Zach Arnold, over at FightOpinion.com, digs into the current status of the Zuffa - Dream Stage Entertainment sale of PrideFC.
A few days back, Arnold brought up a few issues related to the transaction since the deal hadn’t been completed yet. Initially, the transaction was thought to be finalized as of May 1st; but the start of the month came and went with no deal in place.
Zach Arnold brings up a few points made by Frank Trigg during is personal internet radio show, Taggradio. Now, Frank Trigg, of course, isn’t the most reliable of sources, to say the least, but he does bring up a few valid points. Trigg was most recently one of the commentators for the PrideFC pay-per-view events and co-host of the PrideFC show on Fox Sports Net, so one would think he would be closer to the whole situation than most.
I am of course staying on top of this story and will keep you all updated with any new info as I gather it. If the PrideFC purchase falls through, what will the public reaction be? I’m sure a good majority of the UFC’s current fan base still isn’t aware of PrideFC and has no idea that the Fertita’s actually agreed to purchase the company. If the deal doesn’t happen, will PrideFC simply fold? Are they in that much debt and trouble within the company that they truly could not continue on their own? It appears that might be close to the truth as Zuffa appears to be backing aware further day-by-day from the deal.
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Dana did say that Trigg would no longer be involved….
Hmmm, well, if that is the case, a lot of fighters will be BEGGING Dana for a shot in the UFC and we will see a lot of small time org’s getting a little bigger perhaps.
well if they dont sell pride has gotten a lot of exposure
I think what the UFC needs to do is stop putting all of their efforts into so many PPV’s, Fight Nights etc. and for the immediate future concentrate ONLY on making this dream a reality and closing the deal. It seems like they are getting way too overdiversified and trying to do too many things that can end up hurting them in the long run.
@Doc
Think there is any truth to this? Any new juicy rumors going around about this whole deal?
@MMAK,
Actually, I think there actually is quite a bit of truth to this rumor. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the deal falls through.
Zuffa “reserved” a venue for an “unnamed” show during June, and its definately not a UFC show considering the dates of UFC 71,72,73, the TUF finale and a fight night they already have scheduled. Its not a WEC show because that is already scheduled as well. So it must be for a PrideFC show, but they haven’t announced anything official about the date or fighters, and its only about 1 month away now. I think this deal may be dead in the water.
Well it looks really STUPID for the industry leaders to step out and make this HUGE announcement only to pull back, it looks inconsistent and ridiculous. The only good thing is that the UFC would stand to gain a lot of good fighters, and without paying 70mil to take the contracts, because if PRIDE falls, then all that is left is UFC, (unless of course you want to be a friggin “shark” or “wolf pack” lol) .. or Bodog.. ohh yeah those guys could fight at that Casino with Tommy Morrison and Dan Severn… that would be great, if only that small frye organization could afford the plane tickets to fly the fighters over lol… adieu Pride, it looks like it could be the end…
I didnt think they were outright buying pride to begin with.. it seemed more like a partnership to me, i mean, it was still pride, still in japan. Maybe they put some kind of clause in the contract that said they have to keep pride in japan and keep it running for a certain number of years. In the last event they said pride isnt going anywhere, if they own it or not, it will keep running.
bollox
venom, this post was like 2 moths ago.. as it stands right now, after cancelling their last 2 events, looks like pride is done..
Anyone know when sokudjou is fighting next?? that guy kinda got screwed with pride falling apart..
@BV,
Soku supposedly had a four-fight deal on the table with EliteXC but now that deal is off. Gary Shaw said another promotion came in and offed Soku “significantly” more money than EliteXC so most people believe if was K-1 Heros. However, Dana White has said that Soku still had fights left on his Pride contract and he can’t fight anywhere else because they hold his contract.
Thanks Doc.. but aww man.. what a mess.. i just wanna see the guy fight lol.
soko is a good fighter but i want him to go against a good striker in his next fight