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[Malice]

This is a translation from Sakikabara the president of Pride where he talks about Mirko CroCop going to the UFC. Notice the words in bold...it is interpreted (not just by me) that Mirko was sent to the UFC to win the HW title then return to Pride as the UFC Champion to fight Fedor again in a Pride vs UFC Championship....

WOW could this be true?

Could Mirko have been sent to UFC?

As for 2006 there was a variety truly. Directing to society as DSE, as yourself the natural way you did in the environment which the promotion is produced with the ground wave and the like, it is, but being gone that, you supported in everyone, somehow to 2006 end, you were possible to be possible.
?1 years are rounded off are suitable, PRIDE it seems, the event and the space, energy ......When this is PRIDE, being proud, it was the highest kind of event which you can say. All the 10 tournaments, also the player where also the player who wins is defeated becomes tired in everyone and would like to say from mark heart. This year there is a triangular relationship of the player between the fan, as a promoter if is, somehow running due to the energy of the fan and the player, you think that this it is, you could overcome. We would like to display respect in the player. We would like to be gratitude to 20 players, is.
?This time several card which has the heat of light/write class was united. You think light/write class that the domestic player has hauled, but young energy, feels the power which gushes out. Most there is a spirit in all class of PRIDE, [gangangatsugatsu] going, it grew in [ru] class and the class which can be offered by all power. Light/write class GP opening of next year is announced formally here. Light/write class GP this time could receive the key of success, from the players. As for light/write class GP 2007, in May we would like to make commencement game start in Japan.
?As for having extended the Aoki player and, after a long time as an ace the ace Gomi who showed the tournament which seems. Difference of power is with did not think the Ishida player that much, it is, but if that much the victory [tsu] [pu] [ri] is shown, you think as the kana which is possible to be whatever. We would like to expect to the light/write class GP of next year.
?As an opposite horse gilbert [merendesu]. When it tries looking back, it was the fighting spirit which is not different to the word of the Kawajiri player that light/write class would like to take most heavy and the middle and in the well tar. That Kawajiri is held down and [merendesu] which is packed becomes the eye of the typhoon of GP, probably will be.
?Because the Fujita player came back after the dead fighting of [shiuba], beautifully, full working, we want 2007 persevering as a face of heavyweight.
?As for the Yoshida player, as for 2006 there was a variety you think that it was the year when big theme 2007 and, as a Yoshida player is possible. It was defeated, but you looked at that only the strength of the air which is rallied from the player and front of superheavyweight. As for excuse without being, if it had offered at least 1 months ago, you think that preparation was more possible. You are glad that the tournament is received to also Thompson. If there is the thinking that, and Thompson we would like to do in the Yoshida player, in addition we would like to unite [kichitsu] and the tournament. You think that there was the thinking that cannot be defeated to the Yoshida player, but we would like to have running 2007 in the bareness Yoshida player not to be confined in the shell.
?Main of heavyweight semi to in regard there are no times when you say. It was the tournament, where as for [nogeira] VS [jiyoshiyu] 2 tournaments seeing, you see and does not grow tired, [toubikonteiniyudo]. Also [jiyoshiyu] which receives re-game with this timing is admirable. Heavyweight 2007 keeps interwinding [jiyoshiyu], [nogeira], hunt, and [hiyodoru], but it has made chaos. You were surprised to the way of the growth of hunt. It was instantaneous feels pride in again being the heavyweight champion of PRIDE in [hiyodoru].

- Please teach - concerning the schedule of next year and the UFC transfer of [miruko] [kurokotsupu].
According to word of generalization Headquarters Chief Takeda, at the American & Las Vegas Thomas & Mack center, “with the title, SECOND COMING” 'PRIDE.33' is held on February 24th “concerning schedule. After that in the earlier April occasion with cartridge SA 'PRIDE.34', in late April in Las Vegas 'PRIDE.35', in May occasion light/write class GP commencement game is done with cartridge SA. Planning the advance to California in 6 ends of the month, it does two time games and final of light/write class GP to July ~ September. And in October the Las Vegas conference, of the man celebration is thought in New Year's Eve. Next year three of the GP series, the number series and the world series is designated as the center, in the world series the opening in Korea, China, Brazil, Europe and Russia other than America is planned.
?As been announcement formally even with present UFC concerning [miruko], it challenges 07 years in UFC. You think that we support the challenge spirit of [miruko], as the top fighter of PRIDE want participating. [hiyodoru] and [rimatsuchi] etc to [nogeira], you do also [miruko] in PRIDE and you think that it has left. After the champion belt of UFC was taken, you expect that it challenges again in PRIDE. We accept the challenge spirit of [miruko] pleasantly, we have decided in sending out”

