Some familar faces are ready for action at UFC

For many years, there were two preeminent organizations in the world of mixed martial arts: The US-based Ultimate Fighting Championship and the Japan-based Pride Fighting Championships. That is no longer the case. Following a scandal over mob connections, Pride lost its lucrative Japanese television deal with Fuji TV in 2006. That put the promotion in financial peril, and earlier this year the UFC purchased Pride. With this development, many of Pride's elite fighters have dispersed to other organizations.

Fresh off a seven-year stint in Pride, Dan Henderson is back in UFC and set to challenge Quinton Jackson for the light heavyweight championship. Photo courtesy of UFC

The UFC is now the unquestioned leader in the world of mixed martial arts, and has utilized its prestige and finances to lock up many of Pride's elite fighters. UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva and Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson were frequent competitors in Pride. Pride's vaunted heavyweight division has immigrated to the UFC, with Mirko Cro Cop and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira leading the way. Newer MMA fans are just getting used to this infusion of new talent, but those fighters are just the tip of the iceberg.

Many more of Pride's top fighters will make their way to the United States before the end of the year, and they threaten to completely alter the landscape of MMA. It is an exciting time for MMA fans, who will get to see their questions answered as to who are the best fighters. UFC President Dana White couldn't be more excited by the possibility.

"There's only one way to figure out who's the best. You have them face each other. That's the beauty of UFC buying Pride. Now we get to see who the best in the world are at each weight class. I've always wanted to answer the question and now we get to find out."

Here is a look at some of the elite level fighters who are not yet widely known in the United States, but who will become familiar in a hurry.

Dan Henderson

Dan Henderson is a UFC veteran, having fought for the company all the way back in 1998. He left the UFC for Pride, and fought in Pride for seven years. UFC was interested in signing Henderson during that time, but Pride had more money to offer.

During that period, Henderson defeated some of the world's toughest fighters, including top heavyweight Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, top light heavyweight Wanderlei Silva and top middleweight Murilo Bustamante. In so doing, he became the only man to hold a title in two weight classes for Pride. He is an excellent wrestler but also has an explosive left punch. Henderson signed with the UFC, and will be challenging Quinton Jackson for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title September 22 in London.

White predicts an action-packed fight. "They've got the same style. They're both strong wrestlers, but they like to bang on their feet." Jackson had an exciting fight with Henderson's teammate Matt Lindland in 2006, and Henderson is an even more compelling fight given he has better standup than Lindland.

From there, Henderson has a number of options. He is probably better suited fighting at 185 pounds given his naturally smaller frame, but he wants to fight at 205. White wasn't expecting that. "I thought he'd want to come in at 185 but 205 is where he wants to be," White says.

Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, understands Henderson's position. "I think Henderson sees 205 as the marquee division in fighting, so it's probably both the idea of fighting against the best, and the greater potential paydays with some marquee opponents. He's done well at 205 in the past."

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua

Considered by many to be the best 205 pound fighter in the world, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua dispatched a who's who list of light heavyweights in Pride, going 11-1 in the company with his only loss coming via a fluke injury. A member of the vaunted Chute Boxe Academy, Shogun signed with UFC, and will be fighting September 22 in Anaheim. UFC doesn't have an opponent yet, but White promises an exciting matchup, "We want to line him up with someone good, introduce him to the US market in the right way."

Shogun not only has tremendous talent, but he's likely to be well suited for the American market. White says, "He's a real good standup fighter. Great knees, punches, kicks. Very exciting guy, likes to finish fights. He's got that style people like." As such, Shogun is likely to be in main events very shortly. White says that if Shogun wins in September, he will get the next title shot at the UFC Light Heavyweight Title. That could lead to a rematch with Jackson, who Shogun obliterated in Japan.

One issue for Shogun might be the change in rules coming to the US. Shogun was able to successfully utilize stomps and soccer kicks in Japan, but won't be able to in America. Mauro Ranallo was the voice of Pride Fighting Championships and now covers MMA for the Fight Network. He feels that Shogun will not have trouble adapting to the rules. "I think Rua has enough in his arsenal and is talented enough to adapt to the unified rules of MMA." He adds, "His knockout power and fan friendly style should make him a huge star in the US."