Originally Posted by Ian

I found mma via the UFC, and I've followed only that, since I got into it. I started with the recent PPVs, and later I bought the early UFC dvds and learned the history of it. I'm now looking to branch out a bit and watch Pride. I was wondering if some people could list their favourite Pride events of the past, or what it would be good to watch in order to learn about the fighters who fight in Pride.

Any recommendations?

Originally Posted by Brandon_Dicken

Buy the tournament on ppv the 25 september that will be a good event to introduce to to pride and its only $25.00 compared to UFC $35.00

Originally Posted by sitnspin

Wow, I couldn't disagree more. The best action in Pride is IN their lightweight division. Bushido 7 and 8 blew away every stage of the recent middleweight tournament, and the Bushido grand prix is going to be the event of the year.

Originally Posted by sithfish

As I start watching Pride events- What are the rule differences from UFC?

Originally Posted by PrideFC

n the PRIDE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS the safety of the fighters and the integrity of the sport are of the utmost importance. The rules of our organization exist to protect the fighters and are listed below to inform the fans and the public.

MATCH LENGTH

Most PRIDE FC matches are broken down as follows:
Round 1

10 minutes
Round 2

5 minutes
Round 3

5 minutes

There are two-minutes between rounds.



VICTORY

Matches are won via:
1
Ippon
A fighter taps either his opponent or the mat three times.
3
Technical Knockout

A
Referee Stoppage---If the referee sees that one fighter is completely dominant to the point of endangering his opponent, the referee will stop the match.

B
Doctor Stoppage---In the event that a fighter is injured (via fair methods) and cannot continue the match, his opponent will be declared the winner. The ring doctor will be the one to determine whether the fighter can continue or not. In the event that an injury was caused by illegal methods, the perpetrator will be disqualified.

C
Forfeited Match---A fighter's corner throws in the towel.
4
Decision
If the match goes the distance, then the outcome of the bout is determined by the three judges. A decision is made according to the following: the effort made to finish the fight via KO or submission, damage given to the opponent, standing combinations & ground control, aggressiveness and weight (in the case that the weight difference is 10kg/22lbs or more). The above criteria are listed according to priority. The fight is scored in its entirety and not round by round. After the third round, each judge must decide a winner. Matches cannot end in a draw.
5
Disqualification
A "warning" will be given in the form of a yellow card when a fighter commits an illegal action or does not follow the referee's instruction. Three warnings will result in a disqualification.
6
No Contest
In the event that both sides commit a violation of the rules, the bout will be declared a "No Contest."



GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION
The following acts are regarded as "illegal actions." When a fighter commits any of these illegal actions, he will be given a warning from the referee (in the form of a yellow card). Warnings will be considered as negative points in the event that the match goes to a decision. Three warnings will result in a disqualification.

1
No head butting, eye gouging, hair pulling, biting or fish hooking.
2
No attacking the groin
3
No strikes (kicks, elbows, punching) to the back of the head (which includes the occipital region and the spine). The sides of the head and the area around the ears are not considered to be the back of the head.
4
No small joint manipulation (control of four or more fingers/toes is necessary).
5
No elbow strikes to the head and face.
6
No intentionally throwing your opponent out of the ring.
7
No running out of the ring.
8
No purposely holding the ropes. Fighters cannot purposely hang an arm or leg on the ropes. Hanging on the ropes will result in an immediate warning.
9
No kicks or knees to the head or the face of an opponent who falls face down.
10
No application of oil, ointment, spray, Vaseline, massaging cream, hair cream, or any other substances is permitted to any part of the fighter's body before and during the fights. The discovery of any of these substances will result in a disqualification.



NOTES
•
In the event that a fighter is injured by illegal actions, then at the discretion of the referee and ring doctor, the round will attempt to be resumed after enough time has been given to the fighter to recover. If the match cannot be continued due to the severity of the injury then the fighter who perpetrated the action will be disqualified.
•
In the event that both fighters are on the verge of falling out of the ring, the referee will alert them and ask them not to move. The fighters must immediately stop their movements and will then be pulled back to the center of the ring, exactly in the position they were in. They will then resume the fight at the referee's call.
•
The “No Contest” Rule---When an illegal action disqualifies both fighters or the judges decide to stop the fight because of an accident (in the first round), then the fight shall be called a "No Contest." However, in the case that the accident happens during or after the second round, a decision shall be made according to the fighter's performance during the first round and the preceding round(s) before the accident occurred.
•
Upon the fighter's choice, Gi, kneepads, elbow-pads, shin guards, taping and ankle supporter may be worn, but each should be checked by the referee before the fight. Mouthpieces and cups are mandatory for fighters.
•
Weight classes are as follows:
Middleweight Class: Weight less than 93 kg/205 lbs.
Heavyweight Class: Weight more than or equal to 93 kg/ 205 lbs.
•
If both fighters are in the middleweight class: If there is a weight difference of 10 kg/22 lbs or more between the fighters, then the lighter fighter is given a choice on whether or not to permit knees or kicks to the face when the fighters are in the "four points position."
•
If both fighters are in the heavyweight class: If there is a weight difference of 15 kg/33 lbs or more between the fighters, then the lighter fighter is given a choice on whether or not to permit knees or kicks to the face when the fighters are in the "four points position."
•
If the match is between a middleweight and heavyweight: If there is a weight difference of 10 kg/22 lbs or more between the fighters, then the lighter fighter is given a choice on whether or not to permit knees or kicks to the face when the fighters are in the "four points position."
•
The PRIDE FC ring is 7 meters by 7 meters (approximately 23 feet by 23 feet).



