WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura Takes On Big Role At UFC 303
Shinsuke Nakamura has crossed over to WWE’s sister company UFC to corner a fighter at UFC 303 in Las Vegas.
WWE and UFC have been under the same umbrella since Endeavor completed its takeover of WWE back in September 2023. Since then several WWE stars have been spotted cage-side in the crowd at UFC events as the brand synergy between TKO’s two properties continues to grow.
Now former WWE Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura has taken that one step further as he cornered Rei Tsuruya for his fight on the undercard of UFC 303. Japanese fighter Tsuruya entered to Nakamura’s WWE theme before he defeated Carlos Hernandez by unanimous decision to stretch his record to 10-0.
Shinsuke Nakamura revealed in a post-fight interview with Aaron Bronsteter of Sportsnet that he is friends with Tsuruya’s father and he was asked to corner him to the ring for his UFC debut.
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
Was Shinsuke Nakamura A MMA Fighter?
During the early days of Nakamura’s pro wrestling career, he also had a handful of MMA fights. Nakamura lost by submission in his debut fight on New Year’s Eve 2002 to Daniel Gracie of the famed Gracie family.
His fortunes improved and he remained unbeaten in his next four fights but one of his four wins was overturned to a no contest leaving Nakamura with an MMA record of 3 wins, 1 loss, and 1 no contest.