An all-out turf war for PRIDE in Japan

[Bullock]

from Zach Arnold

On Wednesday, Nikkan Sports published a report that on August 18th, the first ’shinsei’ PRIDE event would happen at Saitama Super Arena. Obviously, it sounded like the kind of rumor that would be started by someone who used to be affiliated with DSE or is trying to get involved on the ground in Japan to try to revive the PRIDE name there. That’s just how business works in Japan.

Japanese writer Motoichiro Takasu contacted Hiroyuki Kato, who was an important director of PRIDE events in Japan under DSE Inc. leadership. (Kato was described as a representative for PFWW in Takasu’s post.)

check out the rest of the article at:


http://www.fightopinion.com/2007/06/...ride-in-japan/

[LethalStriker]

So it looks like the August event will be an outlaw promotion with Pride fighters on it instead of Pride itself returning.

[Bullock]

who fucking knows, lol


"Just when I think I'm out they pull me right back in"

[neonatural45]

The Plot thickens...... again

[LethalStriker]

Well if it is an outlaw promotion by former Pride employees then it won't likely be on PPV here in America.

[chungt79]

All these Pride runaways need is a serious investor and we may have another competition for UFC in Japan and around the world.

You people still think UFC is going to run Pride in Japan? LOL. I admit I had small glimpse of hope when I heard this rumor of Pride event being held but now...C'mon....do you guys really need it printed black and white with words "UFC DISSOLVES PRIDE!!!"??

I am interested to see who will show up for this event. I am sure most of Japanese fghters will show up but how many foreign ones will show?

I will also specualte that if Dana treats his new crop of fighters like crap and doesnt run the business properly, then these new fighters will look for the slightest opportunity to jump ship to another promotion in Japan. Of course, the problem right now is that there isn't one. But hey, MMA market is still being shaped and anything can still happen it seems.

[Krazikarl]

It just shows what a mess sports in Japan are. Pride had the (alleged) yakuze connections and matches that were probably works. The UFC goes in and buys Pride only to find that the organization is a complete mess. Its pretty clear that their contracts with fighters were completely stupid since its not even clear whether or not the contracts are now owned by the UFC who bought Pride. Then you have these shady promotions, but they really arent outlaw promotions since there is no athletic commission to make these things legal or illegal.

It really might be best if the UFC didnt pay much attention to Japan at the moment unless the Japanese government is willing to step in and help get things under control (unlikely I think). The last thing the UFC needs to be doing it getting involved with underworld struggles in another country.

[Rockx]

If this is true, and they do not get sued or taken to court for trademark infringement...then I would not do business in Japan because their business laws suck.

[ChuckBooty]

I think that the UFC and Zuffa will just ignore this whole thing. If an 'outlaw' PRIDE event takes place, it's likely that it will only include 'b' and 'c' list PRIDE fighters (fighters who would otherwise end up in the WEC).

Nobody will be able to compete with Zuffa's deep pockets, so my guess is that nobody of consequence will participate in an event not sanctioned by Zuffa.

[chungt79]

Originally Posted by Krazikarl

It just shows what a mess sports in Japan are. Pride had the (alleged) yakuze connections and matches that were probably works. The UFC goes in and buys Pride only to find that the organization is a complete mess. Its pretty clear that their contracts with fighters were completely stupid since its not even clear whether or not the contracts are now owned by the UFC who bought Pride. Then you have these shady promotions, but they really arent outlaw promotions since there is no athletic commission to make these things legal or illegal.

It really might be best if the UFC didnt pay much attention to Japan at the moment unless the Japanese government is willing to step in and help get things under control (unlikely I think). The last thing the UFC needs to be doing it getting involved with underworld struggles in another country.

WTF you talking about? You gonna yourself look stupid again?

1. This is Pride we're talking about not all the sports in Japan.
2. Stupid contracts? What the hell are you talking about? Define stupid contract. So all the parties involved were stupid?
3. Athletic commission? How is that relevant here?
4. Underworld struggle?

Karl, you are a crazy nut.