Tremendous Tirades: BODOG Fight – The Complete First Series (Disc One)
Posted by Larry Csonka on 11.08.2007
BODOG Fight breaks into the DVD market with this giant four-disc set. Is it a great alternative for the MMA fan, or just average MMA? Come on into see!
Introduction:
Welcome my children! You knew it was only a matter of time until the Tremendous Tirades rocked their way to the MMA zone. I brought “My Take On” over first last January, and then it was the “Your News, My Views” that I have cultivated for years. I had planned to find some time for reviews, and then something fell into my graces. And when things fall into my life, I need to do something with them. What I got was BODOG Fight – The Complete First Series (4-Disc Set).
BODOG Fight is the creation of gambling rich man Calvin Ayre. The first season of BODOG Fight was filmed in Costa Rica, and provided us with 8-episodes of fighting. The show was to eliminate down to 8-fighters from 16, and then those 8-fighters would go onto compete at the BODOG Fight Russia vs. USA PPV against the Russian RED DEVIL TEAM. Now with all I cover in wrestling and MMA, I actually never got to see any of their product, so today I begin a review of their 4-disc set, covering season one of the show in Costa Rica and the First PPV, from Russia where the US Stars went to battle. Let’s get to work!
The Episodes~!:
Episode ONE
-We get a tale of the tape for both men, and then right into the background video for Keith Wisniewski. He and his brother got into fighting, and at age 16 he began and has been fighting ever since. His dad explains his sons getting their start in fighting, and how they didn’t look like fighters and didn’t have fancy bags and such. Keith’s brother Justin says this fight will be even, but Keith can win. We see Keith train grappling, and Masvidal has beat his brother, so he has skills, but Keith will be out for revenge.
-We get clips of hot ring chicks.
-Now it’s onto Masvidal and his training. He runs down his day of training, eating and napping. He also tries to work his cardio, with the ladies. I see what he did there. The people he trains with put him over as a great worker and very dedicated. Jorge’s mom is hot. She also says he has wanted to fight his whole life and is living his dream.
-We now get a video history of the Russian Red Devil team, and their Leader FEDOR. The winner of tonight’s fight will face off with Russian Red Devil Erik Oganov. He got elite training in military martial arts.
-Erik Oganov is now profiled. Fedor is his idol, and he says they all try to be like Fedor.
-We now learn more about Wisniewski. He likes to lay on guys and eek out decisions. I already hate this man. He climbs trees in the Costa Rican jungle! He isn’t concerned with prizes, just this win.
-Now we get another look at Jorge. He says Keith is slow, ugly and will be easy to beat. Jorge likes the ladies here and wants to build a house here.
-We go back to the same tale of the tape as at the beginning. This format of the show is annoying me.
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT - Jorge Masvidal (8-2) vs. Keith Wisniewski (24-11-2):
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: They come out throwing, Jorge with solid jabs and quick. We get a flurry by Wisniewski but Jorge back with a leg kick to stop that. They clinch in the ropes and are separated right away. You’re not allowed to use the ring at ALL they say. That sucks. Jorge working the jabs again, they dance and Wisniewski gets a combo but keeps dropping his hands. Clinch, and a slam by Wisniewski. He has the back of Jorge, tries to get the hooks in and Jorge rolls into the ropes and they break. I am not liking the ring. He sets them center back in the ground position, Wisniewski in side control and gets some shoulder shrugs. Into the guard of Jorge, Jorge tries for a triangle but ate some hard shots. Wisniewski with some ground and pound, triangle try again by Wisniewski stops that. They switch positions a few times and into north south position and to their feet. Jorge with a takedown, but he is locked into a guillotine. The round ends there.
LARRY’S SCORECARD: Wisniewski 10-9 due to the takedown and having a more dominate round with the groundwork.
