411's PRIDE 33: The Second Coming Report 02.24.07

Posted by Damian Sarcuni on 02.24.2007

All the results from the big PRIDE show in Las Vegas!

Hey everyone, welcome to 411mania's coverage of Pride 33: The Second Coming, live from Las Vegas Nevada. I'm Damian Sarcuni and tonight I'll be giving you the blow by blow in full detail as Pride FC seeks to make its mark in the United States mixed martial arts market. As I write this, Caleb Newby is on the scene over in Vegas, getting the inside scoop on all the backstage goings on and checking out the event first hand. Be sure to stay tuned for all that great coverage throughout the week. For now, let's all enjoy a great night of fights and what promises to be a truly memorable event.

Bouts are listed in the order provided by the Pride FC website, but they may run slightly out of order so be sure to skip around to make sure you don't miss anything, and be sure to refresh often as we'll try to update as quickly as possible throughout the event. Tonight's matches are 3 rounds that last 5 minutes each, except for championship matches which last for 5 rounds. Thanks for joining us, now let's check out the event.




Introductions

Coming from the Thomas & Mack Center, your commentators are Lon Mceachern and Josh Barnett. The arena is dark, but when the show lights go up, Nobuhiko Takada is in the center of the ring bowing to the crowd. He welcomes the fans and thanks them for coming to Pride 33. He says the fans are intense and great, and this was the impression they got at the last event. He says Pride won't stop there. Tonight will be even more exciting, please enjoy. The lights go down again and a video package that looks like an intro for the Blair Witch Project begins, Hollywood style. The music sounds ripped directly from Star Wars and we get a highlight reel of Wanderlei Silva. "Is he GOD? Is he a DEVIL?" Shogun's reel: "MMA lord and Master" Takanori Gomi's: "RASCAL".

There's several lines about MMA and cage fighting, and they begin fighter intros. Lemi Hart: "We're bAAAaaack!". They don't show Hansen or Ireland coming into the arena which is a little strange. Extra long announcement for Antonio Rogerio Noguiera. Super long rolling R for Sakurai. Audible crowd roar for Wanderlei Silva's entrance, and loud cheers as the final pyrotechnics go out.


Joachim Hansen (14-5, 155lbs) VS Jason Ireland (16-6, 170lbs)

Kei Grant: "It's good to be back in Las Vegas!" Jason Ireland comes out in a war kilt straight out of Braveheart. I seriously think Pride has a movie theme going here. Barnett calls Hansen a thoroughbred killer. Hansen comes out to piano music that switches into metal. Pride is also showing background info on their fighters now, similar to UFC's tale of the tape. Quick shot of girls in the audience before the final instructions, your referee is Steve Mazzagatti.

Round 1 - Ireland with aggressive combos but Joachim blocks. Ireland pushes in and walks Hansen down into the corner. Hansen holds Ireland and gets back up. Leg kick makes Hansen trip. Joachim getting frustrated, ref stops the fight to check Hansen's gloves. More combos from Ireland but Hansen moves in, controlling the clinch and going for a takedown. Hansen gets Jason down into half guard. Hansen back up, moves into side mount. The rumble around, Ireland gives up his back. Hansen going to roll over for a better position. Hansen gets the body triangle. Hansen slips off, both back up and Ireland is looking winded. Hansen puts him back down and gets his back again. 1 minute left in the round, Hansen striking Jason's side to set up the choke. Hansen is just dragging Ireland around but Ireland reverse and tries some ground and pound. It's not enough and we go to round 2.

Round 2 - They touch gloves, Ireland with an immediate leg kick. High kick from Hansen connects but Ireland gets a takedown. Both get back to the feet, Hansen with a huge body shot. Follows up with knees, kicks and punches in the corner. Ireland moves forward but Hansen takes Jason down. Looks like he's in a guillotine but he slips out. Jason gives up his back again, getting up to the feet. Hansen with a big knee as they get up. Leg kick by Jason countered with big combos by Hansen. Ireland drags it to the ground again but Hansen remains on top and in control. Ireland has Joachim's arm, heel strikes to Joachim while Hansen strikes the side. Hansen going for a side choke. He abandons it and ground and pounds. Ireland gives up his back again but instead of going for the choke Hansen strikes a bit. Hansen with an armbar attempt, using hammerfists to set it up. Ireland won't let go, and the round ends.

