Royce replies to DSE problems via letter.

[( o Y o )]

And here it is.

props as usual to http://www.so-net.ne.jp/feg/k-1/top.htm

[FieldingMellish]

Not really sure why but I find that letter deeply funny.

[Grant Ellis]

Well, I find everything Royce says funny, but not in a bad way... Royce is a friend.

Remember when Rich Franklin went over to Inoki for a show? Din Thomas? Fedor Emelianenko?

BJ Penn to K-1 as the UFC champion?

Basically, Royce just wants the cash. Yes, he is very passionate about jiu-jitsu, it is his whole life.

On the other hand, DSE just wants the cash too. They don't want an event like Royce Gracie vs. Akebono taking away from their ratings.

Really both sides should just chill.

[FieldingMellish]

Well, I find everything Royce says funny, but not in a bad way... Royce is a friend.

Remember when Rich Franklin went over to Inoki for a show? Din Thomas? Fedor Emelianenko?

BJ Penn to K-1 as the UFC champion?

Basically, Royce just wants the cash. Yes, he is very passionate about jiu-jitsu, it is his whole life.

On the other hand, DSE just wants the cash too. They don't want an event like Royce Gracie vs. Akebono taking away from their ratings.

Really both sides should just chill.

No offence meant to Royce Gracie or anything. It's just that some of the phrasing is a little overblown, that's all. That's what I found so funny.

Everything he says in the letter about DSE sounds perfectly reasonable as well. They aren't exactly the most organised company in the world and theyu do make a lot of strange decisions.

And I agree with everything you said too. Especially about both sides calming down a little - still, that won't happen given how high stakes the battle for New Years Eve viewers is.

[MZN]

If I was Royce at his point in his career and I had to choose between getting ko'd by Wandy or armbar Akebono for probably more cash then I would choose for the latter one.

[Grant Ellis]

No offence meant to Royce Gracie or anything. It's just that some of the phrasing is a little overblown, that's all. That's what I found so funny.

Everything he says in the letter about DSE sounds perfectly reasonable as well. They aren't exactly the most organised company in the world and theyu do make a lot of strange decisions.

And I agree with everything you said too. Especially about both sides calming down a little - still, that won't happen given how high stakes the battle for New Years Eve viewers is.

Yeah, I mean, Royce very often speaks like:
"My family's style of jiu-jitsu is on par with the cure for polio, the end of World War II, and the birth of Jesus Christ. We are to be worshipped as Gods incarnate here on earth."

[( o Y o )]

that won't happen given how high stakes the battle for New Years Eve viewers is.

Doubly so now that DSE have claimed they will NOT loose this years war to K-1, so it being in their best interets to keep the drama happening.

2 things come to mind reading it though.

Firstly, that I have read twice on sportsnavi ( seperate times....I believe the first was around March, the second was during summer and talking of NYE ) that DSE wanted Royce to fight Yoshida and were in negotiations.

Secondly, I wonder if the way the contract reads, DSE simply thought they could approach it as "If we can`t get Royce for NYE, no one is going to get him" as it appears Royce couldn`t announce he was going to fight anyone until the morning of the 31st. Leaving it way too late to generate any media hype and leaving the fight worthless.

I guess DSE is really to blame for the most part here, but I would think royce is completely blame free. Hell, a million bucks is a hell of a motivator to lurk in the grey areas for a bit.

[Kamatari]

DSE have claimed they will NOT loose this years war to K-1.
Oh they will. As bad as K-1 matchmaking looks to us it appears different to the general public... And even I am more interested in their show. Bobby vs. Bernardo, Royce vs. Akebono (insanity) plus KID vs. Masato. What's not to love? Enough about Royce, Jeon Ji-Hyun! Her segment was charming.

[( o Y o )]

Oh they will.

Agreed. DSE have no chance this year, again.