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Pride 34

Pride 34: Kamikaze was a mixed martial arts event organized by the Pride Fighting Championships on April 8, 2007, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. It served as the promotion's final event, concluding a 10-year run that popularized MMA in Japan through high-profile international matchups and distinctive rulesets allowing soccer kicks and stomps. The card featured eight bouts across heavyweight and middleweight divisions, all ending in the first round via knockouts, technical knockouts, or submissions, drawing a live attendance of 23,336 spectators. The main event pitted American grappler against Japanese heavyweight , with Monson securing a submission victory via rear-naked choke at 6:37 of the opening round. In the co-main event, undefeated prospect Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou delivered a stunning punch to defeat judoka just 1:59 into their clash. Other notable performances included Shinya Aoki's armbar submission of Brian Lo-A-Njoe at 1:33, James Thompson's ground-and-pound TKO over at 6:23, and Gilbert Yvel's rapid punches-induced stoppage against Akira Shoji at 3:46. Lower-card fights highlighted veteran showdowns, such as Makoto Takimoto's submission of Zelg Galešić at 5:40 and Eric "Butterbean" Esch's keylock tapout of at 2:35, while ended the evening's opener by forcing Edson Drago to submit via neck crank after 9:15. Despite the event's abrupt conclusions, it encapsulated Pride FC's legacy of dramatic, rule-unique action amid the promotion's closure due to financial difficulties and U.S. regulatory scrutiny over drug testing and gambling ties. The broadcast reached international audiences via , preserving Pride's influence on global MMA.

Background

Organizational Context

The (Pride FC) was established in 1997 by Dream Stage Entertainment (DSE), a Japanese company focused on combat sports promotions, with its debut event, Pride 1, taking place on October 11, 1997, at the . This inaugural card featured a high-profile matchup between expert and Japanese pro wrestler , setting the tone for Pride's blend of and entertainment spectacle. Over the subsequent decade, Pride FC ascended to become Japan's premier (MMA) organization, renowned for its tournaments, international talent pool, and massive live audiences that often exceeded 50,000 spectators per event, outpacing domestic rivals through innovative production and fighter matchmaking. Financial difficulties emerged prominently in 2006, triggered by the abrupt termination of Pride's broadcasting deal with , its primary revenue source via commercials and sponsorships, due to publicized allegations of ties within DSE. This loss exacerbated mounting operational debts from high production costs and unsuccessful expansion efforts into the U.S. market, including events in that failed to generate expected returns. Initial partnership talks with the (UFC) in late 2006 faltered amid regulatory hurdles and strategic mismatches, further straining DSE's finances and leading to delayed fighter payments and scaled-back event planning. By early 2007, DSE's had reached a critical point, with debts overwhelming the organization despite cost-cutting measures. On March 27, 2007, just days before 34, DSE announced the sale of FC's assets—including fighter contracts, video library, and trademarks—to LLC, the UFC's parent company, for under $70 million, effectively ending the promotion's independent operations under Japanese ownership. 34 unfolded against this backdrop of instability, with participants including fighters and production staff acutely aware of the event's potential as the last under the original banner, compounded by absences such as Wanderlei Silva's due to a medical suspension.

Event Build-up

Pride 34, subtitled "," was framed thematically as a bold, all-out effort symbolizing a final stand for the promotion amid its mounting financial and operational challenges, with Dream Stage Entertainment having recently sold the brand to just two weeks prior. The event's emphasized high-stakes clashes to captivate fans, highlighted by the announcement of the main event pitting American submission specialist against Japanese wrestling powerhouse , a matchup positioned as a symbolic UFC-versus-Pride showdown. Complementing this, the co-main event featured rising Cameroonian knockout artist Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou against expert , generating buzz for its blend of explosive striking and ground control. Several opponent changes added to the pre-event intrigue, most notably Bazigit Atajev's withdrawal from his scheduled bout against due to an internal disease, prompting organizers to quickly slot in Akira Shoji as a replacement on short notice. This adjustment, announced during an emotional , underscored the urgency of finalizing the card for Dream Stage Entertainment's last outing. Promotional efforts leaned into 's legacy of dramatic storytelling, with a surprise ring appearance by —donning his iconic —teasing a potential future clash with fellow Japanese veteran , as Sakuraba expressed his desire to continue competing even beyond 's current structure. Anticipation built around crowd-pleasing spectacles from seasoned entertainers, including American grappler , expected to deliver his signature intensity and charisma, and super heavyweight , whose matchup was hyped for its potential for chaotic, fan-favorite brawling at over 400 pounds. These elements, combined with tributes to outgoing president , positioned the event as a defiant celebration of Pride's unique flair despite the organization's impending transition.

