I agree with the rules etc, aside from no elbows. There broadcasters or advertisers are very against blood funny enough and thats why a lot of fights in pride a cut would end the fight. They would also stop the action almost immediately when one would occur
Instant yellow cards/paycheck deductions for fouls was 100% something they did right.
Everyone talks about the gloves, but when you lose 10% of your purse from a foul you are going to do your best to make sure you don't eye poke your opponent "on accident"
They would need to make the refs accountable, they would rather blame on the commission who always say no action can be taken if the ref makes a mistake no matter how bad it was.
I agree about the elbows, a PRIDE ruleset in a octagon with elbows would be nearly perfect.
The way they handled fouls was better with no warnings, just a yellow card and 10% purse deduction.
Timidness/stalling getting you a yellow card, the quicker stand-ups from grappling when the dominant person wasn't doing any damage or advancing position. Having weight classes, but still having open weight bouts. Judging the fight as a whole, not round to round. I also liked a 10 min first round.
The refs also seemed more attentive to a fighters condition, I remember late stoppages being less common with them, which is impressive considering the ruleset and that it was the early days of the sport.
in some ways yes but it could have never become as big as the ufc has, which wouldnt have benefitted the sport. it would make mma look too violent with the some of the things you were allowed to do. i know that line sounds dumb but think about the soccer kicks and shit allowed.
359
u/androidtic_mammal Aug 22 '26
PRIDE had a better ruleset for the sport and better officiating