ROUND TWO: They circle a bit to begin the round, jabs by Jorge again. Good combo, clinch now and a knee by Wisniewski. In the rope, separated and Wisniewski gets another takedown. Knees by Wisniewski, he has a hook in and Jorge gets a single leg and to the feet they go. They exchange mid-ring, clinch and knees by Wisniewski. Wisniewski with a weak takedown and lays on Jorge’s back. They are in the ropes and Wisniewski looks for a choke and they get separated and back into position. To their feet and Jorge gets a takedown, but Wisniewski on top. Wisniewski lands some shots to the head of Jorge, but Jorge into the mount. He starts to land some shots, a good left by Jorge. They get repositioned due to being in the ropes and the round is over.
LARRY’S SCORECARD: A very boring round, but I think that Wisniewski did enough to take the round 10-9.
ROUND THREE: Wisniewski out with jabs to begin. Jorge back with jabs and connecting well. Leg kicks by Jorge, but eats a combo in return. They exchange a bit wildly, Jorge getting the better of the exchange. They keep countering and clinch. Knees by Wisniewski, and a takedown by Wisniewski. Shoulder shrugs by Wisniewski, into the guard of Jorge. Wisniewski lands some shots and Jorge gets to his feet. Jorge tries a takedown, fails and Wisniewski takes him down again. Jorge works into the guard and he lands some shots, but nothing that impressive. Finally he lands 5-6 shots on Wisniewski as we head to the final minute. Wisniewski closes the guard, Jorge lands some body shots and stands, and then drops down with a big shot. Wisniewski tries a triangle, but Jorge defends and the round ends.
LARRY’S SCORECARD: Jorge just barley does more in the round, and I give it to him 10-9, but Wisniewski wins on my card 29-28.
-Larry’s Enjoyment Index: Well I didn’t see it that way. This was an overly boring bout, with no exciting points. 4.0.
-Wisniewski admits he lost the third, but thought he had one and two.
-Jorge says he whooped his ass easily.
Episode TWO:
-Episode two begins with the rundown of the fighters.
-We get the video on Patt and his life, training and so on and so forth. He is a Catholic suburban boy. He fought in bingo parlors and bars for a while, and it sucked. He trains with Rich Franklin and Jorge Gurgel. Rich says that Patt is a great training partner, and makes him a better fighter.
-Ellington loved working out and being in the gym. He grew up in Harlem and had a hard life growing up. We see him at the track, with Yankee Stadium in the background. He’s just a guy that fights to support his family. His trainer says he has all of the skills and in not a normal fighter, he trains himself and goes different places, and uses what works best for him.
-The Russian fighter the winner will face is Matrun Malahosyan. He is now profiled. He has won a lot of tournaments he says and was primarily a wrestler, but there was nothing there for him, so he switched to MMA, which has changed his life for the better.
-Back to more on Patt. He has a normal job, and they don’t know what he does in his free time, until he comes in with a cut or black eye. He says Ellington is talented, but is not on his level. This fight is everything for him, and will put him on an even higher level, to get a real shot.
-We get the rundown of the fighters again.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT - Mike Patt (11-1) vs. Kaream Ellington (8-3):
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: They dance a bit and then Ellington in with jabs to begin. Ellington gets a takedown, into the guard of Patt and lands some good shots. Patt neutralizes him well, gets a few body shots but not much else. They get stood up. Leg kicks by Patt, they both land stiff jabs and clinch. Knees by Ellington, they work around the ropes and Ellington gets a takedown again. Into the guard of Patt, lands a few light shots but Patt is not allowing him to do much. Patt looks for an arm bar, but Ellington counters. Ellington stands, and then back into the guard. Patt works for an arm bar again, but Ellington gets a great right to the head of Patt. Ellington stands, some leg kicks land and Patt gets a heel hook on Ellington, but he escapes. To their feet and another takedown by Ellington. The round ends.
LARRY’S SCORECARD: A highly uneventful round, but Ellington had three good takedowns and had more dominant position throughout the round. I will go with 10-9 for Ellington.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins and Patt is looking tired as he comes out. Blind jabs by Patt and then a takedown. Patt is in half guard, works for side control and now Patt works a straight-arm lock in full mount, and that finishes it as Ellington taps.
-The Result: Mike Patt via RD 2 submission
-Larry’s Enjoyment Index: Again another mundane bout, with very little excitement. 4.0
-Ellington thought he had a good first round, but knows he should have worked boxing better, and needs to go back and work on that.
