Over the past several months, you may have noticed several fighters converting from PRIDE to the UFC. This may have spawned from the news released several months ago by PRIDEFC announcing it was coming to America, thus competing with the UFC for the American MMA fan base. From what it appears, rather than competing for the same audience with PRIDE, the UFC has decided to take a different approach.

Shortly after PRIDE announced its entrance in America, the UFC announced Anderson Silva had signed a contract with the UFC. Silva made his extraordinary debut fight against Chris Leben and then followed up by defeating Rich Franklin for the middleweight title belt. As of a few weeks ago, Mirko CroCop Flipovich (winner of PRIDE Grand Prix 2006) also signed a contract with the UFC.

We have to ask ourselves, is this a strategic move by the UFC to oust the competition or simply inevitable in the fast growing sport of MMA? The sport of MMA is no different than any national athletic organization. In the business of sporting entertainment, all organizations consistently pursue the best athletes and most personable athletes.

Some fans believe PRIDE has the best fighters and it appears that the UFC may acknowledge this to some degree. Whether this theory is truth or fiction, it’s undeniable that the UFC is pursuing PRIDE fighters. Don’t be shocked if we soon see Fedor Emelianenko, Pride heavyweight Champion, in the ring fighting for the UFC heavyweight title

Comments (4)

Oakley said:

bout time If the ufc wants to be the best they need to have ALL of the best and pay EVERYONE fairly

January 08, 2007

MMAbuzz said:

Somewhat Agree I agree with Oak, to be the best you have to have the best fighters. As far as pay goes that's between the fighters and the promoters. One thing I would like to see are good matchups. I hope the UFC (and Pride) doesn't get these big names and then not have them fight each other. I mean how long do we have to wait before a Rampage-Liddell matchup? Or a Cro Cop-Silvia? Is Dana going to drag it out?

January 11, 2007

KPEAZY said:

... Dana wants to set up the Crocop/Sylvia fight as soon as he can. My bet is if Crocop knocks out Sanchez it will be similar to Anderson Silva getting one fight before his title fight, I think like most fans He is sick of watching Sylvia keep winning these boring decisions. Liddell/Rampage may be dragged out further though in my opinion to try and hype the fight more.

January 11, 2007

Dj5 said:

... I agree w/ you KP. I look forward to seeing a, long overdue, exiting UFC heavyweight fight. I also think bringing CroCop to UFC will generate a larger international fan base.

January 11, 2007