ADDITIONAL NOTES

Rules for the BUSHIDO events are generally the same as PRIDE FC rules with some exceptions:
•
In BUSHIDO fights are two rounds (instead of three). The first round is ten (10) minutes, and the second round is five (5) minutes. There are no extra rounds. If the fight goes the distance then judges decide on a winner.
•
For BUSHIDO "Challenge Matches," fights are two (2) rounds. The first and second rounds are five (5) minutes each. If the fight goes to the full time limit no decision will be rendered. The fight will be ruled a draw.
•
In BUSHIDO, red cards are used in the same way that yellow cards are used in PRIDE FC. In BUSHIDO, if fighters commit the following actions, they shall be given a red card by officials: Stalling or failure to initiate any offensive attack, making no attempt to finalize the match or damage the opponent, and holding the opponent's body with the arms and legs to produce a stalemate. A red card results in a 10% deduction/fine of the fighter's fight purse. A major difference in the penalty card system between PRIDE FC and BUSHIDO is that in PRIDE FC a total of three yellow cards results in a disqualification, while in BUSHIDO red cards can be given out in an unlimited number without disqualification

GRAND PRIX tournament events follow the same rules as standard PRIDE FC events with one exception:

The round format shall be ten (10) minutes for the first round and five (5) minutes for the second round during tournaments in which fighters must fight more than once in the same event (most commonly in an event that will have the semi-finals and finals). During the opening round of a tournament in which the fighter will only be fighting once that evening, then the round format is the standard 10-5-5.

Originally Posted by Ian

I found mma via the UFC, and I've followed only that, since I got into it. I started with the recent PPVs

Originally Posted by Ian

I'm sorry if I confused you and made you think I'd managed to see Pride PPVs. I was referring to the UFC ones, which you will probably be aware of (having 100+ posts and all!), but I'll post anyway, just in case it helps.The UFC PPVs are free over here on Bravo (Channel 124 on Sky). Every Saturday night they do a past UFC highlights hour too. So you can see UFC 51 or 37 or whatever compressed into an hour, depending on what they choose to show that particular night. You can also get the dvds in HMV. I think UFCs 1-10 and 35-52 are out on DVD over here. Theres nothing in the way of Pride on our screens though. You won't be able to get much of that unless you buy dvds on ebay or from abroad. You could download some stuff, but that would be illegal, wouldn't it?

I've got a couple of questions about Pride, that some of you will be able to help me out with!

What's the deal with the Pride calender? Is Total Elimination the early rounds of the Grand Prix and Final Conflict is the final night? Or am I mistaken? I can't work out what the most prestigious titles are either. Is it better to be the Grand Prix champion or the actual champion? A bigger fuss is made over the Grand Prix winner than a regular title fight. Also why are the weight divisions not consistent across the UFC and Pride? Do they alternate the years with the Heavyweight/Middleweight GPs?

It's blown me away so far from what I've seen, and I've only seen Final Conflict 2005. It was the best celebration ending I've ever seen to a fight.

Originally Posted by Ian

I'm sorry if I confused you and made you think I'd managed to see Pride PPVs. I was referring to the UFC ones, which you will probably be aware of (having 100+ posts and all!), but I'll post anyway, just in case it helps.The UFC PPVs are free over here on Bravo (Channel 124 on Sky). Every Saturday night they do a past UFC highlights hour too. So you can see UFC 51 or 37 or whatever compressed into an hour, depending on what they choose to show that particular night. You can also get the dvds in HMV. I think UFCs 1-10 and 35-52 are out on DVD over here. Theres nothing in the way of Pride on our screens though. You won't be able to get much of that unless you buy dvds on ebay or from abroad. You could download some stuff, but that would be illegal, wouldn't it?

Originally Posted by Weasel

Many thanks to Seikan for all the info on Pride in this thread as well. It's good info and much appreciated by the Pride newbs, myself included