theragingbull
10-24-2006, 10:56 AM
A little later than I anticpated, but I hope its up to par. First Pride review, WAR MMA!
Fedor proves more dangerous than a sickle
The Last Emperor displaces one legend for his own
On October 21, 2006 a nation met its Emperor.” The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko, Pride Fighting Championship’s Heavyweight champion, headlined Pride FC’s first Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event on American soil. Pride 32: The Real Deal prominently featured American fighters, including Fedor’s opponent, MMA legend Mark “The Hammer” Coleman, but in the days leading up to Real Deal, Las Vegas displayed no bias and welcomed the former Soviet soldier as their own.
The speculation around the opening bout of the night was it would steal the show as “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler squared off against KOTC middleweight champion Joey “The Mexican Hitman” Villasenor. The two fighters come from the top fight camps in America: Lawler fights out of Militech Fighting Systems Elite and Villasenor out of Greg Jackson’s Submission Fighting. In addition to being well-rounded, both fighters possess devastating knockout power and are coming off losses; this dynamic of talent and hunger indicated this was the fight to watch. Lawler recently lost his ICON middleweight title to fan-favorite Jason “Mayhem” Miller by rear-naked choke. Villasenor lost his Pride FC debut to Ryo Chonan in a controversial split decision. Also known as “The Dream Smasher,” Villasenor was stamped with irony by a flying knee in just twenty-two seconds. The anticipated war was nowhere to be found as the referee stopped the fight after Lawler attempted to follow up the knockdown with punches. Villasenor was still conscious, but breaking the speed limit down Queer Street. Lawler scored a much needed victory with this highlight reel win against a top-tier fighter. However, do not be surprised if you see the Mexican Hitman contracted again.
Judo stylist Kazuhiro Nakamura took on late-replacement Travis Galbraith in the second fight of the night. A quick exchange on the feet excited the fans with Nakamura’s left hook dropping Galbraith. The Canadian recovered and attempted a kneebar. Nakumura managed to escape and the fight returned to its feet after some ground work. A picture-perfect hip toss winded down the round. The fight remained competitive into the second round, but a knee from the clinch sent Galbraith to all fours. Nakumura’s fists carried him to a referee stoppage.
“The New York Bad Ass” Phil Baroni danced his way to the ring. With his gaudy robe, sunglasses, and cocky swagger, it was quickly forgotten Baroni nearly pulled out of the fight due to a messy divorce. Unfortunately, Japanese boxer Yosuke Nishijima had to be the man across from Baroni. Baroni’s jackhammer knockout power was not showcased as the Hammer House fighter took the inexperienced Nishijima to the ground. An immediate takedown rendered Nishijima helpless. Baroni pounded Nishijima, paying homage to the Godfather of ground ‘n pound and teammate Mark Coleman. Constantly advancing position between throwing heavy-handed blows, Baroni secured a first round Kimura.
American Dan “Hollywood” Henderson took on Brazilian “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort. The fight’s amazing star power could be a main event. It began with the two trading their powerful hands. Henderson quickly utilized his superior wrestling and did so for the rest of the fight. Aside from two impressive jiu-jitsu sweeps and a lackluster submission attempt, Belfort (a Carlson Gracie Sr. black belt) did nothing to put “Dangerous” Dan Henderson in trouble. Belfort was able to secure top position at various times, where his ground game is most effective, but the 193lb Henderson was never in trouble despite being outweighed by twelve pounds. He pushed the pace, advanced positions, and landed punches perhaps proving the notion that Belfort needs a “heart” transplant. Henderson triumphantly returned to American soil after an eight year absence by walking away with a unanimous decision—the only one of the eight fight night.
Eric “Butterbean” Esch knocked out former WCW/WWE star Sean O’Haire. O’Haire looked to be in better shape than his past showings, but the 398lb punch of Butterbean sent O’Haire to the floor in his Pride FC debut almost as soon as Villasenor.
“The Babyface Assassin” Josh Barnett returned to American soil for the first time in four years since being suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for violating the state’s steroid policy. He stepped in the ring against Polish Judoka Pawel Nastula. Nastula’s first two Pride Fights—and losses—were against top-tier heavyweights Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueria and Aleksander Emelianenko. His first win came in his third fight against Edson Drago. Barnett, considered one of the best heavyweights in the world, would not make for an easy fourth match for the relative MMA newcomer. However, Nastula dominated the fight on the ground surprising all. The ground is where catch-wrestler Barnett beat Jiu-Jitsu legend Nogueria earlier in 2006. The resilience Barnett brings to his fights guided him to a sudden toe hold submission in the second round. The victory against the much-improved Natsula places Barnett back in the realm of winners, while taking the first step towards redemption for his past actions in the States.
