Imagining an MMA Hall of Fame: The Shoo-Ins

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Masakatsu Funaki Pancrase (1993-99); Colosseum (2000); K-1 (2007); Dream (2008); Rings (2012)
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Before the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Pride Fighting Championships, there was Pancrase, and Funaki was its biggest star. A pro wrestler with great potential, Funaki wanted to fight for real, and he was one of the most important figures in converting Japanese pro wrestling fans into fans of real fighting. Funaki beat many of the best fighters of his era and was so renowned for his skill that opponents would wonder when doing well against Funaki if he was allowing it for entertainment purposes. Funaki defeated Ken Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Frank Shamrock, Guy Mezger, Minoru Suzuki, Semmy Schilt and a host of others. He helped create an entire new world and thrived in it.

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