OFFICAL Pride vs UFC thread |
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Boondock Saints Mod
Career record: 170-106
Season: 55-46 (#2006)
Location: California
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I took this article from MMAWEEKLY.COM
- FISHMAN THROWS DOWN AS UFC COUNTERS PRIDE
Friday, February 23, 2007 - by Ken Pishna - MMAWeekly.com
As the turbulent world of mixed martial arts continues to swirl, the soap opera surrounding Pride, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and Ed Fishman is hitting a fever pitch. Pride is readying their second foray into the U.S. market, the UFC announced their move into the European market, and Fishman has shown his hand ready to buy Pride and challenge the UFC.
While Pride is busy ramping up events surrounding tomorrow night’s Pride 33, UFC president Dana White was busy countering by announcing the company’s return to the UK. At a press conference in England, White announced the signing of Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic training partner Fabricio Werdum to face Andre Arlovski at UFC 70 in Manchester on April 21 saying that he isn’t yet done raiding Pride’s roster.
Also announced for the UFC’s return to England were Cro Cop vs. Gabriel Gonzaga as the main event, Brit Michael Bisping vs. Elvis Sinosic, and Forrest Griffin vs. Ryoto Machida.
At the same time, Ed Fishman, a recent contender to purchase Pride if the company does in fact decide to sell, was making his own moves to counter the UFC’s announced return to England. As President of Pride USA, Fishman made a public challenge to the UFC to pit each organization’s #1 and #2 fighters in each of four weight classes against each other in a “Winner Take All” format with both companies putting up $20 million. The first organization to win 5 of the 8 bouts would take home the $40 million.
“I’ve always known that Pride has superior fighters over the UFC and the fans unanimously agree that Pride puts on a more exciting event. Once I fully acquire Pride FC, I intend to prove we have the best fighters, in what is sure to be the biggest prize, not just in mixed martial arts, but in sports history,” said Fishman.
Adding fuel to the fire are the constant rumors that Zuffa, the UFC’s parent company, has also been making a bid to purchase Pride FC while Pride president Nobuyuki Sakikabara has consistently stated that Pride is not for sale.
Although no resolution in clearly in site, it’s sure to be an entertaining, if not turbulent, time for mixed martial arts.
I don't think the UFC would go for this, they are taking Pride fighter's on a regular basis and have nothing to gain from it. It would just give pride exposure. It seems like a sign of desperation IMO. What I think Fishman should do is just buy Pride and stop the bleeding. He's got the money and connections to make Pride a serious US rival to the UFC. I would love to see this , but I can't see any logical reason why the UFC would do it .I don't wish to argue who would win it, it could go either way IMO. I just I'm glad the UFC, got Werdum because they need more depth at heavyweight, but I think Pride needs to sell to Fishman now. As much as I would like to see this card, I think it would be bad for MMA ( especially the fighter's pay) in the longrun if their is any monopoly. I respect the UFC's marketing skill, but I still think they would be seen as invader's in Japan and could lose that market. To sum it up, Pride needs a new infusion of cash and Fishman has it.Anybody willing to roll the dice with $20 million could do a lot for MMA. So sell it to him.
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“Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil. Never back away from an enemy. Either fight or surrender. It is not enough to say I will not be evil. Evil must be fought wherever it is found.”
The Iron Code
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Post #31 2/23/07 7:06:53PM
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Drewsiph
Learning to Sprawl
Career record: 23-17
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Windsor, Ontario
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Posted by tepid55
Pride has the better fighters overall.
Nick Diaz... a UFC reject just came in and owned Prides champ....
So did Trigg, but not in ownage....
UFC is getting more Pride fighters everday...
So as much as that might have been true, it isn't or won't be for long.
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Post #32 2/25/07 12:20:58AM
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mmagod
Learning to Sprawl
Career record: 99-75
Season: 16-11 (#7730)
Location:
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dude cage is not better than a ring. have you ever seen a live event. you have to watch the big screen at a ufc event.
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Post #33 2/25/07 2:55:53AM
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Standup Guy
Career record: 164-102
Season: 62-39 (#835)
Location: PA
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I agree that MMA=MMA. However, don't be dissing on Greco, Freestyle, and Folkstyle wrestling. Take note, you better prepare for it. Some of the best athletes, and strongest P4P, in High Schools across America are wrestlers. They are bringing their game to MMA. Fighters better learn it.
