Fuji TV Cancels Deal With Pride FC

In a stunning though not unforeseen move, Fuji TV, has cancelled all dealings with Dreamsage Entertainment, the company that promotes Pride FC. For Americans, this would be like the UFC losing a TV deal with NBC, or another national station. Public relations for Fuji TV said, "An accidents which interrupts to continue our relationship occurred in the agency. It was a violation of our contract." Yes I know, the english not good, but to say in Merican, DSE was dumped because of ties to the Yakuza. The equivalent of the Cosa Nostra, or Mafia, in Japan. This group (Yakuza) is very powerful and very real in Japan.

As the story goes, in January of 2003, then Pride FC president, Naoto Morishita held a press conference hyping up the company and speaking positively about their recent growth and development. He then went to his office where he committed suicide. The Japanese press long believed it was murder. It is well known in Japan that the Yakuza has ties in boxing, kickboxing, Pro Wrestling, and MMA. The Japanese press and many MMA fans have long said the Yakuza had an input, if not the entire say, in Pride's business. Current Pride FC president, Sakakibara, and general manager Takada, have long held ties to Goto, a man well known in the Yakuza clan. Sakakibara has even been seen at Yakuza tattoo ceremonies in public. Recently, when MMA star Sakuraba left the company for K-1, Yakuza men were rumored to have been sent to literally block the star's driveway and convince him to stay in Pride. Back in 2003 when Naoto died, Pride held an event called "Inoki Bonbaie." At this event, heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko was confronted by Professional Wrestler Nagata (who also has Yakuza ties) and three men. Police say the three men tried to extort 200 million yen and were arrested.

It wasn't just these incidents but a growing concern over the Japanese press constantly finding connections between Pride and the Yakuza. Fuji TV made a decision and cancelled their show. So what does this mean for us MMA fans? Well, the Fuji TV deal was where Pride got most of its money to keep its talent signed and seen by the public. They have now lost financial backing and now the shows will be Pay Per View. We could very well see many of the Pride roster following Sakuraba to K-1 or even the UFC. The current welterweight and open weight tournaments are now in hiatus, and may never be completed. President Sakakibara is supposed to make a announcement at a press conference soon. -MMA Mafia