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[Anthony]

Credit: Fight Opinion . com

By: Zach Arnold

Shukan Gendai: PRIDE & Kiyohara (Fuji TV) try to stop Sakuraba from leaving DSE

In a short article in this week’s edition of Shukan Gendai, the magazine talks about Kazushi Sakuraba leaving PRIDE because they claim that he has been concerned with what has been going on in PRIDE for a long time. Second, the magazine states that Sakuraba was getting a few million yen per fight appearance (while putting himself at physical risk), whereas contemporaries like Hidehiko Yoshida and Naoya Ogawa were taking giant paydays on New Year’s Eve. (Editor’s note — While I do believe it is true that Sakuraba was getting paid less fight money than Yoshida and Ogawa, I do not believe that it was just “a few million yen” per fight.)

The magazine notes that Kunio Kiyohara apparently called Kazuyoshi Ishii to complain about Sakuraba leaving PRIDE and tried to stop Sakuraba from showing up at the HERO’s 5/3 Tokyo, Yoyogi National Stadium Gym I event. Gendai claims that Kiyohara/PRIDE even tried sending a car to block Sakuraba’s driveway on the day of the HERO’s show in an attempt to actually stop him from going. The magazine claims that Ishii responded to Kiyohara’s complaints by stating, “I thought that you and Fuji TV had nothing to do with fighter contracts, and you didn’t take any action when K-1 fighters left for PRIDE. Has your policy changed?” Gendai says Kiyohara didn’t answer this question.

[Matt Boone]

Sakuraba was making in the decent six figures American for his PRIDE fights, and by comparison Yoshida and Ogawa have earned very high six, and sometimes low seven figure amounts for their fights.

Sent a car to block his driveway lol. That's the dumbest shit I've ever heard.

I'm behind Sakuraba on this one, unless he was the one asking for all the crazy fights he got, at the price he was being paid compared to guys like Yoshida and Ogawa, than a move was the right thing. I heard he wanted to be part of the Bushido Grand Prix but was persuaded to again fight monsters on the main PRIDE series again.

Sakuraba is a legend, if it wasn't for him saving PRIDE after the failed efforts of Takada (at least in terms of legitimacy, not box office results) then PRIDE wouldn't even be what it is today. He should be treated better, and hopefully he is in HERO's.

As a fan, they've got Royce Gracie so we could see that rematch although I doubt it'll ever happen, Genki Sudo, Kid Yamamoto, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Gilbert Melendez, Ivan Menjivar, Caol Uno. And shit, if he wants to keep fighting crazy giants they've got Brock Lesnar now apparently, Heath Herring, Bob Sapp (maybe not anymore), Akebono (lol), and guys like that. So they've got some decent fights for him, and I think he's even rumored to fight in their next tournament.

[NinjaShogunRua]

Not much more Sakuraba could do in Pride. It's obvious he couldn't beat the top fighters in Pride anymore. He would just be sort of a gate keeper. I think it's good for MMA that he goes to K-1 and helps get the Hero's division even bigger. The more competition the better for us fans.

[Matt Boone]

He could of done a TON more in PRIDE now that they've got Middleweight and Welterweight divisions. Are you kidding me?

[NinjaShogunRua]

Originally Posted by Matt Boone

He could of done a TON more in PRIDE now that they've got Middleweight and Welterweight divisions. Are you kidding me?

they weren't gonna let him fight at WW. He got killed in the Middleweight division. Did you want to see him get murdered more like he did by Arona?

[Matt Boone]

I meant Welterweight and Lightweight, stupid PRIDE refusing to agree on the weight class names with UFC had me confused. He could have done really good at Welterweight, and Lightweight if they let him fight some of them shrimps he woulda owned. Hey, he fought Royler Gracie's tiny ass before!

[NinjaShogunRua]

I agree Sakuraba can make some noise at WW. Maybe even possibly be the champ, although I don't see him beating Hendo at this stage in his career. I read somewhere that he wanted to be in the previous WW Grand Prix but Pride wouldn't let him. I hope K-1 sets up some big match ups for him. If the Rickson vs Sakuraba rumor ever becomes true everyone will cream their pants.

[Matt Boone]

No way in hell they'll ever get Sakuraba-Rickson, they'd be damn lucky to get Sakuraba-Royce II, Sakuraba-Royler II, or even Sakuraba-Rodrigo. Rickson will never fight. His myth will be exposed and a lot of people will get a major reality check.

Yeah I heard the same thing you did. I mentioned above how Saku was wanting to be in the WW Tourney but PRIDE encouraged him (probably financially) to continue fighting beasts instead. What a missed opportunity, I mean sure Gomi eventually became a star but Bushido was initially considered by most to become a flop. How that's possible when you've got a lighter guy (since the concept was to feature them) the likes of Sakuraba to build the entire new series around. I think they fumbled not taking that route.

[NinjaShogunRua]

I don't think Rickson will come back either, just that's the rumor I see people talking about alot.

I really don't get the logic of Pride not wanting to put Saku at WW either. Do you think Saku vs BJ could be a possibility in K-1? I would love to see that happen.

[Matt Boone]

I didn't even think of that one, yeah. That would be FANTASTIC to see matched up. Now that's the one I really hope happens. You asshole, that fight better happen now because I never even thought of it and just thinking about it for two seconds now, I'm already dieing to see it happen.