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Post #34 2/25/07 3:03:30AM
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mmagod
Learning to Sprawl
Career record: 99-75
Season: 16-11 (#7730)
Location:
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better crowd at pride events no booing like the ufc with drunks and porn stars. i will still buy next weeks ufc ppv but i know i will feel let down when they show only 5 or 6 fights
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Post #35 2/25/07 3:03:39AM
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Standup Guy
Career record: 164-102
Season: 62-39 (#835)
Location: PA
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Posted by mmagod
better crowd at pride events no booing like the ufc with drunks and porn stars. i will still buy next weeks ufc ppv but i know i will feel let down when they show only 5 or 6 fights
Looked like Pride had more porn stars, not necessarily a bad thing
Nicholas Cage looked horrible though!
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Post #36 2/25/07 3:14:48AM
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Look into my eye...
Career record: 176-101
Season: 62-39 (#668)
Location: Boston, MA
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I love - LOVE - the fact that PRIDE can show nine fights in 3-4 hours. They were moving things along so fast, I was getting dizzy. During UFC events, I get up and walk around the house between fights, get a drink, go to the head, maybe go online for a minute to read comments on the last match. Last night, I practically had to run to the fridge after a fight ended so I could get back in time for the next one. It was awesome.
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I don't need a compass to know which way the wind shines.
- Mr. Furious
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Post #37 2/25/07 10:53:05AM
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ManBeast
MMA Regular
Career record: 113-69
Season: 48-34 (#4216)
Location:
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at this turbelent time many can argue that the UFC > PrideFC because of the recent upsets in the LW and LHW divisions.
I prefer Pride's rules over the UFC's and I think elbows arent nearly as effective as a knee or soccer kick for stopping a fight on the ground.
as far as both orgs go I enjoy the UFC because it is in the states and easily obtained, I enjoy Pride because the fans are more respectfull to the fighters and get into the action better ( notice how the japanese crowds goes OYE! whenever a low kick is delivered).
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Post #38 2/25/07 3:40:40PM
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jocksmall
Standup Guy
Career record: 112-68
Season: 37-22 (#5547)
Location: kentucky
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pride puts on a better show. that show rocked without hw division that everyone agrees is the strongest
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Post #39 2/25/07 6:31:56PM
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DJNocturnal
Learning to Sprawl
Career record: 32-31
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Toronto
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To me, Pride > UFC.
Production wise, UFC might be better. You guys can argue all day about how UFC has a cage and good marketing, but at the end of the day, Pride makes the best fight cards and Pride's talent pool is much stronger than the UFCs. Otherwise, UFC wouldnt have to go taking Pride's fighters.
Cage VS Ring? At a live event, if someone is mounted on some guy at the corner of the cage, I doubt you'd be able to make out whats going on unless you look at the big screen. At least you can see what's going on in the ring.
Announcers? WHO CARES? Do you watch a MMA event for the fights? Or do you watch them to listen to Rogan and Goldberg talk? BTW, Pride's announcers used to be better when Rutten was still there.
Can't people just watch MMA for the fights nowadays and not how it's shown to you?
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Post #40 2/25/07 7:08:17PM
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Boondock Saints Mod
Career record: 170-106
Season: 55-46 (#2006)
Location: California
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Posted by DJNocturnal
To me, Pride > UFC.
Production wise, UFC might be better. You guys can argue all day about how UFC has a cage and good marketing, but at the end of the day, Pride makes the best fight cards and Pride's talent pool is much stronger than the UFCs. Otherwise, UFC wouldnt have to go taking Pride's fighters.
Cage VS Ring? At a live event, if someone is mounted on some guy at the corner of the cage, I doubt you'd be able to make out whats going on unless you look at the big screen. At least you can see what's going on in the ring.
Announcers? WHO CARES? Do you watch a MMA event for the fights? Or do you watch them to listen to Rogan and Goldberg talk? BTW, Pride's announcers used to be better when Rutten was still there.
Can't people just watch MMA for the fights nowadays and not how it's shown to you?
