Was this ever in the news before?? I don’t recall hearing about it ever…did they decide they were going to retroactively levy the fine and suspension?? IIRC this is pretty lenient compared to other fighters suspensions for cannabis under the NSAC…I’m assuming this might have been a “sweetheart suspension” b/c Sanchez has an impending fight?

If this was in the news before – plz disregard my comments.

“-Nobuyuki Sakakibara yesterday told several members of the U.S. Pride staff that the company is in the proces 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.”

http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=19013

http://www.mmanews.com/ufc/Shogun-Signs-New-4-Fight-Contract-2-With-The-UFC.html

Wait nevermind, it was rumor, reports now is it’s a 4 fight contract with PRIDE.

I think its a pretty interesting story seeing as Xyience’s tv ads, fight sponsorships etc. played a pretty big role in UFC getting their footing set. I agree its nowhere near the level of PRIDE, but there’s a point to it that you shouldnt just blatantly ignore something like this when you (not you personally) post every single tiny rumbling wrt PRIDE’s shady business ties.

Since you were so excited about DSE’s alleged criminal ties, I figured you’d be intrested in Zuffa’s.

“A HISTORY OF DECEPTION AND GREED: THE INSIDE STORY OF XYIENCE CREATOR RUSSEL PIKE’S SHADY BUSINESS DEALINGS”, found at http://unlimitedfightnews.com/wordpress/?p=26.

Should be noted that this info was only relayed by Gross. Gross said he had originally gotten wind of it through Sherdog Japanese reporter Stephen Martinez, though I suspect he may have meant Brazilian reporter Gleidson Venga.