PRIDE - Planning Grand Prix Style Tournaments?
Submitted by: **********
Posted On 01/08/2003

There are rumors swirling that PRIDE will run two tournaments this year, themed as smaller versions of their 'Grand Prix' tournament that spanned several shows in 2000.

The current agenda is to run two tournaments featuring their top four fighters at the time. This will be in two different weight divisions and may be spread out over two shows via single elimination matches.

The first round of the tournament(s) is scheduled for August 3, 2003 with the final of each tournament taking place on October 4, 2003. This second show is already earmarked as a 'big' show.

One tournament will be heavyweight (or over 198lbs) and the other will be in the middleweight division (under 198lbs).

With so many fighters in each of those divisions, it's hard to predict the 'final four' but the speculation could be interesting.

In the heavyweights there are names like Nogueira, Sapp, Barnett, Fedor, Herring, Sperry and Mirko Cro-Cop (who seems to to be ignored by all MMA rankings, despite being undefeated). Any combination of the four would be interesting.

The middleweights could feature the likes of Arona, Henderson, Murillo Ninja, Quinton Jackson, Kevin Randelman, Sakuraba, Anderson Silva and Vanderlei.

Interesting that, if this is correct, they would be redefining the weights. Could Vanderlei or Randleman make 198? Forget about Quinton making that weight. Not a chance.

Perhaps they will rethink this and do a 185 GP and a under 205 GP.

Silva was around 203 for his last fight so shouldn't be a problem. But he just had knee surgery so who knows...
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i think rampage could make 205 but it would be hard for him to make 198 i think randleman and silva could make 198 coleman said if randleman misses a meal hes under 205 so he u never know

I say have Fedor Barnett Nogueria and Sapp in HW, in LHW have Silva Rampage Arona Randleman or maybe Hendo theirs soo much talent at LHW its hard 2 decide Anderson and Sak r 2 small they need a 185 tournament 2 i would love 2 see these 2 go at it

These are must see PPV's or DVDs when they happen...that much is for sure.

where they supposed to have a joined final with HW and LHW? or was I wrong all the time..

I'm glad they are spanning it out over a few shows, and not having a 1 night tourney. I would love to see it, but even with the rest in between, I fear injuries will be a factor.

Originally posted by Methodist
I'm glad they are spanning it out over a few shows, and not having a 1 night tourney. I would love to see it, but even with the rest in between, I fear injuries will be a factor.

You could be right...I hope there isn't another semi like Fujita/Coleman which basically ensured a Coleman tournament win at that stage

I think this could be classic, with the caliber of fighters they have right now could be the best mma events to date.

I cant wait