If you think that the Japanese take their mma seriously you should see how they treat sumo wrestlers. Rock star treatment doesn't even come close. Akebono was a yokozuna, which is a grand champion. There is no going back from there. Once you fail to dominate the sport as a yokozuna the sports retires you, whether you like it or not. When I lived in Japan he was the lone yokozuna at the time. Shortly after I returned to the states a couple other fighters achieved the rank, Takanohana and Musashimaru I believe,and he retired not to long afterwards. But when he was winning there were thousands of ladies that would have gladly taken the spot at his side.
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