Ground Control:
i kan't argue with the short notice part, which is most important point you mentioned, but an anti-sak crowd in another country wouldn't matter that much IMO. besides, from what i've seen, the Japanese treat all foreign fighters with respect, and many who have fought in Pride have said that Japanese fans are the best. (though i have no idea what your instructor said). It's not like the gaijin were getting struck with beer cans. Also, none of the fighters in any interview i've read complained about jet-lag or other adjustment problems when they arrived in Japan, they probably had enough time. Being totally unbiased about the Renzo/Sak fight, I have no problem agreeing with you that Sak might have lost in Brazil. Sak might even lose in a rematch in Japan, the fight at the last pride was a tight fight.
Maybe Sak wants to fight just in Japan because the promoters treat him well and the $ is great. Hell, if was a pro, i'd only want to fight in Japan, whether it was colesium, pride or K-1. I could be wrong, maybe Sak just stays in Japan because afraid of flying
