Rewriting MMA History (2000-Modern Day)

McDojoDelux · April 10, 2020

Firstly thank you to OldSchoolMMA for allowing me to use his mod for this thread here’s a link for anyone who wants to check this mod out for themselves: http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2424707&posted=1#post2424707

This thread will contain an array of posts that will hopefully show off some of the best storylines, fights, events, news, and etc from each MMA company in each certain year (2000-to whenever I wanna stop, I won't be doing every MMA event that happened each year only the ones I feel are significant to the history of MMA). Some fighters that I feel made a huge impact in-game will receive a career breakdown to highlight their entire career accomplishments or highlight a specific moment/ run in their career which I feel made a huge impact on MMA history. An IRL example is if I highlighted McGregors' run to the featherweight title from UFC 178-194 mentioning his iconic wins, press conferences, and impact on the history of MMA during that time period. I hope this will all make sense once I start posting stuff hopefully it’s not too hard to understand.

Disclaimer

I will be romanticizing a few plays by plays of fights and random incidents between fighters with what happened/ what they said, for example, in-game it will say Micheal Bisping has expressed his annoyance with an inserted fighter. I might type it up as Bisping has gone the MMA Hour to express his annoyance with inserted fighter saying “Hey f*** you buddy! Kiss my big British a**”.

Another disclaimer sorry in advance for any terrible spelling mistakes.

Also some of these posts will be kinda long so there will be TLDR’s at the bottom of every long post I make.

McDojoDelux · April 10, 2020

UFC Champions

(2000 January Week 1)

Heavyweight: Kevin Randleman

0 Title Defense

Light Heavyweight: Tito Ortiz

0 Title Defense

Middleweight: Vacant

Lightweight: Vacant

“I’m very excited, more weight classes mean more title fights which means more UFC fights and more UFC events. We’ll see what happens-”

Dana White (March 2000, UFC 24 Pre-Fight Press Conference)

With the introduction of the UFC’s Middleweight and Lightweight classes, UFC President Dana White was quick to announce the first championship bouts in each weight class. UFC 26 was announced to take place in the Meadowlands Arena (Atlanta) as White during the same pre-fight press conference announced the card would be headlined by a Heavyweight Title eliminator between Pedro Rizzo (9-0) and Pete Williams (10-3) with the first-ever Lightweight championship acting as the co-main event between Ralph Gracie (4-0) and Takanori Gomi (6-0) however, Gomi would pull out 4 weeks before the fight due to breaking his arm in training instead Jens Pulver (4-1-1) would step in on short notice. UFC 28 would take place in the Mandalay Bay Center (Las Vegas, Nevada) was headlined by another critical Heavyweight main event which had huge title implications with a 3 round bout between Dan Severn (36-3-3) and Ian Freeman (9-0) with the co-main event being between Murilo Bustamante (6-0-1) and Anderi Semenov (6-0) for the Middleweight Title.

McDojoDelux · April 10, 2020

UFC 26: Unforgiving

July (Week 1) 2000

Build up:

Most of the marketing for UFC 26: Unforgiving was centered around Ralph Gracie (4-0) mainly due to his family heritage and if he could continue the family model of excellence in MMA by becoming the first UFC lightweight champion as well as the first Gracie to hold a belt in a major MMA promotion. Jens Pulver (4-1-1) on the other hand was marketed by the promotion as a similar fighter to Ken Shamrock at the time he fought Royce Gracie, e.g. a brawler looking to overpower the technical and calculated Jiu-Jitsu of the Gracie family. Despite Pulver being an excellence boxer as well as Shamrock being a more shoot wrestler than brawler himself, Pulver wasn’t really interested in building up any hype for the fight and Ralph seemed more interested in planting seeds for his next fight by targeting his former opponent in Takanori Gomi who pulled out of the bout with a broken 4 weeks before the fight. Gracie throughout the build-up continuously taunted Gomi saying he “ran away” and suggested he purposely broke his arm to get out of a fight with him.

UFC rejoyce as all fighters make weight (Blurcat)

The Fight (Play-by-Play)

Round 1:

Referee Dan Miragliotta signals for the fight to begin as both fighters begin by circling around the octagon Pulver is the first to make a move getting in two good hooks to the body then transitioning to the head. Pulver can’t connect on any of his strikes to the head as Ralph swiftly clinches with Pulver he gets hold of his right leg and now Pulver is hopping around on one leg he does a good job of maintaining balance however as Gracie pushes him against the fence Ralph goes for and completes a trip which successfully takes Pulver down the rest of the remaining 3 minutes of the round is spent with Ralph on top looking for positional control.

Unofficial Scorecards

Micheal Hughes (Blurcat) 10-9 Gracie

Matt Edwards (Blurcat) 10-9 Gracie

Random Guy (Me) 10-9 Gracie

Jens Pulver corner in between rounds attempts to encourage him to start picking up the pace and become the aggressor one of his coaches implores Jen’s to start implementing kicks into his arsenal saying “I’ve never seen someone kick em’ before Jen’s! Try a few kicks to the leg and if they work start transitioning to the body then the head”

Round 2:

Jen’s immediately charges out of the gate hitting a jab then hitting a CRUNCHING leg kick Gracie which appears to have slightly stunned him as he starts to LIMP unusually around the octagon, Pulver then hits a BEAUTIFUL roundhouse kick to the body which seems to have sucked the wind out of Ralph. Gracie attempts and fails to clinch with Pulver multiple times throughout the first 2 minutes of the round with Jen’s using beautiful footwork as well as Gracie being a slight step slower. Pulver fakes a head kick then lands a VICIOUS 3 punch combo to the body Jen’s however then ends the combo with a very sloppy roundhouse kick which Ralph easily catches and drags Pulver to the mat with. Ralph gets into side control and continues to pound on Pulver for the remaining 2 minutes of the round, referee Dan Miragoiltta NEARLY stepped in to stop the fight with 21 seconds left in the round as Gracie hit’s Pulver with 9 CONSECUTIVE strikes to the head without any response from Pulver.

Unofficial Scorecards

Micheal Hughes (Blurcat) 20-18 Gracie

Matt Edwards (Blurcat) 19-19

Random Guy (Me) 20-18 Gracie

Round 3:

Pulver comes into the 3rd round a little shaky still feeling the effect of that ground and pound Ralph tries a single-leg wraggering Pulver has no balance but it’s defended beautifully as they seperate Gracie unloads with a right uppercut which NEARLY TAKES Pulver off his feet. Pulver retreats and is trapped against the cage Gracie muscles his way into a clinch and hits Pulver with some sharp shots to the head even getting in ANOTHER uppercut. Gracie is able to once again drag Pulver down to the mat without any real defense offered by Pulver at all, as the last 3 minutes of the fight is mainly spent in side control with Ralph once again POUNDING away at Pulver until the end of the round

Unofficial Scorecards

Micheal Hughes (Blurcat) 30-26 Gracie

Matt Edwards (Blurcat) 29-28 Gracie

Random Guy (Me) 30-27 Gracie

The doctors are now starting to take a good look at Pulver as he has some serious bruising developing on both his checks as well as a noticeable amount of knuckle marks left on his forehead.

Round 4:

Gracie starts the round marching down Pulver however gets too cocky as he is hit clean by a counter jab and right hand both landing directly in the middle of his face right on the nose. In fact, a pound further review Gracie’s nose seems to be a little crooked and is starting to bleed a lot it could be he has a BROKEN NOSE, Pulver smells blood and finally starts unloading landing a swift 4 punch combo. Pulver then starts to jab and move gaining a lot of his confidence back meanwhile Gracie is desperately trying to clinch again with Pulver constantly charging forward, however, he is met with an array of straight punches which keep him at bay for the rest of the round. With 7 seconds left in the 4th Pulver hits a HARD straight right as well as a BRILLIANT right hook which NEARLY TAKES GRACIE OFF HIS FEET but Pulver can’t capitalize as the round ends.

Unofficial Scorecards

Micheal Hughes (Blurcat) 39-36 Gracie

Matt Edwards (Blurcat) 37-38 Pulver

Random Guy (Me) 39-37 Gracie

Round 5:

Gracie who has been the aggressor for the first 4 rounds is now starting to fight on the back foot, Pulver himself goes back to work hitting Gracie with an array of straight shots for the first minute and a half of the round. Ralph this time offers more on the feet as he is starting to offer up some CLEAN counter jabs but it’s too far in between and doesn't have the same power as the uppercuts he hit Pulver with in round 3. Gracie is seemingly waiting for Pulver to slip up and make a mistake at the end of one of his combos and drag him to the ground again as he starts to meet Pulver in the middle of the octagon maintaining a stiff still guard. Pulver starts to go to the body and is starting to LIGHT UP Gracie like a pinata with BLITZING combinations which typically start from the body then ends with a hook or straight right. While attempting another right hook Gracie finally uses some head movement and slips the punch shooting for a single leg as Pulver has left himself wide open to a takedown but Gracie can’t get Pulver down. The last 40 seconds of the round is spent with Ralph smothering Pulver against the cage for the fight.

Unofficial Scorecards

Micheal Hughes (Blurcat) 48-46 Gracie

Matt Edwards (Blurcat) 46-48 Pulver

Random Guy (Me) 48-47 Gracie

Both men embrace each other at the end after a grueling and bloody five rounds which saw both men giving all they could, commentator Joe Rogan said it best

“Both of them left it all inside the octagon and regardless of who wins both displayed the mental toughness to be a world champion. It was a great fight and whoever gets the nod deserves that championship belt around their wrist”.

Commentators Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan both debated about who could have won the fight until the announcement for the official decision was finally ready to be announced.

“The official decision is in, and here is the one and only Bruce Buffer”

“Ladies and Gentlemen after 5 rounds we go to the judge's scorecards for a decision all three judges score this contest 48-47

To the WINNER by Unanimous Decision

ANNNNNNND NOW he is the FIRST! Undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion of the WOOOOORLD!

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAALPH ‘The Pitbull’ GRAAAAAAACIE”

Main Card Result:

Main Event

Pedro Rizzo def. Pete Williams via KO R1 (3:46) - Heavyweight

Co-Main

Ralph Gracie def. Jens Pulver via UD (48-47x3) - Lightweight

‘Pitbull’ wins the UFC Lightweight Championship

Main Card:

Chris Lytle def. LaVerne Clark via Sub (Kimura) R1 (1:37) - Welterweight

Samy Schlavo def. Charles Bennett via UD (30-27x3) - Lightweight

Karo Parisyan def. Akihire Gono via Sub (Armbar) R1 (3:57) - Middleweight

TLDR - Ralph Gracie becomes the first UFC Lightweight Champion defeating Pulver by a Unanimous decision (48-47x3) in a bloody fight in which both fighters were pushed to their limits. Also, Pedro Rizzo dispatched Pete Williams with a one-punch walk-off uppercut KO and called for a title shot against Kevin Randleman.

CageRage · April 10, 2020

Was pulling for Pulver. Love your synopsis of the fight, and look forward to continuing reading this dynasty.

McDojoDelux · April 11, 2020

Was pulling for Pulver. Love your synopsis of the fight, and look forward to continuing reading this dynasty.

Thanks man this thread was heavily inspired by yours and the many other dynasties here which made me want to do my own.

McDojoDelux · April 11, 2020

UFC 28: Liberation

October Week 3 2000

Build up:

UFC 28 was a pretty lackluster card in terms of star power with the only recognizable name on the card being the American Heavyweight Wrestler Dan Severn (36-3-3) facing off against the relatively unknown but highly respected Ian Freeman (9-0). The main event bout was marketed as a classic Wrestler in Severn vs a Boxer in Freeman both were extremely respectful towards each other throughout the entire build-up of the fight with Freeman hoping the bout would help build the sport of MMA in the UK being an Englishmen himself

“I wanna go out there and represent the UK to the best of my abilities, I hope this fight is a turning point in building the popularity of MMA back home”.

Many had forgotten about the Middleweight title fight acting as the co-main event mainly due to the lack of interest in the card itself as Murilo Bustamante (6-0-1) took on Anderi Semenov (6-0). Bustamante like Freeman had a similar interest in building up the sport of MMA back in his native home of Brazil being one the founders of the Brazilain Top Team he hoped by becoming a champion in a nationally recognized MMA organization it would inspire many Brazilians to pick up and try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and apply it into the sport of MMA. The rest of the main card was filled with exciting prospects that just didn’t have enough name recognization at the time to capture the casual audience featuring KO artists Chuck Liddell, elite level wrestler Welterweight Matt Hughes facing off against the undefeated Judo specialist Antonio Mckee (5-0) and the 6’6 French Light Heavyweight Muay Thai specialist prospect Cyrille Diabate opening up the main card.

Can Dan Severn save lackluster UFC card? (Blurcat)

All fighters successfully make weight for UFC 28

Main Card Fights:

Main Event

Dan Severn (36-3-3) vs Ian Freeman (9-0)

Co-Main

Murilo Bustamante (6-0-1) vs Anderi Semenov (6-0)

Main Card

Chuck Liddell (5-1) vs Amuary Bitetti (3-3)

Matt Hughes (14-1) vs Antonio Mckee (5-0)

Cyrille Diabate (2-0) vs Masayuki Naruse (4-12)

Fight Play-by-Plays:

Murilo Bustamante vs Anderi Semenov

Round 1

“Murilo Bustamante and Anderi Semenov both undefeated and both looking to become the first UFC Middleweight champion…. Mario Yamasaki, you're the referee in charge and HERE WE GO!”

- Mike Goldberg

Bustamante starts and connects the match with a jab then hits Semenov with a right hook behind the ear SEMENOV IS DOWN only FIVE SECONDS into the fight, Bustamante jumps straight on him and pounds away on top of Semenov in half-guard and mixes in a few elbow strikes as well. BIG ELBOWS by Bustamante and HE OPENS A HUGE CUT ON TOP OF SEMENOV RIGHT EYE Semenov is trying to survive HE GIVES UP HIS BACK but Bustamante can’t get any hooks in and Semenov tries to get up while still clinching with each other. Bustamante SUCCESSFULLY gets a trip takedown while Semenov tries to get back up and the rest of the round is spent with Bustamante trying to submit Semenov with Kimuras and Armbars.

“Absolute and complete domination by Bustamante a clear 10-8 round”

- Joe Rogan

Unofficial Scorecards

Micheal Hughes (Blurcat) 10-8 Bustamante

Matt Edwards (Blurcat) 10-8 Bustamante

Random Guy (Me) 10-8 Bustamante

Round 2

Bustamante starts the round shooting for a double leg and HE’S GOT IT Semenov pulls guard, Bustamante is now 2/2 on his takedown attempts Bustamante tries to get into the mount but in the scuffle, SEMENOV GIVES HIS BACK UP AGAIN and BUSTAMANTE GOT HOOKS IN THIS TIME Bustamante tries to get a Rear-naked Choke HE’S GOT IT, HE’S GOT IT! SEMENOV TAPS.

“It is all OVER! Murilo Bustamante wins the UFC Middleweight championship of the WORLD!”

- Mike Goldberg

Official Result: Murilo Bustamante def. Anderi Semenov via SUB (RNC) R2 (2:36)

Dan Severn vs Ian Freeman

Round 1

Severn dives into a double leg to the fight AND GET’S IT WITH EASE Severn seems content in half-guard and peppering Freeman with a few shots to the body. A minute and a half pass and Freeman finally is able to get up but IS IMMEDIATELY TAKEDOWN AGAIN AFTER SEVERN PICKS HIM UP AND SLAMS HIM. The rest of the fight is once again in half-guard with Severn once again peppering Freeman with an array of both body shots and now starts to transition his punches to the head.

