The fact that former Queen of Pancrase Rin Nakai is known for her racy viral videos at least at much as her fighting ability isn’t an accident.
Obviously, the attention-grabbing videos help sell herself, but Nakai says that ultimately they’re intended to promote her organization.
“To wear something unique or different than other fighters, people pay more attention to the promotion,” Nakai told FOX Sports. “I think this is part of my honor to get more attention from the fans.”
Undefeated at 16-0-1, the 27 year old Judo black belt has been fighting in Japan as a pro since she was 19. Speaking more candidly with fellow fighter Roxanne Modafferi, Nakai admits her employers gave her a bit of nudge.
“Pancrase had asked for something once a week for promotion, so I had to figure something out.”
Perhaps more of a martyr than she lets on, Nakai claims to be the mind behind the videos, drawing inspiration from Japanese professional wrestling and ‘teen idols.’
“I want not just MMA fans, but ordinary people to watch my videos,” said Nakai. “My interest is that people who don’t have any idea about MMA watch my videos and might start to watch MMA and the UFC.”
Booked to face Nakai Sept. 20 at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson, No. 2 women’s bantamweight Miesha Tate was asked by media Wednesday if she believed she could help revitalize women’s MMA in Japan and the rest of Asia.
“I believe so,” said Tate. “I believe the UFC brought me to Japan for a reason. I think the reason is to grow the women’s mixed martial arts fanbase and that makes me feel good about my presence here. I think I have a strong presence and a strong following, even in Japan.”
Described by Nakai as ‘beautiful and sexy,’ Tate has even suggested a nickname for her opponent.
“Personally I kind of like ‘The Asian Persuasion’ for Rin. I thought that’s a cute nickname because she’s very persuasive in her videos.’
UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson takes place Saturday Sept. 20 from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Big Country. Chuck Mindenhall explains why a 38 year old Roy Nelson is still a player in the UFC’s heavyweight division.
Booked. Alistair Overeem will face Stefan Struve Dec. 13th at UFC on FOX 13 in Phoenix.
Brawl talk. The NSAC has requested the presence of UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and No. 1 contender Daniel Cormier following their now infamous brawl at the MGM Grand.
It’s not Phillipe Nover. Ronda Rousey makes her pick as to which UFC strawweight could be, as Dana White says, ‘The Next Ronda Rousey.’
It’s a date. Nick Diaz will formally be read his charges stemming from his November DUI on Sept. 25.
MEDIA STEW
Strapped to a chair with Roy Nelson is not how I want to die.
Eddie Alvarez talks finally making his UFC debut against Donald Cerrone.
Highlights from Joanne Calderwood vs. Emily Kagan on TUF.
Mark Hunt wants to use up the six fights on his contract with rematches.
5 Rounds with Doug Marshall.
Free fight: Rin Nakai vs. Brenda Gonzales at PANCRASE 247.
Long watches.
UFC Japan: Hunt vs Nelson Care/Don’t Care Preview
TWEETS
We’re off.
Beginning my weight cut, it starts with tea, speeds the metabolism and helps flush excess water!… http://t.co/Gexid8Fcls
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) September 18, 2014
Sorry.
Yikes.
OK.
“@john_drama: @Benaskren Do you think Khabib could hold @Showtimepettis down for 5 rounds?” No
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) September 18, 2014
Indeed.
Amazing how the world turns. @Rondarousey ‘s coach Edmond Tarvedyan @gfcdiamond and I will be coaching… http://t.co/YvDyiKHRjq
— Ricky Lundell (@Rickylundell) September 17, 2014
Matchmaker.
The German midget needs an opponent!! @danawhite @seanshelby. @prospectkiller ready to step in against Dennis Siver…: http://t.co/SxRepoV2PG
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 18, 2014
The struggle.
Not my fault they got me changing on a show where you’re being filmed 24/7 RT @Rasha__S: @feliceherrig … http://t.co/DLYMKS1Cys
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) September 18, 2014
Just watched #CouplesTherapy with @ufcambernichole #sad but we r buying a BIG box of popcorn 4 next week.#guiltypleasure #Truth #ByeFelicia
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) September 18, 2014
Anyone notice that @dc_mma‘s hairline looks like the #Batman symbol? @JonnyBones
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) September 17, 2014
At the barbershop in Miami all they want to talk about is @KimboSlice once they found out I fight.
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) September 16, 2014
Just got hooked up @madmay02 with his cryo machine at below zero cryo in frisco. pic.twitter.com/htsylxnQFD
— Leonard Garcia (@badboygarcia) September 17, 2014
My lil bro @PadraigFPendred went to his first MMA class today. He was sick of this happening … http://t.co/oGjAOAJzlb pic.twitter.com/2JvR5h13G0
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) September 17, 2014
Boss sent me this one.
I shaved my butthole for the first time ever today. What an adventure!
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) September 17, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Sept. 17 2014)
Alistair Overeem vs. Stefan Struve booked for UFC on FOX 13 in Phoenix
C.B. Dollaway vs. Lyoto Machida at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway
Dhiego Lima vs. Pawel Pawlak at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Manuwa
cancelled Dennis Siver vs. Robert Whiteford at UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Story
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via MMAtylander.
A COMPLETELY LEGIT AND TOTALLY CREDIBLE STUDY AND OBSERVATION OF THE HARDCORE MMA FAN
Due to the phenomenal rise of MMA and the UFC in North America and other parts of the globe, combat sports have reached a likely unprecedented level of popularity. While it has been known for centuries that human beings have the capability to find entertainment in violence, the ascension of MMA and its ability to accumulate legions of new fans has provided a unique opportunity to possibly be able to understand what it is about violence that is so attractive to the human race. By attempting to observe relatively new fans of combat sports and what it was that drew them in, it was the hope of this study to, essentially, find the switch in the human brain that allows an individual to have the ability to feel kindness, generosity, empathy, etc. but also the ability to revel in the pain of others absent of guilt. But while the original goal of this study was to better understand the mind and inner workings of the hardcore MMA fan in hopes of uncovering those higher truths about human nature, it soon became obvious that no one study could acquire enough information for anyone to be able to fully comprehend such a complicated and varied group.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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