The antagonistic rivalry of the Hammer House fight camp and Brazil’s Chute Boxe Academy was the penultimate of the night. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua of Chute Boxe stood across from Kevin “The Monster” Randleman. Both fighters were returning from injuries, but neither relayed signs of ring rust. The fervent intensity of Randleman immediately landed the former Ohio State wrestler in a precarious position. The takedown bypassed the superior striking of Shogun, but Shogun’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown-belt sent Randleman through a series submission attempts. Randleman screamed in pain, trapped in a bear trap of an ankle lock, but he employed his flexibility and freak-like strength to escape. The persistence of Shogun placed Randleman in a knee-bar that resembled the mangled result of a car wreck. The Monster fell to Shogun, but also demonstrated a warrior’s spirit.
Fedor Emelianenko’s decimating ground and pound and undefeated Pride FC record has transformed him into fighting myth. He fittingly appeared from mist. His emotionally devoid demeanor somehow carried a furious intensity on the way to the ring. He was to battle Mark Coleman. The former Olympic hopeful and Ohio State wrestler was defeated by Fedor two years prior. Before losing, Coleman took Fedor’s back—a position of danger, a rare one for Fedor. Fedor’s previous victory over Coleman along with his unparalleled title reign solidified him the heavy favorite in this fight. However, the pinnacle of Coleman’s career was silencing those that said his career was done after winning the inaugural Open-Weight Grand Prix in 2000. A win for Coleman would not only conquer the Last Emperor, but his critics and himself once again.
Never wanting to feel Fedor’s punch, Coleman took the fight to the ground with urgency. Fedor showcased one of the many world-class elements of his fighting—his sprawl. The majority of the first round was spent with Coleman working for single and double leg takedowns. Fedor threw stinging body punches while avoiding takedowns. Coleman took Fedor down, but the impossibility of keeping the champion down quickly became reality. Fedor, back on his feet, threw a flurry of iron punches dazing Coleman. Coleman took the fight back to the ground, but the damage soon became apparent on his swelling, bleeding face. “Fedor! Fedor!” chanted the Thomas and Mack Center against their countryman Mark Coleman as the round came to an end. The second round began exactly like the first with Coleman taking Fedor to the ground. This time he was able to get into Fedor’s open guard. Coleman could now implement his ground ‘n pound, but before any damage was done, the Russian applied an armbar for the victory—the same way he won their last battle.
As Fedor continues to conquer fighters, he conquers something that transcends nations. He conquers a new world: a world where he is a myth and a legend more than a man. This new world is the fight world. The only king is Fedor.
--The Raging Bull
Fedor proves more dangerous than a sickle
The Last Emperor displaces one legend for his own
On October 21, 2006 a nation met its Emperor.” The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko, Pride Fighting Championship’s Heavyweight champion, headlined Pride FC’s first Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event on American soil. Pride 32: The Real Deal prominently featured American fighters, including Fedor’s opponent, MMA legend Mark “The Hammer” Coleman, but in the days leading up to Real Deal, Las Vegas displayed no bias and welcomed the former Soviet soldier as their own.
The speculation around the opening bout of the night was it would steal the show as “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler squared off against KOTC middleweight champion Joey “The Mexican Hitman” Villasenor. The two fighters come from the top fight camps in America: Lawler fights out of Militech Fighting Systems Elite and Villasenor out of Greg Jackson’s Submission Fighting. In addition to being well-rounded, both fighters possess devastating knockout power and are coming off losses; this dynamic of talent and hunger indicated this was the fight to watch. Lawler recently lost his ICON middleweight title to fan-favorite Jason “Mayhem” Miller by rear-naked choke. Villasenor lost his Pride FC debut to Ryo Chonan in a controversial split decision. Also known as “The Dream Smasher,” Villasenor was stamped with irony by a flying knee in just twenty-two seconds. The anticipated war was nowhere to be found as the referee stopped the fight after Lawler attempted to follow up the knockdown with punches. Villasenor was still conscious, but breaking the speed limit down Queer Street. Lawler scored a much needed victory with this highlight reel win against a top-tier fighter. However, do not be surprised if you see the Mexican Hitman contracted again.
Judo stylist Kazuhiro Nakamura took on late-replacement Travis Galbraith in the second fight of the night. A quick exchange on the feet excited the fans with Nakamura’s left hook dropping Galbraith. The Canadian recovered and attempted a kneebar. Nakumura managed to escape and the fight returned to its feet after some ground work. A picture-perfect hip toss winded down the round. The fight remained competitive into the second round, but a knee from the clinch sent Galbraith to all fours. Nakumura’s fists carried him to a referee stoppage.
