I know Sakuraba was past his prime, but something seemed seriously wrong with him last night. BOTH his knees were banaged up and he had 0 movement and ability to keep Manhoef in open guard. He honestly looked like he had no knee movement or hip flexibilty and ability to move on the ground - like an old man who had never done jiu-jitsu before. I felt really bad for him - he's not even 10% of what he was just a couple of years ago. I know each fighter makes his personal decision of when to retire, but this is getting ridiculous.
He wasn't able to keep Manhoef in guard, because since that first high kick Saku was all out of sorts.
I actually don't think that was it since the kick was blocked by Saku's forearm (although it did have a lot of impact). There was something seriously wrong with his ground movement (it was like someone who had a hip replacement or just recovering from knee surgery) and reaction time.
He's a 38 year old man with a laundry list of cumulative injuries enought to rival 2 pro athletes.
That's what's wrong.
He's punch drunk. You can only take so many beatings. Why Pride fed him to guys like Wand and Arona over and over again so that he could get viciously KO'd over and over again is beyond me. I love Sak and he was a legend in his prime. But it really is time for him to retire. His best days are long gone.
It's past time for him to retire but he won't or can't and shows keep signing him for fights. The guy is battered, never took good care of himself physically, smoking, drinking, lots of injuries,he's shot, but seems determined to die or suffer permanent injury in the ring. People need to stop signing him to fights,period,I don't care what it does for your organization.
He's washed up, that's what's wrong.
um, maybe he's too old?? Not everyone can be Randy or Chuck, competing at a high level in their mid to late 30s.
That was a really stupid match-up from the promotions side. Why didn't they match Sak with Miller? Much more entertaining fight imo.
bleier -That was a really stupid match-up from the promotions side. Why didn't they match Sak with Miller? Much more entertaining fight imo.
Miller would have been a much better opponent they should have kept him away from devastating strikers like Manhoef.
When Pride refuses to give you fights because you're too old and fucked up, maybe it's time to consider retiring.
He looked the same as he has for the past few years. He's just beaten up. Should have retired pre-Pride death but K-1 decided to sign and use him up.
Hell, by most accounts he had nagging injuries from wrestling before he got into MMA/shootfighting. And he didnt exactly take good care of himself either. But, a testament to his skills, he had great gas, reflexes, and a killer single leg.
Now he's old, less gas, slower reflexes from getting beatdown, and his knees are fucked so his shot is nonexistent. He'll never be the same.
sak needs as much roids as manhoef
Remember when saku used to have crocop proportioned legs? His legs last night looked like twigs.
his knees are so shot
" That was a really stupid match-up from the promotions side. Why didn't they match Sak with Miller? Much more entertaining fight imo."
I would have loved to see Sak/Jacare and Miller/Manhoef.
The dudes should retire. I cringe whenever I see his fights because there is always the chance that he might die in the ring.
Please Sak, retire from fighting and just do cool Japanese commercials or something.