A former Yokozuna sumo wrestler and professional wrestler, Koji Kitao had a brief Mixed Martial Arts career fighting in both the UFC and Pride.  Expelled from sumo wrestling for assaulting his stable bosses wife, Kitao began a pro wrestling career, performing for New Japan, and briefly for the WWE.  He had memorable matches with John "Earthquake" Tenta and Antonio Inoki.  In the match against Tenta, Kitao became uncooperative, breaking "kayfabe", not "selling" Tenta's moves and shooting on him.  In the match against Inoki, a worked shoot, Inoki allegedly double crossed Kitao, knocking him out with a high kick.  Kitao began his Mixed Martial arts career in 1996 losing to Pedro Otavio in Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 1, and the significantly smaller Mark Hall at UFC 9.  His last match was a win over gigantic strength athlete Nathan Jones at the inaugural Pride event in 1997.