8 Wrestlers You Didn't Know Competed In MMA
3. Taka Michinoku (0-1)
Taka Michinoku was one of the first wrestlers to demonstrate the Japanese style of technically proficient pro wrestling to western audiences on a large scale. Add to that his popularising of the Michinoku driver finishing manoeuvre, and it is fair to say that the junior heavyweight has left a lasting legacy on the sport.
Michinoku's stint in WWE started out successfully, as he won the Light Heavyweight Championship Tournament in 1997 and went on to hold the belt for 315 days. The length of his reign as champion would fittingly only be surpassed by fellow wrestling legend Dean Malenko and, rather less spectacularly, Gillberg.
Immediately prior to Michinoku's tenure in WWE, he competed in his one and only MMA fight, taking on Pancrase legend Keiichiro Yamamiya. Michinoku produced an admirable effort considering the experience advantage his opponent possessed. Despite being dominated in most of the grappling exchanges, Michinoku briefly managed to establish mount position but because Pancrase rules disallowed striking with a closed fist to the head, his options were severely limited. Yamamiya would eventually secure an Americana from top position to force a submission from the pro wrestler.