This is an interesting read! Apparently K-1 is forcing him to retire! He also explains why he was a no show in Holland (he got murder threats!)...
http://www.boutreviewusa.com/FightNews/tbh/6sapp.html
Also of note is what Sakakibara had to say in the bottom of the page:
However, on May 18th, DSE President Nobuyuki Sakakibara discussed this matter with reporters and denied any involvement.
"How can I remotely manipulate a fighter who appeared at the opening ceremony? Like what Tanikawa-san said, I don't ignore the existing contract and comes up with an offer." And he followed it with rather ironic remark, "I don't think he is valuable enough for us to headhunt. Sapp may do well in 'Hustle' shows." He even joked at the end, "I don't know about that crying
face fighting in PRIDE. Excuse me, I apologize if that was rude."
Rather, Sakakibara is more worried about the UFC, the IFL which just began this April, and the WFA which is making a comeback in July.
"Honestly, its not on the level to headhunt K-1 fighters or anything like that anymore. In America, the UFC is rapidly growing, and new promotions like the IFL and the WFA, penetrated into the market with big capital. Even (Quinton) Jackson, who is going to the WFA got a surprisingly good offer, we couldn't match that offer."
Sakakibara even went as deep as discussing Wanderlei Silva's situation. He has heard that both the WFA and the IFL offered contracts to Wanderlei but Sakakibara said, "The day after the Osaka Dome show, on May 6th, Rudimar (Federico) called and told me that 'we grew up in PRIDE, like a family. We are never ever going to leave PRIDE.'"
At the end, Sakaibara threw a question to the Jackson – Matt Lindland fight happening at WFA, "Does the American market really want that match-up?" (05/20/2006)