411’s Best Of PRIDE Fighting Championships Report 2.19.10

Posted by Jamie Meikle on 02.20.2010

Nogueira vs Herring, Wanderlei murders another Japanese fighter and Mirko Cro Cop in his Prime.





Kenda Perez is our host

Fight 1 – Pride 17 Championship Chaos – Pride Heavyweight Championship Match
Heath Herring vs Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

First meeting between these two and it is to crown the first Heavyweight champion of Pride.

No feeling out process as they come right at each other at the start of the round. Herring swings widely and goes for a kick but is taken down. Nogueira pushes Herring up against the ropes and gets side control. Big Nog looks for the armbar, Herring tries to stand back up but Nogueira goes for the guillotine choke. Herring manages to get out of it and is now in Nog's guard. Nogueira gets the triangle but Herring get out of it and signals Nog to get back on his feet. Herring misses the body kick. Nogueira connects with a left hand that rocks Heath. They start trading widely in the corner "THEY'RE TRADING HERE FOLKS!" Herring misses another body kick but gets the takedown. Nogueira again goes for the triangle but again Heath escapes. Back on the feet and Nogueira lands a right hand that stuns Heath who throws a knee but Nogueira catches it and gets the takedown. Nog manages to transition to the side mount and lands some punches to the head. Heath tries to get up back again Nog attempts a guillotine but he doesn't have it. Nogueira tries to get the sweep but Heath stays put inside the guard. Heath manages to back on his feet and Nog follows as we hit the five minute mark. Heath lands some hard lowkicks before Nogueira answers with some of his own. Nog overwhelms Heath with punches before getting the takedown. Uh oh! Nogueira gets Heath's back. However he Heath manages to get to half guard as Nog looked for the choke. Nogueira manages to bring Heath back into his guard. Heath lands some hammer fists and manages to avoid the sweep before stepping out of the guard. Heath slips while going for a left kick which results in Nog getting side control with thirty seconds to go. Full mount now for Nogueira, Heath spins but gives up his back. Nog goes for the armbar but Heath blocks it and stays in the guard until the rounds ends.

Second round begins. Nogueira comes charging in at Heath with punches and gets the double leg takedown. Side mount now for Nog and he looks for the armbar but Heath blocks it. Nog goes for full mount but gets the back as Heath rolls. Big knee to the head of Heath, Nogueira now looks for the choke, Heath rolls but ends up mounted. Again Heath rolls and again Nogueira gets his back. Body triangle by Nogueira and again looks for the choke. Nog lets go of the triangle and gets the mount but Heath turns over again. Another armbar attempt by Nogueira but Heath gets out of it and back on his feet. Legkick by Heath, Nog throws some punches and avoids the takedown. Nog grabs the back again but Heath manages to get Nogueira down and almost mounts him. Round ends with Nog looking for the takedown

Nogueira lands a good right hand at the start of the final round. Heath goes for the takedown but Nog sprawls and lands a couple of knees to the head. Heath rolls, Nogueira gets his back for a brief moment but Heath manages to bring the fight back to their feet. Flying knee by Heath but once again Nog gets the takedown and passes to half guard. Kimura attempt by Nog but Heath manages to escape from that. Mount again for Nogueira and goes for the keylock but guess what? Heath escapes from that to. We're in the final minute of the fight. Heath tries to buck Nog off but again the Brazilian gets his back. Fight ends with Heath in Nogueira's guard.

Nogueira wins the fight via unanimous decision and becomes the first Heavyweight Champion of Pride.

What a war!



Fight 2 – Pride Final Conflict 2004
Wanderlei Silva vs Yuki Kondo

Both swing widely to begin. Wanderlei gets the clinch early but Kondo breaks free. Kondo lands a good right hand as Silva swings for the fences. Silva misses the high kick. Big right by Silva now but Kondo keeps moving forward. Silva continues to swing widely and catches Kondo with a left. They continue to exchange punches as Kondo lands a body kick and Silva replies with one of his own. Big right hand by Silva ROCKS!!! Kondo. Kondo backs up but Silva goes after him throwing more punches before dropping him with a big left hand. STOMPS TO THE HEAD OF KONDO!!! HE IS OUT COLD!!! Ref calls the fight there. HOLY SH*T!



Fight 3 – Pride 27 Inferno
Mirko Cro Cop vs Ron Waterman

Waterman comes charging in, pushing Cro Cop against the ropes before getting him to the ground. Waterman attempts the can opener but loses it. Ref brings them to the centre of the ring in the same position. Waterman unsuccessfully tries to pass Mirko's guard. Waterman lands a couple of strikes from the top while pressing his arm up against Mirko's throat. Cro Cop manages to get back on his feet as Waterman again looked to pass. Mirko land his trademark headkick, and lands some strike that bring Waterman down. Soccer kicks now by Cro Cop, Waterman trips him up but Mirko quickly gets back on his feet and lands one more soccer kick before the ref calls it.

Fight 4 – Pride Critical Countdown 2005
Pedro Rizzo vs Sergei Kharitonov

Lowkick by Rizzo. Kharitonov lands a good combo, Pedro replies with another lowkick but Kharitonov catches it takes the Brazilian down. Kharitonov catches Rizzo with some strikes before Rizzo grabs the leg. Knees to the head of Rizzo as they move back to their feet. Rizzo is bleeding already. Kharitonov connects with a left and connects with a couple more. Inside lowkick from Kharitonov as he continues to outstrike Rizzo. Big right hand wobbles Rizzo, Kharitonov smells blood. Rizzo is getting tagged here. Every punch Sergei throws is finding its target. Knee to the head of Rizzo followed by a soccer kick that bring Pedro down. One final right hand and the ref has seen enough.


Well that raps it up for this week. Next time Quinton "Rampage" Jackson makes his debut against Kazushi Sakuraba. Should be awesome.