Unofficial Scorecards

Micheal Hughes (Blurcat) 10-9 Severn

Matt Edwards (Blurcat) 10-9 Severn

Random Guy (Me) 10-9 Severn

Round 2

Freeman and Severn meet in the middle Freeman is the first to strike rushing in with a big and alleviate sloopy overhand right THAT HITS SEVERN DIRECTLY ON THE CHIN SEVERN HAS BEEN CRACKED, SEVERN IS WOOPLYING AROUND THE OCTAGON Freeman traps Severn against the fence Severn gets a hold of Freeman in the clinch but is SHRUGGED OFF and is left against the fence Freeman feints then fakes a right hook then HITS SEVERN WITH A FIGHT ENDING LEFT-HAND UPPERCUT IT IS ALL OVER!

Official Result: Ian Freeman def. Dan Severn via KO R2 (1:15)

Main Card Results:

Main Event

Ian Freeman def. Dan Severn via KO (Punch) R2 (1:15)

Co-Main

Murilo Bustamante def. Anderi Semenov via SUB (RNC) R2 (2:36)

Bustamante wins the UFC Middleweight Championship

Main Card

Chuck Liddell def. Amaury Bitetti via KO (Punch) R1 (0:53)

Matt Hughes def. Antonio Mckee via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Cyrille Diabate def. Masayuki Naruse via KO (Kick) R2 (3:52)

TLDR - Bustamante wins the UFC Middleweight title after dominating Semenov and submitting him with an RNC in R2, Ian Freeman KO’s Dan Severn with an uppercut in R2 after a rough first round. On the main card, Light Heavyweight prospects Chuck Liddell and Cyrille Diabate KOing both of their opponents while Matt Hughes got a close SD win over Antonio Mckee after a wrestle heavy contest.

OldSchoolMMA · April 11, 2020

This looks awesome

Keep up with the good work!

McDojoDelux · April 13, 2020

End of Year Recap (2000)

A relatively slow year for MMA as the three most recognizable MMA promotions (Pride, UFC and Pancrase) had a total of 16 combined organized events with the UFC running 6, Pride also ran a total of 6 events, with 4 from Pancrase. 2000 was declared “A Year Of Champions” by Blurcat.com as champions Kevin Randleman (UFC Hvy), Tito Ortiz (Light Hvy), Igor Vovchanchyn (Pride Hvy), Kazushi Sakuraba (Pride Light Hvy), Semmy Schilt (Pancrase Hvy) and Dorian Price (Pancrase Welter) all successfully defended their belts. The only new champions crowned where Ralph Gracie (UFC Light), Murilo Bustamante (UFC Middle) in which both divisions were recently introduced to the UFC so the titles were vacant and Alexander Otsuka who won Pride’s Light Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament which held such names as Royce and Reno Gracie competing in it as well as Guy Mezner who really made a name for himself taking out both Gracie brothers to advance to the Grand Prix finale. A lot of hype was starting to build around Mezner as some started to call him “The New Gracie Hunter” however, Otsuka won by holding Mezner down for the entire fight not going for any submissions and was content by just staying in half-guard. The winner of Grand Prix was supposed to challenge Sakuraba for the actual Pride Light Heavyweight championship but due to the Grand Prix ending on such a dud fight Pride execs decided to skip right over Otsuka for a more exciting challenger.

Most Notable Title Defenses

Pride champions Igor Vovchanchyn and Kazushi Sakuraba had the most notable defenses of the bunch with Igor's two title defense lasting a combined 1 minute and twenty-three seconds as he violently KO’d both Viktor Belfort (1:09) and Garry Goodbridge (0:15). Sakuraba also got two title defenses under his belt his most notable defense was when he dominated a young Wanderlei Silva earlier in the year who took the fight on short notice after Royce Gracie dropped out with a back injury, Silva was the only man willing to take the fight on such short notice but this being directly after he was dominated by Tito Ortiz for the UFC Light Heavyweight title Sakuraba would dominate the challenger for the entire fight. Wanderlei would only land a combined 5 strikes throughout the entire fight and while this was such a humiliating defeat for Silva, Sakuraba offered nothing but kind words praising Silva for taking such a high-level fight on short notice after losing his previous bout. Also worth noting is Kevin Randlemen’s 1 title defense in 2000 when at UFC 24 when he took on former champion Randy Couture the fight was a great back and forth bout with Randlemen rocking Couture early in the 1st only for Couture to drop Randlemen and pound on him at the end of the 1st. By the start of the 2nd round, Couture had seemingly gassed himself out trying to finish Randlemen which lead to the Heavyweight Champion landing a big overhand right on the dome of Couture forehead then finishing him with the ground at the pound, the fight, however, was widely forgotten due to the event being held right in the middle of the dark ages for the UFC.

“Sakuraba is a horrible person and champion, he is a disgrace and he should be banned from MMA”

- Wanderlei Silva via Blurcat

4 weeks after his loss to Sakuraba Wanderlei Silva in an exclusive interview with Blurcat’s Sean Smith went on a 15-minute tirade on the Pride Light Heavyweight Champion Kazushi Sakuraba, Wanderlei’s rant left many puzzled as to why he felt this way after Sauraba and Silva had nothing but respect for each other after the fight. Silva’s 15-minute rant about the champion was a verbal beatdown with such quotes as

“Everyone here knows Sakuraba had metal in his gloves when he fought all the Gracies, he’s a cheat in many more ways than one!”

“F*$k that c#$*#@er he better not let me see him on the street or I’ll leave him in a f*-$kin hospital bed”

“Sakuraba will pay for all the things he’s said about Brazil, me, and the Gracie family. He is a disgusting human being”

“That mother(!*@ is a dead man”

All of these quotes, of course, being translated through Silva’s translator when asked by Sean Smith why he felt this way Silva kept on ranting about Sakuraba it would not be until years later the public would learn what led to Silva’s rant on Sakuraba.

What’s Next? (Early 2001)

Pride owner and president Nobuyuki Sakakibara had a huge announcement to make as he called for an exclusive Pride Press Conference to announce the next Pride events,

“Thank you for coming, everyone! 2000 was an excellent year for Pride and we expect nothing but bigger and better things for 2001 which is why I’m excited to announce ‘The Gracie Hunter’ Kazushi Sakuraba will be fighting the legendary and undefeated Rickson Gracie at Pride 17. I’m also excited to announce his younger brothers Royce and Renzo will both be on the card and the event will be held in the SkyDome arena the event takes place in April and exclusive ticket sales for ringside seats go out now! But before we can get to Pride 17 I must also announce Pride 16 will be headlined by Pride Heavyweight champion Igor Vovchanchyn who fill fight Mark ‘The Hammer’ Coleman tickets are on sale now the event will be taking place in February in the Nagoya Dome”.

PRIDE 16 and 17 Main Cards:

Pride 16

Main-event

(CHAMP) Igor Vovchanchyn (42-2-2-1NC) vs Mark Coleman (8-5)

For PRIDE Heavyweight Championship

Co-Main

Wadnerli Silva (12-4) vs Enson Inoue (11-3)

Main Card

Quintin Jackson (3-0) vs Ron Flaircloth (3-0)

Abraham Baxter (2-1) vs Jeff Ford (2-1)

Elvis Sinosic (4-4) vs Jorge Magalhaes (4-4)

Pride 17

Main-Event

(CHAMP) Kazushi Sakuraba (12-1-1) vs Rickson Gracie (12-0)

For PRIDE Light Heavyweight Championship

Co-Main

Royce Gracie (11-2-1) vs Alexander Otsuka (4-5)

Main Card

Renzo Gracie (9-3-1) vs Tyrone Roberts (12-2)

Mark Kerr (11-1-NC) vs Tom Erikson (8-1-1)

Naoya Ogawa (5-1) vs Rafael Carino (3-2)

cecede123 · April 14, 2020

Keep up the good work, it's a great read

McDojoDelux · April 15, 2020

PRIDE 16:

Igor Vovchanchyn vs Mark Coleman

February Week 3 (2001)

Build-Up:

Igor Vovchanchyn had become one of the most dominant champions in early MMA history with an incredible record of 42-2-2-1NC coming into the bout with an insane 37 win-streak with victories over Viktor Belfort, Mark Kerr, Garry Goodbridge (2x), and many others. The Uranine kickboxing phenome had an aura of invincibility surrounding him; he had power in his hands, solid takedown defense as well as surprisingly good grappling. Vovchanchyn had become one of the early pioneers for kickboxers in MMA and his dominate KO wins suggested it would be a long time since he would be beaten as Vovchanchyn was only 27 years old at the time, his opponent Mark Coleman was also a pioneer in his own right being one of the first fighters in American MMA to dominate their opponents with wrestling alongside fellow wrestling legend Dan Severn. A former UFC Heavyweight champion Coleman even defeated Severn via Neck-Crank to win the title but would lose his championship in his very next fight to Maurice Smith and left the UFC on a sour note by going on 3 fight losing streak before signing an exclusive deal with Pride. Coleman would then lose his next two fights in Pride going on a 5 fight losing streak but would bounce back against top Pride Heavyweight contenders Ricardo Morais and Kazuyuki Fujita to earn himself a crack at Vovchanchyn. A lot of the promotion was focused on if Coleman could become the first fighter in MMA history to be a UFC and Pride Heavyweight champion or if Vovchanchyn would continue his legendary win-streak. In the co-main event Wanderlei Silva would make his much-anticipated return after his infamous rant on Sakuraba which has made him one of the most hated fighters in the Japanese organization, many fans alike wanted to see Silva suffer a humiliating defeat which leads to Silva’s opponent Enson Inoue becoming one of the most supported fighters on the card coming into their bout.

Main-Card Fights:

Main-event

(CHAMP) Igor Vovchanchyn (42-2-2-1NC) vs Mark Coleman (8-5)

For PRIDE Heavyweight Championship

Co-Main

Wadnerli Silva (12-4) vs Enson Inoue (11-3)

Main Card

Quintin Jackson (3-0) vs Ron Flaircloth (3-0)

Abraham Baxter (2-1) vs Jeff Ford (2-1)

Elvis Sinosic (4-4) vs Jorge Magalhaes (4-4)

Fight Play-By-Play:

Igor Vovchanchyn vs Mark Coleman

Pride Rules:

Round 1(10 Mins)

Round 2 (5 Mins then decision)

Round 1

A touching of gloves is completely ignored by both fights which bring the sold-out 40 thousand Nagoya Dome crowd to its feet as the bell rings signaling the start of the fight

Coleman starts to the fight with a strong double-leg takedown attempt slamming Vovchanchyn to the ground, Coleman tries to wrestle into more dominant position but Vovchanchyn keeps Coleman in half-guard meaning Coleman is only able to hit Vovchanchyn with a few body shots after 3 minutes past referee Yuji Shimada stands both fighters up after Coleman fails to make any transitions on the ground. Vovchanchyn starts to move around the ring with a lot of pop hoping in and out using a lot of feints to keep Coleman guessing before finally striking, hitting a crisp body kick while retracting his left leg Coleman grabs it and attempts a single-leg it gets VERY CLOSE but Coleman can’t get it. While in the clinch Coleman shows off a clear strength advantage easily pushing Vovchanchyn in the corner and starts unloading with some CRISP and SHARP dirty boxing a right elbow which hit on the left side of his head seems to BUCKLE him a bit but after a minute in the corner, Vovchanchyn is able to circle out of the corner. Vovchanchyn goes right back into his heavy use of in and out movements using more feints to find an opening a one-two lands perfectly then mid-combination switches to southpaw landing a perfectly placed straight right COLEMANS ROCKED AND NOW HE’S TRAPPED IN THE CORNER, ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL STRAIGHT RIGHT HAND, VOVCHANCHYN LANDS A CRUNCHING UPPERCUT. Coleman is HURT BADLY and is desperation mode throwing wild punches before finally escaping the corner Coleman is clearly still hurt as even shots that are blocked seem to ROCK him 3 minutes pass and Vovchanchyn continues to light up Coleman with an array of in and out footwork leading to many hooks, straights, and uppercuts landing flush completely abandoning his kicks not wanting to be taken down again. With two minutes left in the 1st Vovchanchyn hits a jab then hits a DEFLATING hook to the liver Vovchanchyn unloads and misses badly with a fight-ending overhand which allows Coleman to get a strong grip on the hips Vovchanchyn COLEMAN EASILY SCOOPS HIM INTO THE AIR AND SLAMS HIM TO THE MAT IT SEEMS VOVCHANCHYN MIGHT OF LANDED OF BEEN SLAMMED ON HIS HEAD BECAUSE HE LOOKS ROCKED. MASSIVE GROUND AND POUND BY COLEMAN Vovchanchyn tries to fight it off but gives up side control MORE HEAVY SHOTS VOVCHANCHYN IS CUT OPEN AROUND BOTH EYES to prevent Coleman from getting the crucifix Vovchanchyn gives up his back with only 30 seconds left in the round Vovchanchyn continues TO EAT HEAVY GROUND AND POUND until he’s finally saved by the bell.

While both fighters are left in there corners it leaves the crowd to finally get a good look at the damage both men have caused to each other Coleman’s right eye is nearly completely swollen shut while Vovchanchyn corner tries to patch up a massive cut right on the eyebrow of Vovchanchyn right eye as well as a smaller cut on his left cheek.

Round 2

Coleman starts the round yet again with a powerful double-leg takedown which leaves Vovchanchyn pulling guard, however, his spectacular defense off his back has seemed to abounded him as the fight is spent entirely on the ground with Coleman nearly FINISHING Vovchanchyn with an RNC and ground and pound but Vovchanchyn lives to see the end of the fight.

“The decision is in let's go ring-side with announcer Lenne Hardt”

- Mauro Ranallo

“And now to present the PRIDE Heavyweight title for the Heavyweight Championship ceremony here is PRIDE CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara

And now to render the judges decision;

Judge 1 scores the fight in favor of Coleman

Judge 2 scores the fight in favor of Coleman

Judge 3 scores the fight in favor of Coleman

Meaning the New PRIDE Heavyweight champion is

MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARK ‘THE HAMMEEEEEEEEEER’ COOOOOLEMAAAAAAAAAN"

Main-Card Results:

Main-event

Mark Coleman def. Igor Vovchanchyn via UD

Coleman wins PRIDE Heavyweight Championship

Co-Main

Wanderlei Silva def. Enson Inoue via KO (Knee) R1 (1:37)

Main Card

Quintin Jackson def. Ron Flaircloth via TKO R1 (0:27)

Jeff Ford def. Abraham Baxter via KO (Punch) R1 (6:49)

Jorge Magalhaes def. Elvis Sinosic via MD

McDojoDelux · April 16, 2020

MMA News

Sherdog.com

February Week 4 (2001)

MRI Scans confirm Mark Coleman has a Torn ACL

Only a week after claiming the PRIDE Heavyweight championship over Igor Vovchanchyn Mark Coleman has confirmed he has suffered a torn ACL after getting an official MRI scan days after the fight what makes this situation even more baffling is Coleman himself thinks he might of tore it near the end of the 1st round when violently slammed Vovchanchyn on the mat and nearly TKO’d him with relentless ground and pound.