-Patt is always happy to win, but he wanted a more dominant win. He knows he gave the first round away and he was just off. Going to the ground was the best move he could do. He let Ellington work harder than he needed to, and then he got the arm and that was it.
Episode THREE:
-Episode three begins with the rundown of the fighters.
-First we go to training with Buckner. She doesn’t try to be pretty, she just wants to be a fighter. She also believes that mental training is just as, if not more important than the physical. She seems to do some pretty hardcore training, I’ll give her that.
-Next is off to Tara and she’s a tough chick. We see her doing stand up and then slams on much bigger guys. No one supported her when she decided that she wanted to be a fighter. Her mom isn’t a fan of it, but her father feels that she is protected by professionals and that comforts him.
-The winner’s Russian opponent Julia Berezekova. We see her train a bit and FEDOR Triangles her. He owns everyone in these little videos.
-We see Larosa and Buckner discussing coming to Costa Rica, weight cutting and how they appreciate the chance to fight. Larosa has a nice body, just throwing that out there. She also says the fight will be a tough one.
WOMEN’S 136lb BOUT - Tara Larosa (9-1) vs. Amanda Buckner (9-3-1): Fight includes alternate fight commentary by Tara Larosa.
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: They come out quick, but then decide to dance a bit. Buckner with a good right hand. Good thing I have noticed, they are getting 5-minute rounds. Tara tries a high kick, misses, they clinch and some dirty boxing by both. Knees by Tara, Buckner answers with knees as well. Buckner switches position and gets more knees. Short uppercut by Buckner, Buckner works for a takedown, gets it and into the guard of Tara. They get pulled away from the ropes, which just kills momentum in my opinion. Buckner lands some good clean shots, Tara gets a high guard as Buckner stays busy. Buckner stands and leg kicks to Tara. Buckner dives in and eats an up kick, Tara with wild kicks and keeps Buckner away. Buckner lands a great right from the top and back to the leg kicks. They get stood up and leg kicks by Tara but gets caught with a jab. Buckner gets a takedown, but Tara gets a kimura, but the round ends.
LARRY’S SCORECARD: Buckner dominated the round, and landed more shots. I will go with Buckner 10-9.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins with a Superman punch by Tara. Kick to the ribs by Buckner. Tara with leg kicks and a straight kick. They throw a bit wild, knees by Tara and we get a stoppage for as groin shot. Yeah, really. Great combo by Buckner, but they throw wild again and clinch. Knees by Tara, shoulder shrugs by Tara and then a left connects. Jabs by Tara, and then a high kick. Tara is pressing and gets 3 jabs in a row that land clean. They clinch, knees by Tara and then foot stomps. More knees and a combo by Tara. Both have bloodied noses, Tara with more jabs and a combo. Buckner shoots and they go to north south, Buckner gets top and into side control. Tara escapes and gets the back of Buckner, sinks the hooks in and starts to land shots as the round ends.
LARRY’S SCORECARD: A completely different round, with Tara dominating and almost finishing. I will go10-9 for Tara and an even bout.
ROUND THREE: They come out for round three and more jabs by Tara, followed by a body kick. Buckner back with a left, and Tara looks tired. Leg kicks by Buckner and Tara just misses a high kick. They both land good jabs, Both get great combos and unload with wild shots, Tara gets a knee and a combo and rocks Buckner. They clinch and knees by Tara. They work the clinch in the corner, Tara unloads with a combo and a takedown by Tara. She gets top and in half guard, they get pulled center and rights by Tara land. She gets side control, Buckner counters but Tara gets her back. She gets the choke, it is in deep and Buckner taps.
-The Result: Tara Larosa via RD3 submission
-Larry’s Enjoyment Index: Easily the best fight of the series thus far, but still nothing special. 6.0
-Buckner says she did everything to prepare properly. She did what she wanted to do, but could have stood up more and worked a takedown, but she enjoyed the fight and thanks BODOG.
-Tara knows she didn’t win the first round, and was rocked early. It went her way, she stood up and stayed in the clinch and that’s what she is comfortable with.
