PRIDE Fighting Championships (Pride FC) was a groundbreaking Japanese mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion that held its inaugural event at the Tokyo Dome on October 11, 1997, initially conceived to showcase a fight between pro wrestler Nobuhiko Takada and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu legend Rickson Gracie. For a decade, it became one of the world's most popular MMA organizations, captivating millions with its grand spectacle, unique rules, and massive stadium events, including a record-breaking 91,107 attendees at the 2002 Shockwave/Dynamite show.
Drawing heavily from its roots in Japanese professional wrestling, Pride emphasized entertainment with elaborate fighter entrances, less stringent weight classes, and a more permissive ruleset allowing soccer kicks, stomps, and knees to downed opponents, which often created compelling "technique vs. size" matchups. However, the promotion faced financial ruin in 2006 due to a yakuza-related scandal that ended lucrative broadcast contracts. This led to its sale in March 2007 to Zuffa, the parent company of its rival, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Pride officially ceased active operations in October 2007, with many of its top fighters migrating to the UFC, though its distinctive philosophy and spirit continued to influence new promotions like DREAM and the Rizin Fighting Federation.