Prides 40 million dollar challenge towards the UFC - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

Anderson Silvas dope · 02-23-2007, 09:03 PM

On the eve of PRIDE Fighting Championship’s second U.S. show (dubbed “PRIDE 33″), the organization’s current president of U.S. operations has issued a challenge to the UFC and its head honcho, Dana White.

Ed Fishman, president of PRIDE USA (and a current contender to purchase the whole organization), wants the UFC’s best and PRIDE’s best to battle for a $40 million winner-takes-all challenge, according to MMAWeekly.com.

As Ken Pishna reported:

As President of Pride USA, Fishman made a public challenge to the UFC to pit each organization’s #1 and #2 fighters in each of four weight classes against each other in a “Winner Take All” format with both companies putting up $20 million. The first organization to win 5 of the 8 bouts would take home the $40 million.

The challenge was issued the same day White and the UFC triumphantly announced detailed plans for its upcoming UFC 70 U.K. show, which the organization says will be the first of many in Europe. One of the biggest announcements the UFC made was that former PRIDE fighter Fabricio Werdum had been signed by the UFC and will face Andrei Arlovski at UFC 70.

According to White:

“PRIDE is in deep trouble. We’ve snatched away half their guys and I’m not done yet.”

That ballsy statement may have led to Fishman’s challenge. But why would the PRIDE boss push for something that could have such dire consequences for the organization and its reputation?

Simple, he says. PRIDE has better fighters, and everyone knows it.

Said Fishman:

“I’ve always known that Pride has superior fighters over the UFC and the fans unanimously agree that Pride puts on a more exciting event. Once I fully acquire Pride FC, I intend to prove we have the best fighters, in what is sure to be the biggest prize, not just in mixed martial arts, but in sports history,” said Fishman.

Zuffa LLC, the UFC’s parent company, is also one of the rumored potential buyers of PRIDE. (To learn more about the potential sale, check out the archives.)

Corey · 02-23-2007, 09:13 PM

How sweet would this be if both companies agree!

Kentified · 02-23-2007, 09:29 PM

I think I just felt a little action down under.

In all reality though I think this is just going to be another "chuck vs wandy" type deal. All talk and no walk.

PINOYPRIDE · 02-23-2007, 09:43 PM

That would be not a good move now for Pride cause Fedor, Crocop and maybe other fighters, has/will be going to other orginazations by the time this deal is said and done...

Ninjamonkey · 02-23-2007, 09:44 PM

I don't see this happening. Would be freakin sweet though, we would probably finally get to see crocop vs fedor II !

Rocky12233 · 02-23-2007, 09:56 PM

Man if this happened we'd finally get to see....

Cro Cop vs. Fedor 2

AND

Liddell vs. Wandy

Not gonna keep my hopes up though...if it happens....HELL YEAHHHH

GSPALLTHEWAY · 02-23-2007, 10:16 PM

40 million isnt nearly enough... the loser (which at this point could be either org) would have an awful reputation.... and 40 million for the amount this sport is growing doesnt seem to be too much....

Heatwaves · 02-23-2007, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSPalltheway

40 million isnt nearly enough... the loser (which at this point could be either org) would have an awful reputation.... and 40 million for the amount this sport is growing doesnt seem to be too much....

I disagree. It depends on how close it is. If one organization wins 5-3, they have bragging rights, but it doesn't truly effect reputation. If an organization wins 7-1 or 8-0 on the other hand...

riversideblues · 02-23-2007, 10:46 PM

this isn't a very smart thing to do for the ufc. even if they win, pride still gets a LOT of mega mega advertising in north america....

Heatwaves · 02-23-2007, 11:12 PM

Whoops... I forgot to say my initial reaction.

WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! This would be soooo cool, but I agree that it probably won't happen. I'm surprised that this came out of the mouth of PRIDE, however. This seems like more of a UFC tactic.

What are the four divisions? I'm assuing it's 161, 183, 205 and 205+. This is to Pride's advantage, however, since the UFC's LW division is brand new and their strongest division, WW, isn't represented. Why not make it five divisions?

For the sake of argument, let's assume that it is the four divisions I've mentioned. Let's have some fun with this... who would fight who across the board? Would GSP move down to 161 lbs? Would Hughes move up to 183 lbs?

If this were to take place at the end of this year, my guesses would be as follows:

205+:
Mirko CroCop vs. Fedor Emelianenko
Tim Sylvia vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

205:
Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva
Quinton Jackson vs. Mauricio Rua

183:
Anderson Silva vs. Paulo Filho
Rich Franklin (Or Hughes) vs. Dan Henderson

161:
George St. Pierre vs. Takanori Gomi
Sean Sherk (or perhaps Hughes) vs. Gilbert Melendez

A lot changes with time. Will Sylvia still be toward the top of the UFC HW's? Will Werdum oust him? Will the UFC WW's move up or down in class? Will Diego surpass Hughes and Swick surpass Franklin?