Event Details

Date and Venue

Pride 34 took place on Sunday, April 8, 2007. The event was held at the in , , a multi-purpose indoor arena with a maximum seating capacity of approximately 37,000 for events. It drew an attendance of 23,336 spectators, a solid turnout for the promotion's final show amid its ongoing financial struggles. The card began in the evening local time under , showcasing fights across and lighter divisions in line with Pride's emphasis on open-weight competition. Titled , the event carried thematic weight as a symbolic send-off for the organization.

Rules and Broadcast

Pride 34 adhered to the promotion's hybrid ruleset, which blended elements of , , and wrestling into a distinctive framework. Non-title bouts, as featured throughout the card, consisted of three rounds: a 10-minute opening round followed by two 5-minute rounds, with 2-minute breaks in between. Fighters competed in 4-ounce open-fingered gloves designed to facilitate while protecting the hands during strikes, and the rules permitted soccer kicks, stomps, and knees to the head of grounded opponents to encourage dynamic ground-and-pound exchanges. However, elbow strikes to the head were prohibited to maintain a focus on broader striking techniques. Refereeing standards in Pride emphasized fighter safety and continuous action, with officials authorized to issue stand-up restarts if bouts stalled on the ground without productive attempts to advance position or attack. Doctor stoppages were implemented when ringside physicians determined that an from legal strikes prevented safe continuation, often following assessments for cuts, concussions, or excessive damage. Judging criteria evaluated the entire fight holistically rather than round-by-round, prioritizing the damage inflicted, aggression, effective striking and control, execution or , and overall effort to finish the contest. The event's broadcast centered on Japanese pay-per-view through WOWOW, catering to Pride's core domestic viewership amid the promotion's growing financial challenges. International dissemination remained restricted due to operational instability, including limited partnerships and regulatory hurdles, resulting in limited live U.S. pay-per-view availability, with some preliminary fights omitted due to rights restrictions, amid the promotion's rivalry with the UFC. Production featured primary commentary by Japanese announcers for the local audience, with English-language options provided by a team including play-by-play caller Sean Wheelock and color analyst . In subsequent years, following UFC's acquisition of Pride's library, the event was archived and streamed on for global access.

Results

Opening Matches

The opening matches of Pride 34 consisted of four undercard bouts across and divisions, concluding in the first round via submissions and a that highlighted and striking prowess on display. In the opener, faced Edson Drago. The Japanese fighter, known for his wrestling background, engaged Drago in a prolonged exchange on the mat, ultimately forcing a tap out with a neck crank at 9:15 of Round 1. The second heavyweight contest pitted Eric "Butterbean" Esch against . The bout started with tentative striking attempts from both specialists before Esch transitioned to ground control, securing a keylock submission at 2:35 of Round 1. This quick finish marked a rare win for the striker-oriented Esch. Middleweight action followed with Makoto Takimoto, an judo medalist, against Zelg Galesic, a and practitioner. Galesic opened aggressively with strikes, landing heavy kicks and even attempting unorthodox ground attacks, but Takimoto weathered the storm and countered with wrestling to isolate Galesic's arm, submitting him via at 5:40 of Round 1. Closing the opening segment was a bout between and Akira . The fight began with both fighters exchanging leg attacks on the ground, attempting heel hooks, but Yvel quickly transitioned to top position after breaking free, where he unleashed an aggressive barrage of ground strikes that forced the to stop the contest at 3:04 of Round 1. Shoji, a longtime staple since , absorbed heavy punishment but could not defend effectively against Yvel's relentless pressure.

