Sakakibara Urges Pride Fighters to Speak English

It is becoming apparent to most ardent MMA fans that Pride is gradually loosing it’s previously undisputed position of top MMA event in the world.

Accusations of Yakuza connections did irreparable damage to the organisation in early 2006, leading to the show loosing it’s major TV deal and consequently a lot of the lime-light and more importantly revenue. The domino effect has resulted in defection of some of it’s key figures including Kazushi Sakuraba and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, with many more rumoured to be following.

All the while Zuffa have strengthened their UFC brand beyond belief.

Despite Pride President Nobuyuki Sakakibara saying ““We have no intention of neglecting the Japanese market.” It is clear (much to the annoyance of the Japanese market) that Pride see North America as the new promised land.

“The general public in the United States is starting to understand MMA. It is similar to what happened in Japan five, six years ago.” said Sakakibara.

Pride made their first incision in to the North American market with the successful Pride 32: The Real Deal event but they still have a way to climb before they are recognised as a contender for the UFC in North America.

One of the strengths of Pride FC is it’s vast wealth of excellent international fighters but Sakakibara recognises that in order for their fighters to gel with the North Amercian mainstream market, they will need to speak English. So, the Pride boss has requested that more of the fighters try to learn a few words in English.

A word of caution may have been issued to some though. When Wanderlei Silva addressed all the assembled UFC 61: Bitter Rivals spectators, and all the people watching at home on PPV, he told them:

“I want to F**K Chuck Liddell!!!”