Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris_Keller
I still think the French mma community is mostly composed of anti-american fans. They will always accuse the UFC of being financed by Cosa Nostra(and what about the links between japanese mma and the yakuzas), always cheer on the pride fighters and criticize the US shows for the quality of their crowd and the way they treat the fighters.
I agree with you Snake, the Pride entrances were awesome. But what I don't get is the degree of nuthuggism of the French Pride fans.
But from what I see they've not been as nice as they are said to have been with their fighters.
SNAKE:You're a very good exemple: they gave you a fight against their best LHW(Shogun), for what was supposed to be your Pride debut, he was an horrible match-up for you and they called you on short notice(a couple of weeks I think). Plus, you were injured.
They obviously wanted him to win in a dominant fashion, which he did, even if you had the best of him on your feet.
You helped them build up their poster-boy record and reputation. They never called you back.
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1) The French fans preffered Pride because they were more exposed to Pride than the UFC for years. Plus the French do not have a wrestling culture... and for a LONG time the UFC was 60% american wrestlers fighting each other. The success that Pride had with the French fans had alot to do with the entrances/video clips that Pride produced (in 1 word THE SHOW). UFC didnt focus on that part for a long time.
2) Pride has ALWAYS been very bad with the match ups!!! Bringing in under trained/injured fighters or putting Top guys against new guys... but the fact is nobody forced anybody!!!
I fought Shogun knowing the risks and even though i fought in bad conditions i did what i could to win. Thats what fighters are about. COMPETITION! THE CHALLENGE! I dont regret! And certainly dont see myself as a victim!!!
Of course i knew i was the underdog....and that Pride probably wanted an exciting fight with me losing in the end. But i wanted to prove them wrong and knock him out while i could....before my gass tank was empty.
I knew that i had less chances than him to win... and if i could do it again i'd do it....and again try hard to whoop his ass !
To live the rush/excitement going down the cat walk... standing in the ring with their champ...and exchanging.... of course it was all worth it.
About the "they never called you back" ...well its hard to fight for an organization that doesnt exist anymore!!! I had 3 more fights with them on my contract.....and they were pleased to have me ...and then they went under!
Da Snake