Episode FOUR:
-We get the tale of the tape for both fighters. Nardu is first up. Fighting is a rush for him, and he knew after one fight that he wanted to keep doing this. He initially wanted to be an artist, and works in that field. His Co-Workers think he is crazy, but it is a passion for him. He puts over his trainer, who has always cornered him. He feels Nardu could be huge due to his work ethic.
-Next is Nick, he puts over his abs. We see some training, and he got into fighting due to Kung Fu and Karate kid flicks. He fights because he has a mortgage and a hot wife. He is big on the mental aspect of the fight, but feels when he feels great physically, that the metal takes card of itself. His trainers say that he is a great physical specimen.
-The Russian the winner will fight is Vladimir Zenin. He’s been training 15-years and goes through the pain to become the best. They train at an insane level, and are always prepared for battle.
-Back to get some final fight hype from Nick and Nardu. We see Mick kicking walls and trees. He came back from Iraq and got into the game, and just naturally picked it up and made the move to pro. He says Nardu has good hands and feet, and in shape to be sure. But he feels he is a better wrestler. Nardu paid his dues and is here in Costa Rica, enjoying the ride. He puts Nick over and says the odds are against him.
-For the first time in the series they go over the MMA rules. In episode four.
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT - Nick Agallar (20-3) vs. Nardu Debrah (7-2):
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Straight kick by Nardu to start. To the mat the go and they get stopped in the ropes. God I hate that. Nick in the guard of Nardu, body shots by Nick and they really don’t do too much. Nick drives him down from the guard, and they get stood up. Jabs by Nardu, leg kick connects. More leg kicks connect, lightly and Nick back with kicks and they clinch. Nick take shim down again, into the guard and some short body shots by Nick. Rights by Nick now, Nick tries for mount but can’t get it. Nardu does a lot of countering, but can’t get Nick off of him. Body shots by Nick, and they get stood up. Questionable there. Nardu is very defensive and stays back, getting a few shots, but they are one shots and backing off. The round ends.
LARRY’S SCORECARD: Nick takes the round 10-9, in a fine, but under-whelming round.
ROUND TWO: They come out for round two, Nardu looks a bit more aggressive and jabs at Nick. Nick back with a hard leg kick and then catches a kick of Nardu, but they go to the ropes and get pulled back center. Nick is in guard, shoulder shrugs now along with short body shots. Nick works for side position, but then is put back to guard. Hard shots by Nick, goes to stand and is kicked off. Nardu works for a triangle, looks for a knee bar but Nick escapes and knees and rights by Nick. Nick back into the guard of Nardu, body shots and Nardu missed a great triangle try. Nick keeps landing small shots, and works but they get stood up, again questionable. They circle and Nardu gets a few leg kicks. Side kick by Nardu, and then Nick gets a glancing head kick. Nardu is down and Nick is on top and rains down with shots and the fight is stopped.
-The Result: Nick Agallar via RD2 stoppage
-Larry’s Enjoyment Index: That’s more like it. It is getting better as we go, although Nardu was outclassed. 6.5
-Nardu is not happy with the outcome. He tried to avoid the stuff in the guard, but nick avoided submission. Nardu says he was a very strong fighter, and he had to work very hard, but never had the right answer and was always resetting.
-Nick wasn’t pleased with his performance, maybe it was nerves. It was a tough fight, but he should have been able to end it in round one. He felt slow the whole time out there.
Episode FIVE:
-We get the tale of the tape for both fighters.
-Peterson is up first with the background info. His daughter is his life. He was concerned with a job and making money, but he wasn’t happy. He then became a fire fighter. He was a wrestler, and it took a long time to break that habit. It does give him a good grace, and he has worked on his hands. He says he has no rhythm and cannot kick. Good thing to let Thompson know.
-The Russian fighter the winner will face is Arman Gambaryan. Gambaryan is a tough guy and went to a decision victory after breaking a hand in round one of a fight. He has been with the Red Devils for 4-years. He was at a show, took an open challenge and went 14-minutes with no training. He was hooked and went into formal training.
-We meet a BODOG chick.
