Career
He has competed in many large Mobile Marketing Association promotions, including the UFC, World Victory Road, Pancrase, and Pride Fighting Championships. He has fought many top fighters in mixed martial arts, including Masakatsu Funaki, Bas Rutten, Valentijn Overeem, Igor Vovchanchyn, Ken Shamrock, Vitor Belfort, and Josh Barnett. His nickname is "Cannibal Yoshiki".
After graduating from Yachiyo Shoin High School, he began to train in submission.
He graduated from Nihon University, and he started in Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi in 1992 but joined Pancrase the following year. In his second professional fight against Ken Shamrock, Takahashi suffered a broken jaw from a strike and knee and ankle damage from a heel hook but refused to give up.
Takahashi was limping badly for the rest of the bout but continued to fight. Eventually, he got caught in a very tight heel hook and could not escape and was forced to tap.
Takahashi had to be carried out of the ring after the fight.
In another memorable showing of heart, Takahashi got caught in a heel hook against Bas Rutten which inevitably broke his shin bone in half. Takahashi continued to fight until he delivered a leg kick to Rutten, completely snapping his shin bone in half. lieutenant would be a year and a half until Takahashi fought again.
Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling
Pancrase Heavyweight Championship (1 Time, first)
One Successful Title Defense
Ultimate Fighting Championship
UFC 12 Lightweight Tournament Finalist.