“I felt a pop in my right leg and it hurt for a solid 2 minutes… During the 2nd round, I felt nothing but a couple of days later my right knee started to feel pretty bad but I could still walk fine, I wanted to think it was nothing but I couldn’t get that pop sound out of my mind I just had to get an MRI scan-”

Mark Coleman said in a brief statement he made over the phone with Sherdog reporters if this information is true this would mean Coleman fought the entire 2nd round on one knee and still the won the fight when questioned on the issue PRIDE CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara said,

“Coleman informed me of the injury we’ll, of course, need our doctors to see if this scan is true but if so we here and PRIDE offer Coleman our full support in his recovery process, Coleman won’t be stripped of his belt but I would be expecting a certain Heavyweight Grand Prix to determine a possible challenger to welcome Coleman in his return. Pride fans shouldn’t be discouraged we will continue as planned and we hope to see you all at PRIDE 17: Sakuraba vs Rickson Gracie-”

Other News

Blurcat.com

Preview and Predictions - (PRIDE 17)

Hot off the heels of another exciting PRIDE event the staff members at Blurcat.com have already made their picks and predictions for the much anticipated main event of PRIDE 17: Sakuraba vs Rickson Gracie the event itself has already spread like wildfire in the Japanese and Brazilian mainstream media with many wanting to see if ‘The Gracie Hunter’ can takedown the Gracie families most prized and skilled Jiu-Jitsu student Rickson Gracie who came into the bout with an undefeated 12-0 record. The story is already well documented with Sakuraba earning victories over three of Rickson’s younger brothers Royler, Renzo, and being the first person to hand the legendary Royce Gracie a loss here is what the Blurcat staff had to say.

Sakuraba: Sean Smith, Rich Blundred

Gracie: Victor Love, Sam Stavrakakis, Steven Monk, Matt Edwards, Carl Roughton

“This is going to be a great fight. I love the promotion of the fight and I think this is going to be a classic and I think the brighter the lights are the better Sakuraba performs. He's already faced off against Gracie Jiu-Jitsu three times already and won every single match I know Rickson is supposed to be the ‘best’ and ‘great’ Gracie Jiu-Jitsu student of all time but I just don’t see Rickson winning I’ve got Sakuraba winning a very close decision”.

- Sean Smith

“I think Rickson’s gonna surprise a lot of people. Many don’t know how much of a higher level Rickson is on compared to his brothers I’ve heard of the epic stories of how Rickson tapped everyone one of his brothers multiple times in one night. He's on that type of level. Sakuraba is gonna learn there are levels to Jiu-Jitsu and MMA I think Rickson submits him early in the first humiliating the ‘The Gracie Hunter”.

- Carl Roughton

What do the Pros think?

“Rickson will embarrass him mark my words, remember what I said it will happen, now I know I said Royce would destroy him then I said Renzo would but trust me this time Rickson is on a much higher level then any other fighter in the world ‘The Gracie Hunter’ era is over. Let’s be honest all of his wins are flukes!”,

- Ralph Gracie (UFC Lightweight Champion)

“It’s a good fight, I think Sakuraba got it but we’ll see Rickson is very dangerous I think he’s gotta keep it standing which I think he will but we’ll see-”,

- Guy Mezner

McDojoDelux · April 20, 2020

PRIDE 17

Kazushi Sakuraba vs Rickson Gracie

April 2001 (Week 1)

Build Up:

One of the most anticipated and hyped MMA events in the history of Mixed Martial Arts (up to that point); PRIDE 17 was headlined by the legendary PRIDE Light Heavyweight Champion Kazushi Sakuraba (12-1-1) who held victories over Wanderlei Silva, Carlos Newton, Viktor Belfort, Royler Gracie, Royce Gracie, Renzo Gracie, and many others his wins over the three Gracie brothers had earned him the nickname ‘The Gracie Hunter’. While Sakuraba himself was known as a hunter it was actually reported via Yahoo Sports that it was the other way around as multiple reports claimed that the Gracie family were hunting Sakuraba in an attempt for a Gracie family member to claim victory over the legendary Japanese Mixed Martial Artist. This led to the Gracie family agreeing to send their most decorated and highly ranked family member Rickson Gracie who held an undefeated 12-0 MMA record as well as a reported 400-0 Jiu-Jitsu record via the Gracie family (although many have disputed this claim), PRIDE wasted no time in marketing and building up the story of how Sakuraba earned his nickname as well as this likely being the finale time a Gracie would face Sakuraba making it the last chance the Gracie family could claim a win over him. The card also contained former opponents of Sakuraba and younger brothers to Rickson both Renzo and Royce Gracie fighting on the card, Royce’s last fight was in August 2000 in the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Royce was the betting favorite to win the entire tournament, however, would shockingly lose a close split-decision against the runner-up of the Grand Prix Guy Meznger in the semifinals. Alexander Otsuka would win the Grand Prix with the promised chance to face the Light Heavyweight Champion Sakuraba but due to his perceived ‘boring style’ would be skipped over for Rickson Gracie; Otsuka would instead face Royce Gracie to act as the co-main event this decision left Otsuka in a very bitter mood taking multiple shots at both Rickson and Sakuraba throughout the build-up. Renzo would face off against one of the top Light Heavyweight contender Tyrone Roberts who was originally supposed to participate in the Grand Prix but was replaced by Renzo after Tyrone sustained a right leg injury which would keep him out of action for 3 months only 4 weeks before the Grand Prix started Renzo would take his place and lose in the first round to Guy Mezner. ‘The Smashing Machine’ Mark Kerr would face off against fellow American wrestler Tom Erikson after his brutal KO loss to Igor Vovchanchyn in April 2000, with popular Japanese wrestler Naoya Ogawa starting off the main card against what many people perspective as a ‘can’ in Rafael Carino the Japanese wrestler throughout the build-up made an array of outlandish and very pro-wrestling statements about Carino saying it would be ‘easy work’ and as well as calling out the entire Gracie family calling them all ‘p---ies’ backing his fellow Japanese Mixed Martial Artists Sakuraba to win in devastating fashion predicting Jiu-Jitsu would die as a form of combat adding its ‘a combat method for cowards’.

Gracie Family Name on the line in PRIDE 17

(MMAFighting)

Main-Card Fights:

Main-Event

(CHAMP) Kazushi Sakuraba (12-1-1) vs Rickson Gracie (12-0)

For PRIDE Light Heavyweight Championship

Co-Main

Royce Gracie (11-2-1) vs Alexander Otsuka (4-5)

Main Card

Renzo Gracie (9-3-1) vs Tyrone Roberts (12-2)

Mark Kerr (11-1-NC) vs Tom Erikson (8-1-1)

Naoya Ogawa (5-1) vs Rafael Carino (3-2)

Play-By-Plays:

Pride Rules:

Round 1(10 Mins)

Round 2 (5 Mins then decision)

Renzo Gracie vs Tyrone Roberts

Round 1

During the face-off in the middle of the ring, it's clear while both weigh-ins at 205ibs Roberts is a good 20-50 pounds heavier than Gracie

The bell rings for the start of round one! Roberts immediately starts using his extreme weight advantage by clinching with Renzo smothering him against the ropes while against the ropes Roberts easily picks Renzo up and slams him on the canvas ROBERTS STARTS DROPPING SOME BOMBS ON RENZO Tyrone’s ruthless ground and pound was a tool many had forgotten Roberts had as he had spent a majority of his last few fights standing. BLOOD STARTS POURING OUT OF GRACIE NOSE IT'S CLEARLY BROKEN AS THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN TO SHOW A HUGE DENT Roberts continues to pound away on which seems to have nullified Renzo’s elite Jiu-Jitsu ROBERTS OPENS A CUT WHICH STARTS AT THE BOTTOM OF RENZO'S RIGHT EYEBROW TO THE ROOT OF HIS NOSE. GRACIE GIVES UP HIS BACK Renzo is in deep deep trouble now as Renzo realizes his mistake and tries to escape but Roberts is just too strong ROBERTS HAS GOT HOOKS IN HE’S GOING FOR THE REAR NAKED CHOKE! IT LOOKS TIGHT BUT AFTER 20 SECONDS RENZO FINDS A WAY OUT with two minutes left in the round Roberts goes for two more RNC’s with Renzo barely escaping both before the round ends.

Round 2

Gracie’s corner begs Renzo to throw in the towel but Renzo reportedly tells them

“I promised my family I’d win this fight and I will win this, please just let me fight”

Round two starts off with a quick jab from Gracie marking his first successful strike of the fight Renzo seems to be extremely light on his feet content to just flick out the jab with the occasional right hook to the head and body, his punches don’t seem to faze Tyrone much as he continues to march down Renzo in an attempt to clinch. After a minute passes he finally clinches trying a trip takedown Roberts leaves Renzo on one leg hopping around but due to some brilliant footwork and technique keeps standing it doesn't last as Roberts decides just to simply put all his weight on Renzo dragging him to the canvas. The remaining two minutes of the fight is spent with Roberts pounding away Renzo in half-guard.

All three judges score the fight in favor of Tyrone Roberts

Official Result: Tyrone Roberts def. Renzo Gracie via Unanimous Decision

Royce Gracie vs Alexander Otsuka

Round 1

Royce darts in swiftly looking to take the fight to the ground the two clinch immediately and are seemingly in a stalemate the stalemate last for 20 seconds but seems to have been a deception from Royce as he commits a beautiful leg sweep and gets into side control two close armbar attempts from Royce nearly end the fight but Ostuka just manages to survive both. Despite Otsuka being an exceptionally good in Jiu-Jitsu from the top his work off his back is really starting to get exposed as Royce is able to get into half-guard, full guard, side control, and even full mount with ease as Gracie pounds from side control he grabs A PERFECT ARMBAR WITH 20 SECONDS LEFT OTSUKA DOESN'T EVEN TRY TO GET OUT OT IT JUST TRYING TO REACH THE END OF THE ROUND it proves to be a wise decision as the bell rings for the end of the round.

Round 2

Royce gets back to work immediately taking Otsuka down with another brilliant leg sweep ending up on top in side control Otsuka looks a bit broken as the look on his face suggests he is completely disinterested in the fight. Royce once again passes between guard, mount, and side control with ease OTSUKA GIVES UP HIS BACK GRACIE GOES FOR AN RNC WITHOUT HOOKS IN IT BUT OTSUKA TAPS ANYWAYS!

Official Result: Royce Gracie def. Alexander Otsuka via RNC R2 (2:23)

Kazushi Sakuraba vs Rickson Gracie

Round 1

“This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for, we are all about to witness history whoever wins will cement his name in the history of Mixed Martial Arts our main event of the evening Kazushi Sakuraba versus the undefeated Rickson Gracie! 80 THOUSAND people here in the SkyDome and those watching around the world round 1 is about to begin!”

Mauro Ranallo

Sakuraba opens up the fight with two solid leg kicks he gets greedy trying to go for a third as Rickson's nails a nice straight popping Sakuraba’s head back Rickson maintains a stiff and solid stance while Sakuraba maintains a wide one trying to maintain distance with straights and kicks. The Gracie Hunter gets in too close with a right hook as Rickson ducks it getting in close and hands around Sakuraba’s hips then proceeds to commit a beautiful sweep of the legs but Sakuraba on his back with Rickson on top in side control. KIMURA RICKSON'S GOT A SOLID LOOKING KIMURA HE’S GOT IT HE’s GOT IT THE KIMURA IS GOOD WAIT NO! SAKURABA FINDS A WAY TO POP HIS ARM OUT OF IT SOMEHOW, a great scramble gives Sakuraba a chance to stand up but before Sakuraba gets some distance he’s able to lock both his hands around Sakuraba hips again. Rickson shows off his strength advantage landing a POWERFUL DOUBLE-LEG TAKEDOWN RICKSON IS POUNDING AWAY SAKURABA TRYING TO SURVIVE HE DOES SO BUT GIVES UP FULL MOUNT; MASSIVE SHOTS AGAIN! HUGE CUT ON THE FOREHEAD AND RIGHT CHECK OPEN UP ON SAKURABA! ‘The Gracie Hunter’ once again survives showing off amazing heart and determination so far it’s been a complete domination by Rickson for the first 5 minutes of the round but seems to have spent A LOT OF ENERGY as he’s not as active as he used to be and after a minute both fighters are stood up much to the anger of Rickson Gracie’s corner and even Rickson himself. Sakuraba starts pouring it on nice one-two that ends with a leg kick, A CLEAN STRAIGHT SEEMS TO HAVE BUCKLED RICKSON Sakuraba can’t capitalize on it tho as Rickson survives against the ropes a feint leaves Rickson wide open for a strong double leg SAKURABA GETS FULL MOUNT NOW HE’S POUNDING AWAY AT RICKSON IN A DESPERATION ATTEMPT RICKSON TRIES TO SWEEP FROM THE BOTTOM it’s unsuccessful and instead GETS ROLLED ONTO HIS BACK SAKURABA GETS HOOKS IN SAKURABA GOING FOR THE REAR NAKED CHOKE RICKSON TAPPED! RICKSON GRACIE JUST TAPPED! KAZUSHI SAKURABA HAS JUST DEFEATED RICKSON GRACIE!

Official Result: Kazushi Sakuraba def. Rickson Gracie via RNC R1 (8:31)

Main-Card Results:

Main Event

Kazushi Sakuraba def. Rickson Gracie via RNC R1 (8:31)

Sakuraba retains PRIDE Light Heavyweight Championship

Co-Main

Royce Gracie def. Alexander Otsuka via RNC R2 (2:23)

Main-Card

Tyrone Roberts def. Renzo Gracie via UD

Tom Erikson def. Mark Kerr via UD

Naoya Ogawa via UD

McDojoDelux · April 24, 2020

<div style="text-align:center;">MMA News

Via MMA Fighting

April 2001 (Week 4)

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PRIDE releases Royce Gracie! Rickson Gracie retires!

MMA Fighting has just announced that the legendary Royce Gracie (12-2-1) has signed an exclusive 6 fight deal with the UFC after PRIDE released the legendary fighter due to ‘conflicting interests’ both Royce and UFC president Dana White held an exclusive press-conference answering any possible questions the media had. When Royce was asked about the details of why he was released by PRIDE he simply said

“PRIDE never really valued me and my family as much as the UFC does I feel more at home here it’s where I made a name for myself and I feel the company appreciates the art of Jiu-Jitsu more than PRIDE ever did, whenever one of my brothers had a fight with Sakuraba the marketing was always us trying the worth of Jiu-Jitsu and if we lost we’d put shame on the entire family name”.

One reporter asked Royce his thoughts on Rickson's latest defeated at the hands of Sakuraba at PRIDE 17 as none of the Gracie family members attended the post-fight press conference after the fight,

“It was a great fight, I and my entire family respect what he’s [sakuraba] done but I feel Rickson proved he was the better fighter he won all but 5 seconds of the fight and unfortunately just got a caught but that’s MMA sometimes the better fighter sometimes don't win on the night but like I said before we all saw Rickson dominate him [sakuraba] and the better fighter should win the majority of the fight and that is what Rickson did we all Rickson is better”.

The entire press conference was the Royce Gracie show as he answered questions for about 20 minutes before the press conference came to an end, Dana White who had only answered a hand full of questions compared to Royce announced the locations of the next three UFC events UFC 33 (California), UFC 34 (Nevada), and UFC 35 (New Jersey) at the end of the entire thing.

Royce also revealed that his older brother Rickson Gracie (12-1) has officially retired from MMA to pursue other interests.

