Sydney Olympic gold-medalist Makoto Takimoto said Tuesday he will join the ranks of combatants in the Japanese mixed martial arts form PRIDE.
Takimoto, who won gold in the 81-kg weight category in Sydney in 2000, is the second Japanese Olympic gold medalist judoka to enter the sport after 1992 Barcelona Olympic champion Hidehiko Yoshida, who won gold at 78 kg.
Takimoto, who turns 30 Wednesday, will have his introduction to the often bloody competition against a yet-to-be-determined opponent at Saitama Super Arena on New Year's Eve.