411's PRIDE FC: The Real Deal Report 10.21.06

Posted by Damian Sarcuni on 10.21.2006

Hey look! Full PRIDE FC Pay Per View recap! Betcha didn't see this coming.

Live from the Thomas & Mack center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Fans of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) the world over rejoiced as the highly trumpeted MMA org known as PRIDE FC made its American debut in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their debut event, entitled "The Real Deal" was put together with a serious agenda from both the PRIDE organization and its fighters. Their goal: to make a big splash in both the United States as well as all international markets. From beginning to end, everyone involved in the show did just that.



Pre-Show

Your hosts are Frank Trigg, Mauro Ranallo, and some new guy named Craig Minervini. Craig is the star of the pre-show. He runs down the fights scheduled for this evening as everyone at home asks who this man is and why he's taken Mauro's spot. Mauro, meanwhile, stumbles over his own words with anger ready to choke Craig Simpson's style at any moment. They go through their detailed take on each fighter and the rules for tonight.

There are three 5 minute rounds for each match. Fights will be judged on a 10 point basis (more on that later). No elbows to the head are allowed, nor are kicks or knee strikes to a grounded opponent. Mauro superficially welcomes Craig to the broadcast team as the authorities from the Nevada State Athletic Commission are announced. The crowd boos LOUDLY with each announcement. We then go to the referees. Herb Dean is announced and the crowd goes absolutely nuts. War Herb Dean! Yuji Shamada gets an even bigger reaction as we cut to a PRIDE FC overall montage and pyrotechnics show.

Kazuhiro Nakamura is announced and he comes out wearing an "I Heart M²A" shirt. Tremendous. When announcing Brazil, Lenne Hardt attempts to break the world's record for rolling R's and L's…repeatedly. This is the greatest show ever and it hasn't even started yet.



Robbie Lawler (11-4, 185lbs) VS Joey Villasenor (22-4, 185lbs)

Round 1 - Villasenor looks like he's been doing lines of Codeine. Both fighters have their names and Japanese kanji written on their body. Posers. Robbie starts off with a left high kick that lands and Villasenor is a little slow to block. Lawler follows up with a left knee that Joey bends right into. Villasenor is down and Robbie is right on top of him. Robbie Lawler TKO's Joey Villasenor in Round 1. Mauro says this fight lasted as long as a Las Vegas marriage. $5 says Villasenor claims he lost due to the effects of Nyquil in a later interview.



Kazuhiro Nakamura (10-5, 206lbs) VS Travis Galbraith (10-3, 205lbs)

Nakamura is cornered by an all star cast including Hidehiko Yoshida and God himself, Ryo Chonan. More profits for the butchering piranha! Galbraith enters with a Gladiator mask that looks absolutely retarded. Lenne Hardt: "From Canada, Eh?" Your referee is Herb Dean, so no worries about a controversial finish and no I'm not being sarcastic.

Round 1 - They slap hands and start striking immediately. Nakamura leans in with the left while Galbraith mixes combos and kicks. Brief stop for Nakamura to adjust… something… they restart and clinch. There's a series of strikes, separations and clinches. Nakamura lands a high kick to Galbraith's chest. They separate and Nakamura lands a sick left to the chin. Galbraith falls to his ass and Nakamura gets the mount, leaning back for big strikes. Galbraith locks in for an armbar submission and during Nakamura's escape attempt he transitions to a kneebar. It's too low; Nakamura spins out to his left and escapes.

Galbraith gets Nakamura's waist but rather than getting up he leans onto Nakamura and gets him down. Galbraith lies on top of Nakamura and doesn't do much. They restart in the center of the ring, same position. The scramble around and Galbraith looks for a neck or arm submission. Nakamura throws Galbraith off and gets half guard, and then they stand. Combos from both and Galbraith leans in, picking Nakamura up but putting him to the ground softly. Galbraith lands one good shot and stands. Nakamura catches a jab and they clinch up, Nakamura finishes strong by putting Galbraith on the ground with a Judo throw.

Round 2 – Combos and a Thai clinch. Galbraith lands some knees and Nakamura pushes him onto the ground into half guard. Nakamura goes for a guillotine choke but it's a bad position. Nakamura stands. Galbraith swinging big but Nakamura lands some close jabs. Galbraith shoots but Nakamura lands a big knee to the mid-section then sprawls and puts Galbraith down. He gets behind Galbraith and starts landing hammer fists. Kazuhiro Nakamura TKO's Travis Galbraith in Round 2. Nakamura grabs the mic and speaks in English, "I'm a mixed martial artist…I will be back, thank you." War Engrish! Nakamura heads to the crowd, slaps hands with Mirko "Crocop" Filipovich, Kazayuki Fujita and CHUCK F'N NORRIS!! The butchering piranha, Herb Dean, and Walker Texas Ranger are all in the same building at the same time. The existence of a higher deity has officially been proven, because this wouldn't have been possible if not for divine intervention.



