So, now that the dust is starting to settle on the Zuffa purchase of Pride, we all can sit back and digest what has happened and what the “future” of MMA might look like. I want to give my thoughts on the whole situation, and hear what all of you have to say.
First off, on the radio and all over the internet all I seem to read and hear is people crying about there now being a “monopoly” in the sport. Since the Zuffa now owns the UFC, PrideFC, and the WEC, people are insinuating that they are some kind of monopolistic super-power. Personally, I don’t agree with this at all, but even if it was true, I say: who cares? What is wrong with having one organization be the major organization in the sport? It hasn’t hurt the NFL, NBA, MLB, Nascar, PGA, PBA, etc… In fact, it probably helps to improve those organizations and ultimately leads to a better product overall.
The main reason, I believe, that people are discussing the “monopoly” issue is that they believe it will hurt the fighters in the long run, and the fighters are what is truly important. This could be all the motivation the fighters need to form their own fighters union, much like we see in the other major sports in the US. If the fighters truly are concerned enough about their financial status and think they are getting “screwed over” then it’s time for them to take action and look out for themselves. Sure, their are issues inherent with having a players union, but ultimately that will be the only way to unify and improve the payscale in the face of the “Zuffa monopoly.”
Besides the monopoly issue, it seems there has been near universal excitement and acceptance of the deal. Those fight matchups that only seemed like a passing dream at one point, are now not only possible, but very likely. We will be able to see true champions crowned and a unified set of rules put in place to hopefully legitimize and legalize MMA in all 50 states. Ultimately, isn’t that what the sport needs and what we all want? Sure, we can all sit here and speculate on what is going to happen and whether this is good or bad for MMA; but, why don’t we all just sit back and just enjoy the ride. The last two years have been a whirlwind in the sport of MMA and the next two years will be just as hectic and exciting I’m sure.
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Caesar Gracie
John
Yael Grauer
Dale
Tyler Johnson
felo
Mike
Tony
Shawn
Ben Cartlidge
WHO GIVES A SHI TT LETS SEE SOME FIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!
I have already stated that I’m really excited about this deal. Just the Superbowl that they were talking about is enough to convince me. As fans I don’t see a down side to this. We will get to see all the fights that we have dreamed of and having a unified set of rules makes the playing field even for all fighter in both organizations. Pride’s new company will host more shows than before and all should be available to the american public. I listed a few possible superfights in the previous tread but just the thought of all the champions being able to fight is awsome. I think the UFC has established themselves as a world class organization and good business leaders. With their guidance I see Pride being bigger and better than ever. The only thing I can see negative is that fighters lost some bargaining power when it’s time to renew their contracts. Fighter salaries have increased tremendously in the last few years and they deserve it so I hope they still are payed what they deserve. It looks like all the other MMA organizations are a little worried also because I read they are all semi merging and will start to do some cross promotions. EliteXC, Strikeforce, Bodog, Cage Rage, FEG and K1 amoung others are joining forces to stand up against UFC/Pride which I see as good because it will show the UFC they still have some competition. This will be the greatest year in MMA history and will be the start of a new era. Having unified rules will allow for the creation of unified world titles so people will get to see who the world champ at each weight class really is. I’m sure some fighters will flee to the small promotions but I think the majority especially the elite fighters staying in the big shows. I think this will work out just fine especially for the fans. I happy to be here enjoying the ride.
YO DOES ANYONE KNOW WHEN UFC 70 LIKE WHAT TIME IT WILL BE ON???? AND DO WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT???
@PATRICK,
UFC 70 will be on Spike for free. Most likely at 9pm tape delayed. The event will be live at 2pm EST, but there is no word wheather or not the fights will be shown live or tape-delayed at 9pm.
HEY DR J.. IS THERE GONNA BE ANY TITLE FIGHTS AT UFC 70??????? Y WOULDNT THAT HAVE ONE?
@PATRICK,
no title fights at UFC 70
YO THAT SUCKS BALLS MAN O WELL
YO DR J TO ALL THOSE OUT THERE…. THIS BUYOUT IS A GOOD THING CUZ ANY FIGHT THEY WANT IT CAN BE MADE.HENDERSON WOULD BEAT FRANKLIN…..CHUCK WILL BEAT SYLVIA…. GSP WILL BEAT ANYONE … AND SO WILL FEDOR … COOL…!!!!!!!!!!
henderson man i cant stop talking about this guy i hope we see a lot more of him and i hope they dont try to strip his belts away let some one try to take one away yeah he tends to not be that exiciting at times but hes one hell of a fighter.Dennis kang another fighter this year is his year if u dont know who he is find out and a mma super bowl i want to hear when its gonna take place ,lets just hope that we start getting better shows pride always has more fights than the ufc i want to see that less talk more mma
YO DR J. OR DENNIS… U GUYS KNOW WHEN THE UFC GAME IS COMIN OUT ON THE 360 OR PS 3????????
Am i the only one who finds this strange?? whats the point of keeping pride running if it will be under UFC rules? Just because its in a ring? no man.. its not pride anymore. If theres no knees on the ground, its not pride, not a big fan of stomps an soccer kicks, but still, thats pride.
They should just dissolve pride and scoop up all the fighters they can get into the UFC. That way its one organization at the top level, the other shows will always have lesser talent. Also you wouldnt have to compare whos better, pride or UFC champs, because they would be in the same Organization. Wanna know whos better? look at the rankings, a much more accurate ranking than 2 diff organizations.
If they keep pride, they should try and keep the pride rules, maybe by starting a new company in tokyo, i doubt they would have any trouble getting fights sanctioned.
I think they do plan to keep the pride rules.
just cant wait until they start announcing superfights and then they should do one superfight a ppv at least
i dunno dennis, i heard its gon be UFC rules, with elbows on the ground an everything.
MMA fighters would be FOOOOOLS NOT TO SIGN WITH THE UFC NOW. BIG PAYDAYS ARE A COMMMIN. you watch!
hello people:
3 things:
shogun should join ufc
fedor should join ufc
wandi and henderson should join ufc
it’s all in their favor.
in no time the rest will follow.
more money here now than there.
peace.
Problem is, Pride was bought by the WRONG people. Pride will get as annoying as UFC, one could already see it from last 2 US visits. Awkward commenting (“wow, he’s swinging for the fences”), celebrity titty showing and all. It’s a shame, something special going ******* mainstream.
What about some of the dumbaz announcers in Pride?
…saying things like “somebody get me a needle and thread, because both these guys are cut”!
How Gaey is that?
Dana and Zuffa have done more for the sport in one year than anyone else has done in a decade!