yasuda returned to mma in the k-1 andy hug memorial event, taking on rene rooze in a special rules match, but he lost via head kick ko at the third round. he would be more successful in december 2001, when he fought popular k-1 player jerome le banner at an inoki bom-ba-ye event: yasuda managed to take him down and submit him by pressing his forearm against le banner's throat, getting the biggest win of his mma career.