Pride's interesting deal with UFC

[DUCE]

The Koji Fuse Report

Koji Fuse is one of Japan’s top mixed martial arts journalists. He usually writes reports and articles for SportNavi Japan along with other local MMA magazines. Between Fuse articles we can always find a pre-PRIDE show report where he picks the winner of each bout along with some interesting inside information about the fighters and the possible outcome. From this article I got some interesting piece of information regarding UFC and PRIDE dealings to exchange fighters between promotions.

According to Fuse’s article, PRIDE offered Kharinotov to Zuffa for the last UFC 53. Fuse explained the deal was to place Kharinotov against Tim Sylvia as part of the exchange deal between both UFC and PRIDE, but Sylvia turned down the offer. This gave DSE the idea to place Rizzo against Kharinotov in PRIDE because Rizzo is considered an ex-UFC fighter.

Now I don’t know the other side of the story as to why Sylvia turned down the fight versus Kharinotov in UFC just to take later a fight versus Assuerio Silva at the upcoming UFC 54. Probably he was told not to take the fight against a not well know fighter like Kharinotov. But then he goes and takes the fight with Assuerio, so this doesn’t make sense.

Perhaps Sylvia didn’t want anything to do with the Russian fighter inside the cage. Whatever it is, this is quite interesting because we were really close to have for the first time a UFC vs. PRIDE fight inside the octagon. But I guess we will need to wait a little bit more.

[Magog]

The answer is quite simple. Tim Silvia rushed into a bad situation rushing back and taking on someone at the top of the weight class right after recovering. A second loss for Tim at this point could be potentially disastrous. I'm not calling him a coward, its just he's showing more common sense now, which is fine, he's no longer the champ and by no means obligated to face the top fighters. A pride fighter in the UFC is a wild card as the rules are slightly different and the new comer may flounder or flourish.
Now Frank Mir returning back to battle with out a loss in his immediate history could afford to give up a loss with out making himself or his show look particular bad. I think he would been a safer bet namely that he is more well rounded (I did not just say that) and is a lot less likely to be submitted.

[DUCE]

The following exclusive report was sent to us by our Zuffa informant called 'Coffee Guy':

"DSE/PRIDE might be sending over Murilo 'Ninja' Rua to appear on the UFC card in October. Ninja would be coming over as part of the PRIDE/UFC fighter exchange that's been planned for some time."

[Curt]

Its about time Ninja had a chance to shine. I know the talent pool is pretty deep in LHW devision in UFC (as well as Pirde) but Im sure he'll put on some awesome fights as usual. IMO he should've been in both Grand Prix in Pride.

[DUCE]

Ninja can take Vitor's place in UFC. I think he will put some credability back into UFC's ranks. If he doesn't dominate! Horn, Couture, Liddell, all beware!

[Curt]

Even thought he lost the fight to Randleman (you see that one?) I thought Ninja did awesome. He was able to sweep Randleman over and over again. Though Randleman's record isnt stellar, you cant deny his ground control. I dont know what they're feeding those Chute-Box guys, but i want to get me some of that.

[Magog]

duce said:

Ninja can take Vitor's place in UFC. I think he will put some credability back into UFC's ranks. If he doesn't dominate! Horn, Couture, Liddell, all beware!

Ninja making a jump to the UFC is a first rate idea. I believe he's done all he can in Pride, and generally the only fights that Ninja fails in happen to be ones in which he's given up to much weight (his attempt at the heavy weight division) or when he simply runs into someone at the top of his weight class. I think Ninja would chew up and spit out Chuck Liddel, he's more well rounded (least last time i saw). I wish him the best, next to Igor jumping ship this is as good as it gets.

[DUCE]

I could see Ninja and Randy going at it. Unless Pride's still got a contract on him then Ninja would be fighting from mid to top.

[Magog]

duce said:

I could see Ninja and Randy going at it. Unless Pride's still got a contract on him then Ninja would be fighting from mid to top.

I think the first time I saw Ninja lose was to fellow team quest member Dan Handerson( least I think that's the guys name), so yeah that would be a great fight.