Other News

Via Blurcat

2001 April (Week 4)

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<div style="text-align:center;">The UFC 32 Tragedy + Dana White rant</div>

Staying on the topic of the UFC, April Week 3 saw the horrific UFC 32: Wasteland card headlined by UFC Lightweight Champion Ralph Gracie (5-0) and Yves Edwards (11-3) the card was under heavy scrutiny from the start mainly due to the entire card being formed in only 3 weeks as many saw it as a cash grab event being so close to the much-anticipated PRIDE 17 that was headlined by three Gracie brothers (with a Gracie headling UFC 32 itself) when reporters asked Dana White about these accusations during the UFC 32 press conference the UFC president went on an aggressive tirade

“Firstly we’ve had deals set for this event for months you f---in morans, contracts for this fight alone was signed 10 weeks ago you d***hebag reporters didn’t hear about it because you guys can’t do your job properly so we had to announce it ourselves. Secondly, we announce our next events here at press-conferences we not gonna backhand our fans like those dumb---es in Japan, thirdly yes this event was made to make money THAT’S THE MAIN PURPOSE OF BUSINESS YOU ABSOLUTE MORANS! I mean really this is why none of you f----ers will never be able to run a successful business in your lives because you dumb----es can’t think. And finally for those who want to continue to question the legitimacy of this event the doors right there and me and my staff will happily throw you out!

UFC 32: Wasteland would become a complete financial flop mainly due to the only noteworthy fight being the main event itself; not to mention only one of the twelve fights had a finish that being the main event as Yves Edwards TKO’d Ralph Gracie at one minute and thirty seconds in the 1st round as Ralph Gracie tapped to strikes.

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McDojoDelux · April 26, 2020

RINGS: Fighting Network

Alistair Overeem vs Dan Henderson

2001 May (Week 4)

Build-Up:

Originally a forgotten show which only saw an attendance of 2 thousand people the RINGS: Fighting Network was a struggling Japanese MMA organization that was in direct competition with PRIDE this caused many early RINGS events being forgotten mainly due to the organization not being able to put on any noticeable events while in PRIDE'S shadow. At the time Alistair Overeem (6-1) was the current RINGS Light-Heavyweight Champion who recently set the record for most title defenses in the organization with 2, as most RINGS champions would ditch the organizations in favor of PRIDE Overeem instead decided to sign an exclusive 5 fight deal since winning the Light-Heavyweight belt opting to stay loyal and develop his skills more only having 7 fights to his name. Dan Henderson (6-0) was a fellow up and coming Light-Heavyweight prospect on the last fight on his RINGS contract Henderson had already expressed interest in signing possible deals with bigger MMA organizations like PRIDE, Pancrase and the UFC hoping a victory would land him a spot on one of their rosters.

No Main-Card segment due to the rest of the card featuring a lot of journeymen with well below 500. records

Fight Play-By-Play:

Rings Rules:

Round 1 (10 Minutes)

Round 2 (5 Minutes then Decision)

No 10-Point must system (Fight is judged in its entirety)

Round 1

Overeem opens with a solid open-two then transition into a Thai-clinch catching Henderson with 2 two knees to the body Henderson however, is starting to display his superior wrestling getting a bodylock around the hips of Overeem trying to take him down Overeem’s base is solid but Henderson drives him against the hopes. HENDERSON LIFTS AND SLAMS Overeem onto the canvas grabbing side-control able to get off some sharp slicking elbows which creates A CUT OVER OVEREEM RIGHT EYE Hendo almost transitions to full mount but in a scramble ends up securing Overeem's back Hendo is able to again get off some decent ground and pound but Overeem also does a decent job covering up Overeem now suddenly comes to life trying to power his way back up to his feet during the scramble Henderson is able to get up first and again gets a great bodylock driving Overeem against the ropes again. Again HENDERSON ATTEMPTS TO LIFT OVEREEM IN THE AIR FOR A SLAM BUT GREAT DEFENSE BY OVEREEM Hendo loses the body lock and now Alistair circles out Henderson while standing Henderson ducks a straight-right and hits a clean right hook, Overeem again wants this fight in the Thai-clinch forcing the clinch with Henderson, Overeem lands a few solid knees to the ribs AND TRIES A HUGE KNEE TO THE HEAD BUT HENDERSON BLOCKS IT AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND. Overeem is now mixing it up with knees to the body and sharp elbows to the head while in the Thai-clinch but is seemingly getting a little too aggressive while going for another knee to the body HENDERSON TIMES A PERFECT JUDO THROW SECURING OVEREEM'S BACK. The final minute and a half of the round is spent with Henderson trying to submit Overeem with a couple of RNC's and hitting Overeem with the occasional ground and pound.

That round seems to have got the fans going their loving this fight so far; Overeem’s corner wants a more balanced offense with both stand up and the Thai-clinch saying he relied ‘too heavily’ on the clinch that round. Henderson’s wants to see more head movement to set up a right overhand right as well as more wrestling saying they have a ‘huge advantage’ in that department.

Round 2

Henderson starts jabbing away at Overeem landing them flush at will but can’t seem to get off anything else; Overeem attacks with a good leg kick that got Henderson attention he faints that he’s going for another leg kick THEN LANDS A HARD STRAIGHT RIGHT AS WELL AS A LEFT HOOK Henderson seems fine BUT OVEREEM’S PUTTING ON THE PRESSURE HITTING A NICE FIVE PUNCH COMBINATION but misses on an uppercut this allows Henderson to land a CRUNCHING LEFT HOOK TO THE BODY but misses on an overhand right. Overeem immediately clinches trying to get off some knees some are successful but again Henderson gets another body lock it seems Overeem is again able to defend it BUT A NICE SWEEP OF OVEREEM’S LEGS PUTS HIM DOWN; HENDERSON LANDS 3 UNANSWERED HAMMER FISTS THE FIGHTS NEARLY STOPPED BUT OVEREEMS SURVIVES SOME BRUTAL GROUND AND POUND. A scramble see’s them both getting up with one minute left and while the both of them get to their feet OVEREEM TIMES A PERFECT RIGHT HOOK AS THEY SEPARATE AWAY FROM EACH OTHER! HENDERSON IS DOWN! BUT HE SEEMS TO HAVE RECOVERED NICELY as none of the following ground and pound seems to have little effect, the last 40 seconds of the fight is spent with Overeem on top as Henderson tries to sweep.

The fight ends and EVERYONE is on their feet here both Overeem and Henderson think they’ve done enough to win as they celebrate with their corners before the announcement is made.

THE OFFICIAL DECISION IS IN

“The judges have rendered the decision

Judge 1 sees the fight as a DRAW

Judge 2 sees the fight in favor of Henderson

Judge 3 also favors Henderson

The winner by Majority decision of this Light-Heavyweight Championship bout is

DAAAAAAAAAN HENDERSOOOOOOON!”.

Post-Fight Press Conference:

While there was no official post-fight press conference both Overeem and Henderson said in later interviews that the fight was one of the best experiences inside the octagon they both ever had with Overeem saying it’s his favorite fight he’s even been in maintaining that HE WON THE FIGHT but regardless of how one scored the fight it was one of the more entertaining back and forth affairs in early MMA history. The fight started gaining attraction once again when Chael Sonnen on his ‘You’re Welcome!' Podcast stated that one of his favorite fights he’s ever witnessed live was the surprisingly forgotten Dan Henderson vs Alistair Overeem I match- up in RINGS while also talking about their rematch which happened years later but the result for that match is a discussion for another time.

McDojoDelux · April 30, 2020

<div style="text-align:center;">End of Year Recap (2001)

2001 would see the rise of PRIDE FC mainly due to the early successful events of PRIDE 16 and 17 with PRIDE 17: Sakuraba vs [Rickson] Gracie even getting some mainstream media attention in the US making it the first MMA event to be officially covered by major sports networks most notably ESPN and NBC. Due to the early year success PRIDE struck multiple TV deals with both ESPN [America] with events being broadcasted live on ESPN 2 and Sky Sports [the UK and Australia] by this point PRIDE had left many organizations playing catch up as the UFC, Pancrase, and ICON as well as other top MMA organizations were struggling to make ends meet as well as finding reliable ways to broadcast their shows WOWOW was considering cutting ties with Pancrase after a string of lackluster shows, ICON only made money from ticket sales, and the UFC where stuck putting their shows on the declining SEG (PVP) network. Things would only get worse as ESPN cut their contract with PRIDE after they had to cancel their highly anticipated Heavyweight Grand Prix due to multiple injuries to their top Heavyweight contenders in the last 2 weeks of the Grand Prix a reported 6 fighters pulled out with a disclosed injury, ESPN had put a lot of marketing into the event and decided to cut ties entirely from the sport of MMA instead focusing on the more mainstream sports like Basketball, Football, Baseball and replaced their contract with PRIDE with an exclusive Boxing show called ‘ESPN: Fight Night’. PRIDE would see a decrease in the value of their shows during the tail end of the year as a lot of fights start to become boring snoozefests instead of the action-packed thrillers they were at the start, this plunged the sport into the dark ages yet again which frustrated MMA fans as the sport finally got the mainstream media attention but was once again shunned away as ‘Human c--k fighting’.

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Forgotten Fights and Events (W/ Fight Play-By-Plays)

The UFC despite the down year actually put on an array good shows that like mentioned before were widely forgotten ‘UFC 35: Stay Hungry’ had two of the greatest Heavy and Middleweight fights in the company's history, the California card was headlined by a Heavyweight title eliminator between Randy Couture (6-3) and Pedro Rizzo (10-1) with the co-main event being for the UFC Middleweight title when Murilo Bustamante (7-0-1) faced Jose Landi-Jons (16-4).

Randy Couture vs Pedro Rizzo

Round 1

Rizzo starts the fight with some excellence footwork easily getting in to launch combinations and out to avoid the possible takedown the first two minutes of the fight are sent with Rizzo keeping Couture at the end on his straight punches before launching a BIG RIGHT HOOK which opens a MASSIVE CUT under Couture's right eye. Randy tries to counter with a few jabs of his own but can’t seem to land anything significant as Rizzo is putting on a striking masterclass for the first 4 minutes of the round Couture finally starts to utilize some head movement ducking under a right hook from Rizzo grabbing ahold of Rizzo’s legs, Rizzo again shows off some excellent footwork as he stuffs the takedown completely and circles away to end the round.

Unofficial Scorecards

MMAFighting: 10-9 Rizzo

Sherdog: 10-9 Rizzo

Random Guy (Me): 10-8 Rizzo

Round 2

Rizzo starts the round with some stiff straight punches reopening the cut under Couture's right eye once again Randy ducks a right hook then LAUNCHES AND LANDS A BIG OVERHAND RIZZO’S ROCKED! COUTURE GETS A HOLD OF RIZZO IN THE CLINCH BIG UPPERCUT!! Couture has got Rizzo trapped against the cage unloading with some SHARP and BRUTAL dirty boxing. Despite Rizzo being able to escape the clinch Couture again finds a way to get hold of Rizzo and drive him against the cage COUTURE'S BRUTAL DIRTY BOXING IS STARTING TO DRAIN RIZZO’S GAS TANK an elbow in particular NEARLY DROPS RIZZO as his knee’s buckle but he’s able to stay up and find a way out of the clinch and circle away from the cage and into the center of the octagon. BIG ONE TWO BY RIZZO LEADS TO A DEVASTATING RIGHT HOOK TO THE BODY COUTURE'S HURT! However, showing great fight IQ Couture is able to get a hold of Rizzo's leg before being able to capitalize on it by successfully getting a single-leg takedown as the last 30 seconds of the round is spent with Couture on top battling for position.

Unofficial Scorecards

MMAFighting: 19-19

Sherdog: 19-19

Random Guy (Me): 19-18 Rizzo

Round 3

Couture opens with a nice jab that leads to a right hook which just grazes Rizzo’s check, Rizzo goes to the body with a 3 punch combination both fighters are now standing in front of each other swinging doing little in terms of head movement and footwork in general. Couture lands a flush right hook that leads to Rizzo responding with an uppercut and right hook, Couture now counters with a FAST LEFT HOOK THAT NEARLY KNOCKS DOWN RIZZO AS HIS BACK IS UP AGAINST THE CAGE! EXCELLENT HEAD MOVEMENT FROM RIZZO AS HE DUCKS AN ARRAY OF WILD PUNCHES FROM COUTURE AND CIRCLES OUT. Rizzo and Couture go straight back to meeting each other in the middle of the octagon and throwing bombs at each other Rizzo goes to the body again with two hooks while Couture briefly gets ahold of Rizzo landing an uppercut which pops his head back in the clinch Rizzo escapes but not before landing a STRAIGHT RIGHT ON COUTURE’S CHIN as they separate ‘THE NATURAL’ IS DOWN! RIZZO LANDS 5 HARD HAMMERFISTS AS COUTURE IS FORCED TO GIVE UP HIS BACK! MORE RUTHLESS GROUND AND POUND CONTINUES FOR THE NEXT 20 seconds referee Dan Miragliotta keeps the fight going much to the displeasure of color-commentator Joe Rogan as he’s screaming for the fight to be stopped! Rizzo is now on top in side control content with just throwing a few elbows to barley keep busy enough to ride out the round, Couture then suddenly tries and successfully executes a sweep which sees the two scramble and Couture gaining top control as Rizzo now gives up his back trying to get to the end of the round. COUTURE IS STARTING TO POUND AWAY ON RIZZO AS A BIG POOL OF BLOOD IS STARTING TO DEVELOP ON THE CANVAS! Its clear Couture has BROKEN RIZZO’s NOSE, COUTURE’S GOT HOOKS IN! HE’S GOING FOR THE REAR NAKED CHOKE AND……. HE’S GOT IT RIZZO TAPS!!!

Official Result:

Randy Couture def. Pedro Rizzo via SUB (RNC) R3 (4:03)

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(CHAMP) Murilo Bustamante vs Jose Landi-Jons

For UFC Middleweight Championship

Bustamante 1st Title Defense

Round 1

Oh’s and Ah’s starting raining down from the crowd as both fighters refuse to touch gloves

Jose starts the fight landing two jabs then a hard straight which leads to a HEAD KICK WHICH LANDS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TEMPLE OF BUSTAMANTE’S HEAD! JOSE IS GOING IN FOR THE KILL! Jose launches and LANDS A FIVE PUNCH COMBINATION THAT ENDS WITH ANOTHER HEAD KICK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF BUSTAMANTE'S HEAD! Jose misses a set-up jab before landing another hard straight the first 30 seconds of the fight is Bustmante just trying to SURVIVE! Bustamante's right side of his face is suffering from SEVERE SWELLING not to mention the two head kicks have LEFT A HUGE RED MARK ON THE SIDE BUSTMANTE’S HEAD! Bustamante set up a beautiful counter jab which causes Jose to launch another head kick BUSTAMANTE'S CAUGHT IT AND DRAGS HIM DOWN! Bustamante is on top in side control landing some nice elbows and where only a minute into this fight, the next 4 minutes is Bustamante on top pounding away at Jose but none of his punches or elbows seem to be rocking him despite most of them landing clean. The last 30 seconds of the fight and Jose gives up his back Bustamante quickly gets hooks in and sets up a FAST REAR NAKED CHOKE IT’S DEEP! JOSE WHILE IN THE CHOKE LOOKS UP AT THE CLOCK 15 SECONDS LEFT! BUSTAMANTE HARDEN’S THE CHOKE AND JOSE LOOKS LIKE HE’S ABOUT TO GO OUT BUT THE BELL SIGNALS THE END OF THE ROUND!

