Pro Wrestling Chronicle

It’s Official. At a press conference in Japan today, with UFC owners, the Fertitta Brothers, and Dana White on hand, it was announced Pride has essentially been bought by UFC.

Pride’s assets and everything else will become part of a new company, which is essentially what Dream Stage Entertainment was (parent company) to PRIDE. It was indicated that the company will run separately, but rules will be unified world wide. Weight classes will now reflect the same as those sanctioned in Nevada (the rules first drawn up by New Jersey in 2000). Also, the Fertitta’s acted as though many PRIDE top talent would be staying, and Cro Cop sent a one minute video message challenging Fedor. Here’s the media round up:

Wrestling Observer Coverage by Dave Meltzer

Las Vegas Review Journal article

Associated Press

Sherdog.com coverage

FightOpinion.com press conference coverage

Fight Opinion also reported on the other big deal from Adweek.com, a deal UFC signed w/ R&R Partners for media promotion. This is apparently a very big deal as well, and might possibly pay off more then the PRIDE gamble.