Emanuel Yarbrough, sumo wrestler of UFC 3 fame, dies at 51

Emanuel Yarbrough, one of the largest competitors in MMA history, died Monday in Richmond, Va. He was 51.

A former sumo who checked in at a monstrous 6-foot-8 and more than 600 pounds, Yarbrough notched a 1-2 record in his professional MMA career, sandwiching a win over Tatsuaki Nakano between losses to Keith Hackney and Daiju Takase.

Yarbrough's loss to Hackney was his most notable bout, falling via TKO in the opening round of the UFC 3 tournament. Yarbrough-Hackney was one of the earliest instances of the promotion milking the classic David vs. Goliath matchmaking strategy.

"Emanuel’s passion was to travel," Yarbrough's longtime manager, Beatrice H. Davis, wrote in a statement to UFC.com. "Even though it was not an easy task for him, it never stopped him from following his dreams, and bringing smiles to the faces of all he would meet. He was to be the subject of a new reality show, and would have continued to bring smiles to all those who had the opportunity to be blessed by his infectious, compassionate, loving presence. He will be missed by his millions of fans around the world, friends and family."