UFC/Zuffa buys PrideFC . . . really!

[DJColdfusion]

Its OFFICIAL!

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=7087


http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/...=3676&zoneid=2

[Britt]

Holy crap!!

[SamuraiGuy]

Who's the better org now TriangleChoke, lmao....

[slayer31]

here comes fedor.

[bigred389]

Who's the better org now TriangleChoke, lmao....

Ooooh...nice. Rep.

[DJColdfusion]

Both the UFC site (http://www.ufc.tv ) and the PrideFC (http://www.pridefc.com )site have sotries referencing the sale . . . in case anyone out there is still in doubt.

[JkD187]

Well to be quite Honest i like Pride FC better simply because its in Japan and i love the way they present it.Zuffa now owning Pride....they said they are going to run it as a seperate org and keep it in Japan so im fine with that.They will still keep all the pre fight stuff that i love...however there is a rumor that Pride will adapt ufc rules and weight classes which i think sucks ass.

[DJColdfusion]

I got these videos from the press conference on PrideFC's Japanese language site. Most of the content is in Japanese.

http://auth.prideofficial.com/stream...70327_dana.asx


http://auth.prideofficial.com/stream...327_takada.asx


http://auth.prideofficial.com/stream...kakibara_E.asx


http://auth.prideofficial.com/stream...27_rorenzo.asx


http://auth.prideofficial.com/streaming/free/070327.asx

[slayer31]

if pride adapts to ufc rules i will be seriously pissed.

[DJColdfusion]

It sounds like Dana wants to implement the unified rules world wide; however, he has also stated that he wants to see knees to the ground in the UFC. So the big change would be the elimination of the soccer kicks to the head and the addition of elbows the PrideFC.

[bigboywasim]

The good thing is that we will see fighters form both organizations. I do not want the rules to get screwed. I would be ok if they allow whatever is allowed in both organizations for both organizations.

[JkD187]

Alot of stuff was misinterprited...Zuffa nor the UFC own Pride....Lorenzo and Frank Ferttita own Pride and WILL run it smoothly...his company Zuffa will not have much to do with it and espically neither will Dana White that P.O.S. Frank said he bought Pride not as a buisness deal but as a true fan of Pride through the years and wanted to ensure its future in the world of MMA while also forming an "Extended Family" with the UFC. Former Pride c.e.o Sakakibara stated that Pride WILL remain in Japan and run by Japanase staff the same as it was before.The only thing up in the air is the rules that Pride will use and it's weight classes,I hope they keep all the rules the same.

[7r14ngL3Ch0k3]

Whoa. I dont even think Dana knew about the PRIDE purchase because he was interviewed by Sherdog last week and he said it was all rumor and there was no agreement ever made. I guess the Fertitas did it all behind his back.

They better keep kicks and knees to a down opponent legal, but other than that, PRIDE will continue to live on, stronger than ever!! Great news.

[JaredExtreme]

Wow.

From a business standpoint this is a brilliant idea on Fertitta's part. He just bought out his major competitor.

I'm not so sure this will be good for fans though. If anyone was watching professional wrestling back in the day, when the WWF bought the WCW the overall product went down horribly. Hopefully PRIDE can continue to make outstanding cards while still being owned by Fertitta.

[DJColdfusion]

JKD187, The Fertittas are ZUFFA. They own 90% of it and Dana White owns the other 10% of it and while the new company won't strictly be a part of the ZUFFA family as the UFC and WEC are the separation isn't much more than a shadow.

Dana white has said that he will be able to get any fighter he wants anytime he wants. Doesn't sound too separate to me.

The names are separate and that in my mind is largely a marketing ploy to keep the Japanese fan base and to make it easier to market cross promotional events.

This next new years eve show should seriously kick some major A$$!!!