UFC internet rumor of Zuffa buying DSE/Pride

[americanbulldog]

Don't know if this is a troll job.  On a couple of others forums, it is being reported that the big news on UFC Inside tonight is the acquisition of DSE/Pride by Zuffa.  I can't see this happening, but if it is, I just wanted to let all the getbiggers know.  Can you imagine the matchups? 

[Drij]

source?

how many fights would there be in a year? 1 champion in each weight class, thats alot of useless fights between fighters, even if they are just fights.

It should be PRIDE vs UFC fights and exchangeable champions but both would have their own titles.

[americanbulldog]

I couldn't find any..... That is why it is still a rumor.  It is all over the underground and at two other sites I post at. 

[Fury]

http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?t=493195

Nevermind. I guess it would be very interesting.

Just think of the matchups, Zulu versus Sylvia for the HW championship!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait!

[Drij]

http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?t=493202

[Fury]

Still 0 proof of this outside of a crappy internet rumor. I would think UFC would have said something by now.

[Thin Lizzy]

I hope it's true. For MMA to be taken seriously as a sport there needs to be a definitive major leagues as there is in all other major sports.

IMO, boxing started going downhill when you had champs from two different federations, both clamining to be the real deal.

[Fury]

I hope it's true. For MMA to be taken seriously as a sport there needs to be a definitive major leagues as there is in all other major sports.

IMO, boxing started going downhill when you had champs from two different federations, both clamining to be the real deal.

One league would be the worst thing possible. Letting UFC dictate the salaries would be bad for the fighters and the sport when anyone who isn't headlining a card can't make more than $10-20k per fight. 

[Thin Lizzy]

One league would be the worst thing possible. Letting UFC dictate the salaries would be bad for the fighters and the sport when anyone who isn't headlining a card can't make more than $10-20k per fight. 

Unfortunately, that's the way it is in sports as well as entertainment. A small percentage of people at the top make big money and everyone else starves. Even though there are movie stars making millions, the average salary of a SAG member is like 20K a year.

However, if the UFC consistently underpays fighters whose market value is higher, it opens the door for another federation to move in.

[*ChuteBoxe*]

I heard the annoucements were going to be Randy Couture vs. Tim Sylvia, and the UFC coming to Texas in April.

[Fury]

Unfortunately, that's the way it is in sports as well as entertainment. A small percentage of people at the top make big money and everyone else starves. Even though there are movie stars making millions, the average salary of a SAG member is like 20K a year.

However, if the UFC consistently underpays fighters whose market value is higher, it opens the door for another federation to move in.

With Pride around, they'll be forced to pay top dollar to steal any fighters they want. I'm hoping it sticks around.

[americanbulldog]

With Pride around, they'll be forced to pay top dollar to steal any fighters they want. I'm hoping it sticks around.

Just heard from one of my buddies out of Royce's camp that negotiations are ongoing, the deal isn't done.  Both Zuffa and the WWE are inquiring about acqruiring DSE.  Getting one set of rules would be good for MMA, and with Bodog and Showtime there would still be competition.  Showtime has a pretty good firtst card.  Better talent will get better PPV buys, and unfortunately for us higher PPV costs which ultimately means greater revenue.  IF this does occur, we can easily forecast consistently high PPV buys in excess of boxing during it's heyday. 

[Fury]

Just heard from one of my buddies out of Royce's camp that negotiations are ongoing, the deal isn't done.  Both Zuffa and the WWE are inquiring about acqruiring DSE.  Getting one set of rules would be good for MMA, and with Bodog and Showtime there would still be competition.  Showtime has a pretty good firtst card.  Better talent will get better PPV buys, and unfortunately for us higher PPV costs which ultimately means greater revenue.  IF this does occur, we can easily forecast consistently high PPV buys in excess of boxing during it's heyday. 

Can't stand the UFC rules. Knees, stomps and kicks on the ground add much more to the fights. But I guess it would be good to see some of these fabled matchups go down and see the Pride guys prove who really is the best.

The best thing, in my opinion, would be for Zuffa to keep both organizations with control over them and let their rules stand and having fighters fight in both orgs. That's what I would like to see at least. 

[americanbulldog]

It would work, they kept the WEC intact, why not Pride. 

[torquemada]

Half the net swears it's true; other half says troll job.  We'll see...

[americanbulldog]

BLAF has taken a dump on this rumor. 

[Fury]

Sakakibara gave an interview on Sherdog's front page yesterday saying Pride is here to stay. I'd take his word with a grain of salt, though.

[americanbulldog]

If it were happening, I don't think he would be in the know, unless he was a big shareholder.