Sakuraba had a MMA bout in the event "ReMix World Cup 2000" on , where she faced four-time national judo champion, 1993 and 1998 silver medallist and three-time World Cup winner Russian Tatyana Kuvshinova in a non-tournament fight. She was clearly outmatched by the Russian, and despite her spirited efforts, her corner decided to throw the towel in after her arm was injured in an armbar from which Sakuraba did not want to tap, dislocating her elbow in the process.