[dkava]

Nobuyuki Sakakibara: The numbers from the PPV will be out in about one week. Josh won, so the reviews of the American PPV were good, too.
We're expanding our view to include the world but first we will concentrate on America. We'll have a surprise ready for America in the near future. We are considering our strategy. We want to solidify our position in the American market. Financially, America is at the top and if we do this right, we won't be outdone by the UFC, either.
The American market is undergoing explosive growth. If we can't secure the American market, we may not be able to keep the greatest fighters in the world in PRIDE. Fight money in the UFC is rapidly rising. The reason Royce (Gracie) will fight in the UFC is because they can pay an incredible purse. Until now, people have said that PRIDE pays the most in fight money but that may be reversed now. As a professional sport, and to continue being the place of dreams, breaking ground in America is an urgent job for PRIDE. Everyone has already begun making offers to PRIDE fighters.
They are a strong competitor and it's impossible to fight them on all fronts, so we'll have to start off slowly. (laughing) We will face them with many strategies.
We're still just sowing seeds in America so it's a little early to reap the rewards but we are raising the harvest.

SOURCE: http://www.pridefc.com/pride2005/ind...ws&news_id=757

[CroCopKick]

Im sure the WFA is having its influence felt aswell

[Xplode]

if wandy beats chucky that gives pride credit to the uneducated MMA fan that thinks UFC is second to none

[ShoelessRye]

If this is true, then it doesn't make sense for UFC to even have the Liddell vs Silva fight, becuase if Silva wins that's a huge shot in the arm for Pride, though I guess if he loses that's a big advantage for the UFC. Dana must have a ton of confidence in Iceman.

[Cymen]

I think the UFC just destroyed itself. A lot of people are starting to dislike the UFC and if Silva rapes Lidell then Pride will be the next hottest thing!

[belly]

Originally Posted by CroCopKick

Im sure the WFA is having its influence felt aswell

They probably are, and on their upcoming card there isn't a single fight that wold make a Pride or UFC ppv. It's filled with washed up and has-been fighters that nobody else wants.


Liddell will walk through Silva like he has every other fighter at 205. He's as good as it gets right now.

[WSKUNGFUCLUB]

remember the last time the japanese tried to attack the US on its own soil?
just kidding. RELAX.

i don't care who comes out on top, pride or ufc. as long as we get to see crossover matches between the two orgs, WE as fans, WIN.

[dkava]

Originally Posted by Xplode

if wandy beats chucky that gives pride credit to the uneducated MMA fan that thinks UFC is second to none

Ummm...hasn't Wand already been in UFC? Way to show who is uneducated....IT DOESNT MATTER WHO HE FIGHTS FOR!!!

[dkava]

Originally Posted by WSKUNGFUCLUB

i don't care who comes out on top, pride or ufc. as long as we get to see crossover matches between the two orgs, WE as fans, WIN.

Wow. Exactly what I was hoping someone would say. You sir, are the smartest person on this forum. That isn't sarcasm. Its great to see someone who understands how freaking kick ass the upcoming years are going to be in MMA...

[blacktongue]

This is moving closer to the boxing model. With the state athletic commissions making the rules fairly uniform throughout the country, these rival promotions (Pride, WFA, UFC) may end up functioning like the promoters in boxing that we all know and love; Bob Arum, Don King, Lou DiBella, etc. Each with a stable of fighters that fight against one another until there is a demand for a big fight (ex. Chuck v Wandy) where all parties involved win. Hopefully there is never the alphabet soup of sanctioning bodies to annoint a champion.

This may be inevitable because legislators and executives are comfortable with what they know and usually don't want to have to recreate the wheel to regulate and market this sport.