the UFC just has more money now and can afford to pay fighters more and are outbidding expired contracts.
PRIDE is in trouble in that regard, but I do not think financially.
They are still selling out in Japan and their first US show was a success, so I would not say they are financially in trouble, but the UFC has become a huge competitor to them now.
great.....thanx for clearing that up
Well go read that Sakaibara interview from last week where he said Pride was unsustainable under the current circumstances and get back to us.
Taken from Gryphon's Blog:
SAKAKIBARA DSE president said in the latest kamipro interview.
This is very long interview.So I quote his impressive point.
"We have not overcome PRIDE-crisys yet.This pinch is not only TVnetworkcomeback,but also USA-MMA market's Big Van "
"I admit big mistake about USA marcket growth.of course We hope USA MMAmarket become big,but real USAscene become a Giant quickly,For Example,In baseball.Red Sox paid 6 bilion yen for MATSUZAKA Daisuke.....Now,MMA become So"
"in MMA,Japan marcket keep 70% of worldmarcket.So JAPAN can give fighters the biggest fightmoney. but in a half year. USAmarcket become bigger than JAPAN"
"About Our damage, calculate mistake about USA marcket is bigger than TV network stop.We held PRIDE-Las vegas event in Octobor.but too late...6 months or 8month.....no,10 months late!! We can not get on this MMABus"
"UFC event get 600000 PPV contract We can not catch up with UFC at all.If We can not get some share.We can not keep best fighters "
"in all sports,only MMA event is the greatest event that bestfighters come to japan.But this situation is changing now.If PRIDE want to keep No.1 status,We all have to move to USA. "
"PRIDEfighters love this promotion.but when other promotion offer 300% or 400% fightmoney,professional fighter will go.We also do our bast.but rival not only UFC,but also Bodog,IFL,WFA....
"If We do total war against UFC,Is this best choice? aliance and tactics......We have to big decision"
"PRIDE has USA-office already.but this manpower is very little "
"if This situation is pacific war(japan vs USA)......now,1944.Situation is not good how do we save PRIDE....."
"We know UFC owner and Danna White,They are our friends,We respect him"
"PRIDE make Japan marcket,UFC make UFC marcket...It is nonsense we crash them each other.now other rich man will come to MMA scene from outside"MMA has good potential,We can get big money"...When UFC and PRIDE discuss,MMA continue 20-30years after"
"but PRIDE and UFC is 50:50 equalpartner about total value.We use ring,They use octagon,like Amerivcan league and national league,We can live together and We can hold worldcup and championfight,etc....."
"aliance and tactics"
"We know UFC owner and Danna White,They are our friends,We respect him"
I saw Pride at the bus stop yesterday and accidentally made eye contact...Pride then asked me for change that they needed to save their organization and maybe to purchase an oatmeal pie from the Quality Dairy if there was anything left. I said no.
I told Pride it could stay on my couch until it got back on its feet.
attjack what you really wanted was having Pride in your bed
more precisely spooning you from behind, you naughty little daisy you
Interesting note about Sakakibara underestimating the market potential in America.
What does Pride need to do to get their TV deal back in Japan?
Is there any way this can be accomplished apart from a change in management?
What's wrong with changing management?
Wow, I had not read that interview. I stand corrected.
That sucks actually, but if all of the talent gathers under one roof, I am going to be happier anyway.
I just hate to see PRIDE skid like this.