Kemo
08-28-2017, 08:10 PM
Shinsuke Nakamura is known as someone who utilizes strike-heavy style mixed with slick submission grappling. During a recent interview with The Hindustan Times, Nakamura claimed that he was offered a deal by the UFC. If you recall, in the early 2000s, Nakamura was under contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling and put together a 3-1 pro-MMA record. The UFC offered him a contract in 2005, but Nakamura turned it down. Here is what he had to say:
“Around 2005, UFC offered me a chance to fight for them,” Nakamura said. “But, at that moment, I was under contract with NJPW, and I decided to stay in pro-wrestling. It was a good opportunity, but I don’t regret my choice.”
“You have to understand that I am 37-year old now,” he said. “It has been a long time since my last proper MMA training, and although I still train in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, it will take me at least one year to be ready for a proper fight. That is not something I want to do as I am happy in WWE.”
“Around 2005, UFC offered me a chance to fight for them,” Nakamura said. “But, at that moment, I was under contract with NJPW, and I decided to stay in pro-wrestling. It was a good opportunity, but I don’t regret my choice.”
“You have to understand that I am 37-year old now,” he said. “It has been a long time since my last proper MMA training, and although I still train in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, it will take me at least one year to be ready for a proper fight. That is not something I want to do as I am happy in WWE.”