[SpartanWarrior]

It's Official! Kazushi Sakuraba Talked About His Decision of Fighting In K-1 HERO'S!

Submitted by: Shu Hirata
Posted On 05/07/2006


Kazushi Sakuraba, who showed up at the K-1 HERO'S show on May 3rd, held a press conference at a hotel in Tokyo the next day, and officially announced his decision to fight in K-1 HERO'S. Shortly before the media reported a rumor about Sakuraba leaving Takada Dojo, FEG President Sadaharu Tanikawa began making phone calls, then sat down with Sakuraba. According to Tanikawa, Sakuraba mentioned that he was 'worried about the current situation.' Since then Tanikawa has been calling Sakuraba with an offer, and finally on May 1st, Sakuraba responded.

Apparently, Sakuraba has told Tanikawa, 'I am going to HERO'S.' Then the next day, on May 2nd, Sakuraba himself gave a courtesy report to DSE President Nobuyuki Sakakibara on his decision of switching to HERO'S, and on the 3rd,Sakuraba was standing in the HERO'S ring wearing a Tiger Mask.

Sakuraba was not wearing the mask at the press conference held on May 4th.'I am going to try my best at the new place, so I would appreciate all of your support.'

Sakuraba began with a rather ordinary greeting. Then he became the regular Sakuraba we are all used to, 'When Riki Choshu moved from New Japan Pro-Wrestling to All Japan Pro-Wrestling, the entire industry sparked, so I want K-1 and PRIDE to have a good relationship.' In regards to him leaving Takada Dojo, Sakuraba said, 'I only have a feeling of gratitude towards them.'

Then Sakuraba's lawyer, who also represents baseball players, explained about Sakuraba's contract with PRIDE, 'There were no direct contracts between PRIDE and Mr. Sakuraba. The contract was between PRIDE and Takada Dojo.'

A few days ago, some media had reported, 'DSE has confirmed with Sakuraba that even after leaving Takada Dojo, Sakuraba is going to fight in PRIDE' but Tanikawa added, 'Sakuraba is not a type of a man who does something because of money. I just told him, 'I like you, I like you'' and then emphasized,'This is not headhunting.'

DSE has decided to not make any official comments in regards to this matter until after the PRIDE Open-weight GP Opening rounds on May 5th.

ADCC

[TwistedMr.]

I heard that 2. I also was wondering if it was going to pass pride, seeing how a lot of fighters was going over there. As far as passing UFC they always been last.

[Dante of the De]

Will they pass PRIDE or the UFC in terms of talent because of Sakuraba? No. Sak is way past his prime. But it will probably draw more attention to Heroes in Japan, and will do virtually nothing to help K1 in the USA

[raidersfan]

i believe that as far as worldwide, k-1 is already the no. 1 mma org. aside from this though, if they want a bigger u.s. audience, then they have to do a better job of having the pv available. i can never get k-1(or hero's) on my dish.

[I Hate You]

Originally Posted by SpartanWarrior

With Sakuraba now in K-1, will HEROS now surpass Pride and UFC?

Uh no, Sakuraba is not the second coming of Christ.

[blanko]

i don't blame pride for not paying saku what k-1 is willing to pay him. He is a star yes, but he is an aging star that is badly damaged. K-1 overpaid for him but it's ok cus k-1 is loaded.

[-= ISO =-]

K-1 has more $. I don't know what's stopping them from buying themself the best 205 division in the world. Pride by reasons of recent stupidity I almost feel doesn't desever it.

[Lethal_Striker]

K-1 is the biggest combat sports fed in the world but not the biggest MMA fed. It might do something to surpass Pride since they both promote primarily in Japan but it won't do anything to UFC since they promote in U.S. when K-1 doesn't do MMA in U.S.

[LuigiStone]

Originally Posted by -= ISO =-

Pride by reasons of recent stupidity I almost feel doesn't desever it.

...like what ?

[Phalanx]

How much did K-1 pay exactly?