Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta — alongside UFC President Dana White — announced the purchase of PRIDE FC from Dream Stage Entertainment (DSE) at a press conference at Roppongi Hills Arena in Tokyo, Japan, earlier today, according to
Sherdog.com.
As part of the blockbuster deal, current PRIDE FC President and CEO Nobuyuki Sakaibara confirmed speculation that he will step down after PRIDE 34 on April 8. According to an Associated Press report in the
Boston Herald, the final sale price was less than -- and relatively cheap -- $70 million.
Here's a snip from Lorenzo Fertitta:
"We have been talking to Pride for probably about 11 months. It's been a long, drawn out process but we finally we were able to put the two brands together.This is really going to change the face of MMA. Literally creating a sport that could be as big around the world as soccer. I liken it somewhat to when the NFC and AFC came together to create the NFL."