Rizin books Kazushi Sakuraba vs Dan Henderson for Oct. 15 in Japan

Flashback!

Two of the biggest names in PRIDE FC will reunite for a special grappling rules exhibition match under the Rizin banner when Kazushi Sakuraba collides with Dan Henderson on Oct. 15, 2017 in Fukuoka, Japan.

Sakuraba, 48, retired from mixed martial arts (MMA) after losing five straight, a disastrous run that ended in four finishes. The grappling-savvy “Gracie Hunter” made a name for himself during the MMA boom of yesteryear, becoming the bane of Brazil and turning away top names like Vitor Belfort and Royce Gracie, among others.

Henderson, 46, is a decorated Greco-Roman wrestler who walked away from the Octagon in late 2016, thanks an infuriating decision loss to Michal Bisping overseas. “Hendo” was able to capture a pair of titles in PRIDE and left the now-defunct organization on the strength of a head-kick knockout over Wanderlei Silva.

Broadcast plans for the Oct. 15 Rizin show have yet to be announced.