Unofficial Scorecards

MMAFighting: 10-9 Bustmante

Sherdog: 10-9 Bustamante

Random Guy (Me): 10-9 Bustamante

Round 2

Attacking with intent to end the fight Jose comes in throwing a THUNDEROUS FIVE PUNCH COMBINATION OF OVER HANDS AND HOOKS LANDING 4 OF THEM! BUSTAMANTE GOES DOWN BUT POPS RIGHT BACK UP ANOTHER OVER HAND LANDS FLUSH ON BUSTAMANTE'S CHIN HIS BACK’S UP AGAINST THE CAGE IN SURVIVAL MODE! Bustamante is now starting to utilize some nice head movement as Jose is starting to miss or have his vicious punches be blocked Jose rushes straight at Bustamante with what seems like a straight right which just misses but somehow has an effect on Bustamante's right eye as he's grasping it in pain this leaves room for Jose to land a flush left hook and BUSTAMANTE GOES DOWN AGAIN THAT'S IT!!! MAZZAGATTI IS WAVING THIS FIGHT OFF BUSTAMANTE IS FAR FROM OUT BUT HE’S SEEN ENOUGH!!!

Bustamante and his corner are irate they're claiming an eye poke as well as early stoppage but referee Steve Mazzagatti isn’t hearing any of it as he gets ready to raise Jose Landi-Jons hand in victory, as the replay is shown it’s clear the right straight didn’t land and while retracing Jose’s thumb CLEARLY goes into Bustamante right eye causing him to cover it in pain leaving himself exposed to be put down by the right hook before being dropped with a left hook! THE CROWD BEGINS TO BOO!

"That’s a terrible call! A very very bad call! By Mazagatti there and it’s such a shame because this was an amazing fight and now… It’s not going to be looked back upon fondly in MMA history like it should be”.

- Joe Rogan

"Your right Joe! Not only did Mazagtti miss the eye poke but it also was a very early stoppage as well, we'll have to see how the California athletic commission reacts to this and if this will be overturned to a no-contest but as for now Jose Landi-Jons is your NEW UFC Middlechampion here is Bruce Buffer!"

- Mike Goldberg

Official Result:

Jose Landi-Jons def. Murilo Bustamante via TKO R2 (0:51)

Jose Landi-Jons wins the UFC Middleweight Championship

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What’s Next?

An immediate rematch between Jose Landi-Jons and Murilo Bustamante was instantly set up for UFC 42 as the Californa State Athletic commission deemed the eye poke unintentional and stood by the actual stoppage of the fight. Coming into the year 2002, not a lot of fights and MMA events interested the general public heading into 2002 the UFC where having multiple meetings with both DirectTV and HBO to be the new main provider for their PVP’s but both wanted to see a rise in interest in the sport for them to sign broadcaster deals with the UFC. The only star which seemed to be able to make people care was ‘The Gracie Hunter’ himself Kazushi Sakuraba but he wouldn’t fight until later during the year as the UFC, PRIDE, ICON, Pancrase and many other MMA organizations were desperate to develop new stars to help support a sport which was now on life support in the eyes of the mainstream media.

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McDojoDelux · April 30, 2020

K1 Hero's: Shockwave

Jerome Le Banner vs Mirko Cro Cop

January 2002 (Week 3)

Build-Up:

In an attempt to get more interest in their MMA organization K1 Hero's: Shockwave was headlined by popular K1 Kickboxers Jerome Le Banner (0-0) making his MMA debut and Mirko Cro Cop (1-0) having only one MMA fight to his name, originally this bout was to be a kickboxing match but with the recent decline of MMA, the K1 execs opted to have an MMA match instead hoping to start a turn around in popularity for their MMA organization. When interviewed both Le Banner and Crop Cop expected the bout to practically be a stand-up affair with Le Banner suggesting the match should have a special specific set of rules to ensure the fight stayed standing but the idea was turned down in favor of a full MMA ruleset (Heroes Rules).

Main-Card Fights:

Main Event

Heavyweight: Jerome Le Banner (0-0) vs Mirko Cro Cop (1-0)

Co-Main

Heavyweight: Robert Berry (1-1) vs Ibragim Magomdeov (4-1)

Main-Card

Heavyweight: Hirotaka Yokoi (2-2) vs Kevin Jordan (2-2)

Heavyweight: Jimmy Ambriz (2-3) vs Kengo Watanabe (4-6-2)

Heavyweight: Travis Wiuff (0-0) vs Jefferson Silva (0-0)

Fight Play-By-Play:

Rules:

Round 1 (15 Minutes then decision)

No Elbows

All forms of soccer kicks allowed

Jerome Le Banner vs Mirko Cro Cop

Round 1

A packed and loud Marine Messe Fukuoka arena holding a total of 12 thousand fans for the first time tonight is quiet with anticipation as Le Banner and Crop Cop touch gloves making their ways back to their corners for the match to start

The two combatants meet each other in the center of the ring circling around each other both feinting trying to get the other to bite Le Banner is the first to strike landing a jab and just missing with a straight and head kick this allows Cro Cop to counter with a five punch combination only landing two then hit a sharp roundhouse kick to the body. The two start to circle around in the center of the ring yet again with Cro Cop this time being the first to strike landing a quick jab then is off-target with a straight which Le Banner dodges tilting his head to the right then countering with a jab of his own then having his huge right overhand blocked by Cro Cop. As they separate CROP COP HITS A NICE SPINNING BODY KICK while it doesn't seem to have wobbled Le Banner at all it starts to draw some oh’s and ah’s from the crowd as they start to chant ‘Cro Cop’ which is then meet with an array of ‘Le Banner’ chants as Mirko starts to press the action more putting Le Banner on the backfoot, Crop Cop rushes in with another five punch combination but Le Banner again shows beautiful head movement as only one right hook slightly grazes him Le Banner uses a ducking jab which lands flush AND UNLEASHES A STINGING RIGHT HEAD KICK WHICH BUCKLES CRO COP! NOW IT’S LE BANNER ON THE ATTACK PRESSURING CRO COP LE BANNER HITS A ONE-TWO THEN FLOORS CRO COP WITH A RIGHT HOOK!!! MIRKO CRO COP HAS JUST BEEN KNOCKED OUT COLD HERE IN THE MARINE MESSE FUKUOKA!!

Official Result:

Jerome Le Banner def. Mirko Cro Cop via KO R1 (2:37)

Main-Card Results:

Main Event

Jerome Le Banner def. Mirko Cro Cop via KO R1 (2:37)

Co-Mian

Ibragim Magomedov def. Robert Berry via TKO R1 (1:57)

Main-Card

Hirokata Yoki def. Kevin Jordan via UD

Kengo Watanabe def. Jimmy Ambriz via SUB (Armbar) R1 (2:17)

Travis Wiuff def. Jefferson Silva via UD

Post-Fight Press Conference:

Jerome Le Banner expressed his interest in possibly continuing his MMA career after such a fantastic first fight but told reporters he also intended to participate in K1’s Kickboxing World Grand Prix while also naming Mark Hunt, Ray Sef as possible MMA fight he’s interested in the near future he also floated around the possibility of fighting PRIDE’s Heavyweight champion Mark Coleman under a special ruleset but also admitted that fight was ‘unlikely’. Cro Cop also told reporters he would be getting back into his Kickboxing career saying he’s taking a ‘brief hiatus from the sport of MMA’ wanting to gain some moment back after such a devastating loss he also explained to reports he had ‘much to learn’ before getting back to MMA.

“I was very surprised with the speed and power of those 4-ounce gloves which were much different from the gloves in kickboxing. My first MMA fight was a quick head kick knockout so I didn’t really learn anything from it but I feel I can learn a lot from this fight, I thank Le Banner for this opportunity and hope to meet him under a K1 Kickboxing rule set again sometime.”

- Mirko Cro Cop

“I’m very happy with the result. I think I have a bright future in MMA but I need to get back to kickboxing first. I really want to cap off my kickboxing career on a high note before making the transition fully to MMA which is why I’m really looking forward to this year World Grand Prix, as for other opponents I could fight in MMA I think [Mark] Hunt and Ray [sefo] would be interesting maybe even a fight with Mark Coleman under a kickboxing rule set of course! But it’s highly unlikely but you never know what could happen”.

- Jerome Le Banner

McDojoDelux · May 1, 2020

MMA Rivalries:

Chuck Liddell vs Tito Ortiz

Timeline: (March 2002 - May 2005)

Backstory:

At UFC 39: Blaze of Glory (January 2002) Tito Ortiz (10-2) put on a dominate wrestling clinch on his heated rival Ken Shamrock (24-6-2) winning by a clear and wide unanimous decision making it his 4th straight defense of the UFC Light Heavyweight title (50-45, 50-45, and 49-46) UFC 39 was at the time the most financially successful show in the organization's history mainly due to the heated rivalry between Tito and Ken (which in itself could make up its own Rivlaries post). While many disputed Shamrock’s shot at the Light Heavyweight title the fight caught on the eye of the mainstream media due to the heated disdain each man had for each other with an infamous press conference between the two even being broadcasted on ESPN 2, many people remember the infamous press conference for one particular moment when Ken Shamrock threaten Ortiz saying “I will beat you into the living dead!” This threat caused Ortiz to laugh uncontrollably with Shamrock kicking a chair up in the air in frustration that was quickly caught by UFC president Dana White. Also at that press conference where the two fighters in the co-main event were up and coming contender Chuck Liddell (8-1) and perennial top PRIDE Light Heavyweight contender in Mario Sperry (10-1) as the UFC had recently just persuaded him away from PRIDE to join the UFC as the winner would face Ortiz for a shot at the title Liddel would Knockout Sperry in 22 seconds. Immediately the UFC got to work promoting Ortiz vs Liddell detailing their past as former training partners and friends turning sower, with Ortiz not wanting to fight Liddell saying he was a friend and was not paid enough to fight him while Chuck claimed Ortiz was just making excuses and was afraid of him while president Dana White who was once the manager of both Tito and Chuck siding with Liddell saying Ortiz was scared this caused a heated exchange between Ortiz the UFC as well as Liddell. The past is well known to MMA fans around the world but the process of trying to make the fight happen helped heighten the fight to a whole new level than ever anticipated.

MMA News

Blurcat

‘The Process of the Fight: Ortiz vs Liddell I (2002-2005)’

“Never will there ever be a fight harder to book than Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell”

- Dana White

The UFC wanted to strike while the iron as Ortiz had now become a much-needed star to help keep the company afloat and at the time mainstream media were all over Ortiz as well as his feud with Liddell this caused many sitdown interviews with Tito on ESPN and NBC where he often slammed Liddell and Dana calling them ‘scum of the earth’. UFC 40: Big Bang was headlined by the two scheduled to be in March only a month away from their last fight but were both medically cleared as neither suffered any serious damage during their last respected bouts.

Ortiz pulls out of UFC 40 with Broken Wrists!

UFC 40 March (2002)

4 Weeks before the much anticipated UFC 40 Tito Ortiz informed the public that he had broken both of his wrists during training while sparring, apparently while going for a takedown he had both his wrists crushed under his sparring partners legs causing both of them to break. Dana White who was frustrated that Ortiz didn’t get a full examination from the UFC medical staff as Tito first went to his local doctors said ‘Tito jumped the gun’ but later went back on that statement when UFC doctors confirmed Ortiz indeed had a broken his wrists, the bout was therefore postponed to a later date to May at UFC 42 acting as the new main event bumping the Jose Landi-Jons vs Murilo Bustamante rematch to the co-main event in Denver, Colorado. Matt Hughes (17-1) the UFC Welterweight champion would step on short notice to face Hayato Sakurai (16-1-2) to fill in for the open main event spot for UFC 40, Hughes would successfully submit Sakurai in the 1st round (3:21) with a rear-naked choke making the 2nd defense of his title.

Ortiz out again this time with a Swollen Calf Muscle 2 days before UFC 42

UFC 42 May (2002)

Ortiz once again pulled out with another injury this time with a swollen calf muscle two days before UFC 42 was suppose to take place his reasoning this time was he tripped and fell badly while doing weights Tito claimed he went to the hospital claiming the doctors said he ‘couldn’t fight’ there was however a rumor spreading around that the UFC doctors when studying his injuries said he ‘could possibly fight’ one of the people spreading this rumor was Chuck Liddell he also laid into Tito Ortiz saying his injuries were ‘fake or he intentionally caused them’.

“We all know Tito is scared to fight me! He could totally fight me right now. The UFC doctors cleared him but because he paid off some local doctor to say he can’t fight he won’t do it. It’s frustrating man and to be honest, I think he’s faking it or intentionally injuring himself. I mean when I fought Mario Sperry I broke my right eye socket which only healed up completely 2 days before the fight and also sprained my right knee leading up to that fight as well! I even signed to fight Tito two months later even though I should be healing, I know Tito’s scared to get knocked out but this is ridiculous and he should be stripped if he keeps running from me. I mean who decides to lift weights two days before a fight?”.

- Chuck Liddell

This statement split fans in half with some agreeing and others criticizing Liddell for being so inconsiderate of Ortiz’s injuries UFC president Dana White decided to remain neutral on the topic (for now) of if Ortiz was faking or intentionally injuring himself to avoid Liddel saying ‘Ortiz’s injuries are 100% legit’. Ortiz meanwhile went on a mini-media tirade going on ESPN, Spike TV, and the NBC trashing Chuck Liddell

“That mother----in is a backstabber who used to be my friend but he is nothing but a liar and a fraud… He does this fake nice guy act being all buddy-buddy with anyone he meets but is only interested in what you could offer him. He was only my friend to learn wrestling and once he was done with me he started trashing my name in an attempt to get a shot at MY TITLE. I swear to everyone watching and Chuck especially he will never be the UFC Light Heavyweight champion! NEVER!”

- Tito Ortiz via Spike TV

Ortiz would have a surprisingly quick recovery as he and Liddell were again scheduled to fight headlining UFC 43: International Fight Week in July as the name of the show implied the show was to be during international fight week.

Ortiz out with Broken Ribs! Interim Light Heavyweight bout to take place

UFC 43 July (2002)

Tito Ortiz would pull out for the third time against Chuck Liddell this time with a rib injury as he had broken them while doing some wrestling practice leading up to the fight, legitimate injury or not the majority of fans had started to side with Liddell saying he was faking or intentionally injuring himself one of them that was slowly turning to Liddell’s side was UFC president Dana White.

“It’s really frustrating I mean I know a lot of fights that have fought with broken ribs before but if Tito wants to pull out then that's fine but we’ll need to set up an interim title-fight I mean it’s international fight week! I’m not saying Chuck is right in accusing Ortiz of intentionally injuring himself but a lot of Tito’s injuries aren’t that serious many fighters like Liddell have fought with broken bones but then again Liddel is tougher than Tito so that’s probably it”

- Dana White

Liddell opted to stay busy and took on Vladimir Matyushenko (11-1) a tough and durable sambo wrestler who like mentioned before took the fight on 3 weeks notice, Liddell would win via TKO in round 4 praising Matyushenko for his toughness for surviving so many fight-ending shots as well as taking the fight on such short notice while laying into Ortiz in what has become an iconic interview.

“Of course I got this interim belt but even though it’s got the word ‘interim’ I feel like it’s the true undisputed title when you duck someone three times you aren’t a champion in my book so if Ortiz wants his title back I’d be glad to give him a shot”.

