http://ufcmania.com/2007/03/19/ufc-owners-fertittas-purchase-pride-fc-for-65-million/
While nothing official has been announced yet, it looks like this happened.
Note that it was the Fertitta brothers that bought Pride, not Zuffa.
UFC Owners buy Pride for $65 Million?
- Thread starter Andrew Green
- Start date
http://ufcmania.com/2007/03/19/ufc-owners-fertittas-purchase-pride-fc-for-65-million/
While nothing official has been announced yet, it looks like this happened.
Note that it was the Fertitta brothers that bought Pride, not Zuffa.
Now that would be sweet! I hope Crocop kicks Couture in the head and ends up defending his title against Fedor!
gixxershane
Green Belt
i think this will help the ufc come more main streem.. it will also bring a lot more tallent into the ufc..
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If true is it all UFC now, or will the Pride name remain, with a separate show going on? All that is left is this Bodogfight (spelling?).
I don't necessarily think consolidation is a bad thing. look at boxing for instance. Anyone can fight anyone, even though you have seperate organizations/belts. I think consolidating the talent is going to make for some great fights in the future. The only thing that might be missed will be the ring vs octagon. I wonder how they will deal with that? Or the subtle rule differences? Go with the UFC rule set?
I think this is a good thing in my opinion. However only time will tell.
hmmm not sure if this will be good....where will pride be held then? in Japan or america?
It will make fighter cross overs easier but i prefer the variety of being able to watch more then one org with Top fighters.
It will make fighter cross overs easier but i prefer the variety of being able to watch more then one org with Top fighters.
Raiderbeast
Yellow Belt
From MMAWeekly:
The rumors swirling around the sale of Pride FC have been ongoing for quite some time, but things flared up again on Monday when Sherdog.com started talking about strong rumors from some of their sources, who said that the deal has finally been struck.
MMAWeekly has confirmed with our own sources, including sources in Japan that are extremely close to the situation, that the deal has indeed been reached. From what we understand, Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta have come to an agreement that would put Pride in their hands. But remember, that is an agreement, not a finalized transaction. As with any business transaction as complex as the purchase of one company by another, things are never 100% finalized until the proverbial keys to the front door have finally changed hands.
With that said, unless something changes at the eleventh hour, it appears that Pride will soon fall under the ownership of the Fertitta brothers. According to our sources, the purchase is believed to include fighter contracts, Prides video library, and the Pride FC name brand. The issue of fighter contracts is one of the more touchy points, as there can be variables in each individual contract that will have to be dealt with, and no information has come forth that states which fighters would be included.
It was not immediately clear when the deal would be announced, although it is believed that Nobuyuki Sakikabara, the President & CEO Of Dream Stage Entertainment (Prides present owner), is traveling to the United States this week in regards to matters related to the agreement.
The rumors swirling around the sale of Pride FC have been ongoing for quite some time, but things flared up again on Monday when Sherdog.com started talking about strong rumors from some of their sources, who said that the deal has finally been struck.
MMAWeekly has confirmed with our own sources, including sources in Japan that are extremely close to the situation, that the deal has indeed been reached. From what we understand, Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta have come to an agreement that would put Pride in their hands. But remember, that is an agreement, not a finalized transaction. As with any business transaction as complex as the purchase of one company by another, things are never 100% finalized until the proverbial keys to the front door have finally changed hands.
With that said, unless something changes at the eleventh hour, it appears that Pride will soon fall under the ownership of the Fertitta brothers. According to our sources, the purchase is believed to include fighter contracts, Prides video library, and the Pride FC name brand. The issue of fighter contracts is one of the more touchy points, as there can be variables in each individual contract that will have to be dealt with, and no information has come forth that states which fighters would be included.
It was not immediately clear when the deal would be announced, although it is believed that Nobuyuki Sakikabara, the President & CEO Of Dream Stage Entertainment (Prides present owner), is traveling to the United States this week in regards to matters related to the agreement.
Raiderbeast
Yellow Belt
There is still the IFL, EliteXC, Bodog, K1, KOC and some smaller ones.
OP
- Thread Starter
- #15
Then again....
PRIDE boss Nobuyuki Sakakibara has told his employees he is leaving the company but that all of their jobs are safe.Pride FC is on the verge of being acquired by the UFC, provided no snags take place before contracts are signed and Pride hands the keys over to UFC it looks as though its a done deal.Nobuyuki Sakakibara yesterday told several members of the U.S. Pride staff that the company is in the [process] of being sold to Lorenzo & Frank Fertitta. He said the agreement in principal is done but there are still some minor points to be worked out and the contract is not signed. Sakakibara said he would be leaving the company but that everyone would be keeping their jobs. The company would be operated separately from UFC, but obviously UFC could use any Pride fighter for a big match that it needed.
More...
PRIDE boss Nobuyuki Sakakibara has told his employees he is leaving the company but that all of their jobs are safe.Pride FC is on the verge of being acquired by the UFC, provided no snags take place before contracts are signed and Pride hands the keys over to UFC it looks as though its a done deal.Nobuyuki Sakakibara yesterday told several members of the U.S. Pride staff that the company is in the [process] of being sold to Lorenzo & Frank Fertitta. He said the agreement in principal is done but there are still some minor points to be worked out and the contract is not signed. Sakakibara said he would be leaving the company but that everyone would be keeping their jobs. The company would be operated separately from UFC, but obviously UFC could use any Pride fighter for a big match that it needed.
More...
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So, it is official now?
Today a Japanese pride fighter I regularly spar with came into the dojo confirming the rumors. Apparently they've been told that the company is going to be closed down, and they're all not sure whats happenning with their contracts, or how things are going to be run after the take over.
So the fighters are a tad anxious about whats going on.
Hopefully it'll mean bigger purses and more international exposure.
So the fighters are a tad anxious about whats going on.
Hopefully it'll mean bigger purses and more international exposure.
Hopefully Pride will be able to get a TV deal in Japan and then of course a reality show to fuel the fire.
