WWE Star Explains How UFC Role Came To Be

WWE

WWE star Shinsuke Nakamura has explained how his appearance in a fighter’s corner at UFC 303 came to be.

With WWE and the UFC both operating under the company TKO Group, we’ve seen several WWE stars appear in the crowds at UFC shows in recent months.

Shinsuke Nakamura had a different role at Saturday’s (June 29) show, with the Japanese star in the corner of Rei Tsuruya during the early preliminary card.

Speaking with for SportsNet, Nakamura noted that Rei’s father had asked him to accompany his son to the Octagon.

Nakamura explained:

“I had my MMA career so I knew his father for a long time. His son got the ticket for the UFC, so his father asks me about being in his corner. I said ‘of course, it’s my honor.” 

If you use this transcription or any portion of it please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.

Rei Tsuruya ultimately won his UFC debut, defeating Carlos Hernandez via unanimous decision.

Nakamura has a 3-1 (plus 1 no-contest) record in MMA, with his only professional loss coming in December 2002 to Daniel Gracie.

His most recent professional bout saw him defeat Alexey Ignashov via submission at the May 2004 K-1 MMA ROMANEX show.

Nakamura recently addressed his WWE future and current role in the company, which you can read more about right here.

Full interview with wrestling legend Shinsuke Nakamura, who cornered Rei Tsuruya earlier tonight.

(Come for Nakamura, stay for my Macho Man Randy Savage impression) pic.twitter.com/6a6WdSyAIq

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 30, 2024

Want a career in the professional wrestling industry but don’t know where to start? Enrolment is now open for the first-of-its-kind Wrestling Masterclass – click here for details! 

• ufc
• MMA
• Shinsuke Nakamura
• wwe

Share this article with friends