and the UFC fighters had to be the ones making an adjustment to PRIDE rules (especially the knees, and the lack of steroid testing), would they do better or worse than the PRIDE crop is doing in the UFC?
I think the cage makes a bigger difference than the rules. The cage is so differnt to fighting in the ring, its a huge change. The circular shaped octagon favours wrestlers/grapplers imo, so it would depend on the fighters styles. I think Arlovski would do very well, as would GSP and BJ Penn would do well where ever he fights.
My guess is fairly similar, fighters are fighters are fighters when it gets right down to it. The 170lbers would be the most interesting, for some it would be the best thing to happen, guys like Karo, Bj, Serra, Lytle, Neer, maybe even Diego who are too big to fight at 155 but stand a good chance at making 161. Whereas guys like Hughes, GSP, Koscheck, Fitch, the bigger guys, who would have to move up to 183, they might do well but not as well as they would at 170. Also some of the smaller Lightwights might have a hard time, as those extra 6 pounds can make a difference, guys like Edgar, Florian, Pulver (well thats been proven)