WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura corners fighter at UFC 303
Current WWE star and former MMA fighter Shinsuke Nakamura crossed over into the world of UFC on Saturday night, but not by sitting in the crowd as some of his co-workers have. Rather, he did so as a cornerman.
The 44-year-old worked the corner of Rei Tsuruya on the UFC 303 undercard in Las Vegas as he picked up a unanimous decision victory to run his record to 10-0. Tsuruya even entered to Nakamura’s WWE entrance theme.
Nakamura said in a post-fight interview with Sportsnet’s Aaron Bronsteter that he is good friends with Tsuruya’s father (also a former fighter) who asked him if he would corner his son for his debut which Nakamura said it was an honor to do.
He said he still has a passion for MMA and fighting into addition to wrestling and wants to stay in WWE.
It was Tsuruya’s promotional debut after picking up a win on the company’s Road to UFC series.
Asked about Nakamura afterward by the media, the 22-year-old Tsuruya said, “He’s such a superstar, but here for me. I’m just so honored and so thankful.”
Nakamura was also present at a Slap Fight show on Friday night alongside Rey Mysterio, prompting him to share a photo of “Rey and Rei” on social media.
Nakamura competed five times in MMA from 2002 through 2004, compiling a 3-1-0-1 record. He opened his career with a loss to Daniel Gracie, a member of the famed MMA and BJJ family.