- Chuck Liddel via a post-fight interview with Joe Rogan

The post-fight interview was met with a roar of applause from the Mandalay Bay Center audience with many fans claiming Liddell as the true Light Heavyweight Champion but Ortiz claimed the belt was nothing but a ‘Burger King cut out belt strap’.

A fourth booking of the fight would take place in October for UFC 45: Finally! To unify the Light Heavyweight championship one important detail that many missed was that Ortiz’s contract with the company was coming to an end at December that same year (2002) while the mainstream media missed this a lot of hardcore MMA websites like Sherdog, Blurcat, and MMA Fighting speculated what would happen during negotiations.

Ortiz stripped of title out with concussion! Liddel promoted to undisputed champion

UFC 45 October (2002)

The UFC has officially stripped Tito Ortiz for inactivity after pulling out of four consecutive fights which Chuck Liddel who is now been promoted to the undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion Dana White went on a heated rant calling Ortiz a ‘coward’ and while Dana never actually admitted it seemed to agree with Liddell that Ortiz was intentionally injuring himself to get out of fighting Chuck.

“First off, why are you sparring five days before the fight? When I was Ortiz’s manager I NEVER had him spar a week before the fight, I know he wasn’t sparring and that's not a hunch I have IT’S A FACT! Do you know what probably happened? Everyone here knows that Tito's a f---kin weirdo and all spiritual he probably saw a vision of two doors in his head one door lead to him getting knocked out by Liddell and the other was a way out. He probably charged headfirst into that door and that’s how he got his concussion and weirdly enough he’ll be cleared to fight by December???? F---kin DECEMBER? You can fight right now but he won’t because he’s scared of Chuck. Why would I want a coward as a champion? He’s not and never will be a champion again.”

- Dana White

Tito Ortiz signs 3 fight exclusive deal with the UFC

December (2002)

Despite Ortiz being stripped of his championship and having his name run through the mud by Dana White, Tito Ortiz signed a 3 fight deal with the UFC in December 2002 to announce his resigning Tito would do an interview with SpikeTV claiming these would be his ‘last 3 fights in the UFC’.

“These three fights will be the last I’ll ever fight under the UFC banner I’m going to defend my title three more times then move on to something different, this isn’t a retirement I’m just done with the UFC and those slimeballs Chuck and his lackey Dana! I’m looking at possibly fighting in January? Maybe? My next fight WILL BE AGAINST LIDDELL!”

- Tito Ortiz

Years later Ortiz would do another interview in 2011 where he looked back and regretted resigning with the UFC lamenting that he ‘should have left’,

“Back then everyone turned on me, the fans, the UFC, everyone! I always knew Dana wanted Chuck to win but to me, it seemed like the entire world wanted him to win. I wasn’t thinking straight going into contract negotiations all I wanted was to beat Chuck and stick it to Dana. When I was signed to fight Chuck a fifth time I got a base pay of $75,000 while Liddell got $200,000 I should demand what I was worth but instead, I let my anger towards Chuck and get the better of me.”

- Tito Ortiz

UFC 47: Riot Act

January (2003)

UFC 47 would mark the first UFC event broadcasted on DirectTV as they were convinced that MMA was on the rise and would be a financially beneficial contract for them, the UFC excellently marketed the broken friendship and the history of the previously failed bookings the fight between the two with live coverage on the main ESPN channel instead of ESPN 2. Ortiz for the first time since 1999 would come in as the challenger looking to regain his championship while Liddel was looking to prove he was the true undisputed champion. Would Tito win back his title and leave the UFC in turmoil? Would Chuck prove he was a true champion? As the wise saying goes, that is a tale for another time.

TLDR - Tito Ortiz was stripped of his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship after failing to fight Liddell four times within a year due to injury, both Dana and Liddel accused Ortiz to faking his injuries leading to Tito resigning with the UFC on a very raw deal which underpaid him as he felt the entire world wanted to see Chuck win and he, of course, wanted to beat Liddell so badly he didn't think during negotiations.

McDojoDelux · May 6, 2020

<div style="text-align:center;">Highlighted Career Run: (Guy Mezger)

The Shackles Of A Gatekeeper

December 2000 - June 2002

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Origins:

Guy Mezger by late 2000 had build-up a respectable (25-10-2) MMA record as well as an array of achievements being the UFC 13 Light Heavyweight tournament winner as well as the former Pancrase Openweight Champion, however, Mezger always had many naysayers around his accomplishments for starters despite winning UFC’s 13 Light Heavyweight tournament against a future MMA legend in Tito Ortiz in the finale Tito stepped in on an hours notice to compete in the finales after Enson Inoue dropped out of the tournament with a broken leg. Tito that night had finished Wes Albritton in 31 seconds via TKO when Tito came into the fight he admitted to not watching a single second of Mezger which led to Mezger winning with a Guillotine Choke 3 minutes into the first round, in their rematch, however, Ortiz would dominate Mezger winning via TKO 9 minutes into the first round in a title eliminator bout as Ortiz would face Frank Shamrock in 1999’s Fight Of The Year. Despite claiming his Pancrase Openweight title with a win over Pancrase legend Masakatsu Finaki as well as defending the title two times many questioned the legitimacy of his title as former Pancrase champions as well as top contenders like Frank Shamrock, his older brother Ken, and the retired Bas Rutten had all left the company with all of them being fighters Mezger lost too with many people claiming his success came from a lack of competition put him in an organization like PRIDE and he would just be nothing but a gatekeeper who only found success being the bigger fish in a small pound. Mezger’s detractors would be somewhat verified after Mezger started his run in PRIDE (0-2) losing to Akira Shoji and Kazushi Sakuraba to make things worse this would be his 3rd straight loss after being defeated by the previously mentioned Tito Ortiz.

PRIDE 2000 Light Heavyweight Grand Prix

In 2000 PRIDE would hold one of its most intriguing Grand Prix’s with Renzo Gracie, Royce Gracie, Alexander Otsuka, Akria Shoji as well as Mezger himself despite Sakuraba already beating both Renzo and Royce at the time both were still some of the bigger stars in MMA at the time. Mezger would defeat both of the Gracie brothers making it all the way to the finale bout against the heavy wrestler Alexander Otsuka, his victories over the Gracie’s started to build-up Mezger’s popularity with some dubbing him the ‘New Gracie hunter’ as it was widely thought the winner of the Grand Prix would face PRIDE’s Light Heavyweight Champion Kazushi Sakuraba. Unfortanley for Mezger after reaching new heights in terms of popularity his short-lived fame came crashing down after he was dominated by the much heavier Alexander Otsuka in a wrestling clinch in which Mezger was only able to land a handful of punches once again fueling the fire for him being labeled a gatekeeper. It was during this tournament Mezger made a revelation while taking sometimes backstage after losing the Grand Prix that majority of his loses came from wrestlers it was during this time Mezger became good friends with Mark Kerr one of the best wrestlers during the early 2000s of MMA they encountered each other as Kerr was in attendance as fellow Black House team member Tom Erikson (this was before Erikson had a falling out with Kerr and Black House leading to him leaving the team and eventually fighting Kerr at PRIDE 17 in a former friend vs friends match, for those wondering in their fight Kerr dominated him with his superior wrestling) was fighting on the same card as Mezger. After talking with each other for an extended period of time backstage forming a friendship between the two mostly talking about the pain of losing as both had recently suffered devastating losses (Kerr recently lost a unanimous decision against PRIDE Heavyweight Champion Igor Vovchanchyn) this allowed Mezger to train in both the Lion's Den and Black House gyms as well being able to get some exclusive wrestling lessons from eventual PRIDE Heavyweight Champion and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Mark Coleman both him and Kerr encouraged Mezger to gain more weight and use it for positional abilities this led to Mezger being on of the first MMA fighters to diet in between fights leading to him being on of the heavier light heavyweights in PRIDE.

Removing the 'Gatekeeper' Label + Wanderlei Silva Fight:

Ever since losing the Grand Prix Mezger would go on a destructive 3 fight win streak consistently finishing his opponents (Wallid Ismail, Kristof Miduox, and Tyrone Roberts) within a minute or two his added weight seemed to have also added more power to his punches as his quick finish of the durable Tyrone Roberts led to a high profile main event fight against Wanderlei Silva (13-4) at PRIDE 19 in the Yokohama Arena (Week 2 December 2001) Wanderlei was also on an impressive run of iconic and quick knockout victories hoping a victory over Mezger would result in a rematch with Kazshui Sakuraba with his infamous rant of Sakuraba was still fresh in the mind of many MMA fans wanting to see if Silva could back up his harsh words against the PRIDE Lightheavyweight Champion. Not a lot of people gave Mezger a chance despite his recent run as Silva who was a (-560) betting favorite even dismissing Mezger’s chances as in interviews leading up to the fight he ramped up the trash talk towards Sakuraba questioning his quote on quote ‘manhood’ and the legitimacy of his victories saying it was ‘all luck which was bound to run out’.

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Fight Play-By-Play:

Guy Mezer (28-10-2) vs Wanderlei Silva (13-4)

Pride Rules:

Round 1(10 Mins)

Round 2 (5 Mins then decision)

All types of Body Kicks allowed

No Elbows or footstomps

Round 1

Mezger draws some oooh’s from the crowd as he refuses to touch glove with Ken Shamrock who was in his corner reportedly yelling “f--k that s--t, prepare to get f---ed cocky mother-”

Both fighters try to push the pace as they immediately start swinging an overhand right slightly clips Mezger behind his right ear his base remains solid and he responds with a 5 punch combination consisting of a one-two and 3 hooks all of them miss resulting in Wanderlei sticking his tongue out taunting his opponent by also doing a little shimmy before throwing a hard straight which is blocked. After blocking it Mezger attempts a leaping straight to the body which misses badly leaving him open to a WICKED UPPERCUT by Silva, but Mezger doesn't buckle as both fighters still try to dictate the pace of the fight Silva scores with 4 out of 5 punches starting with an overhand which lands clean on the chin then proceeds to hit Mezger with two body shots and another uppercut Mezger is still coming forward much to the dismay of Wanderlei who can’t believe any of his punches are putting him down Silva’s corner yells

“Don’t be fooled by his poker face” in Portuguese.

The two combatants meet again in the center of the ring Wanderlei dodges a looping right hand countering it with a one-two before missing an uppercut Mezger and Silva are still coming forward towards each other Mezger fakes a takedown before going upstairs with a hard one-two then landing A HUGE OVERHAND RIGHT ON SILVA’S CHIN! SILVA WOBBLES AND NEARLY FALLS OVER AS HE BACKS OFF! Mezger is now exclusively pushing the pace as Silva is trying to recover, WANDERLEI IS HOLDING HIS JAW IT MUST BE BROKEN! Silva while backing off against lands a nice jab before missing with a FIGHT ENDING straight putting everything into it tripping before getting back up Mezger comes forward NAILING A STRAIGHT PUTTING SILVA DOWN! MEZGER IS SWARMING HIM RAINING DOWN PUNCHES BUT SILVA SURVIVES NOT FOR LONG THOUGH MEZGER GETS INTO FULL MOUNT BEFORE GROUNDING AND POUNDING SILVA OUT!

Silva is furious he is accusing the ref of an early stoppage but many see nothing wrong with the ref calling off this fight

Official Result: Guy Mezger def. Wanderlei Silva via TKO R1 (3:06)

Post-Fight Press Conference:

PRIDE CEO announced that Guy Mezger and Kashi Sakuraba would fight for the PRIDE Lightheavyweight title set to headline PRIDE 22 which would take place in June (2002) in the Saitama Super Arena.

Guy Mezger was appreciative of the title shot and said he had was ‘excited’ to end the ‘Gracie Hunter era’ Mezger went onto thank Ken n’ Frank Shamrock, Mark Kerr, Mark Coleman and every one of his training partners in both Lions Den and Black House he also went onto to mock Silva saying

“That mans a d--k and a sore loser didn’t even give me a chance coming in and didn’t even thank me for the victory telling me to ‘f--k off’ I don’t like bad sports! I hope he likes that slice of humble pie I just served him. It'll make him a better person”.

Many weren’t appreciative of Mezger’s post-fight presser calling him a hypocrite by gloating in victory despite criticizing Silva for being a bad sport but in all fairness, Silva himself wasn’t such a good sport in the presser either calling the win a fluke while also flaming both Sakuraba and Mezger,

“[Guy] Mezger and [Kazshui] Sakuraba are awful people! Their victories over me are flukes when I fought [Kazshui] Sakuraba I was young and didn’t have much experience wrestling and I dominated the fight tonight he [Guy Mezger] only won with a lucky punch nothing more nothing less I demand a rematch!”

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McDojoDelux · May 8, 2020

<div style="text-align:center;">PRIDE 22

Kazushi Sakuraba vs Guy Mezger II

June 2002 (Week 2)

<img alt="x23Gl1B.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/x23Gl1B.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zcWPaqF.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zcWPaqF.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="text-align:center;"></div>

Build-Up:

PRIDE 22 became the most popular and financially successful event of 2002 the show itself is widely praised for bringing MMA out of the dark ages and helped PRIDE get back on capable television in the United States signing an exclusive deal with MTV before the event took place (12 event contract). Guy Mezger’s road to a shot against the PRIDE Light Heavyweight champion Kazushi Sakuraba had turned him into a star in the eyes of the Japanese MMA market similar to how the 2000 Light Heavyweight Grand Prix had also risen Mezger’s popularity to unseen heights but would drop to the bottom of the barrel after a devastating loss in the finals of the Grand Prix against Alexander Otsuka. Mezger was fully aware of what would happen if he came up short many still labeled Mezger as a ‘gatekeeper’ he even mentioned in interviews leading up to the fight this would be the ‘fight of his life’ lamenting this would probably be his last chance at a title-shot in any major MMA organization,

“This fight means everything to me I need to beat him [Kazshui Sakuraba], I need to! When I win this fight this will cement me as a fighter, it will cement my legacy. I know not many people have faith in me and that's great I’m used to being the underdog. I'm used to proving everyone wrong. When I get given that belt I’m going to spend 10 minutes in there thanking everyone that helped me from my family, friends, my gym! I can’t wait, man, I respect [Kazshui] Sakuraba don’t get me wrong I have nothing but respect for him but I will win this fight it just means to much”

- Guy Mezger

Sakuraba was at the time universally loved and easily the most popular fighter in the sport the ‘The Gracie Hunter’ even got a huge sponsorship deal with Gatorade as he had become one of the most popular athletes in Japan, going into the fight Sakuraba took no offense to Mezger’s bold comments as he understood his mentality but also said ‘confidence comes before the downfall’.