There's a lot of fighters that could be interchangeable at #2.

At 205+, the UFC could also offer up Arlovski or Werdum (or Vera if he signs).
Pride has Barnett, Hunt, and lil' Emelianenko.

At 205, the UFC also has Ortiz, Sobral, Rashad and Jardine, while Pride has Arona, the other Nog and Overeem.

At 183, the UFC has Swick and any number of WW's including GSP, Hughes, Diego or Koscheck. Pride also has Misaki and I don't know who else.

At 161, the UFC could also throw out their WW's, plus Penn, Franca and Huerta. Pride has Sakurai, Hansen and I'm sure a few others I'm not aware of.

What a cool topic to speculate on!

Heatwaves · 02-23-2007, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riversideblues

this isn't a very smart thing to do for the ufc. even if they win, pride still gets a LOT of mega mega advertising in north america....

They could charge $100 PPV rates and still set all-time records. They'd make big-time money. I agree that there is a risk, but it is significant for both organizations. A UFC loss could potentially result in lost credibility and market share in the U.S., while if Pride lost it could be the beginning of the end and future UFC ownership. As a fan, I want to see it, even though I think the UFC is at a disadvantage with the potential matchups.

Saskabush · 02-23-2007, 11:45 PM

This would be the ultimate mma event that we have all been dreaming about. Even though it is probably unlikely to happen, I will cross my fingers.

riversideblues · 02-24-2007, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heatwaves

They could charge $100 PPV rates and still set all-time records. They'd make big-time money. I agree that there is a risk, but it is significant for both organizations. A UFC loss could potentially result in lost credibility and market share in the U.S., while if Pride lost it could be the beginning of the end and future UFC ownership. As a fan, I want to see it, even though I think the UFC is at a disadvantage with the potential matchups.

ya as much as these mega matches would sell for any number of money, it's still bad for either organization because i really want pride AND the ufc to be big forces, lack of competition just breeds stagnation. but i'd still loooooovee to see franklin and hernderson fight and have diego move down most likely and fight some of their 160's... but we all know that these fights would rock, but the only organization i see majorly benifiting win or lose is pride thanks to the massive NA exposure.

name goes here · 02-24-2007, 04:32 AM

First response- Yikes!

After some thought though I think pride can be confident of the fact UFC won't steal its base market (Japan) from it. Mainly due to the peculiarities of the Japanese audience and television companies, which I cant imagine switching to a foreign entertainemnt show over a native alternative. I'm less experienced with American attitudes but I imagine it's similar. Fans more dedicated to the sport probably buy both on dvd anyway.

So in the end this statement is just a win/win hyping up of the sport and drama for both pride and ufc.

Jasp · 02-24-2007, 07:02 AM

That would be very sweet... but it will never happen, they would never agree on money, rules and where... to much that can go wrong so something will.

clubberbang · 02-24-2007, 07:42 AM

this is a total dream that will never materialize. although, i must agree it would be sweet and would make all time records for ticket sales and ppv income.

opsy · 02-24-2007, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasp

That would be very sweet... but it will never happen, they would never agree on money, rules and where... to much that can go wrong so something will.

Exactly, wayyy to many stipulations. Fun thought though.

domin8 · 02-24-2007, 08:18 AM

IT is a great idea but not happenin. Dont get me wrong PRIDE is great but with most of thier big names they would be screwed. How bad would it be when all the old pride names win it for the ufc

subgenius · 02-24-2007, 08:34 AM

I like the idea. That $40 million is a huge incentive.

Cro Cop vs Fedor 2
Liddell vs Wanderlei
Hughes vs Gomi
Henderson vs Franklin

Or, instead of Hughes-Gomi,

GSP vs Gomi
Henderson vs Babalu

There are a bunch of great fights that could come from an event like this.

GSPALLTHEWAY · 02-24-2007, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subgenius

I like the idea. That $40 million is a huge incentive.

Cro Cop vs Fedor 2
Liddell vs Wanderlei
Hughes vs Gomi
Henderson vs Franklin

Or, instead of Hughes-Gomi,

GSP vs Gomi
Henderson vs Babalu

There are a bunch of great fights that could come from an event like this.

im not sure i agree... the 40 million longterm isnt worth it for the UFC... because if people in the states see that pride is good too they would be risking losing alot of money long term....
as for some of those matchups im not sure...
dan vs rich would be great..
crocop fedor is obviously the superbowl of mma
chuck vs silva very good...
the rest im not sure are even... gomi is great, but at 155, hughes and gsp wouldnt have too much trouble with him... even tho i wish he could take off hughes head