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Pride Review
October, 2002
Well Pride was just on PPV last Sunday. This event brought on mixed feelings. It wasn't impressive enough to say that it was a good show but It wasn't bad to say that It was a terrible show. There were a few good fights but nothing like past events.
Fight
1 In the first round, Randleman seemed too anxious - swinging to get the KO and missing a lot of the shots. In the second round, Randleman executed the ground and pound game. Still Randleman was unable to finish Ohara. And the Third round must of been the same as the second because they didn't even show it. Randleman wins by Unanimous decision.
Fight 2 Guy Mezger vs. Norihisa Yamamoto Mezger played his game to a ''T'' - he used his Thai boxing experience to dominate his opponent. It just seemed that Yamamoto was just outclassed. Mezger wins by unanimous decision
Fight 3 Anderson Silva vs. Alexander Otsuka Silva is the most technical fighter from the Chute box Academy in Brazil. We were all waiting to see some quick and strong stand up. Otsuka wanted no part of the stand up game. As Silva came in, Otsuka took him down. To my surprise, Silva did not fight the take down too much. Silva was very comfortable fighting from his back. In one occasion, Silva executed a perfect triangle from his back. Otsuka struggled to pull away but couldn't so he finally rolled over a couple of times until he freed himself. That was a pretty Intense moment. The rest of the fight saw Silva on top of Otsuka attempting submissions even when he was on the bottom. Silva attempted submissions also. Anderson Silva wins by unanimous decision.
Fight 4 Paulo Filho vs. Akira Shoji Filho came out strong but so did Shoji. They both collided and went to the ground. Shoji landing on top. Filho went for a quick arm bar and got it. Shoji had no choice but to tap. Paulo Filhe wins by arm bar
Fight 5 Heath Herring vs. Kotchkine Louri Both men came out swinging for the KO but neither got It. They go to the ground where Herring uses his trademark knees to the head until the referee stops the fight. Heath Herring wins by TKO from knees.
Fight 6 "Zen" Mario Sperry vs. Andrei Kopylov This was one of the few exciting fights of the night. A new and improve Sperry came out. Sperry was here to fight... and fight he did. Not letting off his attack, Sperry just kept on attacking on the ground with punches and knees. At one point, Sperry threw a kick while Kopylov was on the ground and his foot landed right on the side of Kopylovs armpit. It was perfect for Kopylov to get a heel hook but as soon as Kopylov went for the heel, Sperry threw his body toward Kopylovs feet twisting away so he wouldn't get caught in a heel hook or anything else. As Sperry stood up, he delivers a front kick that connects to the face of Kopylov. After a few seconds, the referee calls in the doctor to check on the cut that was caused by Sperry's kick to the mouth of Kopylov. And the doctor ends up stopping the fight. Mario Sperry wins by TKO - doctor stoppage.
Fight 7 Quenton "Rampage" Jackson vs. Igor Vovchanchyn This was the fight of the night. Both men came out and measured each other for a few seconds and then they start exchanging blows. Rampage gets the best of It. They both clinch standing. Vovchanchyn jumps on Rampage to bring him down into his guard but Rampage hooks his arm under Vovchanchyn's leg and lifts him and slams him. Damn!, Vovchanchyn just got slammed hard. Rampage controlled the fight mounting Vovchanchyn and punching him at will. Damn!, was this really happening? Rampage is manhandling Vovchachyn. If you can believe that. They both stand back up, Vovchanchyn try's to flurry punches on Rampage but Rampage covers extremely well - few land with little affect. Rampage goes for a take down - Vovchanchyn defends but Rampage lifts him up and slams him again. This time Rampage lands on top and starts delivering short punches to Vovchanchyn's rib . Vovchanchyn seems to be hurt as the referee steps in to find out if he is OK. But he is not. It seems that he suffered a broken rib. The fight is stopped. Igor complains about his rib. Quenton "Rampage' Jackson wins by verbal tap ''possible broken rib.''
Fight 8 Ryan Gracie vs. Sungo Oyama This one hurt to watch. They both came out with fire in their eyes. A hard stare down set the mood. The bell rang, Oyama charged in with a punch, Gracie took him down, both rolled for a few seconds - Gracie saw the arm and went for an arm bar. He got it. Imagine this - Gracie has the arm bar facing the floor, Oyama behind Gracie's butt. With his arm fully extended but Oyama will not tap. Gracie arching his back putting all his strength into it . You can see the pain on Oyama's face but will not tap. The referee is seeing this and probably hears the elbow joint crack a few times before he stops the fight. Gracie releases the arm. Oyama is in pain - the arm seems to go limber. Good stoppage by the referee. Ryan Gracie wins by arm bar that Oyama would not tap to.
Talk to you after the fights, Al (10/16/02) |
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