Dana White is back-pedaling on the PRIDE issue. He announced at the UFC 74 post-fight press conference that he could not secure a TV deal for the venerated promotion.
“I’ve pulled everything out of the trick box that I can and I can’t get a TV deal over there with PRIDE. I don’t think they want us there,” said White. “I don’t think they me want me there.”
Dana also commented about the unique work environment , “(The Japanese) don’t want another (mixed martial arts) organization over there,” White said. “That company was in trouble. We went in and bought it out with every intention of keeping PRIDE alive. (Japan) is a very tricky place to do business. The problem is PRIDE was never a big company in the United States and I’m not going to drop another $44 million to try and straighten it out. We kept running the Japanese offices over there and it didn’t work out.”
Internet sites, such as Fight Opinion, have been predicting the demise of the popular MMA promotion for awhile now. With Dana confirming the rumors in so many words, it looks grim for the embattled PRIDE brand.