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Dana White talks about PRIDE
By Zach Arnold | September 1, 2006
In an interview with FoxSports.com:
“They talk a lot of s– but never back it up. I’m here I’m ready, Chuck’s here, he’s ready. It’s not that Wanderlei doesn’t want the fight, he’s a fighter. No disrespect to him. You know who I’m talking about. I’ve been trying to do this for five years. I sent (Liddell) over to Japan and he fought three or four times over there. They like to yap but they don’t like to back it up.
… (cont’d)
They suck. They talk too much. They don’t back it up. They like to talk. They’re in trouble over there and they’re trying to make a splash over here. They’re trying to talk s– with me to get it. I think they’re going to have a tough run over here. Anyone who can rub two nickels together is trying to get into the MMA business right now. It’s not an easy business to be in. It took us six years to figure this out. It’s going to be tough for them. It’s a different market. It would be like me trying to do a show in Japan tomorrow. I wouldn’t know what to do. I think they’re going to burn through a lot of cash and I don’t think they’re going to make any money.
Here’s some more discussion on UFC’s business practices.
Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, PRIDE, UFC, Zach Arnold | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Chuck faught 3 or 4 times over there did he? It’s hard to say someone else is talking shit when in the very next sentence, you flat out lie.
Well Chuck did fight in Pride once before UFC sent him over for the 2003 Middleweight tournament (I think they even use the footage in the US release of the Pride Video game). Then he fought Overeem and Jackson in the 2003 tournament, so that makes three fights. Dana White maybe said “3 or 4” because he probably felt “used” because he has sent more of his fighters to Pride (and even made an appearance on the Pride FC US PPVs) then Pride has sent to him. So while in reality, Liddell has probably fought three times in a Pride ring, White feels like it’s been four.
Just look at the Sherdog profile on Liddell:
http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=192
Yup, says it, three times.
MMA has always resembled Pro Wrestling, more than its resembled a real sport. Its business structure, the way its promoted, everything. Just wait until someone starts challenging Dana White, and their is a turf war for fans and PPV buys in North America. Its not going to resemble anything you see in a sport like hockey, or baseball (where coincidentally the NHL and MLB face NO competition). Its going to resemble WWF vs. WCW.
If you’re waiting for UFC to start taking their cues from the NFL, or MLB, then I wouldn’t hold your breath. Because Dana White’s similarities to Vince McMahon have been discussed, and written about ad nauseum, and its not changing. The fight game – whether its Wrestling, MMA, or Boxing – is a completely different business than team sports like baseball, hockey, or football.
Argh, forgot about the Metzger fight 😛 never mind.
Both organizations boast some impressive fighters from all over the wolrd. I’d like to see which has the better fighters. Try telling me that Fedor Emilienenko vs. Tim Sylvia wouldnt be the heavyweight fight for the ages. I am suprised that the UFC doesnt lure some of the exciting Pride fighters like “Cro Cop” and Mauricio Rua to the states. I’m curious to see whether Pride FC will have to change its rules, involving head kicks to a downed opponent, to get licensed in America. How about this for a double main event; Liddell vs. Wanderlei and Sylvia vs. Fedor. That would be an MMA fans dream!