HERO'S Rules: 1R-10 min. 2R-5 min. Ex.1R-5 min. / 85 kg (187 pounds)
Kazushi Sakuraba (Pictures) vs. Masakatsu Funaki (Pictures)

"The Gracie Hunter" and Kazushi Sakuraba (Pictures) are not the same person. The man who terrified and mystified BJJ stylists the world over with his Mongolian chops and cartwheels is not the same man who stood against the ropes, patiently waiting for the end of his fight against Royce Gracie (Pictures). They have a lot in common, but "The Gracie Hunter" retired a long time ago.

Sakuraba is dangerously overdue for retirement and has only damaged his legacy in the last few years. In fact, he would benefit more from retiring than putting on the performance of his career. His well-documented health scares have gone on far too long.

With that out of the way, Sakuraba recently started his own gym and will be looking to get himself back on track. He has never been about knocking people out, despite his trips to Chute Boxe. Sakuraba is looking for submissions, and for the sake of his health, I hope he tries to make this into a submission match.

FEG has booked him against someone who at least won't be looking to take off his already fragile head. Sakuraba is a grappler, and Masakatsu Funaki (Pictures) should be right with him in that department.

Funaki is a bona fide legend of the sport. He's been doing this stuff longer than Royce Gracie (Pictures), competing in the very first Pancrase card in 1993 and displaying a much more dynamic submission game than the Brazilian ever did.

Pancrase in the ‘90s was a different beast than today. Founded on Japanese pro wrestling, it was similar to today's MMA in concept, but its rules were what made it unique. Funaki fought the majority of his career with palm strikes, rope escapes and a point-based submission and knockdown system different from today's standards.

His last bout was against Rickson Gracie (Pictures) in 2000, and he lost by choke and said he would never fight again. Something or some amount brought him out of retirement and a whole new generation gets to see what the legend was all about.

Like Sakuraba, he was a submission grappler with roots in catch wrestling. The early Pancrase rule structure led to lots of footlocks, and Funaki has them in spades. Also like Sakuraba, his striking was never his strong point. Rather, Funaki's route to success would come by catching Saku in a submission, probably on the legs.

Prediction: In case I haven't made my point clear, I think both gentleman should be resting in an arm chair and enjoying the fights from the comfort of their homes. Since that isn't going to happen, I'm looking for a back-and-forth submission battle that ultimately goes to the judges. I can't see either man getting caught and I can't see either getting knocked out. Sakuraba should take it by virtue of having competed in the last six years. Then, Sakuraba, please retire for your fans.