Round 3 - Josh Barnett with a Manowar reference in the replay. Wow. They high five and Ireland gets the fans going. Both men move in, Hansen with big knees in the corner. Ireland gets a leg but Hansen slips out. Another leg kick on Hansen, and another. Hansen backs Jason into the corner but Jason suddenly shoots and gets Hansen down. Hansen going for the gogoplata!! He transitions into a triangle choke, Hansen hitting Ireland and it looks like Jason is going to sleep. Jason gets an arm out, Hansen transitions into the armbar! Hansen "Are you gonna stop?!" Joachim Hansen submits Jason Ireland via armbar in round 3.

Absolutely amazing, Hansen locked on the armbar and when Ireland wouldn't tap he threatened to make the pain worse. Jason didn't tap, Joachim made good on his promise. Very impressive.


Kazuo Misaki (18-7, 183lbs) VS Frank Trigg (14-5, 169lbs)

Denis Kang joins the broadcast team! Mixed reaction from the crowd when Trigg comes out. Misaki looks like he got his outfit from Richard Simmons. He's just as bouncy as if he was in a sweatin' to the oldies video too, but the bass entrance music is far from that. Trigg's shirt: "Blackbelt in Bullshit!" Yuji Shamada your referee. No staredown. Hmmm....

Round 1 - Both men circling, light jabs. Trigg with the shoot, going for the takedown. They spin in the corner and on the ropes a bit. Misaki with foot stomps. Trigg gets Misaki down in the center of the ring. Trigg with side mount. They fight for positioning, Misaki gives up his back. Trigg moves up and grabs the neck. Into a read naked choke, but Trigg can't secure it. Peppering Misaki and grabbing the head. The body triangle is on strong but Trigg can't get the choke. Trigg going for the facelock but no dice. Trigg continues to pepper Misaki in the side of the face. Time's up, we move to the next round.

Round 2 - Harrison Ford is in the crowd! It's a new surprise every minute here. Punch to the body by Misaki, Trigg with an immediate wrestling takedown. Trigg with side control again. Misaki trying to buck Trigg off while defending shoulder blocks. Misaki gives up the back again, trying to spin out. It doesn't work and Trigg remains mounted firmly on the back. Misaki slips out and they stand up. Trigg kicks to the middle, but Misaki counters. Misaki with a nice jab, Trigg looking a little tired. Misaki tags Frank in the chin and body, not doing alot of damage. Misaki goes for a knee but it misses and Trigg moves in for the takedown. Trigg just holding close to Misaki's chest, now trying to create distance to strike but Misaki holds his arms. Misaki with heel strikes as the round ends.

Round 3 - They circle. Misaki with jabs but Trigg with low kicks. Trigg gets the takedown again. Misaki goes for a sub but Trigg grabs sidemount again. Misaki trying to buck Grank off, Trigg gets the back and he goes for the choke again. Misaki slips out, they stand. Misaki is desperate, goes for a flying knee. Trigg trying that as well. Trigg shoots and trips Misaki to the ground again. Trigg having no problems in the guard. Ding ding goes the bell and Trigg has himself another win. Loud shrieking girls shown in the crowd. That's annoying. Frank Trigg defeats Kazuo Misaki via unanimous decision.

Trigg attempted to finish early, but towards the end it really slowed down to a crawl. Misaki has to be frustrated, but Trigg definately showed he had a gameplan to stick with in this fight. Good strategy, if nothing else.



Travis Wiuff (42-9, 205lbs) VS James Lee (8-3, 205lbs)

Hart yells James Lee's name like she's holding an opera note in the finale. Tale of the tape for Lee: "Conditioning may be an issue." Sweet. Wiuff has been wrestling since age 5, which makes for some interesting visuals. Your ref is Mario Yamazaki.

Round 1 - They touch gloves. They circle for a moment, LEE WITH A BIG RIGHT HOOK THAT DROPS WIUFF!! Wiuff tries to wrestle Lee off, no dice. Lee with a guillotine, sinks to the ground...Wiuff taps!! James Lee submits Travis Wiuff with a guillotine choke at 0:39 in the first round.

Lee: "Where's Nakamura?" Nice! What an upset, Lee took this fight on 2 week's notice and shocked everyone. Just incredible.



Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (12-2, 205lbs) VS Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (2-1, 205lbs)

Sokoudjou is apparantly the judo champion of Africa and has been training with Dan Henderson. He leaps over the top rope easily. Hart hits the highest "Noguiera" she's ever hit. Nicholas Cage in the crowd. Ghost Rider himself! Your referee is Daisuke Nogoche.

Round 1 - Fast combos from both, OH MY GOD SOKOUDJOU WITH A BIG LEFT HAND THAT KNOCKS NOGUIERA OUT!!! Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou defeats Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at 0:23 in the first round.

Thank God we didn't put money on this! Barnett calls it "the power of the dred". This is just unbelievable. I just got a message from Caleb, the press row at the event is in complete silence. One upset after another, no one could have predicted this. This may be the biggest upset MMA has ever seen.



Hayato Sakurai (29-7, 161lbs) VS Mac Danzig (16-3, 155lbs)

Sakurai: "I'm very excited to knockout an American in America." I wouldn't talk to big after those last two fights, but whatever. Danzig's shirt: "Betiss 4 Home Loans". Proof positive that MMA is getting big, the advertisers are flocking for space. Frank Trigg back in the commentating booth now. Your referee is Yuji Shamada, Phil Baroni is in the crowd.

Round 1 - They touch gloves. Good exchange to start, both going for shots all over the body and combos. Sakurai charging in with a big combo but Danzig ducks out of the corner. Big knee drops Danzig but his legs go up to defend. Spinning back fist by Sakurai misses, body shot connects though. Clinch on the ropes, they break and move to the center. Sakurai with high kick, blocked. Trading low kicks now. Good middle kick by Danzig. Danzig off the ropes gets Sakurai's back and tries to take Sakurai down, but Hayato lands on top. They move to the middle. Sakurai near side control, both men transitioning really fast. Danzig staying busy on the bottom, constantly scooting. Mac goes for a trangle choke but Sakurai pops up and they stand. Both bobbing and weaving. Sakurai with good kicks, Danzig with a big combo, moves in too close and Sakurai gets a BIG judo throw, grabs an arm and goes for the armbar. He lets go, round ends. Dominant round for Sakurai but Danzig can hang.

Round 2 - Touch gloves again, Sakurai nods. Big combos from Danzig but Sakurai trips Mac into side control again. Danzig grabs for an arm, Sakurai tries to ground and pound but he stands up. Danzig tagging Sakurai on the feet now, runs into a left from Sakurai. Hayato is a bit winded but not in trouble. Mac with stiff combos now, backing Sakurai up. Good middle kicks by Mac. Big low kick by Sakurai, Danzig tries to counter. Another low kick, Danzig is feeling that leg badly. Sakurai gets behind Danzig a second but lets go. Sakurai looks really calm, another low kick nearly sends Danzig to the ground. Right hand by Sakurai connects. Big right hook hits Danzig on the button. Hayato Sakurai defeats Mac Danzig via knockout at in round 2.

Sakurai was just the superior, more experienced fighter here. Danzig should be proud, he handled himself pretty well. Hayato makes it look like this is just another day in the office.



Sergei Kharitonov (13-3, 220lbs) VS Mike Russow (Debut, 265lbs)

Russow looks like a Matt Hughes clone, even down to the camoflogue tapout t-shirt. Russow is a cop, but Kharitonov is a paratrooper. Lemmy Hart does her "from Russia with Love" schtick again. Kharitonov looks like a sailor who just crawled out of a cow costume. Hopefully there'll be pics available in the near future. Mean staredown, Mario Yamazaki is the referee.

Round 1 - Big leg kick by Sergei. Russow goes to shoot, they trip but neither man gets the advantage. Big left by Russow connects but not much damage. These heavyweights are moving FAST. Fighting for the takedown again, they seperate and Russow keeps rushing in for the big straight right. Russow trips Kharitonov down and gets to side control. Impressive. Russow suddenly gets mount, throws down but Sergei rolls. Sergei manages to get up and get on top, holding Russows back now. They get back up...Russow holds on and slams Sergei down again! Neck crank attempt does nothing. Russow striking but Kharitonov moves into an armbar. Sergei Kharitonov submits Mike Russow in 3:46 Round 1.

Mike Russow complains that he didn't tap but footage clearly shows he did. Sort of anti-climatic, Trigg suggests that Kharitonov held on after Yamazaki stopped the fight. Good fight, weird ending.