Yosuke Nishijima (0-3, 195lbs) VS Phil Baroni (9-7, 194lbs)

Baroni looks absolutely overjoyed to be here. He dances out to his "Marine chant" rap theme music and repeatedly grabs his crotch; a trademark taunt in the making. Baroni's robe been overheating the bedazzler lately. Lenne Hardt: "Oh Oh Oh, Yosuke!"

Round 1 – At the sound of the bell they come out and Nishijima throws an immediate right hook which Baroni ducks then shoots and gets the takedown. Baroni strikes the body and face with rights, then briefly gets up and tosses Nishijima's legs aside. Baroni dives back in for side mount. Nishijima cannot get up. More strikes to the head from Baroni. They both scramble and Baroni remains well in control, striking to the head. Baroni repeatedly goes for better positions and side mount. Nishijima unsuccessfully attempts to buck Baroni off. Baroni locks his legs around Nishijima's right arm, and then goes for a Kimura or hammer lock on the left. Baroni fights to get his left leg over Nishijima's head. He does, and Phil Baroni submits Yosuke Nishijima with a Kimura in round 1. This is Baroni's first submission win EVUH. EVUH!! They interview Baroni and he pretends he hasn't trained submissions before. He asks the crowd the name of the move he used and the crowd actually answers. Baroni thanks the fans, laughs at his Atkins diet failure and leaves the ring. Nishijima has completely failed at the ground game. His MMA career has to be over.



Vitor Belfort (14-7, 205lbs) VS Dan Henderson (20-5, 196lbs)

Round 1 – The cameraman gets bored and cuts to a cute girl in the crowd as we start. They slap hands and immediately Hendo presses the action. He opens with his patented right hand/shoot and follows with a knee, then grabs a hold and takes Belfort down. They circle around in a sort of fetal position. Henderson holds onto Vitor's neck and occasionally lands of blows to the back of the head. Vitor sweeps and gets on top of Dan, making side mount. He works into position but Henderson kicks him off. Vitor grabs a leg but Hendo wraps it up to Vitor's neck. Vitor is back in half guard now. He switches fast and grabs a knee but Henderson grabs an ankle and then escapes. Hendo stands up and Vitor is on his back. Hendo kicks Vitor's ankles and the ref stands them.

There's another straight and some wild rights by Henderson, along with a failed shot and a clinch. Down they go and Henderson grabs an arm while holding the neck and giving occasional blows. They sit in half guard and Vitor starts to scramble, Henderson starts to sink the choke in. Vitor gets out and Hendo throws a big right to the ground as the bell rings.

Round 2 – The cameraman cuts to CHUCK F'N NORRIS and one of the Philadelphia Phillies. The fighters touch gloves again and fake each other out a bit. Hendo throws some rights into a clinch. Belfort jumps guard and Henderson makes him pay for that by planting him hard into the mat. Hendo is on top now with big rights to Vitor's head. Ouch. They restart in the center. They've both slowed down and Henderson gets back up. He throws a few heel strikes to Vitor's legs…never saw that before. They stand.

Slow hits and a clinch by both. Vitor has had no striking offense thus far. Dan with foot stomps in the corner. Ruas! King of the streets! They restart in the center and Dan misses a big shot but recovers. Dan pushes forward with a knee and another takedown into half guard. They sit there and the ref spins them away from the ropes using Vitor's arm. HA! Dan gets up and tries to hit Vitor but it goes nowhere and the bell rings. Henderson looks winded, but Vitor looks awful.

Round 3 – They touch hands again and Vitor actually strikes big but Hendo gets his knee – clinch – takedown combo again. Henderson is now in Vitor's full guard with more big rights. The commentators remind us that Henderson is at a higher weight now instead of welterweight where he's champion. Vitor attempts an armbar but he's too tired, shoulder strikes by Henderson. Vitor opens his guard and Dan pounds away. They go back into half guard. Belfort sweeps and Henderson starts to escape but Belfort gets his back. Handerson tumbles and lands on his back with Belfort in full guard. The crowd chants "phenom". Too late, folks. Henderson goes for the choke but slips off. Vitor throws strikes to the body and face. Belfort stands up and Henderson lands some heel strikes to the upper body then grabs a leg, twisting for the ankle lock. Vitor slips out but lands on his back and Henderson gets side mount.

They scramble around and Henderson gets Vitor's back. He's almost got the choke...but they switch positions a few times and the match ends with Vitor on top of Henderson doing nothing. Dan Henderson wins the unanimous decision over Vitor Belfort. The scores are 30 – 27, 30 – 27, and 30 – 24…wait, what?! That's 10 – 8 every round. I wonder if they still show those old schoolhouse rocks math cartoons on Vegas Saturday morning TV.