- - You conversed in the Yoshida player and after the playing??In addition please teach concerning the circumstance of the wound.
“You do not speak with still this person. While playing gas defect it does and it becomes the circumstance like oxygen excess, arranges physical condition at the waiting room so is. The especially big wound not being, the sushi, going to the hospital, is not the case that it remedies. Because the Yoshida player is that character, you think that it associated to fighting, and, as for playing with the big player perhaps, preparation is insufficient”

- - Concerning the match make-up and the timing of stop which is class difference how you think?
“As for the match make-up which has class difference you think that it is the paper single. The present Yoshida player was physique difference not making, fighting and, Daigo taste of grapple skill, probably to keep doing you try the tournament which exceeds class even from this. The timing which stops the tournament is very difficult. You think that it was good stopping privately already a little more quickly. However when of feeling of the Yoshida player is thought, as for the timing which throws the towel you think that it was difficult, that and, also the referee so is, you think”

- - From next year as for the bushido series it probably is to disappear??In addition does balance of the foreign country and the number of domestic conferences how become?
“You stop bushido first once. As for bushido in the number series and the GP series the fact that it is not possible is done, you started as the experiment space. Specializing in light/write class, and welterweight it is not the case that it starts. Continuing bushido, while among those keeping continuing various challenge, because light/write class and welterweight had heat, specializing there, it held the conference. It was tend to be seen under, in comparison with the class where the light class until now is heavy, but now completely it is not that. While looking at balance in the number series, you try probably to keep doing (light/write class and the tournament of welterweight). Because it becomes the shape which bushido is promoted to the number series in regard to the number of conferences, when the foreign country is included, the 12~15 conference. Half among those the country, you try to hold half in the foreign country”

- - Also does next year continue the negotiation of revival of terrestrial group broadcast?
“It is. It keeps continuing. Because terrestrial group broadcast very is the important factor as a promotion medium. It was even in the word of generalization Headquarters Chief Takeda, but 07 years even in me think that change and it is year of challenge. Waiting, you do not open the door. If that it is, only you attack with by your. Doing TV station and agency and story, (PRIDE) thinks also that it keeps changing the form whether how it should have made for terrestrial group broadcast. It is vexatious truly not to be able to broadcast this much event in terrestrial group, you think that and there is no excuse. 1 times, directing to the terrestrial group broadcast of New Year's Eve in 1 years, us there was a feeling which also the player challenges in shaving exceeding in other competition and the other group and audience rating. We would like us to apologize the fact that it cannot do that truly.
?Because it is this much event, you think next year that (TV station recognizes). If I being allowed to stop, it stops it is the posture which and, may change organization, that does not leave. From the Fuji Telecasting Co. broadcast discontinuance half year, having something in PRIDE??There was various rumor, but it is the case that it does not have at all. Because that truth is here, is. We being serious to here to prove the fact that is not at all feel keenly the fact that it is serious to here when it is white, to prove those which are thought as the gray. Also next year directing to terrestrial group broadcast revival, it perseveres by all power and increases. When in TV station the acquaintance is in everyone, please introduce by all means (laughing). This year 1 years it seemed the tired way truly”

[dagreat1]

I think it would be a great fight but am still not sure Dana would want to even run the risk, Fedor would still be favored in the fight and it just seems like more risk than reward for the UFC and as shitty as it is, a Chuck vs Tito fight would still earn more draw than a Fedor vs Cro Cop fight.

[jesusatemyhotdog]

Sorry to kill the hours of fun that such conspiracy theories can bring, but here is a better translation from MMAweekly.com

2006 was a turbulent year for Dream Stage Entertainment, the parent company of Pride Fighting Championships. After losing their lucrative television contract with FujiTV, the company has been unsuccessful in securing another television deal with the remaining major broadcasting companies. The loss was a huge setback but it didn’t deter the company from making its debut on American soil.

Back in December, DSE CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara took part in an interview that was published in the Japanese magazine Kami Pro. In the interview, Sakakibara was unusually candid and acknowledged the UFC’s large control of the American MMA market. “The UFC is getting 600,000 Pay-Per-View buys. We cannot catch up with the UFC at this rate. If we can’t get a share of the U.S. market, we won’t be able to keep the best fighters.” Sakakibara also admitted that their debut in the American market was late and should have been made at the beginning of 2006. “We held Pride 32 in Las Vegas back in October but it was too late...10 months too late.”

Despite their setbacks, DSE will continue its journey into the growing American MMA market. “Among sports today, MMA is the only sport where the best fighters come to compete in Japan. But the situation is changing now. If Pride wants to keep its number one status, we have to make the move to the U.S."

“Pride fighters love the organization,” added Sakakibara. “However, when other promotions offer 30%-40% more money, it’s possible that fighters may leave. We do our best to stay competitive.” Recently, the UFC announced that Pride Open Weight Grand Prix Champion Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic would make his debut with the organization in February. For Pride, the departure of the Croatian fighter was a huge loss. Ranked as the #2 heavyweight fighter in the world by MMAWeekly.com, Mirko’s acquisition bolsters the UFC’s heavyweight division.

