Todd Hester's anti-PRIDE tirade, some thoughts

[Mr. Miyagi]

For those of you who haven't seen it yet, Todd Hester (Grappling Mag) has written a piece over at ADCC blasting PRIDE officials and the matchups planned for the next PRIDE show.
I am all for legitimate fights by top fighters of the world in such a large venue with as much publicity as PRIDE. But we have to understand that this is their show, not ours. The Japanese fans think a certain way for whatever reason, and the promoters and officials at PRIDE are probably doing what they think is best for the public in Japan. They don't give a damn what a small piece of the pie (as in American fans) think of their show and they figure we will all tune in to the show anyway since it is still better than pretty much any other MMA show out there. While a matchup such as Takada vs Vovchanchin is not something we are interested in, there must be great fan demand for it over there, otherwise it wouldn't be happening.
Hester is also very insulting to Sakuraba and Mike Bourke. He dismisses Bourke as having no skill and for being a mindless brawler. Well, Bourke did win a few fights in KOTC, which is now affiliated with PRIDE, and maybe he has earned a shot to fight in the bigger show. That makes sense to me and I think what Hester writes is offensive. Then he goes after Sak and said that Sak criticizes Rickson for avoiding tough opponents but he is fighting this pushover Shannon Rich. He said he is no longer considering Sak for fighter of the year in Kung Fu because he is taking this easy fight! That sounds so ridiculous to me after seeing Sak take so many tough challenges this year and last year! Incidentally, last year's "fighter of the year" was none other than Wallid Ismail, who did not do a fight or sport match the whole year, other than one match against an out of touch Royce a month before the year actually began. Hester is a fool. Boo Hester.

[tuffguy]

As americans we tend to believe that we are the be all end all and that the rest of the world revolves around us. It's really silly to talk about the lack of attendance in the UFC, and that this card will affect Pride's attendance because americans aren't interested in the fighters. No americans are going to japan to see a fight, the event won't even be carried on american tv. So what does it matter? Pride has events at the Tokyo dome and he's comparing it to the UFC. Japanese fans have different interests than americans, and this event won't detract from thier fan base. I'd be willing to bet they get at least 30k fans for this event.

I'll stop you guys when you say something I disagree with.

Keep going.

[Mr. Miyagi]

Good thoughts guys, especially you Ronin.
I can't get over the nasty things he says about the PRIDE fighters. Obviously there are thousands of people with money in Japan who want to see Goodridge fight even if Mr. Hester does not.

[david a]

WE rarely even have a pay-per-view-NHB show let alone host one, here in Canada.
We just sit back,drink beer, and watch the gas prices go up. EH!!!!

------------------------------------------------------------
"Jason don't have de elements to resist de techniques of
Jui Jitsu."
-Rickson(after the Royce/Delucia fight)

[fil]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by david a
WE rarely even have a pay-per-view-NHB show let alone host one, here in Canada.

UCC (a Canadian event held in Montreal) was just shown on Canadian cable Viewers Choice Pay Per View, WEF, as did Pride Grand Prix and Pride 10 every UFC since Ultimate Brazil. A couple of IFC's that were held in Montreal also shown on Canadian cable. In the future Viewers Choice Canada will show IVC starting with a best of IVC "the strikers" show next month and UCC will conitinue to hold MMA shows in Montreal with Canadian and international talent (Jeremy Horn vs Elvis Sinosic on next card). Canadian cable offers alot of MMA in comparisn to most USA cable that dont offer any MMA at all.


tuffuy- it will be hard fitting 30000 in the Osaka stadium since it has a 15000 limit capacity....


As for Hester's article he doesnt know what he is talking about notice he doesnt know that both Ogowa and Satake have both fought in Pride before and doesnt know that Satake is not a pro wrestler but an acomplished kickboxer and he misses that Ogawa is a very acomplished grappler since he has a silver medal in the Olympics in Judo, pretty lame that a Grappling magazine editor doesnt know this but I guess Judo doesnt count as "grappling"...

Note this event will not be broadcast in North America this is made for Japan card, not us...

[Edited by fil on 10-28-2000 at 09:19 PM]

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

I also thought that article was meaninglessly hurtful to PRIDE. First off, PRIDE is a Japanese organization for the japanese market. If PRIDE gave a ddong about what Hester thought, Im sure they would of called him. Until then he should keep his mouth shut. The card ISNT being shown on Pay-per-view. Sak. does not have to fight a top fighter every PRIDE and maybe some respect for the fighters should be given? I thought it was a given that all fighters that have the balls to step into the ring/cage should be given respect. I hope Hester dies and Sak pisses on his grave.

Sak has much better things to do than piss on Hester's grave.

Like finish destroying the Gracie dynasty!

After he launches Shannon the Cannon into low-orbit, of course.

[Ryu (non-working password]

You guys are absolutely right on this. I don't understand at all why someone would say that in the first place. Why the hell would Japan care about what the small percentage of American fans think? Not to be rude or anything, but the Americans would care less if the coin was the other way around. Strange stuff.
But I'm sure it's one person's blowhard opinion, and the majority probably see it our way. (hopefully)

Ryu

Hey Ryu!

How did things go with that girl from HK?

[Ryu (non-working password]

A few dates, but it doesn't look like it's gonna be anything special.

My dog died when I was 10, do you want to talk about that?

( JK, Ronin)

Ryu

[bobby_steeles]

are you comparing your dog to your dates?

[Mr. Miyagi]

Ryu, now that you are single again, go after lots of chicks and enjoy yourself. Make a pass at all that you encounter and don't let any of them pull that "just friends" sh!t on you! Good luck my man!
F_ck Todd Hester or anyone else who questions Sakuraba's guts!

[Ryu (non-working password]

Mr. Miyagi,
Now that's the best advice I have heard in a long time!
You have my word.

Ryu

You are doing better than I am, m'man.

Every woman I meet has a serious boyfriend and/or major psychological problems.

I must be cursed or something...