-The guys hype the fight quickly, and we get the tale of the tape again.
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT - Nick Thompson (28-9) vs. Damian Peterson (10-3): Fight includes alternate fight commentary by Eddie Alvarez.
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: They circle and jab to begin. Nick dances as Peterson misses a right. Peterson got ill while in Costa Rica. Nothing much happening in minute one. Tons of dancing, they keep circling and Nick finally gets a right. Low Blow by Peterson, Nick shakes it off and Nick with leg kicks. A Good combo and clinch by Nick. He works some knee shots, Peterson about low blows him again. Nick controls with good knee shots, and then Nick gets a takedown. Mount by Nick, he lands some good shots to Peterson. Nick starts getting very clean rights, but Peterson escapes very easy. He is into the guard of Nick, Peterson maintains control and Nick is able to stop him from landing clean shots. Peterson stands and then dive sin with a good shot to Nick. He has side control and they switch to north south, Peterson controls as the round ends.
LARRY’S SCORECARD: Nick controlled very early, a little boring, but Peterson came back and had excellent counters. I will go Peterson 10-9.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins with Peterson charging Nick and takes him down. Aggressive start and Peterson is in the guard of Nick, Nick works an arm bar Peterson escapes the straight-arm bar. Peterson lands some short shots, and they get stood up. Lame. A high kick by Nick lands. Peterson looks tired already, they clinch and then knees Peterson low. Peterson takes some time, and we’re back to fighting. Jabs by Peterson, he catches a kick and takes Nick down hard. Right into side control but Nick works to north south. Nick escapes and gets the advantage, gets an anaconda choke on Peterson, but Peterson escapes. Nick works the ribs, and then shots to the head. To the feet they go and they keep clinched. Foot stomps by Nick, shoulder shrugs and the round ends.
LARRY’S SCORECARD: A good and active round. Maybe the best of the series thus far. It was very close, but I will go with Nick 10-9, evening up the bout.
ROUND THREE: Final round now. Peterson is dead tired and favoring the ribs. They collide and clinch. Knees by Nick and a takedown by Nick. They get pulled center, Nick in the guard now. He lands a big shot as he stands and goes right back down. More good shots by Nick, Peterson is looking tired/hurt and Nick works for side control and then gets mount. He now gets the back and a hook in. He gets the choke and Peterson taps.
-The Result: Nick Thompson via RD3 Submission
-Larry’s Enjoyment Index: A much better fight than what we have gotten. Thankfully the fights seem to be getting better. 7.0
-Nick is a bit disappointed, but a win is a win. Peterson didn’t let him set up submissions, so he had to be careful.
Episode SIX:
-We get the tale of the tape for the fighters.
-We now get to meet Rinaldi first. He is a corrections officer and a rather large man. He’s a family man and his wife says he trains non-stop. His trainers say he has a small man’s Ju Jitzu game. I have to see that. Rinaldi says that he soaks in all knowledge he can, and trains with Dennis Kang.
-We meet a BODOG chick. She hates underwear and monogamy. Word.
-Next we get to meet Burch. He’s a hoss and a half. He has a daughter and tries to be a good example for her. He’s older, and has to be more serious because time is not on his side. He doesn’t do it for the money, because he hasn’t made any. Not eating the way he likes is a problem he admits. He isn’t scared to wrestle, but loves to strike.
-The Russian fighter the winner shall face is Sergey Kaznovski. His family wasn’t supportive of his fighting at first, but they are happy when he wins. He doesn’t like beating people up, but loves to win. Not as big as the American guys, but the clips of his look great.
-Rinaldi admits he is new to MMA, and to beat him you have to kill him. Dude can do back flips. Damn. He just goes out to do his job, he respects his opponent, but he trains well and plans to win. Burch is serious minded and trains hard. He wants to be well rounded. He thinks in the gym, but in the ring just reacts.
SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT - Mario Rinaldi (3-0) vs. Mark Burch (7-1):
-The Fight: ROUND ONE: Rinaldi rushes in and they clinch. Knees by Rinaldi, short jabs inside and some dirty boxing. Burch back with knees now as they work away from the ropes. Rinaldi gets a takedown, but Burch back to his feet. A big right by Rinaldi, and then barely misses a flying knee. Combo by Rinaldi and a big right lands. Knees by Burch, to the ground they go and Rinaldi is up and slams Burch down. Rinaldi gets his back, but Burch rolls and Rinaldi starts to land shots. Heavy hands by Rinaldi, Burch traps an arm and Rinaldi escapes. Rinaldi has the hooks in and lands more shots. Rinaldi to the side control, to their feet and they clinch. A good combo by Rinaldi again and a high kick by Rinaldi! Burch back with a knee, uppercuts by Rinaldi but eats a knee. They both throw wildly to end the round.
LARRY’S SCORECARD: Awesome round. Best of the series. The hosses went out there and put on a show. Rinaldi gets the round 10-9.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins and they are slower as they went all out in round one. They clinch and exchange knees. They are both sucking wind here and gets broken up. Jabs by Burch, but Rinaldi answers with a great right. They clinch, dirty boxing by Rinaldi now and Rinaldi takes him down again. He has the back, hammer fists by Rinaldi land. They are spent as Rinaldi lays on him mostly. Rinaldi works the body from the ground, Rinaldi gets side control and then gets full mount. Rinaldi looks for an Americana, but Burch frees himself. He goes for it again, but Burch escapes to his feet. Burch unloads with some big shots, straight kick by Rinaldi and they lands a high kick. They start to slug it out now, and then clinch to end the round.
LARRY’S SCORECARD: A closer round, Burch is showing heart, but is down two rounds to one as I thing Rinaldi did enough to win it. 10-9 for Rinaldi.
ROUND THREE: Round three begins and Burch rocks Rinaldi to start it off. Burch is landing a lot here, gets a big knee and they clinch. They separate and Burch clinches again and gets foot stomps. Jabs by Rinaldi, liver punch as well. Rinaldi with leg kicks, uppercuts by Burch now but Rinaldi gets a good knee. They separate and jabs by Rinaldi. They start to get wild and Rinaldi blocks a knee, they clinch and are then separated. 90-seconds left, they are dead and gasses. Rinaldi shoots, but Burch sprawls and gets north south. He stands and lands shots standing, Rinaldi single legs him and has side position. Hammer fists by Rinaldi, looks for a kimura and has it but the round ends.
LARRY’S SCORECARD: Another close round, but I will go Rinaldi 10-9 and 30-27 overall.
-The Result: Rinaldi via unanimous decision
-Larry’s Enjoyment Index: While they did get tired, it was a great fight. The first round was amazing, and they gutted it out and it was fun overall. 7.25
-Burch says he was never hurt in the fight. Rinaldi was very strong and used that to his advantage.
-Rinaldi says he was a little surprised, and he got caught a few times but he never felt he was hurt.
Stay tuned for disc two!
The 411: The first thing is that we never saw much of Costa Rica. We never got an introduction to where they were fighting, of the people training there. A brief clip or so, but nothing special, something they should have taken time to showcase I though. Having the show set in Costa Rica is something different that the Ultimate Fighter, but we never got introduced to the location. The second thing I have to say is that Jeff Osborne and Paul Lazenby are extremely boring on commentary, almost clinical. Not clinical like Stephen Quadros, I mean boringly clinical. The commentary was obviously done post-production, and it feels like that. They show no emotion in their commentary and seem to never get into the fights. But two of the bouts had alternate commentary, which was nice but I would have liked to see more of that. Thirdly, they waited until episode FOUR to explain to you the rules of MMA. Something that should have been firmly established in a clear and concise way in episode one. Fourthly, the ring and the way they run the fights I did not like. They were constantly breaking up the fights, stopping momentum and standing people up too early. Commentary tried to say that it was for the “safety” of the fighters, and to keep the fights going without hurting the action. Well, constantly stopping, breaking and standing up the fights hurt them a lot. Finally, the fights themselves started very lackluster. They did pick up and the last two fights were good stuff. The rest felt like a high level SHOWXC event. We have three discs to go, and we’ll see if they can pick things up.
