Yeah for sure Pride was more "raw" in its approach to putting on a show and definitely put the fight and fighters right at the fore front of that notion.
However the evidence is there that this really wasn't the way to go. Sponsors don't like taking a back seat and the mainstream slightly cheesy UFC version has proved more popular with the masses, hence its success. Further calling out to the mainstream with shows like TUF simply fortified its position.
There's lots of things in life that are the most successful but ain't the necessarily the best product. Are the Beatles the best band to ever grace our planet? Probably not but thanks to their popularity and success its probably they way they shall always be remembered.
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