I agree that Pride will still be used. It will really be a feeder system at this point. A really high level one, but still a feeder system. Even if the UFC takes 2 to 3 fighters a year and brings them over, that is enough talent to spice up their divisions, and keep things interesting and high level enough.

What a crazy year. And the K-1 show hasn’t even fully self-destructed yet, though it’s clearly on its way.

Zach, one thing you hit dead on was that without the old PRIDE, no one has the ability to create new Japanese/international stars with the magical storyline as you put it, which will be a shame for us as fans.

However, I personally think there is only a limited number of fighter “slots” available in the UFC for non-English speaking fighters. So I guess I don’t think they will throw the PRIDE brand away unless it just proves to be absolutely useless from a marketing standpoint in Japan (ie, worse than a straight-up “UFC Japan”). No doubt the PRIDE could very well be useless at this point, but I do think there is room for some version of an “International UFC” that has different stars and different champions, especially for those fighters that might be elite but the UFC might find hard to market in the US UFC.

For example, if Fedor, Shogun, A. Silva/Okami, Gomi all become champions of the UFC at the same time — which, while not likely, is a distinct possibility — I do think the UFC will be in for a hard time having all these champions that will not be able to do proper promotional marketing for UFC events.

Sakuraba’s Medical Tests – If Kazushi Sakuraba is found to be unable to compete due to the tests run, then K-1 is in massive trouble. The reason is…. If he is then used in Japan, then no credible MMA Sanctioning body will allow FEG (K-1) t get a promoters license in the US. Which means they have one of two options.

1. Get rid of Sakuraba, who is a national star in Japan, and lose a lot of attendence.

2. Continue to use Sakuraba in Japan, and then be blocked from putting on cards in the US.

They could always team up with Pro Elite, but how long will that last for? And the athletic commissions are going to make it very hard on Pro Elite is they still have an alliance with a known company who is defying the commission.

The decision we get from the CSAS on Sakuraba in the next few days could shape the landscape of MMA in the United States over the next few years.

I think that GP-style events will keep fans interested in the UFC over a prolonged period of time and help to offset the ‘fad’ effect I’m sure it’s experiencing right now. Make it happen, Dana!

LOL so true.