Japanese WWE superstar Shinsuke Nakamura will be cornering fellow countryman Rei Tsuruya for his upcoming fight against Carlos Hernandez at UFC 303 on Saturday in Las Vegas. Nakamura posted on X that he would be in the corner of the 22-year old on Saturday.
"Fight the world at #ufc @ufc Please support Rei Tsuruya @mma_rei," Nakamura wrote. "Shinsuke Nakamura becomes second for Rei Tsuruya in UFC debut, internet goes crazy with comments like 'Yaaaaaw!' and 'Seriously?'"
WWE officials confirmed the news with ESPN on Thursday.
Although Nakamura may be best known for his run in the WWE as a former Intercontinental, United States and NXT champion, he is also a former three-time IWGP heavyweight champion during his time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and competed five times in MMA from 2002-2004 with a record of 3-1 (1 no contest). All three of Nakamura's wins came by submission, as his in-ring performance and "King of Strong Style" has been heavily influenced by MMA throughout his pro wrestling career.
Tsuruya is a highly touted flyweight prospect who earned a UFC contract on Road to UFC 2 in February with a TKO win over Jiniushiyue, a competition put together for prospects in Asia. The 22-year-old has an undefeated MMA record of 9-0 with eight finishes and will make his formal UFC debut on Saturday against Hernandez, who holds a 9-3 record and a 2-2 mark in the UFC thus far.
"I am excited to be a part of the massive UFC 303 event this weekend," Nakamura told ESPN. "It is an honor to be in Tsuruya Rei's corner. MMA is still a huge passion of mine and to be a part of Rei's UFC debut is a great moment."
With the UFC and WWE operating under the TKO Group umbrella, taking advantage of a crossover opportunity like this is not surprising. WWE will be heading to Japan for the first time in five years in July for the WWE Supershow Summer Tour with three live shows. The first show takes place in Osaka on July 25 at the Edion Arena and two shows will follow on July 26 and July 27 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena in Tokyo. Nakamura is scheduled to appear along with Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre and others.