PRIDE 1

About This Movie

Pride 1 is a fascinating piece of mixed martial arts history, marking the debut of KRS-Pride’s groundbreaking events. You get this raw, palpable energy, especially inside the Tokyo Dome – the atmosphere is electric. The pacing of the fights is quite distinct, blending the adrenaline of MMA with that of a kickboxing match featuring K-1 champ Branko Cikatic. It's an interesting mix of styles, really. The production values are straightforward, emphasizing the bouts without too much flash, but there's something captivating about the authenticity of it all. It's a snapshot of a rising sport, one that would soon explode into global prominence, and that alone makes it worth discussing amongst collectors.

Pride 1 is relatively scarce, especially in its original formats from 1997, making it a notable piece for collectors of early MMA history. The event's significance in the evolution of mixed martial arts adds a layer of interest, as it documents the formative years of a sport that has profoundly changed over the decades. The various releases over the years have attracted attention, but the original recordings hold a special appeal for enthusiasts who appreciate the sport's origins.