More title defenses with the Fertitas in control? - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

sitnspin · 03-29-2007, 03:12 PM

As much as I've always loved Pride, one of the things that's bugged me is the way their champs get to fight top contenders in non-title match-ups. It's something you don't see in the UFC (unless it's a fluke like the contender not making weight). They seem to have that oldschool WWF mentality of wanting a champ to hold his belt for a long time (I'm talking about the years where Hogan remained champ).

So. You figure with Zuffa calling the shots, those days are over? Will every champ have to put his belt on the line 3 or 4 times a year with no more non-title matches? I hope so.

Gooner · 03-29-2007, 04:23 PM

Yeah, I think so.

But I think they'll keep on giving the Japanese those "freak" matches every now and then. As long as it's not the champ fighting in one of those, I'll survive I guess.
Also, I think they'll be keep on with the tournaments as well, which would be awesome.

sitnspin · 03-29-2007, 06:25 PM

It's occurred to me that I probably shouldn't have started a new thread about this, and for that I am sorry.

I hope you're right about the tournaments, Gooner, and in general I hope they plan on preserving everything that's good about Pride (accepting that some rules will change).

Gygax · 03-29-2007, 06:40 PM

Don't forget, Pride will also be adding another weight class, thus another champion. Their weight classes will match Zuffa's, thus 155,170,185, 205 and HWT. I'd also be willing to bet there will e no weight limit on the HWT class. That, or it will be 265 and they will add the Super HWT class they have mentioned before.

Malf · 03-29-2007, 11:34 PM

Glad to hear about PRIDE comforming to UFC's weight classses. It also upsets me that PRIDE defends their champs with non-title fights so much. Gomi has lost 2 fights in the past 6 months and is still champ...... crazy.