Mergers and purchases were the magic words in the world of mixed martial arts, sparking hopes for megafights in the near future.

Ultimate Fighting Championship, based in Las Vegas and perhaps the most successful MMA organization, purchased Japan-based Pride Fighting Championship, its nearest competitive rival in terms of fan appeal.

Many of the most popular and talented fighters are contracted to either UFC or Pride, including Chuck Liddell, Quenton “Rampage” Jackson and Dan Henderson. The merger could open the hatch for many dream matches, Henderson said.

“It could be very good for the sport,” said Henderson, who holds the Pride welterweight and middleweight championships.

“There are some opportunities like fighting someone like Quenton Jackson,” Henderson added.

For a decade, fans of each MMA group have argued incessantly over which organization features the best fighters. Now it can be decided.

UFC’s Dana White, the president, said the two groups will fight separately and maintain their champions. They will eventually meet in a virtual MMA Super Bowl at some time in the year. It’s planned to be an annual event.

The biggest winners are the fans, who will be able to discover if a Dan Henderson can beat a Matt Hughes or if a Fedor Emelianenko could make ruin of UFC’s heavyweights such as Randy Couture. The matchups are endless.

Pride has a large pool of international fighters, while UFC has the best American fighters, said Juanito Ibarra, who trains Jackson. But he's not entirely sold on the merger.

“My concern is exploitation of fighters,” Ibarra said. “Will they (fighters) receive true value? Overall I’m thinking of the fighter, but I’m not saying anything negative of the UFC. ... But the average fighter, I pray they will always have the same opportunity as before.”

K-1 in L.A.
Fighting Entertainment Group, Pro Elite and Showtime network announced Tuesday they joined forces to bring K-1 to the U.S. on June 2 at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

They have big dreams.

“There will be 100,000 people and it will be a historic event,” said Sadaharu Tanikawa, CEO for FEG. “This will be the first time for an MMA event in the L.A. Coliseum.”

Massive Hong Man Choi of Korea, a seven-feet, two-inch tall fighter with a large following in Asia and around the world, will face former pro wrestler Brock Lesnar, will be making his MMA debut.

“Big things are going to happen in this stadium,” Lesnar said.

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Also on the card will be Royce Gracie of Brazil, who helped establish UFC.

A portion of the fight card will be shown on Showtime, and the main attractions will be shown on pay-per-view television.

Weekend results
In Las Vegas, Carlos Condit captured the World Extreme Cagefighting welterweight championship by submission of John Alessio in the second round.

The semi-main event saw Urijah Faber beat Dominic Cruz at 1:58 of the first round with a guillotine chokehold. 

Coming events
April 1 – Undefeated Givanildo Santana faces Chris Ledwidge in a cruiserweight bout at the Irvine Marriott Hotel in Irvine, Calif.

Televised events
April 5 – Joe “Daddy” Stevenson meets Melvin Guillard in a UFC event at the Palm Casino in Las Vegas. It will be televised Thursday by Spike Television at 8 p.m.

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