Damone

Maybe because Funaki has been inactive for about 7 years?

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Damone's Fight of the Week for 08/26/08:

Mark Hunt vs Nishijima (Pride 31: Dreamers)

TheNegation

I don't think that means you can't look good beating someone. Saku subbed too dudes(one who is very skilled, but would have had a bitch load of ring rus, and another who must have had at least some skill, since Funaki trained him) easily, that is why I say he looked good. If saku was as old and broken down as you make him seen he wouldn't have beaten those guys with such ease.
Sakus is like in some weird limbo at the moment, hes too good to be fighting cans and other old dudes, and not good enough to be fighting against the top of his division.
I actually wouldn't mind seeing Saku fight Tamura and then go into retirement on a high note.

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RIP Ronnie Drew

Terry77

Sakuraba looks good against guys at his level now. Stick him in there with Akiyama, Misaki, Kang etc. and I'll cringe at the brutal shots. But grappling is grappling and Saku can still do that with guys at his speed.

Not everybody is Randy Couture. With age goes your speed, muscle mass, explosiveness etc. But today's high protein diets, training programs, drugs/supplements are prolonging careers. Randy also had the luxery of never suffering any major injuries, such as Sakuraba's concussion and knee problems. Couture's style also doesn't really get bad with age, he's a grappler in the clinch.

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Another epic signature from NikosCC

TheNegation

Put Saku in a grappling match with Aki, Kang, or Misaki and I'd bet my points, sig and life on Saku. Hes a better groundfighter than any of those guys.

I'll agree about the Saku Couture comparison, Saku hasn't taken care of himself at all.

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RIP Ronnie Drew

Damone

You mean smoking large quantities of cigarettes and drinking aren't good for training?

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Damone's Fight of the Week for 08/26/08:

Mark Hunt vs Nishijima (Pride 31: Dreamers)

TheNegation

LOL I wasn't gonna mention that.......it's actually one of the reasons I find Sakuraba so awesome.

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RIP Ronnie Drew

Terry77

Now we need a picture of Sakuraba with a brew and a smoke. Seriously, alcohol kills muscles.

Some guys have good genetics and luck, others not so much. But anyways, DREAM is bringing the goods with talent so far hopefully it keeps up. But I'm still iffy on grand prix. I like a good tournament, but I think it grossly overrates fighters.

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Another epic signature from NikosCC

TheNegation

If one is found of Saku smoking/drinking I want it as my avatar.
Yup, it does......I have seriously cut back on my alcohol intake because of that fact.

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RIP Ronnie Drew

Damone

Saku's always been a smoker, I believe, but the guy had amazing cardio in his day. It sort of boggles my mind, actually.

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Damone's Fight of the Week for 08/26/08:

Mark Hunt vs Nishijima (Pride 31: Dreamers)

TheNegation

Yeah, going 90 minutes with Gracie and being a smoker is unbeieveable. I wonder if he quits or at least cuts down a few weeks before matches.

The guy is all skill, he doesn't rely on physicality to win, like his trademark single leg spinning takedown. God I love him so........

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RIP Ronnie Drew