Crocop and Rampage sign with UFC

[smoothsake]

Sherdog is reporting that both Mirko Crocop and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson have signed deals to appear in UFC fights. I was curious if there are problems over at PRIDE that would warrant these two leaving (although perhaps temporarily) to a competitor's ring. Anyone have more news on this?

[ojgsxr6]

I wish his first fight would have been against a champion or at least a contender.

[rsobrien]

Cro Cop vs Sylvia FTW!

[RedZilla]

I believe Cro Cop's contract with Pride is almost up.

[SamboChris]

Originally Posted by smoothsake

I was curious if there are problems over at PRIDE that would warrant these two leaving (although perhaps temporarily) to a competitor's ring. Anyone have more news on this?

As far as I know, the PRIDE organization is having serious problems in Japan. Most significantly, I believe they have lost their broadcast rights. I think this is due to a corruption scandal but I'm not positive of this fact.

[powerof0ne]

I was watching the UFC last night and yes, they both have signed with UFC. The UFC kept showing little highlights of Mirko being with them, now. Quintin was even in the UFC audience, too.

[Musha]

I think it is a smart move of Crop Cop as MMA has become mainstream here in the U.S while Pride is going down hill since the yakuza related scandal last year.

sportsbastards.com/index.php?itemid=13
fightopinion.com/2006/03/13/kawamata-talks-to-weekly-gendai/

[Shura]

Can't wait to see Rampage and Chuck go at it again...
PRIDE's current problems kinda remind me of what happened to the Japanese Muay Thai scene back in the early 80's. Because of a huge scandal that linked Japanese Kickboxing events and promoters to organized crime, public support and popularity fell. Japan didn't really count as a serious Kickboxing/Muay Thai nation for the rest of the 1980's until the mid-90's. I hope this doesn't happen for the major MMA scene. I know that there's still K-1 Hero's, Shooto, ZST, etc., but PRIDE is arguably Japan's major venue for MMA events with a very diverse talent pool of skilled fighters from around the globe.

[Kurisu]

Rampage looked nervous and a bit rusty but won in the 2nd round by. Crocop was too much for his opponent and won by KO (ground and pound). Crocop was in a completely different league than Eddie Sanchez. It was almost comical, Sanchez had no defense skills and poor striking skills. I think Crocop will end up being UFC HW champion by the end of 2007.

[smoothsake]

Here is Crocop's fight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH2JtcvgSko

[Bruce]

Awesome - Stating the obvious I know but **** me that guy is one hell of a fighter! Is it just me or do his roundhouse kicks look a bit different to other fighters? He doesn't really seem to turn the foot over but appears to strike with the inside of his heel - I'm specifically thinking about the kick that he used to knock down Wanderlei Silva???

[Billy no mates]

He often does seem to hit the top of peoples head with his heel and he follows the kick through rather than using a a pull back slapping motion to the neck or jawline .

[Kamikaze]

He gets his knee so bloody high! Almost brazilian kick style
Cant wait for his next UFC fight, who do you guys reckon it will be against?

[Kurisu]

Originally Posted by Mustang

He gets his knee so bloody high! Almost brazilian kick style
Cant wait for his next UFC fight, who do you guys reckon it will be against?

I hope it's against Slyvia. Crocop would make a much better champion than Slyvia.

[nobori]

Verdum in UFC too
I hear UFC buying the PRIDE.Anybody know something about this?