“The UFC made an official announcement on Dec. 30 that Mr. Mirko “Cro Cop” will fight in the octagon. As for DSE, we support his fighting spirit and as a Pride fighter we wish him good luck. We hope he does well and wins the UFC belt,” commented Sakakibara. “There are still things that Mirko can do in the Pride ring such as a rematch with Fedor and a rematch against Nogueira. There are things that he hasn’t finished yet. So after challenging the UFC, I hope that he will come back to Pride and partake in these fights. I would like to give him a very good sendoff.”

After a tumultuous 2006, DSE ended the year on a positive note with their Otoko Matsuri (Shockwave) show. So what can we expect of Pride in 2007?

DSE have announced plans to introduce a super heavyweight division. Inspired by James Thompson’s recent upset over Hidehiko Yoshida, DSE CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara mentioned that the company may hold a “Monster Grand Prix” consisting of the best super heavyweight fighters from around the world. Sakakibara further noted that he’s not “looking for low caliber fighters like Akebono, but super heavyweight fighters with real skill.”

In addition to the new weight division, Sakakibara announced that this year’s Grand Prix will consist of lightweight fighters. “I think the lightweight leaders are Japanese fighters. I think lightweights have the biggest momentum right now. They are hungrier than the fighters in any other weight class. I would like to make the official announcement that we will have a lightweight Grand Prix next year [2007]. I am very confident that the lightweight division is the key to our success. The opening round will be in May of 2007.”

DSE has released a schedule of their events in 2007 and the company plans to hold four of its ten events in America. In addition to further establishing Pride in the U.S., Sakakibara stated that they will aggressively continue to pursue a television contract in Japan.

“In terms of promotional media, television broadcasting is very important. So we’d like to aim for a return to television as soon as possible; we can’t just wait anymore. As Mr. Takada said, the year 2007 will be the year of change and challenge. We have to be aggressive and we have to think of ways of securing another television deal. Personally speaking, we regret that we did not have television broadcasting for Otoko Matsuri. I feel sorry for the fighters and people who worked on this show because we were not able to communicate our passion through the TV. We would like to go back to television broadcasting and compete with different kinds of shows and get good ratings. Competing against other organizations is healthy. I wish we could have done that this year for New Year’s Eve. I would like to have seen what kind of ratings we would have gotten. Because of the quality of the show, I am sure we can make a return to television.”

Furthermore, Nobuyuki Sakakibara stated that he would go as far as to resign from his position at DSE if it were necessary. “If there are any shortcomings that we have, we’d like to fix them. If my resignation can change everything, then I will quit. I am willing to resign. In the last 6 months, I have been asked ‘what really happened?’ There are a lot of rumors. Did anything happen? No. We are showing you the truth.”


Pride Fighting Championships 2007 Schedule:

February 24th - America - Las Vegas – Pride 33: Second Coming
April 8th - Japan – Pride 34
April 28th - America - Las Vegas – Pride 35
Late May - Japan - Pride lightweight GP Opening Round
Late June - America - California – Pride 36
Late July - Japan - Nagoya - Pride lightweight GP 2nd Round
Late August - Japan - Osaka – Pride 37
Late September - Japan - Tokyo - Pride lightweight GP Final Round
Late October - America - Las Vegas – Pride 38
December 31st - Japan - Pride Otoko Matsuri (Shockwave) 2007

Basically, all that Saki said was that he wishes Mirko the best and would like to see him fight for Pride again. He is also continuing to hype through the media a potential UFC/Pride co-production.

[Malice]

Yeah I though it was Bullshit myself because Cro Cop signed a 2 year deal, but thought I would post it anyway to see what you all think.

I mean it could be possible that Dana and Sakikabara are making deals.

[bigaxel123]

Anyone else get the feeling like even though Fedor is an awesome fighter, if someone get get him on his back, they have a chance at beating him? Hunt damn near had him twice. Or was this a fluke?

[Dsm634]

Originally Posted by bigaxel123

Anyone else get the feeling like even though Fedor is an awesome fighter, if someone get get him on his back, they have a chance at beating him? Hunt damn near had him twice. Or was this a fluke?

Umm......NO.

[fe4tw]

Sounds to me like they expect Cro Cop to get the belt and they're already extending a challenge to him.

[enigma]

I would love to see Fedor vs Cro Cop again

[Dork8503]

we all know he will win the belt, and all the new fans who dont know him and think he is just so an so fighter have a huge thing coming when they see this man fight,

[BigBanda]

I thought CroCop coming to the UFC to win the HW belt was already the obvious?