Despite statements, indications and marketing materials that stated otherwise, UFC President Dana White told reporters during a conference call today that the PRIDE FC 2007 Lightweight Grand Prix will comprise just its fighters and no representatives from the UFC.
In addition, the weight limit has not been decided. But, it’ll be at either 155 or 170 pounds.
Here’s the snip from 411mania.com:
“The Lightweight Grand Prix weight class has not yet been decided on either 155lbs or 170lbs. There will be no UFC fighters in the tournament. The UFC and PRIDE are completely separate companies. ‘You won’t see UFC vs. PRIDE until we do the big event’ [said White].”
This is bad news, considering there was a lot of chatter from reliable — and high ranking — sources that the UFC would send fighters over to Japan for the 16-man tournament, which is slated to begin on July 16.
There are tons of other little snips contained in the recap of the media session such as the contract status of Fedor Emelianenko, future UFC host cities, ESPN and HBO deals, Jerry Millen and much more.
Go check it out when you have some time.
33 Comments »
BULLSHIT!!! BULLSHIT!!! BULLSHIT!!!
Does this mean we may see tournaments from Pride & uFC to decide who will represent each promotion in the “Super Bowl”? I really, really hope so.
I aint buying it.
I’m not surprised.
This is bullshit. So by seperate they mean we will see one ppv a year where they fight each other and thats it? It’s all about the money now, not about giving us what we want to see, i mean c’mon the announcement fight for both promotions was Fujita from Pride against “Monson” from the UFC??!?! WTF Dana you can do better than that man, WE ARE THE ONES PAYING YOUR SALARY BY THE WAY.
Two weeks before the announcement that the Fertittas bought Pride, Dana was saying that it wasnt happening. He constantly tries to throw ppl off the trail, but besides, he is only a 10% owner of the UFC and 0% of Pride. He really doesnt make the calls, now does he…. There will be UFC fighters in the LWGP. And if there arent, then Dana is just as dumb as he used to accuse Sakikabara of being.
[quote post=”1843″]but besides, he is only a 10% owner of the UFC and 0% of Pride. He really doesnt make the calls, now does he…. [/quote]
I think he has more influence than you are giving credit for. And he is also the one confirming to the public what is to be concerning the UFC. So if he is just playing games he needs to chill out, this isn’t a soap opera this is MMA. Just give it to us straight. If they’re gonna be in it so be it, if not then so be it, just let the fans know whats going on!
He has massive influence, I know SoCal. It’s just he has a habit of saying the opposite of what finally happens. As for the Pride comments, considering both Jerry Millen and DW were adamant that the deal wasnt getting done, makes me think Sakikabara and the Fertittas kept their day to day ppl out of discussion.
This would have been exciting.But i’d rather see GP with each weight class.
damn, i’m disappointed, but not completely devastated yet, like mtufc said dana white has a habit of saying one thing and then doing another, but if he is telling it like it is, i don’t see the reasoning, this thing could have been huge…
that sucks
But dont forget, like I posted on the HBO thread, the NSAC just sanctioned an MMA tourney here on US soil. Maybe UFC GPs in the future?
[quote post=”1843″]damn, i’m disappointed, but not completely devastated yet, like mtufc said dana white has a habit of saying one thing and then doing another, but if he is telling it like it is, i don’t see the reasoning, this thing could have been huge… [/quote]
You took the words right outta my mouth.
[quote comment=”35981″]But dont forget, like I posted on the HBO thread, the NSAC just sanctioned an MMA tourney here on US soil. Maybe UFC GPs in the future?[/quote]
true that, that’d be real nice, then winner vs. winner in superbowl
[quote comment=”35828″]Does this mean we may see tournaments from Pride & uFC to decide who will represent each promotion in the “Super Bowl”? I really, really hope so.[/quote]
It would be hot to see the UFC work in a tournament similar to GP’s. PRIDE obviously is still doing there thing. It still sucks that we won’t see any UFC fighters compete
[quote comment=”35981″]But dont forget, like I posted on the HBO thread, the NSAC just sanctioned an MMA tourney here on US soil. Maybe UFC GPs in the future?[/quote]
This is great news
[quote comment=”36028″][quote comment=”35981″]But dont forget, like I posted on the HBO thread, the NSAC just sanctioned an MMA tourney here on US soil. Maybe UFC GPs in the future?[/quote]
This is great news[/quote]
Thank you spida and Stafo. Glad someone else realizes just how big the news that the NSAC will sanction tourneys is. Man the UFC needs a LW tourney.
Wasnt this all for the Fans, or all the Fans are for. Empty promises, Dana soldout
Dana says that we won’t see a UFC-PRIDE cross-over until “the big event.” What the hell does he think the Lightweight Grand Prix is? A sparring session? This is the perfect big event. Even if UFC contributes a few solid guys instead of stars, it would be worth seeing.
155 or 161
On the Tito vs Dana show, Dana said when he makes a deal, he sticks to it, obviously he has a twisted self-serving sence of honesty. I dont know if its the same in the States, but here a verbal agreement is considered a legal contract, its just hard to prove without something written down. Dana says he sticks to his word, then constantly f@#%s with us, the fans who try to keep on the front line of MMA news, wtf? We should all (even MTUFC) be flown down to some mansion and be pampered while getting the low down on the future of MMA, not be lied to constantly. Im starting to think Dana is dumb!
I told everyone before - “Don’t Trust Dana” he is a liar and a cheat, trust me.. don’t give him alot of credit!
im dissapointed, but im gonna agree with mtu, lets just see what really happens….does anyone know about the business side of thigs, like if joe daddy and diego lets says go over and participate in the “Pride Gp”, whos paying them. Surely each org still has different pay rolls, maybe this is a problem….Dana wont be getting any money off of his fighters..or will he? anyone?
[quote comment=”36208″]155 or 161[/quote]
he’s saying there is no more 161 division, its gonna be at 155…
Question:
Concerning this “Big event” are they just saying that when it happens it will be the superbowl of mma in a general sense, or is there a particular event in mind that they are planning with all crossover matches?
[quote comment=”36207″]Dana says that we won’t see a UFC-PRIDE cross-over until “the big event.” What the hell does he think the Lightweight Grand Prix is? A sparring session? This is the perfect big event. Even if UFC contributes a few solid guys instead of stars, it would be worth seeing.[/quote]
I agree with this statement
dana white is a liar
Fedor Emelianenko:
“Sometimes, in the winter, I like to swim in an ice hole.”
HAHAHAHAHA Well that explains everything hahahaha
Explains what? The shrinkage?
EVERYTHING
dis shit is sum bull shit i new dis was going to happen i really dont think we will see pride vs. ufc but if we do it will far down the road becuase ufc is set will events till august and prides light weight grand prix has been delayed so i dont think the super bowl will happen