Eric "Butterbean" Esch (6-2-1, 398lbs) VS Sean O'Haire (1-1, 275lbs)

O'Haire looks like a wrong side of the bed Eddie Guerrero. Frank Trigg gives him absolutely no chance against Butterbean. The cameraman cuts to more girls and we're starting to see a pattern here.

Round 1 – O'Haire comes out with a big right high kick but it pretty much bounces off the bean. Low kick by O'Haire, big right hand by Butterbean that hits O'Haire square and the crowd lets out an audible "oooooooooh". O'Haire is hurt from that one punch. He comes in swinging and Butterbean counters. Front kick from O'Haire and he shoots in. Butterbean repeatedly hits O'Haire with short inside right shots and O'Haire's knees buckle. Eric "Butterbean" Esch TKO's Sean O' Haire in Round 1. The official time is 29 seconds for the entire fight. That was ridiculous. They interview Butterbean and he works the crowd, getting them to cheer for PRIDE and repeatedly thanking them. They play Butterbean's entrance music again as he leaves.


Intermission

The PRIDE girls come out and do a mixed dance/walk thing where they hold up ring cards and circle the ring. Um…ok?

PRIDE president Nobuhiko Takada is in the ring and he is talking in English word by word. He says hello and bows to the arena repeatedly. He says he is very happy to be in Las Vegas. Today, they will make history and tomorrow they will break history. PRIDE is here to stay. He calls out PRIDE's greatest warriors. Ryo Chonan?! Damn, it's Hayato "Mach" Sakurai, Kazayuki Fujita and Hidehiko Yoshida. Talk about a consolation prize. Sakurai is wearing a Josh Barnett shirt and Fujita looks like he's joined the mafia, which as we all know doesn't exist.

Sakurai welcomes the crowd to PRIDE, Yoshida says hello and thanks the crowd for coming. Huge pop for Fujita, he says next time they hit America he will be fighting. Takada says PRIDE will be back in February and the cameraman shows off more girls. The crowd seems happy that there will be more American shows.



Pawel Nastula (1-2, 235lbs) VS Josh Barnett (19-4, 243lbs)

Josh Barnett comes out to the Fist of the North Star music. There's an absolute army of Barnett's shirts tonight, as the commentators mention that Crocop came to America to help Barnett train. We see more shots of cute American girls and smiling Japanese fans.

Round 1 – Nastula throws a combo and Barnett shoves him into a clinch. Barnett misses a sweep and Nastula reverses the clinch against the rope. Barnett misses more sweeps but blocks Nastula's knees. They are in a pure grappling match and it briefly goes into a Thai clinch before Barnett reverses the clinch and throws a knee. The crowd starts booing and Nastula finally gets the takedown. Nastula gets side mount and Barnett is having trouble getting him off. There's a lull in the action and clearly the crowd got a couple drinks in them during intermission. No wait, they're just booing Nastula. There are a few minor strikes from Nastula but Herb Dean stands it up. The commentators disagree, which is why they are commentators and Herb Dean is a referee. Suck it up Mauro.

They touch gloves and Barnett connects with a left. Nastula steps through and clinches again. He takes Barnett down again but Barnett won't let Nastula create distance for his strikes. Barnett shoves Nastula up and goes for the leg just as the bell rings. Nastula seems hurt on the knee but Barnett seemed to release the pressure after the bell.

Round 2 – They touch gloves again. Barnett with a right and he ducks into the clinch. Barnett throws a few knees to Nastula's bad leg…nice! They break and Barnett throws hard rights and knee combos. Barnett keeps going right into the clinch though, and Nastula throws a nice knee into Josh's ribs. Herb Dean calls for acTION! Herb Dean watches PRIDE! They break and Nastula lands a huge left that rocks Barnett. Josh throws a knee and they have a Thai clinch but Nastula takes Barnett down into side mount. Barnett attempts to throw Nastula off but it doesn't quit work. Both men resting somewhat, Barnett shoves Nastula off completely but looks like he gets caught in an armbar. Barnett slips out and grabs an ankle, then pushes down for all he's worth. Josh Barnett submits Pawel Nastula with an ankle lock in Round 2.

Interview with Barnett and he says that he didn't train as hard as he could for this fight. He says Nastula probably would have held him down for 3 rounds. Barnett promotes catch wrestling, but he says there was still time left to win the fight. The crowd is eating it up, and we get still more shots of girls in the crowd. I'm taking a Jack Daniels shot every time the cameraman does this from this point on.

