.png)
There's been a buzz in the MMA world as RIZIN President Nobuyuki Sakakibara and UFC executive Dana White were recently spotted together, fueling speculation about potential collaborations. In recent weeks, White has been seen meeting with various combat sports promoters, including Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing and David Feldman of BKFC. Now, Sakakibara joins the list, raising questions about what the two influential figures have in store.
The history between Sakakibara and White goes back to the days of PRIDE, a renowned MMA organization that rivaled the UFC in the 90s and early 2000s. PRIDE was eventually acquired by the UFC, leading Sakakibara to take a hiatus until he founded RIZIN in 2015. With a strong roster featuring talents like Kyoji Horiguchi, RIZIN has established itself as a major player in the MMA scene.
Sakakibara has been a vocal advocate for co-promotion in MMA, believing it can benefit the sport. His recent meeting with White at the UFC headquarters hints at the potential for collaboration or discussions on shared interests. While the details of their conversation remain under wraps, Sakakibara teased fans to stay tuned for updates, indicating that something significant may be in the works.
Speculation is rife about whether the meeting could be linked to Kyoji Horiguchi, RIZIN's flyweight champion who recently expressed his intention to return to the UFC despite contractual obligations with RIZIN and Bellator. The meeting raises the possibility of negotiations or plans involving Horiguchi's future in MMA, adding an intriguing twist to the story.