From 1997-2007, a mixed martial arts organization called Pride Fighting Championships put on some of the most legendary fights in combat sports history. During this time, Pride FC was the main competitor to the UFC, and did so through many different ways. They had several differences from the UFC at the time, and used it to create a unique product that lives in the minds of old school mixed martial arts fans to this day. Here is what set Pride FC apart from every other promotion in history.

ruleset

Since Pride FC fights were held in Japan, there were more strikes that were allowed in comparison to those in the United States. In Pride FC, fighters were allowed to kick and knee opponents that were on the ground, a practice that is banned in the UFC. This made ground strategy much more different, as positions that could be deemed as safe in modern mixed martial arts were positions that could put a fighter in danger of being kneed or kicked on the ground. This also allowed fighters to ‘soccer kick’ each other which means kicking an opponent in the head as if it were a soccer ball.

Another difference was that their opening rounds lasted ten grueling minutes, which tested a fighter’s cardio from the very beginning. The subsequent two rounds would be five minutes, making for a standard bout time of 20 minutes rather than the standard 15 minute bouts in the UFC.

Their weight classes were also different from the ones we see today. They only had four distinguished weight classes, lightweight (161 lbs.), welterweight (183 lbs.), middleweight (205 lbs.), and heavyweight which had no weight requirement. Pride FC also held openweight bouts, which allowed fighters from different classes to fight each other without a need to cut weight.

In addition to this, bouts were not judged round by round like they are in boxing. Bouts were scored similar to how Muay Thai fights are scored, in their entirety. Judges would sit ringside and evaluate the fight to see who was closest to finishing the fight, and what they did in order to try and finish the fight.

Grand Prix

Pride FC often held Grand Prix’s or tournaments in every weight class they had to determine who the champion would be. In their early years, all three rounds of the tournament were held on the same night, tasking those that went deeper to fight three times in the same evening. Despite the fact that this would never be sanctioned in the United States, it provided some of the most legendary performances in the promotion’s history. The most well known being future UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua’s performance in the 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix. He defeated Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Antonio Rogerio Noguiera, Alistair Overeem, and Ricardo Arona to win the tournament. These four names are mixed martial arts legends, two of which competed at heavyweight later in their careers.

Pride FC also held openweight Grand Prix events that gave an opportunity for fighters in lighter classes to test their skills against those outside of their division on the same night. This was seen as a way to determine who the best all around mixed martial artist was, and without the restrictions of weight limits. Tournaments are still seen in mixed martial arts promotions today, but the level that Pride FC took it to has yet to be matched.

Production

If you ask any fan of Pride FC, and simply mention their entrance theme, they will immediately get goosebumps. The song that Pride FC played at the beginning of every event was something that added to the intensity tenfold. Being inside the Tokyo Dome, holding 55,000 screaming fans and hearing the theme song ring throughout the arena made hairs stand up on the back of your neck and sent chills down your spine. Here is an example of a Pride FC entrance from December 31, 2006.

This theme, in addition to the grand show that they put on before the fights even start is stuff of legend. The huge screens behind each fighter as they walk out, introducing every fighter, the pyrotechnics, and the enthusiasm of their ring announcers are things we have never seen again in mixed martial arts.

This mystique also translated over to their marketing for events. Pride FC put out posters ahead of each event that do not look like any other poster you will see marketing a fight today. The level of artistry and attention to detail that was showcased in these posters created a level of excitement for the upcoming event. Here are some examples of their best posters.

Comparing these to the current formula of making fight posters where the two combatants are facing off is simply not fair. Although there is still novelty in the modern fight poster, these could be hung up on a wall for their artistry alone.

These elements are what made Pride FC what it was. Paradigm breaking, attention to detail, and a prioritization of bushido (the way of the warrior) is what gave them such a unique look and feel in comparison to other promotions of today. Couple these elements with a roster comprised of arguably the best fighters in the world at the time made this promotion something truly special. Mixed martial arts legends such as Kazushi Sakuraba, The Gracie Family, Wanderlei Silva, The Nogueira Brothers, Dan Henderson, Mark Coleman, Don Frye, Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Takanori Gomi, Mirko Cro Cop, Fedor Emilianenko, Kevin Randleman and so many more provided a both entertaining and high level bout on every card.