February 12, 2007 Observer Newsletter: UFC/Pride, WWE WrestleMania 23 takes shape

By Dave Meltzer
Published: 16 Jun 2024, 07:00

It didn’t mean much to the fans live, and even less to 98% of the fans watching on PPV, but the percussion beat as Mirko Cro Cop came to the Octagon on 2/2 for his UFC debut in Las Vegas meant more than just a typical ring entrance.

Does it signify the single biggest news story in the industry of 2007? Well, it’s still too soon to say.

Cro Cop came to the ring to the Pride theme song, as opposed to his usual “Wild Boys.” It was not Dana White’s idea, but when suggested, White approved it. Why would you allow the theme music of your No. 1 competitor to be played on your show, when that said competitor is running three weeks later in your home city? There was virtually no reaction live to the significance of the music being played and the percentage of fans who appeared to understand it was the Pride theme song appeared tiny.

According to sources close to the situation, UFC’s talks about buying Pride have been serious for months and have heated up in recent weeks. There have been times in recent weeks when UFC has believed it had just about closed the deal, but things always got snagged before it was finalized. The rumors that UFC has purchased Pride likely coincided with those times that the deal was close. Two different sources who would have knowledge of the negotiations said the purchase is still a real possibility, but that the deal is not finalized.