Virtually everyone who watched, followed or covered mixed martial arts from 1997 through 2007 fondly remembers Pride Fighting Championships. The Japan-based organization was known as being home to some of the greatest fighters on the planet, and its events were typically loaded with memorable battles and featured some of the most brutal knockouts and spectacular submissions the sport has ever seen.
Pride ruled the MMA world for a time, and many fans still lament the day in October 2007 when it shuttered its doors, mere months after being bought out by Ultimate Fighting Championship parent company Zuffa.