Main-Card Fights:

Main Event

Light-Heavyweight: (CHAMP) Kazushi Sakuraba (13-1-1) vs Guy Mezger (28-10-2)

For PRIDE Light Heavyweight Title

Sakuraba’s 2nd Defense

Co-Main

Light-Heavyweight: Quinton Jackson (6-0) vs Jorge Magalhaes (8-2)

Main-Card

Heavyweight: Gary Myers (11-7-1) vs Kazyuki Fujita (3-2)

Heavyweight: Rene Rooze (3-2) vs Carlos Barreto (12-4)

Heavyweight: Martin Malkhasyan (11-5) vs Rafeal Carino (3-4)

Fight Play-By-Play:

Pride Rules:

Round 1(10 Mins)

Round 2 (5 Mins then decision)

All types of Body Kicks allowed

No Elbows or footstops

Knee's To The Head Allowed

Kazushi Sakuraba vs Guy Mezger

Round 1

Mezger starts the fight by missing a one-two then proceeds to miss a jab then just clips Sakuraba with a straight The Gracie Hunter circles around a mostly stationary Mezger landing three straight leg kicks then lands a nice hook to the body then quickly gets to the outside as Mezger starts unloading with some big and wild hooks n’ overhands. Sakuraba continues to move well landing a one-two then hits a hard straight right on the button Mezger has some SERIOUS SWELLING AROUND HIS CHEEKS! Sakuraba seems to have fallen in love with his striking as he’s starting to unload with more combination exclusively to the head throwing and landing a 5 punch combination that started with a one-two before throwing two hooks than an overhand, Mezger seems to be very patient and like mentioned before stationary looking to land that one shot to knockout out Sakuraba. Again The Gracie Hunter continues to pepper Mezger and starts implementing kicks again as Mezger’s right leg is SERIOUSLY RED and has some SERIOUS SWELLING Sakuraba has looked amazing for the first 4 minutes of this fight but is starting to slow down a little. Sakuraba wants to clinch shooting for a takedown but is excellently defended by Mezger as he now has Sakurab’s back AND HE’S UNLOADING WITH SOME HUGE KNEE’S TO THE HEAD!!! Sakuraba in a nice scramble gets up and starts backing away BUT HE'S GOT TWO HUGE CUTS OVER AND UNDER HIS RIGHT EYE BLEEDING BADLY!! Sakuraba while on the back foot starts flicking out a few quick jabs trying to keep Mezger at bay and while doing a double jab he misses badly with Mezger using some EXCELLENT head movement then responds with a HUGE LEFT HOOK WHICH LANDS DIRECTLY ON SAKURABA’S CHIN WHICH WOBBLES HIM, BALDY!! Sakuraba falls back into the ropes trying to regain his balance he shoots for another takedown in DESPERATION but Mezger TIME’S AN EXCELLENT FLYING KNEE WHICH LANDS RIGHT UNDER SAKURABA’S CHIN HE’S OUT MEZGER GETS IN A FEW SHOTS ON AN UNCONSCIOUS SAKURABA AS THE REF PULLS HIM AWAY!!

“Guy Mezger has just dethroned Sakuraba! Everything he said he did the ‘The Gracie Hunter’ era is OVER! Guy Mezger is the new Light-Heavyweight champion of the world!”

- Mauro Ranallo

Official Result: Guy Mezger def. Kazushi Sakuraba via KO R1 (5:51)

Main-Card Results:

Main Event

Guy Mezger def. Kazushi Sakuraba via KO R1 (5:51)

Guy Mezger wins PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Title

Co-Main

Quinton Jackson def. Jorge Magalhaes via KO R1 (1:02)

Main-Card

Gary Myers def. Kazyuki Fujita via SUB (RNC) R1 (9:05)

Carlos Barreto def. Rene Rooze via SUB (Armbar) R1 (6:08)

Rafael Carino def. Martin Malkhasyan via TKO R2 (3:29)

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Post-Fight Press Conference:

Many viewers around the world were shocked by the result of the fight but none seemed more flabbergasted than PRIDE CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara who made a length quote in the post-fight press conference saying,

“I think this is the biggest upset in PRIDE history not because of the result but of how the fight went down. I thought [Kazushi] Sakuraba looked amazing striking wise at least his stand up has never looked so technically sound and fluid going from combination to combination. It was pure domination up until Mezger landed some beautiful knee’s while on the ground then it all finished so fast I didn’t know what happened when the fight was waved off it was unbelievable-”

When a reporter asked what Mezger’s victory meant for a possible PRIDE expansion in the United States Sakakibara said

“I think this will help inspire many young American Mixed Martial Artists and help boast PRIDE’s popularity in the states personally I can’t wait to see how this helps the growth of Mixed Martial Arts in the states as the two current champions we have are American which can do nothing but help as two Americans are champions in the greatest Martial Arts promotion in the world”.

Sakuraba promised that he would regain his championship but also claimed he wanted to first face Wanderlei Silva so he can ‘shut him up once and for all’ in a rematch. Guy Mezger despite becoming the PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Championship had a fairly standard post-fight presser claiming he’d fight anyone put in front of him and like said before went on a 10-minute speech thanking everyone who has supported and helped him become the new champion.

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McDojoDelux · May 12, 2020

<div style="text-align:center;">OldSchoolMMA's Mod Update

Hello everyone sorry this isn't an actual in-game post but OldSchoolMMA has recently released his most updated 2000's old school MMA mod so be sure to check it out if you haven't already here's a link.

<a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2424707&posted=1#post2424707" rel="external nofollow">http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2424707&posted=1#post2424707</a>

For those who don't already know, I'm using his mod for this thread so be sure to show him and his mod some love as always I hope everyone is having a nice day and in-game posts will probably be back by the end of the week so until then see you all very soon <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />.</div>

rodrigoviolim · May 12, 2020

think Mezger vs. Jackson is the fight to be made, Jackson is undefeated and has a good knockout power.

Ai Silva vs. Sakuraba winning would have a possible title shot who knows.

very cool your save since the beginning in MMA congratulations!

McDojoDelux · May 12, 2020

think Mezger vs. Jackson is the fight to be made, Jackson is undefeated and has a good knockout power.

Ai Silva vs. Sakuraba winning would have a possible title shot who knows.

very cool your save since the beginning in MMA congratulations!

Thank you so much also I really hope Ferguson wins in your thread because his loss to Gaethje irl left me devasted.

McDojoDelux · May 19, 2020

MMA News

MMAFighting

August 2002 (Week 4)

PRIDE Purchases And Mergers With Rings Fighting Championship

Story:

Rings Fighting Champion (better now as just Rings) has officially been purchased by PRIDE FC for a total of $17 Million and have immediately merged into one organization with PRIDE holding a special press conference to introduce their newly acquired fighters, on stage for the press conference was the last Ring’s Heavyweight Champion Gilbert Yvels (21-4), Ring’s Light-Heavyweight Champions Dan Henderson (9-0) and former Light-Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem (7-4), the Ring’s Middleweight Champion Sanae Kikuta (15-5-2), Antonio Nogueira (9-0), Forrest Griffin (3-0), Anderi Arlovski (7-2), and Demian Maia (5-0). PRIDE’s roster has now jumped from 41 fighters to 137 as well as incorporating Ring’s Middleweight division into their organization with PRIDE CEO and owner Nobuyuki Sakakibara announcing that Sanae Kikuta who previously held the Ring’s Middleweight Championship before PRIDE merged the two companies would be crowned PRIDE’s first Middleweight champion a large chunk of the early presser was PRIDE showcasing and introducing to their fanbase who their new champion was. A judo specialist hailing from Kanto, Japan, Sanae Kikuta was seen as a local hero in his hometown of Kanto the base of operations for PRIDE Kikuta had dipped his toes in all forms of Japanese fight styles from Judo, Shoot wrestling, and Karate he was one of the first complete Mixed Martial Artists to come from Japan. Although seen as an undersized Middleweight being 5’9 Kikuta had gained the reputation of a giant killer after competing at Heavyweight, Light-Heavyweight, and Welterweight divisions across Japan before winning the Ring’s Middleweight Championship Sakakibara himself confirmed one of the many reasons he bought out Ring’s was to acquire Kikuta to compete for PRIDE mentioning he was an ‘inspiration’ and a ‘perfect role-model’. Much speculation came from who was to be Kikuta first opponent under the PRIDE banner with many keen to see other possible match-ups between other Ring’s fighter making the jump to PRIDE as well, 2 weeks after the infamous press conference PRIDE 25 was announced to take place in the Tokyo Dome headlined by the fourth meeting between Sanae Kikuta and Egan Inoue older brother to Enson Inoue in November (2002 Week 1).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MMA Media (Blurcat)

PRIDE 25: Sanae Kikuta vs Egan Inoue IV Preview

November 2002 (Week 1)

Fight Card:

Main Event

Middleweight: (CHAMP) Sanae Kikuta (15-5-2) vs Engan Inoue (10-8)

For PRIDE Middleweight Championship

Kikuta First Title Defense

Co-Main

Heavyweight: Gilbert Yvels (21-4) vs Ricco Rodriguez (15-2)

Main-Card

Light-Heavyweight: Wanderlei Silva (13-5) vs Mikhail llyukhin (22-8)

Middleweight: Anderson Silva (9-0) vs Lee Murray (9-2)

Heavyweight: Andrei Arlovski (7-2) vs Antonio Nogueira (9-0)

Heavyweight: Valentijn Overeem (13-8) vs Soichi Nishida (2-4)

Light-Heavyweight: Dan Henderson (9-0) vs Forrest Griffin (3-0)

Build-Up:

Blurcat has once again shared another preview and predictions article for the up and coming historical PRIDE card with it being the first PRIDE show since the merger with Ring's as well as being the first PRIDE Middleweight Championship fight in the history of PRIDE. The 4th meeting between PRIDE Middleweight Champion Sanae Kikuta (15-5-2) and Engan Inoue (10-8) gained much excitement as Egan had won two out of three wins over Kikuta executives at PRIDE wanted to legitimize Sanae as a Champion as the last Ring’s show was the third meeting between Kikuta and Engan as Kikuta took home a very controversial split decision the decision was widely booed by the 4 thousand Japanese crowd with chants of ‘robbery’ screaming throughout the arena. Despite the controversy, the fight between the two was fantastic the early parts of the fight where the two felt each other out before an all-out war ensured the fight was a true showcase of what Mixed Martial Arts was there was striking, grappling, submissions, everything a true MMA fan loves with Egan getting the better out of Kikuta for the majority of the fight Inoue landed more takedowns (6-2), strikes (110-77), and submission attempts nearly finishing Sanae with an armbar (7-2). Despite this, Sanae Kikuta would win via a split decision in the last Ring’s event to retain the Ring’s Middleweight Championship. Now under a new MMA banner, the 4th fight between the two was set up to eliminate all doubt about who the true Middleweight Champion of the world was, Egan in interviews leading up to the fight said

“It was hard when Ring’s management offered me a fourth fight [against Kikuta] as I didn’t know what to improve on when you and everyone else besides two people know you won that fight and have beaten him on three separate occasions. It was though for a while but now with PRIDE there's more publicity more money to be made that fire I have is burning once again, now I can’t wait to get back in the ring plus Sakaibara promised that those three judges [the judges which judged his last fight] won’t be anywhere near the event to tell everyone the truth they have no right to even watch it-”.

Kikuta said Egan was a ‘jealous and’ bitter fool’ as he pointed to him getting the better of Inoue in the last two minutes of the fight even rocking him explaining how ‘in a fight to the death I would have won so I deserved the nod’ but Sanae mostly paid no mind to Egan’s thoughts towards their last fight as his interviews leading up to the fight mirrored a kid on Christmas day eagerly awaiting until that fateful day came.

“PRIDE is the top of the top in MMA and fighting for them was the number one goal in my career, now it’s here and I’m ready honestly I can’t wait normally leading up to fights I’m a nervous wreck but all I feel is excitement”.

The co-main event saw two former Ring’s Heavyweight fighters with the last Ring’s Heavyweight Champion Gilbert Yvels (21-4) taking on the heavy-handed wrestler (15-2) Ricco Rodriguez the bout was previously scheduled to be under Ring’s for their Heavyweight Championship but after the merge the bout was rescheduled to be the co-main event for PRIDE 25 the fight would be one of three Heavyweight fights on the main card with however having the most impressive performance getting a crack at the Champion Mark Coleman in early to mid-2003. The other Heavyweight bouts would be between Andrei Arlovski (7-2) who would face Antonio Nogueira (9-0) and Valentijn Overeem (13-8) Alistair Overeem’s older brother facing a can in Soichi Nishida (2-4). Also on the maincard the ‘The Axe Murder’ Wanderlei Silva (13-5) after his devastating TKO loss to PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Champion Guy Meznger would return against the submission specialistic Mikhail llyukchin (22-8) the Russian is credited as a pioneer in MMA being on of the first fighters to consistently get off leglock submissions as well as most recently getting the first calf-slicer submission in MMA history in his last bout. Ilyukhin was another imported fighter from Ring’s claiming he would make ‘quick work’ of Silva who was ‘amateurish on the mat’ Silva didn’t say more than ‘just one perfectly placed knee and he’s going out’. Rounding out the main card Anderson Silva (9-0) a Middleweight prodigy of Wanderlei Silva would take on the dangerous kickboxer Lee Murray (9-2) who also had a win over the current PRIDE Middleweight champ Sanae Kukita in a smaller regional promotion at the start at both of their careers Murray during the build-up was calling for a title shot after he took care of business, the fight was seen as Silva’s biggest test to see if he could really compete at the highest level the fight was hyped up as possibly the best fight on the card and heading in got a lot of attention after the marketing team pushed this fight as ‘the greatest striking match in the history of the world’. Finally kicking off the main card the last Ring’s Light-Heavyweight champion Dan Henderson (9-0) would face Forrest Griffin like Gilbert Yvels and Ricco Rodriguez fight this bout was originally scheduled to be under the Ring’s banner but would be rescheduled after Ring’s ceased after the merger.

rodrigoviolim · May 19, 2020

great card of PRIDE

McDojoDelux · May 21, 2020

<div style="text-align:center;"> PRIDE 25

Sanae Kikuta vs Egan Inoue IV

November 2002 (Week 2)

<img alt="cTj3Jgp.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cTj3Jgp.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="NEokU1M.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NEokU1M.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="text-align:center;"></div>

Fight Card:

Main Event

Middleweight: (CHAMP) Sanae Kikuta (15-5-2) vs Engan Inoue (10-8)

For PRIDE Middleweight Championship

Kikuta First Title Defense

Co-Main

Heavyweight: Gilbert Yvels (21-4) vs Ricco Rodriguez (15-2)

Main-Card

Light-Heavyweight: Wanderlei Silva (13-5) vs Mikhail llyukhin (22-8)

Middleweight: Anderson Silva (9-0) vs Lee Murray (9-2)

Heavyweight: Andrei Arlovski (7-2) vs Antonio Nogueira (9-0)

Heavyweight: Valentijn Overeem (13-8) vs Soichi Nishida (2-4)

Light-Heavyweight: Dan Henderson (9-0) vs Forrest Griffin (3-0)

Build-Up:

This build-up is a copy and paste of my previous thread of the preview of this card so if you’ve already read it you can skip to the fight play-by-plays.

Blurcat has once again shared another preview and predictions article for the up and coming historical PRIDE card with it being the first PRIDE show since the merger with Ring's as well as being the first PRIDE Middleweight Championship fight in the history of PRIDE. The 4th meeting between PRIDE Middleweight Champion Sanae Kikuta (15-5-2) and Engan Inoue (10-8) gained much excitement as Egan had won two out of three wins over Kikuta executives at PRIDE wanted to legitimize Sanae as a Champion as the last Ring’s show was the third meeting between Kikuta and Engan as Kikuta took home a very controversial split decision the decision was widely booed by the 4 thousand Japanese crowd with chants of ‘robbery’ screaming throughout the arena. Despite the controversy, the fight between the two was fantastic the early parts of the fight where the two felt each other out before an all-out war ensured the fight was a true showcase of what Mixed Martial Arts was there was striking, grappling, submissions, everything a true MMA fan loves with Egan getting the better out of Kikuta for the majority of the fight Inoue landed more takedowns (6-2), strikes (110-77), and submission attempts nearly finishing Sanae with an armbar (7-2). Despite this, Sanae Kikuta would win via a split decision in the last Ring’s event to retain the Ring’s Middleweight Championship. Now under a new MMA banner, the 4th fight between the two was set up to eliminate all doubt about who the true Middleweight Champion of the world was, Egan in interviews leading up to the fight said

“It was hard when Ring’s management offered me a fourth fight [against Kikuta] as I didn’t know what to improve on when you and everyone else besides two people know you won that fight and have beaten him on three separate occasions. It was though for a while but now with PRIDE there's more publicity more money to be made that fire I have is burning once again, now I can’t wait to get back in the ring plus Sakaibara promised that those three judges [the judges which judged his last fight] won’t be anywhere near the event to tell everyone the truth they have no right to even watch it-”.

