Does it diminish the integrity of the sport? I think most of us had the view that Pride was the superior league with superior fighters, whereas the UFC has a decent pool of talent with the majority of guys being muscle headed thugs. We now kow, for the most part, that that wasn't exactly accurate.

but was this the image of the cage taking hold? Would the sport appeal to more mainstream audiences if it was a ring, which tends to be accompanied by a more professional and accepting image?