10 Things You Need To Know About Minoru Suzuki
7. He Beat Jushin Liger In Liger's Only Shootfight
Despite Minoru Suzuki's accomplishments in the field of MMA and his numerous victories over talented opponents, it's his last-ever fight that seems to be the best remembered today.
In November of 2002, Suzuki was scheduled to take on former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kensuke Sasaki in an MMA fight at Pancrase: Spirit 8. Before the fight, though, Sasaki had to pull out due to an injury. Filling in for the star would be the legendary Jushin "Thunder" Liger.
Liger is one of the most influential junior heavyweights in wrestling history, and his toughness can't be questioned - he returned from a brain tumor in the '90s to continue to dominate the sport. Unfortunately, mixed martial arts proved to be a bad fit for Liger.
At the fight, Liger - who competed with a less cumbersome version of his mask on - infamously attempted to hit Suzuki with a koppu kick (a front-flipping kick that was a well-known part of Liger's pro wrestling arsenal). Had he managed to hit the kick, the story may have ended differently, but Suzuki dodged it, then pounced on him, soon making him tap out to a choke.