Kei Grant says that when you think of PRIDE, you think of this next man. Ryo Chonan?! Damn, it's just Wanderlei Silva. The PRIDE middleweight champion is dressed like he's ready to hit up every casino and club on the Vegas strip. He says what's up to America, and then speaks a little Portuguese. He thanks his true friends and supporters and the crowd roars. He says he will be back in February and he wants to fight Chuck Liddell. He says he will stay in Vegas so no more running. He thanks the crowd again and HUGS CHUCK NORRIS. Wanderlei Silva is one ugly bastard.



Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (13-2, 206lbs) VS Kevin Randleman (16-11, 203)

Randleman comes out and sits on the entrance ramp steps to take off his socks. He gets in the ring and catches some serious air. The crowd is hot for Shogun. Randleman can't stop moving and they quickly touch gloves.

Round 1 – Randleman rushes in and gets the immediate double leg takedown. Shogun shuffles and quickly grabs Randleman's left leg but Randleman is leaning on the ropes. He gets off and Shogun stretches Randleman's ankle for all he's worth. Kevin keeps fighting it off but has nowhere to go. Kevin screaming his head off but he refuses to tap. The fans are on fire. Shogun bends Randleman's leg every which way but he has to release the hold. Shogun hangs on to the leg though and eventually transitions into the kneebar. He stretches it. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua submits Kevin Randleman in the first round with a kneebar. Shogun grabs the mic and thanks everyone in the United States as well as president Sakikibara. Shogun promises to do his best every time he's in the U.S. The crowd loves it.



Mark Coleman (15-7, 224lbs) VS Fedor Emelianenko (23-1, 224lbs)

Tons of pyrotechnics for Coleman and Fedor debuts some absolutely terrifying entrance music. Fedor looks completely evil as he comes out onto the ramp, then trips in the middle of all the fog effects and completely loses any intimidation he had over the crowd. Floor 1, Fedor 0. Fedor is announced as being from Russia...with love. The crowd is absolutely tearing the roof off for Fedor.

Round 1 – Coleman quickly realizes he doesn't have enough reach and he goes right for Fedor's leg but Fedor sprawls quickly. They stand it back up and Fedor lands HUGE combos that rock Coleman. Coleman goes for the leg and hangs on for dear life. Fedor peppers Coleman with strikes from the top but Coleman stands and hoists up the leg. Fedor tries to grab Coleman into the choke and drags him to the ground. Fedor can't secure the choke and Coleman lifts Fedor up then plants him into the corner. He lands lower than Fedor though and Fedor stands up quick. Coleman will not let go of Fedor's legs. Coleman hoists Fedor up but Fedor keeps his balance. Fedor lands a left that separates them.

Fedor swings wildly and lands big blows on Coleman. Coleman immediately goes for the leg again and Fedor keeps peppering him on the head. The crowd chants "Fedor" as Coleman lifts him up and throws him down. Fedor keeps his balance and Coleman grabs the leg again, and then moves up to the waist. They move into a clinch, Fedor is peppering Coleman most of the time and Mark gets a cut on his left eye. They check it and clear it, the fight continues and Fedor misses a right. Coleman gets into the clinch but it gets broken up. Coleman misses two lefts as the round ends.

Round 2 – Coleman tags Fedor with a right and goes for Fedor's right leg. Fedor sprawls again and continues to pepper Coleman with strikes. Coleman lifts Fedor and finally gets him down. Fedor twists his hips but Coleman won't let go. Coleman ground and pounds for all he's worth but he's too tired. He leaves his arm near Fedor's head and Fedor grabs it and twists it into an armbar. Fedor Emelianenko submits Mark Coleman via Armbar in Round 2. Coleman is in tears, this rematch pretty much had the same result as the first except that Coleman was too tired to stay on his guard. They embrace and I think I saw a glint of regret in Fedor's eyes….naaah.

Coleman calls for his kids and they embrace, his kids are crying their eyes out. The crowd applauds. This is the most depressing thing I've ever seen. Coleman takes his kids to meet Fedor, and he smiles at them. The kids stop crying immediately out of fear. Fedor and Coleman have a moment and Coleman play punches Fedor on the chin a few times. Fedor says he respects Coleman very much. He says he hasn't fought in awhile so he took things slowly, feeling Mark's game out.


Overall

God, that ending was depressing. Crying kids do not mix with well with MMA. Still the show was excellent overall and it's nice to see that America was properly represented on all fronts. Nevada State's MMA rules did not detract from the fights at all and the whole show still had a great PRIDE feel. If you haven't checked out MMA yet, PRIDE is a great place to start as you can't help but be impressed by the pace of these fights.

Before I head out, quick thanks to Ashish for allowing me to write for the 411 sports and games sections. I hope to put together a weekly MMA based column soon so stay tuned for that and all the great coverage across the board on 411mania.com. Thanks for reading!