Funaki will make his return

[The Iceman]

Credit To:fightnetwork

Also announced at the FEG press conference, Masakatsu Funaki will make his return to the ring at the HERO’S New Year’s show on December 31.

Funaki (38-11-1), an MMA legend in Japan with past submission victories over the likes of Bas Rutten and Ken and Frank Shamrock during his reign as King of Pancrase, the sometimes-movie star had expressed his interest in returning to MMA earlier this year. Funaki said the fire under him to return to the ring was reignited when he started intensely training Shibata (2-1-0) – who faces Sakuraba Sept. 17 - in preparation for his foray into MMA.

Originally, Funaki pointed to Rickson Gracie (11-0-0) as the fighter he’d most like to meet in HERO’S, and negotiations have continued up to the present date, says FEG reps. While Gracie is still a possible match-up, he has been moved to a “back-up” position and the weathered Sakuraba (21-10-1) has now become the go-to opponent for the New Year’s event. Funaki and Sakuraba, both 39 and sharing pro-wrestling backgrounds, bring similar skillsets to the ring and would prove a marquee draw for the region if it comes to fruition.

“Sakuraba first has to face my student, Katsuyori Shibata, before our match can happen,” said Funaki at the conference. “So, I would like to ask Sakuraba to decide after he fights Shibata. Why Sakuraba? Because he’s the only match I want to have.”

To the contrary, Funaki stated moments later he would welcome a rematch with Rickson Gracie, the man who defeated him in his retirement match

Link:http://www.thefightnetwork.com/news_detail.php?nid=4692

[smoogy]

Originally Posted by The Iceman

Credit To:fightnetwork

Also announced at the FEG press conference, Masakatsu Funaki will make his return to the ring at the HERO’S New Year’s show on December 31.

Funaki (38-11-1), an MMA legend in Japan with past submission victories over the likes of Bas Rutten and Ken and Frank Shamrock during his reign as King of Pancrase, the sometimes-movie star had expressed his interest in returning to MMA earlier this year. Funaki said the fire under him to return to the ring was reignited when he started intensely training Shibata (2-1-0) – who faces Sakuraba Sept. 17 - in preparation for his foray into MMA.

Originally, Funaki pointed to Rickson Gracie (11-0-0) as the fighter he’d most like to meet in HERO’S, and negotiations have continued up to the present date, says FEG reps. While Gracie is still a possible match-up, he has been moved to a “back-up” position and the weathered Sakuraba (21-10-1) has now become the go-to opponent for the New Year’s event. Funaki and Sakuraba, both 39 and sharing pro-wrestling backgrounds, bring similar skillsets to the ring and would prove a marquee draw for the region if it comes to fruition.

“Sakuraba first has to face my student, Katsuyori Shibata, before our match can happen,” said Funaki at the conference. “So, I would like to ask Sakuraba to decide after he fights Shibata. Why Sakuraba? Because he’s the only match I want to have.”

To the contrary, Funaki stated moments later he would welcome a rematch with Rickson Gracie, the man who defeated him in his retirement match

Link:http://www.thefightnetwork.com/news_detail.php?nid=4692

Do a search before you start threads, I think I've mentioned this like five times by now