PRIDE never die: Ranking the top 25 PRIDE fighters in history

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Kazuhiro Nakamura VS Igor Vovchanchyn during Pride Grand Prix 2005 – Final Round – Match – August 28,2005 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Saitama Super Arena, Japan. (Photo by Tomokazu Tazawa/Getty Images) /

25. Vitor Belfort

Most fight fans won’t realize this but Vitor Belfort was actually in PRIDE for a while. Belfort went 5-3 over his eight fights in the promotion and fought some of the bigger names in the companies history. He had wins over Kazuo Takahashi, Gilbert Yvel, Daijiro Matsui, and Heath Herring. Most fans will recognize Herring’s name but may not recognize the others. Belfort did fight some of the bigger names in PRIDE history, like Kazushi Sakuraba, Alistair Overeem, and Dan Henderson but lost all three fights.

24. Fabrício Werdum

The man known for his broad and unique smile made a name for himself in PRIDE before he was ever seen stateside with the UFC. Werdum went 4-2 over his six fights in the promotion and went toe to toe with the biggest names in the heavyweight division. While he fell short against current Bellator fighter Sergei Kharitonov and PRIDE and UFC legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Big Nog), he did beat Alistair Overeem by submission. Werdum also was never submitted or knocked out during his two losses in PRIDE, only losing by decision on both occasions.

23. Gary Goodridge

One of the early pioneers of early days MMA in the UFC, Gary Goodridge went to PRIDE when it started up and put together a respectable career. Goodridge fought for the promotion until 2003, going 11-9 over his career. He defeated legends like Don Frye, and Oleg Taktarov, while also defeating Valentijn Overeem. Goodridge did most of his fighting between three different companies, in three different sports at the time, so his lackluster looking record should be given a pass considering how active he was then.

22. Igor Vovchanchyn

Debuting with PRIDE at the 4th event, Igor Vovchanchyn defeated Gary Goodridge to start off a long career in the promotion. He’d go 18-8, with one no-contest decision. While he had a few good wins like over Mark Kerr, Enson Inoue and Valentijn Overeem, Vovchanchyn mostly lost to the best that PRIDE had to offer. He’d come up short against Valentijn’s brother Alistair, Mirko Cro Cop, Quinton Jackson and Heath Herring.

21. Akihiro Gono

One of, if not the most prominent fighters in Pancrase’s history Akihiro Gono fought nine times in PRIDE, amassing a 6-3 record. He had impressive wins over Hector Lombard, Gegard Mousasi, and Yuki Kondo, while coming up short to Mauricio Rua via soccer kick in a TKO loss at the end of the first round. Gono is still active today at the age of 45.

20. Paulo Filho

Paulo Filho was a perfect 8-0 in his run in PRIDE as a youngster. Debuting at 24, he went on to defeat Akira Shoji in the opening minutes of the first round by submission, before going to mass a second win over Akira, before then beating Amar Suloev and eventually Murilo Rua, the brother of Mauricio. He’d go on to win a world title in WEC before being plagued with personal issues that derailed his once-great career.