PRIDE being bought out?

daywealldie · 02-03-2007

Ed Fishman is a revolutionary in the modern gaming industry. Can he do the same for modern day mixed martial arts? Struggling to remain competitive, Fishman is looking to lead the resurgence of the Pride Fighting Championships.

The president of Pride USA, Fishman is currently in negotiations to purchase Pride FC outright. Sources indicate that he is no longer interested in being a non-controlling investor in the promotion, but wants to own and direct the worldwide operations of the company.

Mixed martial arts is emerging as one of the fastest growing sports and entertainment properties in the world, but the longtime Japanese promotion has struggled recently with the loss of their television contract in Japan. It is believed that Fishman wants to take control so that he can lead the promotion out of its downturn. Apparently, there are already several international sponsorship deals, as well as major new television deals already in the works and close to being finalized.

If the deal does go through, in addition to continuing Pride’s presence in Japan and expanding in the United States, the promotion would likely move to include events in England, South Korea, and Macau (a special administrative region of China).

At this point, there are ongoing negotiations, but nothing has been finalized. Sources close to the situation are confident that Fishman will get the deal done and move forward with his plans to re-establish Pride as the global leader in the industry.

Those same sources indicated that the Ultimate Fighting Championship made an offer to purchase Pride, but their offer was declined.

(mmaweekly.com)

im not exactly sure who Ed Fishman is but it seems that he may turn this once leader in mma organizations around.. i would surely hope that PRIDE pulls through this hard time their having finding tv deals and trouble broudcasting. in the show count down to UFC 67 on spike, there was a part where joe rogan was commenting how the transitions of rampage and crocop are the firsts of many to come before the UFC has all the big names. i would rather PRIDE pull through and maybe see some competition between the two organizations.

grawl · 02-03-2007

i agree, it just wouldn't be the same if all big name fighters were in the ufc. they need pride, and pride needs the ufc. so they can compete with each other. everyone needs a rival, it just pushes you to be better than they are.

Robert_Lake · 02-03-2007

Fishman is the president of Pride. He's Dana White only for Pride instead of the UFC. Fishman wanting to buy the company might not be entirely true. I highly doubt that Sakakibara (owner of Pride) would sell his beloved Pride FC. Ed Fishman is an American, and if you ask me the problem with Pride coming to the states is that its too Japanese. I forone like it, however the American fans arent interested in supporting the Japanese. that is why i see this happening, so at pre fight Pride conferences in the states they have someone who can communicate without a translator.

These are just my thoughts and they could very well be wrong. But if you ask me, either way Pride will benefit.

MATT E · 02-03-2007

I just dont want to see the fall of pride, if the ufc were to take on all of prides champions and great fighters there would be to many title implications and IMO it jut wouldnt work out. I just hope for the day when PRIDE or UFC challenges one another to showcase each of there talents. All in all i dont see anything happening to PRIDE.Its been going through some tuff times but with a great organization like that it will pull through.

Tap'd or Snap'd · 02-05-2007

According to other sites, they are claiming the UFC will have completely bought out Pride by the end of '08. With the financial status Pride is in currently, it wouldn't be a surprise.

Lethal · 02-05-2007

What exactly is the problem with PRIDE? Their events are normally sold out with 90,000 people in the arenas. Doesn't each event like that generate a lot of revenue? I understand the loss of the TV contract, but there has to be a station willing to buy their shows.

Robert_Lake · 02-05-2007

I have to agree with you here Lethal. Sure they dont have a TV contract but sooner or later they will. I for one still think that Pride has the better fighters and events. Other than WW i dont think any UFC fighters should be ranked #1, just isnt enough depth in the divisions.

MATT E · 02-06-2007

T.V. contract is still important but pride does a bunch of things to publicize there fighting. In southern California where i live, they have a ufc unleashed type of thing on fsn where they show about 6 fights and advertise for there next event. They just did a little thing for silva and hendo. But nothing live offcourse i wish.