Pride cancels April US show

jas123 · 03-05-2007, 12:45 PM

MMAWeekly has confirmed that Pride’s April 28th show in the U.S. has been canceled. The event listing has been removed from the schedule on Pride’s official website.

The cancellation follows news of President of Pride USA Ed Fishman’s potential lawsuit with Dream Stage Entertainment, parent company of Pride Fighting Championships. Following Pride 33, Fishman and Pride had a falling out due to disagreements over several issues. Part of the rift stems from differing views on business agreements in the United States, and part of the rift stems from Fishman’s public push to buy Pride outright.

Sources close to MMAWeekly have reported that DSE offered to buy Ed Fishman out of his contract and relieve him of his duties as President of Pride USA, but that there is a dispute over the dollar amount that would be owed to Fishman if a buyout were to take place. Fishman is apparently prepared to pursue legal action on the matter.

All of this has come to a head recently due to Pride’s heavily rumored financial troubles. Pride has received multiple offers for the company’s purchase, with the two most prominent coming from Zuffa (the UFC’s parent company) and Fishman. DSE has consistently denied that Pride is for sale.
********************

Sounds like Pride is close to done. Bad news.

KrushR · 03-05-2007, 12:58 PM

sad. Pride seemed like a great organization on the outside. Oh, well. More fighters for the UFC.

SSFgear · 03-05-2007, 01:37 PM

I would love to be the Pres of Pride USA. What a kickass job that would be.

Sir Savage · 03-05-2007, 02:29 PM

Man, this sucks. I hope whatever happens, Pride as we know it stays intact. I love their fights and production values.

**size** · 03-05-2007, 03:07 PM

This is unfortunate b/c the last card in the USA turned out to be a night of excellent fights. Also, I certainly hope Pride does not get taken over by the UFC.

ersatz · 03-05-2007, 03:21 PM

Rumors of Pride's imminent demise and subsequent purchase by Zuffa or another entity are a weekly occurrence.

Rodja · 03-05-2007, 03:49 PM

If there is anything sacred left in this world, then PRIDE will remain. I would hate to see Zuffa buy out PRIDE.

Alexander · 03-05-2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodja

If there is anything sacred left in this world, then PRIDE will remain. I would hate to see Zuffa buy out PRIDE.

Ditto. No major organization with kicks/knees to a downed opponent= a very sad Alexandrovich. Not to mention all the other great things Pride has to offer.

Rogue Drone · 03-05-2007, 06:20 PM

This sucks on many levels.

Probably losing an April Pride.

A nasty, who knows?, control battle for Pride. Makes me think of the prequel to the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, not having already been made because New Line and Peter Jackson have been in legal wranglings.

And Zuffa possibly buying this, lack of competition in the marketplace is generally not good for the consumer.

**Beowulf** · 03-05-2007, 06:56 PM

Apparently the site has been hacked. I hope it is true, b/c if you go here: Pan Pacific Fiber, Inc You will not find Pride's site, it is Pan Pacific Fiber, Inc. I hope this explains the cancellation.

Rogue Drone · 03-05-2007, 07:08 PM

Their main site, that I know of, is Pridefc.com, that's up.

Get off the Nyquil, Chuckwulf.

**Beowulf** · 03-05-2007, 07:13 PM

Rogue, type in the site that you posted. That is what I wrote in the post, and it brought me there.

...mmmmmm, Nyquil!

Rogue Drone · 03-05-2007, 07:17 PM

? It's working for me in my browser when typed straight in, but you are right, it copy and pastes as Pan Fiber.

Pan Pacific Fiber, Inc which takes one to the right site.

I don't know.

**Beowulf** · 03-05-2007, 07:40 PM

Look at your post, Rogue

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Drone

? It's working for me in my browser when typed straight in, but you are right, it copy and pastes as Pan Fiber.

Pan Pacific Fiber, Inc which takes one to the right site.

I don't know.

And when you're done, pass the mutha****in' Nyquil

ersatz · 03-05-2007, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexander

Ditto. No major organization with kicks/knees to a downed opponent= a very sad Alexandrovich. Not to mention all the other great things Pride has to offer.

Yeah, like airing the entire fight card, what a concept. But the UFC would rather run advertisements and repeat the same 10 min promo 3 times in a row.

And there's no reason Pride couldn't have had a show in California and the Staples center would be an ideal location.

I agree with Alex that the Unified rules need to be amended to allow knees to a grounded opponent and hopefully the UFC will help push this too.

jas123 · 03-06-2007, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ersatz

I agree with Alex that the Unified rules need to be amended to allow knees to a grounded opponent and hopefully the UFC will help push this too.

Yep. I don't like how there are safety zones where people can hide. Knees on the ground aren't more damaging than knees standing.

ModelMike · 03-06-2007, 03:02 PM

is it true that pride fighters are able to use steroids?

jas123 · 03-06-2007, 03:22 PM

They don't test for them in events in Japan so usually they are free to use them. In Prides' US shows they have to follow the US rules which require it and few guys got clipped in their 1st US show.

Rodja · 03-06-2007, 03:30 PM