PRIDE FC's New Format

According to MMAWeekly.com:

1. The Pride Bushido series is being cancelled.
2. The regular Pride FC events will now feature all 4 weight classes.
3. The Pride Grand Prix will only be featured once a year, with each weight class being used every 4 years. The Middleweight (205) or Lightweight (160) weight classes will be used next year.
   
4. Pride Champions will defend their titles on a more regular basis, with at least 1 title fight per card.
   

Here are my thoughts:

1. Pride Bushido: Typically was my favorite MMA show. I am sad to see it go. Hopefully the Welterweight & Lightweight weight classes are still showcased on the big shows.
2. Weight Divisions: With Pride putting on events in America, how are they going to work out the weight class differences? The Welterweight Division is 183 lbs. The Lightweight Division is 160 lbs. If they defend their titles in America, they will have to do so at 185 & 155 pounds respectively. Something needs to change.
   
3. Grand Prix: I like the format change. I firmly believe the 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix suffered from a Grand Prix the previous year.
   
4. Increase Title Fights: FINALLY!! A much needed format change. Champions should defend their belt 3 to 4 times a year. And no more Gomi/Aurelio/Ishida fiascos.
   

Overall, this is a step in the right direction for Pride. Now they just need a major Japanese television station and an 800% increase in viewership in America. NO PROBLEM!!!

UFC 65 Salaries & Thoughts

Keep in mind that bonuses are given out to these fighters, and the pay announced is not an entire picture of events. Total Announced Fight Purse is $457,000.

UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

• Tim Sylvia: $120,000 - Overall, he is paid correctly. He is underpaid based on his record and credentials. He is overpaid based on his PPV drawing power.
  
• Jeff Monson: $13,000 - Monson has made a total of $49,000 over 4 fights in 2006. At first this sounds like a fighter being underpaid. Heck, he had 16 wins in a row. Then you consider that the biggest win of his career is against Branden Lee Hinkle, and his pay seems reasonable.
  

UFC WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

• Georges St. Pierre: $58,000 - It has been reported that GSP has earned between $300,000 and $500,000 through additional pay and sponsors. He has been well taken care of.
  
• Matt Hughes: $75,000 - Like most Monte Cox fighters, he is underpaid for his PPV selling power. With a XYIENCE contract and other incomes probably being given, his overall payday was probably easily over the 6-figure mark.

REGULAR FIGHTS

• Brandon Vera: $40,000 - Correct Pay
• Frank Mir: $36,000 - Greatly overpaid based on his current talents. Could make a case for him making $2k/$2k.
• Joe Stevenson: $24,000 - Typical "Ultimate Fighter" level pay. Made $60,000 over 3 fights this year. That's a good pay day for a Non-Main Eventer going 2-1.
  
• Alessio Sakara: $10,000 - Should give every penny back for falling down like he did.
• Drew McFedries: $8,000 - A solid payday for a last minute replacement.
• Dokonjonosuke Mishima: $8,000 - In his prime, he would be worth at least $25,000 a fight. With his diminishing skills, this is the right pay level.
• Nick Diaz: $24,000 - Not a fan of Diaz, but I can't complain about this payday. He has had multiple UFC fights and should be compensated accordingly.
• Jake O'Brien: $12,000 - Good paycheck consider his
  
• James Irvin: $10,000 - I wouldn't be suprised if he got a bonus for the good show he put on. Technically an ugly fight that at least pleased the crowd.
  
• Antoni Hardonk: $6,000
  
• Sherman Pendergarst: $4,000 - All UFC fighters should be getting $5k minimum.
  
• Josh Shockman: $3,000 - Same as above.
  
• Hector Ramirez: $3,000 - Same as above.
• Gleison Tibau: $3,000 - Same as above.
  

Pride FC Rankings - December 2006

With the next Pride event not taking place until the end of December, I am posting the December 2006 Pride FC Rankings.