Mauricio Shogun Rua (15-2, 201lbs) VS Alistair Overeem (24-9, 205lbs)

Overeem's tale of the tape: "Revenge is on his mind". Weird picture of a naked guy on the side screens as Shogun comes out. I can't possibly describe the sound as Rua's name is announced, but its not of this world. Overeem has a small smile on his face. More shots of girls in the crowd after each fighter is announced...for some reason. Steve Mazzagati is your referee.

Round 1 - Both men bang heavy to start, neither is afraid of the other at all. Overeem blocks a high kick.They lock up, Rua misses the takedown but Overeem can't capitalize. Overeem catches a leg and gets some shots as Rua hits the ground. Overeem's strategy is clear, he's keeping it on the feet and in the clinch. It's working. Rua misses a shoot and Overeem lands a nice combo. Rua trying to get overeem down but Alistair keeps stuffing it. Shogun on the bottom but he has Overeem's arm. Overeem sprawls as they come out. It's back up but Rua tags overeem. He drives forward but Overeem sprawls...no good. Rua gets Overeem on the ground. Rua doesn't move fast and an upkick hits Rua bringing him down. Back fist off the ground hits Rua. Rua stands and dives down into a big punch. Mauricio Shogun Rua knocks out Alistair Overeem at 3:37 in the first round.

Overeem looked amazing throughout the whole thing, I'm really surprised Shogun pulled off that knockout with just one punch. In my opinion, he still didn't look impressive They interview Rua afterward. "I love America!" More shots of girls. He thanks God, his manager, and his brother Ninja. He says Chute Box fighters come to win every time.



Takanori Gomi (27-3, 154lbs) VS Nick Diaz (14-6, 160lbs)

Video package for the lightweight bout. They call Gomi "The people's champion from Japan." He says he wants to fight Hughes, St. Pierre, and Penn. Diaz says he'll be in Gomi's face the whole time. Lemmy Hart has stripped off her coat, must be getting warm over there. Diaz comes out in a blue gi. His tale of the tape: "Has a chip on his shoulder". Diaz flips off the camera! Interesting. Gomi's tale of the tape: "Fastest hands in the world." Come on. Lemi Hart sounds like she's dying when she says Gomi's name. The crowd is booing Diaz a bit, but they roar for Gomi. Your refereee is Daisuke Noguchi.

Round 1 - Gomi gets the takedown right away. They stand up, Diaz tries to flip over into an armbar. Gomi on top now, pounding away. He stands up.Gomi passes but gets back up. Gomi switches between guard and standing repeatedly. They move to the center. Diaz busy from the bottom. Diaz moving for the armbar, peppering Gomi in the face. Gomi moving for big ground and pound. They stand up. Diaz moving Gomi back with the jab, Gomi looks desperate, big right by Gomi drops Diaz gets Diaz's back. Diaz is in trouble but he's going for an arm. Back into Diaz's guard. They stand it. Gomi swings wild but Diaz is landing as well. That jab is constantly in Gomi's face. Gomi is rocked. Wild punches by Diaz are connecting with Gomi, but Gomi is swinging back with heart. DIAZ RAISES HIS HANDS, Gomi isn't defending. Big right hits, uppercut hits, Diaz is just walking over Gomi. More combos lands to Gomi, he keeps trying to swing big but Diaz's reach is too long. Gomi can't even get to the corner. Diaz looks like he already won. Round is over. Wow.

Round 2 - Diaz continues to pick Gomi apart. Gomi looking to swing big but he keeps missing. Body shot by Gomi lands. Crowd chatnting for Diaz. Diaz shoots in. He's cut. It's under the eye so it can continue. Diaz still pushing the action. Gomi can't avoid the jab. Gomi is calling for the fight to end because of the cut but its not happening. Gomi still swinging wild. Gomi with a takedown. Diaz puts Gomi right into the gogoplata. Nick Diaz defeats Takanori Gomi via gogoplata submission at 1:45 of Round 2.

The shocks just keep on coming. Diaz outstruck Gomi and frustrated the hell of him. Gomi is a man broken, he literally tried to get out of the fight by cutting Diaz. Diaz dominated striking, it got forced to the ground finally where Diaz finished it. They interview Diaz while they work on his cut. Nick says he's been looking forward to all this for a long time, says he's impressed with Gomi. He thanks Caesar Gracie and his team and sponsors. They look at the highlights together, Diaz says he was more comfortable as the fight went on. Diaz can't think of anything to say so he thanks everyone again. He says he'll fight anyone in welterweight.