Well, as to the ring or cage, very few people watch the event live( less than 20,000 in the US usually) I always watch it at home( on a bigscreen and since their is about 20 peopel at my house each time) I will guess at least 7 people per TV. Add in the people watching it in bars, over a hundred last time I went. If they just have 400,000 ppv buys( conservative estimate and their lowest in the last 5 PPV's) and you've got about 4 million people at least. So I think the cage is better for the sports exposure. MMA itself is good, there's no need to pick a particular org. IMO. Pride 33 was the best thing that could happen to their US chances to me. Exciting fight's, and we got to see them all.
Last edited 11/26/07 10:23AM by hippysmacker
Edit note/reason: n/a
_______________________________________
“Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil. Never back away from an enemy. Either fight or surrender. It is not enough to say I will not be evil. Evil must be fought wherever it is found.”
The Iron Code
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Post #41 2/26/07 2:28:34AM
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The Dancing Mod
Career record: 163-113
Season: 48-53 (#3226)
Location: Maryland
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I can't get into this "UFC is better" or "Pride is better." crap that goes on. I love MMA. All of MMA. No matter what org. it is. My favorite fight of alltime is the Lister vs. Flynn fight in the King of the Cage.
I have over 150 DVDs of fights. Pride, UFC, KOTC, Valor, IVC, Mecca, SportFight, Apex, Glaidiator Challenge, Bushido, Hook-n-Shoot, Bad Breed TV, Extreme Fighting, WFA, Super Brawl, MFC, WEC, WEF, UA Fighting, FFC, TKO, IFC, Cage Fights Unleashed. I have the documentries, Choke (Rickson Gracie) Rites of Passage, Pit Fight, Fight Night and Shamrock vs Ortiz: The Untold Truth Behind UFC Legendary Fued. (Most were oabtained from Sherdog. But kudos goes to Sun Coast. Got about 50 from them)
MMA as a whole needs our support. It's the only way it will grow. Most of the smaller shows are feeders for the "big boys." Pride and the UFC. Support all of MMA and in the end you end up suppporting your favorite show i.e. Pride or the UFC.
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I would like to direct this to the distinguished members of the panel: You lousy corksuckers. You have violated my farging rights. Dis somanumbatching country was founded so that the liberties of common patriotic citizens like me could not be taken away by a bunch of fargin' iceholes... like yourselves.
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Post #42 2/26/07 8:19:10AM
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benihana
Learning to Sprawl
Career record: 17-10
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Nowhereland
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def well said
pride 33 was an insane event w/lots of really good fights
i don't think i've seen a ppv, as a whole, this good in a really long time
lots of good fights, u had your winners and losers, lets just hope
the next ppv can compare.. cuz this show straight blew my mind..
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Post #43 2/27/07 4:12:29AM
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www-WeLoan-us
Standup Guy
Career record: 161-103
Season: 49-42 (#3799)
Location: Florida
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I think the UFC has great matchups and better well known fighters. I know the big argument is who is better UFC or Pride? If Nick Diaz went over there and beat Gomi imagine what GSP, Matt Huges, Diego etc would do to him. Bj Penn destroyed Gomi in there fight. Pride definitly has some top fighters, BUT I think the UFC has more and will continue to bring PRIDE fighters over to the UFC.
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Post #44 2/27/07 9:19:20AM
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MattHughes
MMA Regular
Career record: 83-34
Season: 21-8 (#7148)
Location:
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Posted by Trapt1nw0nder
UFC is better...i would rather want all the great MMA fighters around the world fighting in the UFC..than all the worlds best MMA fighters fighting in Pride
Cage > Ring
UFC Commentators > Pride Commentators
Referee's- UFC > Pride
UFC rules are more professional and not too absurd..(head stomps?? i know pride cares more about being entertaining than they do about the safety of their fighters...(fights go on way too long after someone is hurt)
the only thing better in Pride is more respectful fans...(at least the ones in the crowd)..but..thats gonna stop now that they're here in the U.S
yeah i agree, i would say maybe pride has the overall better talent but champ vs champ i would say ufc takes just about all of them except fedor
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Post #45 2/27/07 4:14:52PM
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