In later comments made in August 2007, White expressed doubt that Zuffa can resurrect Pride in Japan, claiming, "I've [or, we] 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. I don't think they want me there." [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_Fighting_Championships#Pride_Worldwide_era[/url] This tells me that at one point Zuffa tried to keep it running, but Japanese stations apparently didn't wanna do business with White. I just think if they had different representatives (Hell, make a Zuffa Japan division if necessary), maybe they could pull it off. But the only way they would pull it off is if they treat it like another company and keep top level competition there instead of treating it like a Minor League affiliate. Which sadly I doubt they would do.
Both Dana and Lorenzo made MANY promises when they bought PRIDE. It was clear from the outset that was all smoke and mirrors as their real intention was never to run the promotion. PRIDE when bought was never economically viable in the vein that Zuffa wanted it to be. This was known from the outset. So why would they waste their time throwing money at it? What the UFC really wanted was their stable of fighters. Which was the same reason why they purchased SF.
