In January 2023, Shinsuke Nakamura, a prominent WWE wrestler, faced Keiji Muto (also known as The Great Muta) at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s annual The New Year event as part of Muto’s retirement tour. This highly anticipated match not only concluded with Nakamura’s victory but also played a critical role in inspiring former UFC fighter Ulka Sasaki, who was in the audience at the time, to begin his journey into professional wrestling.
Sasaki, who had not yet stepped into a wrestling ring professionally when attending the show, had a brief but impactful conversation with Nakamura backstage. Sasaki recalled the experience in an interview with Rolling Stone Japan:
“Up until then, I’d been fighting in RIZIN, so I was wondering, ‘Who’s my next opponent?’ But then I saw the match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Muta and I was like, ‘Wow! They can make matches like that!’ I wanted to go backstage, but I couldn’t. I was wondering what to do when I ran into an old acquaintance I hadn’t seen in ages. They asked, ‘Wanna come backstage?’ I was like, ‘Huh? Seriously?’ So I went backstage, and Shinsuke Nakamura was there too. I shook his hand and said, ‘Shinsuke, that was incredible!’ He replied, ‘So, when are you gonna do it?’ That’s when I thought, ‘Ah, I guess I’m going to do pro wrestling.’”
– Ulka Sasaki, Pro Wrestler and Former UFC Fighter
A Meaningful Time Capsule and a Turning Point
Later that same year, Sasaki reconnected with a childhood classmate to open a time capsule they had buried in elementary school. The message inside unexpectedly aligned with his newfound goal:
“Fate really does come down to us, and that fall, I contacted a classmate and we went to open a time capsule I’d buried in elementary school. When I opened it, it said, ‘Did you become a pro wrestler?’ I was a huge fan of Keiji Muto, and Muto retired in the year written on the time capsule (2023). I was like, ‘Holy crap! What is this!?’”
– Ulka Sasaki, Pro Wrestler and Former UFC Fighter
This coincidence appeared to reinforce Sasaki’s decision to enter the world of professional wrestling, paying homage to one of his idols whose retirement coincided with the year on the time capsule.
Progression Within the Wrestling World
Ulka Sasaki made his professional wrestling in-ring debut in Pro Wrestling NOAH, and in 2025, he faced Shinsuke Nakamura one-on-one at NOAH The New Year event. This match underscored how deeply Nakamura’s influence had shaped Sasaki’s career path from MMA to wrestling.
Early in January 2026, Sasaki announced plans to expand his wrestling experience by going on an excursion in the United States, signaling his intent to broaden his skills and international presence in the sport.
Broader Context in Wrestling Today
Shinsuke Nakamura’s ability to inspire and mentor emerging talents such as Ulka Sasaki reverberates across the wrestling landscape. Sasaki’s journey highlights the blending of MMA and pro wrestling, reflecting the genre’s evolving dynamics. Meanwhile, other wrestlers and personalities like Drew McIntyre, Tommaso Ciampa, and CM Punk continue to shape wrestling globally, maintaining intense competition and passionate followings.
Sasaki’s transition demonstrates the impact of inspiration within wrestling circles and points to a future where cross-disciplinary careers become increasingly common, influenced by iconic figures like Nakamura and legends such as Keiji Muto.