Headline Bouts

The headline bouts of Pride 34 featured high-stakes matchups that showcased a mix of striking power, veteran resilience, and expertise, drawing intense interest as the promotion's final event. then overcame in another heavyweight clash by (punches) at 6:23 of the first round, turning the fight into a gritty veteran brawl. The two engaged in a tense staredown before trading heavy blows, with dropping early via strikes but allowing him to recover for continued exchanges. As the action intensified with dirty along the ropes, Thompson dazed Frye with a series of punches, prompting the to intervene as Frye leaned defenselessly; the crowd erupted in a polite frenzy during the heated standup war. The lightweight clash between and Brian Lo-A-Njoe followed. Aoki, a rising jiu-jitsu specialist, immediately pressured with takedown attempts; he stuffed Lo-A-Njoe's flying knee counter, dragged him to the canvas, and on a subsequent exchange during a reversal attempt, locked in an armbar for the tap at 1:33 of Round 1, demonstrating swift ground dominance. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou delivered an explosive upset against in their matchup, securing a (punches) victory at 1:59 of the first round through sharp counterstriking. Arona, a favored specialist, attempted an early but failed, leaving him open to Sokoudjou's devastating right that dropped him instantly and ended the fight abruptly; this marked Sokoudjou's second of a prominent Brazilian in as many appearances, highlighting his rising prowess. The main event pitted against in a showdown, which Monson won by submission (rear-naked choke) at 6:37 of the first round. Fujita, Japan's top , pressed forward aggressively with strikes, but Monson weathered the storm, secured a takedown, and methodically worked to Fujita's back for the choke finish amid a prolonged ground battle; the crowd, heavily backing their national hero Fujita, grew increasingly vocal as the action unfolded on the mat. Following the bout, made a brief appearance as part of the event's emotional closing ceremony.

Aftermath

Immediate Aftermath

Following the conclusion of Pride 34 on , , the event's closing ceremony served as an emotional ring announcement, confirming it as the final show under Dream Stage Entertainment's (DSE) original management. , DSE's president, and entered the to thank fans and fighters for their support over the years, with a graphic explicitly stating the occasion marked the "final show under Dream Stage Entertainment." Numerous Pride veterans, including , Sanae Kikuta, and , joined in the tribute, lifting Sakakibara on their shoulders amid applause from the crowd. praised the organization's decade of excellence, while bowed in gratitude, calling Pride the premier MMA event. Fighters shared poignant post-fight reflections that underscored the farewell's sentiment. , who headlined with a first-round submission victory over , highlighted Pride's unique spirit in a post-event press interaction, contrasting it favorably with UFC's style and expressing admiration for the promotion's warrior ethos. Fujita, despite the loss, displayed visible emotion during the ceremony, later reflecting on the bout as a heartfelt send-off to Pride's legacy in interviews. In a surprise in-ring moment, , masked as his tiger persona, challenged fellow veteran to a match after both embraced Sakakibara; Tamura accepted, setting up their eventual clash at K-1's Dynamite!! 2008 event on December 31, 2008. Initial coverage portrayed the night as a tearful to Pride's , emphasizing the ceremony's raw emotion and the promotion's cultural impact. Outlets reported an attendance of 23,336. Dream Stage Entertainment formally ceased operations shortly thereafter, with its Japan office laying off remaining staff as LLC assumed control, effectively ending DSE's independent run.

Long-term Legacy

Pride 34 marked the symbolic end of an era for MMA's dominance in the global landscape, as the final event under Dream Stage Entertainment's stewardship highlighted the promotion's waning influence amid regulatory and financial pressures, ultimately clearing the path for the UFC's unchallenged expansion into international markets. had been sold to LLC, the parent company of the UFC, in March 2007 prior to the event, with the video library later integrated into UFC programming. The event's outcomes had lasting effects on participants' careers, notably boosting Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou's profile after his knockout victory over , which directly facilitated his signing with the UFC and debut at later that year. Similarly, Shinya Aoki's rapid armbar submission of Brian Lo-A-Njoe in just 93 seconds reinforced his standing as one of MMA's premier grapplers, contributing to his subsequent success in promotions like DREAM and ONE Championship, where he amassed over 30 submission wins. Pride 34's archival footage, now preserved exclusively on as part of the complete Pride library, has influenced modern MMA retrospectives and educational content, with dedicated series like "PRIDE Never Die" analyzing its bouts to contextualize the sport's evolution. Culturally, the event endures as 's farewell spectacle, celebrated for its unfiltered chaos in heavyweight clashes—such as "" Esch's ground-and-pound stoppage of —and technical submissions that exemplified the promotion's distinctive ruleset, including soccer kicks and stomps, even as it transitioned away from some of its more controversial elements. Notably, no championships were defended or contested, emphasizing its role as a non-title rather than a competitive pinnacle.

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