“The New York Bad Ass” Phil Baroni danced his way to the ring. With his gaudy robe, sunglasses, and cocky swagger, it was quickly forgotten Baroni nearly pulled out of the fight due to a messy divorce. Unfortunately, Japanese boxer Yosuke Nishijima had to be the man across from Baroni. Baroni’s jackhammer knockout power was not showcased as the Hammer House fighter took the inexperienced Nishijima to the ground. An immediate takedown rendered Nishijima helpless. Baroni pounded Nishijima, paying homage to the Godfather of ground ‘n pound and teammate Mark Coleman. Constantly advancing position between throwing heavy-handed blows, Baroni secured a first round Kimura.
American Dan “Hollywood” Henderson took on Brazilian “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort. The fight’s amazing star power could be a main event. It began with the two trading their powerful hands. Henderson quickly utilized his superior wrestling and did so for the rest of the fight. Aside from two impressive jiu-jitsu sweeps and a lackluster submission attempt, Belfort (a Carlson Gracie Sr. black belt) did nothing to put “Dangerous” Dan Henderson in trouble. Belfort was able to secure top position at various times, where his ground game is most effective, but the 193lb Henderson was never in trouble despite being outweighed by twelve pounds. He pushed the pace, advanced positions, and landed punches perhaps proving the notion that Belfort needs a “heart” transplant. Henderson triumphantly returned to American soil after an eight year absence by walking away with a unanimous decision—the only one of the eight fight night.
Eric “Butterbean” Esch knocked out former WCW/WWE star Sean O’Haire. O’Haire looked to be in better shape than his past showings, but the 398lb punch of Butterbean sent O’Haire to the floor in his Pride FC debut almost as soon as Villasenor.
“The Babyface Assassin” Josh Barnett returned to American soil for the first time in four years since being suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for violating the state’s steroid policy. He stepped in the ring against Polish Judoka Pawel Nastula. Nastula’s first two Pride Fights—and losses—were against top-tier heavyweights Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueria and Aleksander Emelianenko. His first win came in his third fight against Edson Drago. Barnett, considered one of the best heavyweights in the world, would not make for an easy fourth match for the relative MMA newcomer. However, Nastula dominated the fight on the ground surprising all. The ground is where catch-wrestler Barnett beat Jiu-Jitsu legend Nogueria earlier in 2006. The resilience Barnett brings to his fights guided him to a sudden toe hold submission in the second round. The victory against the much-improved Natsula places Barnett back in the realm of winners, while taking the first step towards redemption for his past actions in the States.
The antagonistic rivalry of the Hammer House fight camp and Brazil’s Chute Boxe Academy was the penultimate of the night. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua of Chute Boxe stood across from Kevin “The Monster” Randleman. Both fighters were returning from injuries, but neither relayed signs of ring rust. The fervent intensity of Randleman immediately landed the former Ohio State wrestler in a precarious position. The takedown bypassed the superior striking of Shogun, but Shogun’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown-belt sent Randleman through a series submission attempts. Randleman screamed in pain, trapped in a bear trap of an ankle lock, but he employed his flexibility and freak-like strength to escape. The persistence of Shogun placed Randleman in a knee-bar that resembled the mangled result of a car wreck. The Monster fell to Shogun, but also demonstrated a warrior’s spirit.
Fedor Emelianenko’s decimating ground and pound and undefeated Pride FC record has transformed him into fighting myth. He fittingly appeared from mist. His emotionally devoid demeanor somehow carried a furious intensity on the way to the ring. He was to battle Mark Coleman. The former Olympic hopeful and Ohio State wrestler was defeated by Fedor two years prior. Before losing, Coleman took Fedor’s back—a position of danger, a rare one for Fedor. Fedor’s previous victory over Coleman along with his unparalleled title reign solidified him the heavy favorite in this fight. However, the pinnacle of Coleman’s career was silencing those that said his career was done after winning the inaugural Open-Weight Grand Prix in 2000. A win for Coleman would not only conquer the Last Emperor, but his critics and himself once again.
Never wanting to feel Fedor’s punch, Coleman took the fight to the ground with urgency. Fedor showcased one of the many world-class elements of his fighting—his sprawl. The majority of the first round was spent with Coleman working for single and double leg takedowns. Fedor threw stinging body punches while avoiding takedowns. Coleman took Fedor down, but the impossibility of keeping the champion down quickly became reality. Fedor, back on his feet, threw a flurry of iron punches dazing Coleman. Coleman took the fight back to the ground, but the damage soon became apparent on his swelling, bleeding face. “Fedor! Fedor!” chanted the Thomas and Mack Center against their countryman Mark Coleman as the round came to an end. The second round began exactly like the first with Coleman taking Fedor to the ground. This time he was able to get into Fedor’s open guard. Coleman could now implement his ground ‘n pound, but before any damage was done, the Russian applied an armbar for the victory—the same way he won their last battle.
As Fedor continues to conquer fighters, he conquers something that transcends nations. He conquers a new world: a world where he is a myth and a legend more than a man. This new world is the fight world. The only king is Fedor.
--The Raging Bull