Heavyweight (205 lbs +): Fedor Emelianenko

1. Mirko Filipovic
   
2. Josh Barnett
   
3. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
   
4. Fabricio Werdum
   
5. Aleksander Emelianenko
   

Middleweight (205 lbs): Vanderlei Silva

1. Mauricio Rua
   
2. Ricardo Arona
   
3. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
   
4. Kazuhiro Nakamura
   
5. Alistair Overeem
   

Welterweight (183 lbs): Dan Henderson

1. Paulo Filho
   
2. Kazuo Misaki
   
3. Denis Kang
   
4. Akihiro Gono
   
5. Gegard Mousasi
   

Lightweight (160 lbs): Takanori Gomi

1. Mitsuhiro Ishida
   
2. Tatsuya Kawajiri
   
3. Joachim Hansen
   
4. Hayato Sakurai
   
5. Marcus Aurelio
   

UFC Rankings - December 2006

With the next UFC event not taking place until mid-December, I am posting the December 2006 UFC Rankings.

Heavyweight (265 lbs): Tim Sylvia

1. Brandon Vera
2. Andrei Arlovski
3. Jeff Monson
4. Marcio Cruz
5. Gabriel Gonzaga

Light Heavyweight (205 lbs): Chuck Liddell

1. Tito Ortiz
2. Renato Babalu
3. Rashad Evans
4. Forrest Griffin
5. Keith Jardine

Middleweight (185 lbs): Anderson Silva

1. Rich Franklin
2. Nathan Marquardt
3. Mike Swick
4. Travis Lutter
5. Yushin Okami

Welterweight (170 lbs): Georges St Pierre

1. Matt Hughes
2. BJ Penn
3. Diego Sanchez
4. Karo Parisyan
5. Jon Fitch

Lightweight (155 lbs): Sean Sherk

1. Joe Stevenson
2. Mark Hominick
3. Hermes Franca
4. Spencer Fisher
5. Kenny Florian
   

IFL = Failed Concept

cham‧pi‧on  /ˈtʃæmpiən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[cham-pee-uh n] –noun
a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place: the heavyweight boxing champion.

The IFL World Team Championship is scheduled for 12/29/06 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. The main event features two "past their prime" legends in Carlos Newton vs. Renzo Gracie. Also on the card is the World Team Championship, featuring the 2 "best" teams fighting against each other to determine who are the champions. A team concept is a familiar concept to high school and college wrestlers who compete in dual meet throughout the year. Unlike the IFL's concept, the best team at the end of the season is calculated based on the athletes individual achievements in their weight class to determine who is the best. If Iowa State has 6 National Champions, and 4 Runner-Ups, they will probably win the Team Championship based on how the individual wrestlers accomplishments.

Let's get to the specifics. Here is a breakdown of the 5 "Championship" fights:

• 155 lbs: Ryan Schultz (1-1) vs. Bart Palaszewski (2-0)
• 170 lbs: Chris Wilson (1-1) vs. Rory Markham (2-0)
• 185 lbs: Matt Horwich (2-0) vs. Ryan McGivern (0-2)
• 205 lbs: Aaron Stark (2-0) vs. Mike Ciesnolevicz (1-1)
• 265 lbs: Devin Cole (0-2) vs. Ben Rothwell (2-0)

The numbers in ( ) are the fighters records on their way to the finals. Notice how none of the fights feature undefeated fighters competing against each other. It's not like we had a long tournament. Just 2 fights. This is a product of the lower level of competition and the flawed concept of the IFL.

You want a real team concept? Give me the Brazilian Top Team with the Nogueira Brothers against the Miletich Crew with Sylvia & Hughes. Give me American Top Team vs. American Kickboxing Academy. The IFL gives us the Junior Varsity Miletich Camp in the main event.

There is a reason why combat sports are an individual sport. And there is a reason why no other combat sport has tried this in the last 100 years. It is a complete failure. A TV contract or big named fighter coaches can't change this fact.