inspirations
(04:00) The Birth of Shooto and MMA in Japan
(06:00) Wrestling, Judo, and the Hybrid Martial Arts Tradition
(09:00) Japanese Wrestling, Catch Wrestling, and Submission Culture
(12:00) The Japanese Influence on Global Jiu-Jitsu
(13:00) Becoming Japan’s First Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
(16:00) Competing Without a Teacher: The Self-Taught Black Belt Journey
(20:00) Transitioning from Judo to Shooto and No-Rules Fighting
(22:00) Early Shooto Career and Becoming World Champion
(25:00) Preparing for Vale Tudo Japan: Mindset and Experience
(28:00) Facing Larger Opponents and the Warrior Spirit
(31:00) The Legendary Run: Fighting Through Injury
(34:00) The Iconic Photo and Warrior Legacy
(36:00) Controversy, Arrogance, and the Business of Fighting
(38:00) Concealing the Eye Injury and Protecting MMA’s Reputation
(40:00) The Public Perception of MMA: From Barbaric to Respected Sport
(42:00) Teaching, Coaching, and the Future of Martial Arts
(43:00) MMA Rule Sets: UFC, PRIDE, Shooto, and the Evolution of the Sport
(44:00) Advice for Aspiring Fighters: Train in All Martial Arts
(46:00) Closing Reflections and the Spirit of Mixed Martial Arts
Keywords: Yuki Nakai, Shooto, Vale Tudo Japan, Rickson Gracie, Japanese MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Paraestra, martial arts, fighting spirit, Kayne Masters, Terminally Curious
Popular Podcasts
Fudd Around And Find Out
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!