Kikuta said Egan was a ‘jealous and’ bitter fool’ as he pointed to him getting the better of Inoue in the last two minutes of the fight even rocking him explaining how ‘in a fight to the death I would have won so I deserved the nod’ but Sanae mostly paid no mind to Egan’s thoughts towards their last fight as his interviews leading up to the fight mirrored a kid on Christmas day eagerly awaiting until that fateful day came.

“PRIDE is the top of the top in MMA and fighting for them was the number one goal in my career, now it’s here and I’m ready honestly I can’t wait normally leading up to fights I’m a nervous wreck but all I feel is excitement”.

The co-main event saw two former Ring’s Heavyweight fighters with the last Ring’s Heavyweight Champion Gilbert Yvels (21-4) taking on the heavy-handed wrestler (15-2) Ricco Rodriguez the bout was previously scheduled to be under Ring’s for their Heavyweight Championship but after the merge the bout was rescheduled to be the co-main event for PRIDE 25 the fight would be one of three Heavyweight fights on the main card with however having the most impressive performance getting a crack at the Champion Mark Coleman in early to mid-2003. The other Heavyweight bouts would be between Andrei Arlovski (7-2) who would face Antonio Nogueira (9-0) and Valentijn Overeem (13-8) Alistair Overeem’s older brother facing a can in Soichi Nishida (2-4). Also on the maincard the ‘The Axe Murder’ Wanderlei Silva (13-5) after his devastating TKO loss to PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Champion Guy Meznger would return against the submission specialistic Mikhail llyukchin (22-8) the Russian is credited as a pioneer in MMA being on of the first fighters to consistently get off leglock submissions as well as most recently getting the first calf-slicer submission in MMA history in his last bout. Ilyukhin was another imported fighter from Ring’s claiming he would make ‘quick work’ of Silva who was ‘amateurish on the mat’ Silva didn’t say more than ‘just one perfectly placed knee and he’s going out’. Rounding out the main card Anderson Silva (9-0) a Middleweight prodigy of Wanderlei Silva would take on the dangerous kickboxer Lee Murray (9-2) who also had a win over the current PRIDE Middleweight champ Sanae Kukita in a smaller regional promotion at the start at both of their careers Murray during the build-up was calling for a title shot after he took care of business, the fight was seen as Silva’s biggest test to see if he could really compete at the highest level the fight was hyped up as possibly the best fight on the card and heading in got a lot of attention after the marketing team pushed this fight as ‘the greatest striking match in the history of the world’. Finally kicking off the main card the last Ring’s Light-Heavyweight champion Dan Henderson (9-0) would face Forrest Griffin like Gilbert Yvels and Ricco Rodriguez fight this bout was originally scheduled to be under the Ring’s banner but would be rescheduled after Ring’s ceased after the merger.

Fight Play-By-Plays

Pride Rules:

Round 1(10 Mins)

Round 2 (5 Mins then decision)

All types of Body Kicks allowed

No Elbows or footstomps

Dan Henderson (9-0) vs Forrest Griffin (3-0)

Round 1

Griffin starts is off with a jab that misses then scoring on a nice leg kick Henderson throws a one-two then gets a hold of Griffin in the clinch the two starts trying to get a more dominant position which Griffin nearly got until he took 3 unanswered knees to the body Henderson drives Griffin onto the ropes before being LIFTED INTO THE AIR AND SLAMMED with a Greco-roman slam gaining side control. Henderson can’t keep Griffin down however as it takes Forrest only a minute to get back to his feet and starts circling away before landing another leg kick while retracing his leg Henderson UNLOADS WITH A HUGE RIGHT OVERHAND BUT JUST MISSES, Hendo scores on a double jab and is trying to get the fight back to the ground again he yet again gets a hold of Griffin securing a body lock then tripping him to the mat but yet again Hendo can’t seem to keep Griffin down as he yet again gets right back up. Griffin fakes the leg kick and goes up HIGH WITH A HEAD KICK WHICH CLIPS HENDERSON RIGHT ON THE CHIN!!! HENDERSON IS STAGGERED!! AN ARRAY OF SLOPPY OVER HANDS AND HOOKS FOLLOW SUIT WITH SOME MISSING BUT OTHERS LANDING HENDERSON LOOKS OUT ON HIS FEET!!! Henderson GETS A DESPERATION TAKEDOWN and remains in guard for around a minute before trying to get into a more dominant position GRIFFIN GETS A SWEEP GETTING HIM FULL MOUNT AND HE’S POUNDING AWAY AT HENDERSON!!! A CUT OVER HENDERSONS RIGHT EYE IS SPEWING BLOOD AS HE’S STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE HE GIVES UP HIS BACK TRYING TO ESCAPE AS GRIFFIN GETS HOOKS AND HE’S GOT THE REAR NAKED CHOKE HE’S GOT IT!! HE’S GOT IT!! NO THE BELL SOUNDS SIGNALING THE END OF THE ROUND!!! Henderson barely survives.

Round 2

Griffin starts fast trying to finish the fight by SWING WITH SOME RUTHLESS HOOKS AND OVERHANDS but a backtracking Henderson is dodging them all so far Griffin goes HIGH WITH A HEAD KICK BUT IT’S BLOCKED then Griffin tries a leg kick but its check AND HENDERSON LANDS A RIGHT OVERHAND ON THE CHIN OF GRIFFIN HE’S DOWN!!! HENDERSON LANDS SOME BRUTAL GROUND AND POUND BEFORE THE REF WAVES THE FIGHT OFF DAN HENDERSON WITH THE COMEBACK VICTORY HERE IN KANTO JAPAN!!!

Result: Dan Henderson TKO’s Forrest Griffin R2 (2:29)

Anderi Arlovski (7-2) vs Antonio 'Big Nog' Nogueira (9-0)

Round 1

Nogueira lands a stiff jab then ARLOVSKI LANDS A CRUNCHING RIGHT HOOK TO THE BODY AND DOWN GOES NOGUEIRA!! FIVE CLEAN HAMMER FISTS LAND FOR ARLOVSKI BUT NOGUEIRA SURVIVES AND STARTS GETTING TO WORK ON HIS BACK!! After two close triangle attempts by Big Nog, Arlovski escapes and gets up as the fight gets back up to its feet, Arlovski is peacing up Nogueira on the feet landing an array of straight punches as Noguiera’s wide looping punches are hitting nothing but air or barley clipping Anderi, Arlovksi starts working the body again as he keeps Big Nog guessing until the end of the round.

Nogueira has some serious bruising and swelling around his entire face a small hematoma is developing around the left side of his forehead

Round 2

Arlovski gets back to work and again is peacing Nogueira up with an array of straights and his body shots are starting to show some serious redness around the body of Big Nog, Arlovski is now starting to coast a little bit as now he’s the one backing off and is completely defensive as Nogueira is marching him it’s clear Arlovski thinks he’s done enough to get the nod on the judge's scorecards. Only two minutes Arlovski starts to come forward a little a one-two is ducked by Nogueira and a right hook misses baldy as a quick shot from Nogueira gets Arlovski to the floor, NOGUEIRA EASILY GETS GUARD AND STARTS UNLOADING WITH SOME GROUND AND POUND! NOGUEIRA ATTEMPTS AN ARMBAR AND IT’S DEEP!! Arlovski just escapes BUT GIVES UP HIS BACK 30 SECONDS LEFT!!! NOGUEIRA GETS HOOKS IN WITH 10 SECONDS LEFT HE SINKS IT THE REAR NAKED CHOKE BUT THE CLOCK STRIKES ZERO SINGLY THE END OF THE FIGHT.

Both fighters are celebrating with their corners as both believe they have won this fight as announcer Lenne Hardt has the official decision.

“The judges have rendered their decision and the winner by Unanimous Decision….

ANTONIO RODRIGOOOOO NOOOOGUEIRAAAAAAAAA!!!!”

Official Result: Antonio Nogueira def. Andrei Arlovski via UD

Anderson Silva (9-0) vs Lee Murray (9-2)

Round 1

Before the fight starts Wanderlei Silva one of Silva’s coaches calls for them all to pray in a circle in the corner of the ring before the fight starts, it lasts 15 seconds until they stop and Anderson is ready to fight!!!

Silva showcases some slick head movement dodging a five punch combination from Murray before countering with a head kick that Murray ducks, Murray comes back with a one-two missing both before being countered by a roundhouse kick to the body and a straight. Silva slips a one-two and an uppercut then counters with another roundhouse kick it seems Silva’s counters have left Murray gunshy as he hasn’t yet landed a punch 5 minutes into this fight so far as there is a long extended period of time where both are just feinting and barely throwing anything. Silva gets into the Thai clinch AND UNLOADS WITH SOME HUGE KNEES TO THE BODY!!! Murray is able to escape but his hands have lowered exclusively to his body Murray starts rushing in blitzing landing A CLEAN OVERHAND RIGHT that Silva eats then hits a hard leg kick which seems to have bucked Silva’s leg a little. Murray hits another leg kick but with his hands low, SILVA LANDS A FLUSH SPINNING HEEL KICK TO THE HEAD WHICH STAGGERS MURRAY!!! SILVA GETS INTO THE THAI CLINCH AGAIN AND KNOCKOUTS MURRAY COLD WITH A BIG KNEE!!!

Official Result: Anderson Silva KO’s Lee Murray R1 (7:56)

Wanderlei Silva (13-5) vs Mikhail llyukhin (22-8)

Round 1

Mikhail and Silva meet each other in the middle both trying to dictate the pace of the fight Mikahil dodges a right hook and shoots for a takedown BUT SILVA TIMES A BEAUTIFUL KNEE MIKHAIL IS OUT COLD!!!

Official Result: Wanderlei Silva KO’s Mikhail llyukhin R1 (0:34)

(CHAMP) Sanae Kikuta (15-5-2) vs Engan Inoue (10-8)

PRIDE Middleweight Championship Bout

Round 1

“It’s finally time for the main event of the evening! The fourth meeting between Champion Sanae Kikuta and challenger Engan Inoue... This one's gonna be a classic!”

- Bas Rutten

Inoue starts the fight with a clean jab then starts to feint the first two minutes are fairly lackluster with Inoue being the slightly busier fighter by marching down and jabbing Kikuta, Sanae finally throws something by landing a leg kick then hits a clean right hook to the body Inuoe responds by grabbing Kikuta and drives a shoulder right into his face while they clinch. Egan is able to throw Kikuta to the mat with a Judo-throw getting side control but he can’t keep Kikuta down as he gets back up within 30 seconds and while escaping the clinch gets off a clean one-two Kikuta then follows that up with a five punch combination landing four of them some poor footwork, however, allows Inoue to grab and get a beautiful trip takedown. EGAN IS SMASHING KIKUTA’S FACE IN WITH SOME BIG HAMMER FISTS those hammer fists OPEN UP SOME HUGE CUT AROUND THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF KIKUTA’S LEFT EYE. Kikuta is able to survive but Inoue is starting to drain the Champs gas tank as he is smothering him on the ground and peppering Kikuta with some nice ground and pound. Kikuta is finally able to get some footing and gets up but is still clinched with Egan as he smashes the Champ once again with two hard shoulder strikes WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE BROKEN KIKUTA’S NOSE!! They finally break apart with only a couple of seconds left in the fight as the round ends with Kikuta utilizing some nice head movement dodging five punches and responds with a hard straight.

Sanae is in some DEEP trouble. He is a bloody mess as he walks back to his corner as he is being splashed with water. His corner offers that he NEEDS to be more aggressive and is just letting everything happen they want him to stop being so gun shy.

Round 2

Kikuta comes out taking his corner's advice to heart throwing and landing a five punch combination that consists of a one-two, two hooks, and an uppercut then Egan responds with a HUGE OVERHAND WHICH LANDS RIGHT ON KIKUTA’S RIGHT FOREHEAD he seems to have taken it well and responds by landing a one-two. Kikuta keeps the pace up blitzing in grabbing a body lock and taking down Inoue the proceeds to land some nice ground and pound but loses ground control in a scramble as they both get right back up, Kikuta is starting to get into a rhythm landing a nice uppercut then a straight not to be undone Inoue is able to clinch briefly and get off some dirty boxing which lasts only a couple of seconds but not before Egan lands an uppercut of his own as they separate. This fight has now turned into a SLUGFEST Kikuta lands a HUGE RIGHT HOOK THEN BLASTS EGAN WITH A STRAIGHT WHICH SNAPS INOUE'S HEAD BACK then Egan BLASTS KIKUTA HEAD BACK WITH AN UPPERCUT then lands an overhand right behind the ear, Kikuta responds with his own uppercut and a jab which leaves himself open to a clinch Inoue slams his shoulder into Kikuta’s face yet again then LIFTS HIM INTO THE AIR AND SLAMS HIM TO THE CANVAS but as he slams him he can’t keep a hold of him for long as he immediately escapes as the bell sounds signaling the end of the fight.

“It is time for the official decision is in here is Lenne Hardt lets hear it Lenne!”

- Mauro Ranallo

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“Ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause for the two fighters here before we get into the decision, and now the judges have rendered their decision here.

The winner of this Middleweight Championship bout is……

SANAEEEEE KIKUUUUUUUTTTTTAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!”

Offical Result: Sanae Kikuta def. Engan Inoue via UD

Fight Card Results:

Main Event

Sanae Kikuta def. Engan Inoue via UD

Kikuta Defends (1st) PRIDE Middleweight Title

Co-Main

Ricco Rodriguez def. Gilbert Yvels via UD

Main-Card

Wanderlei Silva def. Mikhail llyukhin via KO (R1 0:34)

Anderson Silva def. Lee Murray via KO (R1 7:56)

Antonio Nogueira def. Andrei Arlovski via UD

Valentijn Overeem def. Soichi Nishida via UD

Dan Henderson def. Forrest Griffin via TKO (R2 2:29)

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Post-Fight Press Conference:

Nobuyuki Sakakibara answered the bulk of questions during the post-fight interview section giving his thoughts on the card as well as playing post-fight matchmaker when asked about which Heavyweight impressed him the most and who would challenge Mark Coleman, Sakakibara answer Antonio Nogueira would get the next shot at the PRIDE Heavyweight Championship. Some media members were interested in how he scored the fights between Nogueira and Arlovski as well as the main event as both fights had created a wave a controversy as many scored the fight the other way,

“I thought both fights could have gone either way all fights beside the co-main were really exciting I was disappointed with that fight I thought It’d be a barn burner but I was very wrong-”

It was a very successful night for PRIDE with the only stinker on the card being the co-main event, Sakakibara left the press conference saying Anderson Silva will be Sanae Kikuta next opponent remarking how he was ‘impressed’ with Silva’s dominant performance and said he 'was ready for the next step in terms of competition'.

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Rewriting MMA History (2000-Modern Day)

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