Shinsuke Nakamura’s UFC 303 Appearance: How It Happened

One big thing

WWE superstar Shinsuke Nakamura made a surprise appearance at UFC 303, cornering MMA fighter Rei Tsuruya. Nakamura’s presence seemed to bring luck, as Tsuruya secured a victory, maintaining his undefeated record.

The details

• Nakamura appeared in Tsuruya’s corner for his fight against Carlos Hernandez on June 29 in Las Vegas.
• Tsuruya won the fight, improving his MMA record to 10-0-0.
• The event’s main attraction was the headline fight between Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka.

Why it matters

Nakamura’s appearance at UFC 303 highlights the growing crossover between professional wrestling and MMA. It also showcases Nakamura’s versatility and appeal beyond the WWE ring.

Behind the scenes

In an interview with SportsNet’s Aaron Bronsteter, Nakamura revealed how his UFC 303 appearance came together:

• Nakamura has an MMA background and knows Tsuruya’s father.
• Tsuruya’s father asked Nakamura to corner his son.
• Nakamura instantly agreed, calling it “an honor.”

Nakamura’s quote

“Cause I have an MMA career back then, I knew his father for a long time. So his son got a ticket for the UFC, so his father asks me about being his corner and I said ‘Of course, it’s my honor.'”

What’s next

• Nakamura last appeared in WWE in-ring action on April 22.
• He’s been competing at WWE live events since then.
• Fans are eager to see what’s next for “The King of Strong Style.”

Are you excited about the possibility of seeing more WWE superstars crossing over into the UFC world? Share your thoughts in the comments below!