Wanderlei Silva (31-6, 210lbs) VS Dan Henderson (21-5, 200lbs)

Funeral march plays in the Silva/Henderson video package. I can swear that at one point there's a sound byte of Lemi Hart yelling "HEY YOU GUYS!" This has been a weird night. Pyrotechnics as Henderson enters the ring. The place turns into a disco as Silva enters. This is Silva's 5th title defense...and he's held the belt for 6 years. Picture of Nick Cage and Chuck Norris standing together for the national anthem. Is not Pride amazing? Crowd chattering through the Brazilian anthem. Real smooth guys. They read the contract for the title match, Silva getting pumped in the corner as they read. Tons of shots of girls on the side, cheering for Silva...dear God WHY?! Cheers as they hold up the belt. Crowd erupts even louder for Silva. Henderson smiles in the staredown. Referee is Yuji Shamada.

Round 1 - They touch gloves. Henderson with a low kick. Henderson pushing the action, throwing wide but he slips and Wanderlei is on top. Wanderlei doing nothing on top. Crowd boos, ref calling for action repatedly. Wanderlei tries to break free but Dan holds the arms. They stand up the fight, ref warns for stalling. Henderson pushes the strikes again, big knee and more strikes. Silva not showing his usual offense as they push in the corner. They break and restart in the center again. Henderson shoots but when Silva counters he swings wild, constantly backing Silva into the ropes. Wanderlei simply cannot get his striking going. Inside kick by Henderson. Wanderlei tries to push forward but he slips this time. Henderson capitalizes with a short combo and knee. Both swinging wild, Silva catches Henderson who looks hurt but they both start swinging wild as the bell rings.

Round 2 - Low kick by Henderson, Silva pushing for combos now. Into the clinch on the ropes. Knees from both and Henderson gets Silva into a guillotine. Silva gets out but Hendo caught Silva with knees before that. Another take down by Hendo and the restart in the ring's center. Grappling on the ground now. Silva tries buck Henderson off, Dan going for hammerfists but not really doing much damage. More strikes from Henderson one by one. Wanderlei is cut but it looks small. Crowd is getting pumped as Dan continues to wrestle Silva into those strikes. Silva is ineffective from this position, goes for an armbar but Dan completely avoids it and they go back into Silva's guard. Dan creates distance, big hits into Silva doing some damage.They move back to the middle. Silva catches the armbar but Dan lands a big left that breaks it as the round ends.

Round 3 - Low kick, Silva trying to press the action more. As soon as he goes for a big shot Dan clinches and moves them back to the ropes. The seperate and go back to the center. More low kicks by Silva. Big right by Hendo hits. Goes for a double leg but Wanderlei gets up. Silva takes Henderson's back standing. Silva unloading in the corner but Hendo gets out. Hendo tired and Silva moves in...it's a fake. Hendo throws a back fist that connects and moves Silva back. BIG RIGHT HAND DROPS SILVA. Dan Henderson defeats Wanderlei Silva via KO in Round 3.

Dan Henderson is the first man to hold two belts in two different weight classes in Pride, and he's the second middleweight champion they've had. It's been a night of upsets, but even still, no one could have predicted an ending like this. The crowd chants USA as Henderson is presented with the belt. They interview Henderson, he looks like he's about to cry as he thanks team Quest. Wait...nevermind. He didn't take his mouthpiece out. HA! So much for emotion. He says he does the spinning back fist when he's out of position. He invites everyone to the after party...both at his party at Body English and at Wanderlei's at the hospital, OUCH. He says he might even go for a third belt, and he can't make lightweight.


Conclusion

This card blew the first Pride card out of the water. There were so many huge upsets tonight, but more importantly the fights were just incredible. There's alot of debates in the MMA community about which promotion is better, Pride of the UFC, but the reality is they both have great fighters and great fights. I hope everyone takes my advice and checks out Pride because the fights tonight were just too good to miss. I want to thank everyone who checked us out tonight and remind you all to keep reading 411 for more increasing Pride and MMA coverage overall. Everyone have a good night.