So what does this 'unification' mean?

[Odin]

What is everyone's views on the unification title match between Dan Henderson and Quinton Jackson?

It seems to be quite a confusing affair, this match will mean that there will no longer be a Pride Middle weight champion.

Does this then mean that Pride will host a tournament to crown a new champion? ( I haven't heard anything yet )

If they do decide to host a tournment do Pride still have the means to do it, its no shock to anyone that the company is in crisises and its future seems very bleak.

Will there still even be a pride middleweight division?

Zuffa have already changed the pride rule set to mirror that of the UFC's does this mean they will want to change the weight cataogories aswel?

Confusing times.

 

[K831]

This is all I have been able to find about it;

The title bout will be a unification fight as originally speculated. UFC President Dana White had remarked on July 2, 2007, regarding the question of the Quinton Jackson-Dan Henderson fight being a unification bout":

"No. What we’re doing with that thing is we’re respecting both (the UFC and PRIDE) titles. The UFC title is the UFC champion and we’re respecting Dan as the PRIDE champion. Quinton will walk out with his belt if Dan wins and vice versa."

He has since changed that stance, and on July 10, 2007 stated,

"It will absolutely be a unification bout. We have to respect Henderson's titles. He knocked out Wanderlei Silva and had the 185-pound championship. When he fights Rampage, they both have belts. Why should Dan Henderson get the UFC title if Rampage can't get the PRIDE titles? It makes one of them the undisputed guy."


These are interesting links to interviews / video clips as well. Talk about Rampage and Henderson, Liddell and Silva stuff like that, UFC and Pride. Stuff like that.

http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/mma/news/story?id=2928261

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/mixedmartialarts/article_1751066.php