Seymour Reviews 08.21.08: PRIDE 8
Posted by Ryan Seymour on 08.21.2008
Take a step back in history to 1999 and PRIDE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS. Join 411's Ryan Seymour as he takes you back to PRIDE 8 where Wanderlei Silva was starting to create a dominance, the Gracie family was immensely popular and Kazushi Sakuraba was just starting to cement his name in MMA history.
It is November 21, 1999, at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan. The events name is PRIDE 8 and it involves some mixed martial artists that you might be very familiar with. Do the names Wanderlei Silva, Frank Trigg, Mark Coleman, Igor Vovchanchyn, Kazushi Sakuraba or the legendary Gracie family ring any bells? If so join me as I take a blast from the past and review the early years of the world known Pride Fighting Championships.
Daijiro Matsui
(Fighting out of Japan, 5’9, 199lbs, 1-2-1)
Vs.
Wanderlei Silva
(Fighting out of Brazil, 5’11, 199lbs, 9-2)
Background: This would be Wanderlei Silva’s second PRIDE event after beating Carl Malenko at PRIDE 7. Wanderlei Silva had also had two fights within the UFC going 1-1 by defeating Tony Petarra at UFC 20 and being defeated by Vitor Belfort at UFC: Ultimate Brazil. Daijiro Matsui had started his career in PRIDE and this would mark Matsui’s forth consecutive PRIDE appearance. After going to draws in his first two meetings. Matsui was able to get his first victory at PRIDE 7 against Bob Schrijber via disqualification. Wanderlei Silva was out to continue his dominance while Matsui was trying to get a clear victory.
The Fight: Silva starts the fight by delivering some nice aggressive punches, Matsui replies with a good overhand right. Matsui then goes for the takedown on Silva but Silva sprawls nicely. They are stuck in the same position before Matsui drives Silva into the corner. They spin and now Wanderlei is on Matsui’s back. Matsui moves to the corner and his body is on the other side of the ropes, while this is happening Silva throws two vicious kicks. The referee steps in and gets Matsui back in the ring and restarts the fight in the middle of the ring. Silva comes charging in with a left right combo which makes Matsui back into the corner. Then we see the knees from the clinch which we all know made him famous. Matsui goes for a take down but a great sprawl by Wanderlei Silva. They are in the same position as before with Silva holding down Matsui. Silva is sick of this and gets to his feet and throws some nice soccer kicks to Matsui’s body and head. Matsui tries to get up but Silva gets the clinch again and throws half a dozen knees. Silva then has his back once more. The fight is stopped briefly because Matsui is A BLODDY MESS. Matsui has a big cut but the fight is restarted again in the same position. Matsui tries to trade with Silva but Silva is to strong for Matsui and Matsui then realizes the best thing to do is to go to the ground, Matsui pulls guard on Silva. Silva throws a vicious soccer kick to Mastui’s head but Silva was holding onto the ropes, so Silva is given a yellow card. Just before the bell Silva delivers a nice high leg kick.
Round two begins and after a feeling out process, Silva holds Matsui down after Matsui shot for a takedown. They get back to there feet and Silva throws some more aggressive punches before they both clinch up. A great uppercut by Silva and then the Muay Thai clinch again, raining down some vicious knees. Then Silva gets his back AGAIN. Silva had the hooks in for about a second before Matsui turned and had Silva in guard. Silva is throwing some nice punches from the bottom onto Matsui. Matsui has the guard position for the rest of the fight but Silva is still more aggressive, even when he is on the ground.
Winner Wanderlei Silva via decision.
The Breakdown: After an absolutely dominating first round by Wanderlei Silva, Daijiro Matsui was able to get some respect from the second round but even when on top of Wanderlei Silva, Matsui was not nearly as aggressive as Wanderlei Silva.
Frank Trigg
(Fighting out of USA, 5’8, 169lbs, 5-0)
Vs.
Fabiano Iha
(Fighting out of Brazil, 5’8, 168lbs, 3-1)
Background: Frank Trigg comes into this fight undefeated and yet to go to the judges. This seems so long ago as the picture of Frank Trigg before the bout has blonde hair, WTF is going on. Trigg’s opponent is Fabiano Iha, this is Iha’s only bout under the PRIDE organization. Iha is coming into this fight after just making his debut in the UFC, which Iha fell short losing to LaVerne Clark at UFC 20. Both of these fighters were just starting out their MMA career and trying to make a name for themselves.
The Fight: They both come out to trade but end up clinching together. Iha pulls guard on Trigg and goes to the ground with him. Iha tries hard to go for an armbar but Trigg is aware of this and avoids the armbar, then Iha goes for a triangle and Trigg is also able to get out of that. Iha goes for the arm bar again and nearly has it but Trigg lifts Iha up and slams him. Trigg then stands up and lets Iha also stand up, it looks like Trigg wants to keep this fight standing. Trigg hits with an uppercut and then A BIG RIGHT by Trigg that makes Iha stumble. Trigg then gets a Muay Thai clinch like in the first fight and is raining down some knees. SOME GREAT punches and knees by Trigg, Trigg is picking apart Iha. Trigg is hunting down Iha, Iha is in the corner and Trigg is just raining down punches on Iha. IHA DROPS and the referee steps in immediately.
Winner Frank Trigg via TKO (Referee Stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 1.
The Breakdown: A very dominating victory for Frank Trigg. Trigg looked incredible and people didn’t know about his stand up until this fight. Everyone thought he was going to win with his wrestling but Trigg picked Iha apart on the feet. Great win for Frank Trigg, to bad for PRIDE he would only have one more appearance which would be at PRIDE 33.
Carl Malenko
(Fighting out of USA, 5’11, 198lbs, 1-2)
Vs.
Allen Goes
(Fighting out of Brazil, 6’0, 200lbs, 3-2-1)
Background: Allen Goes comes into this fight already facing some very hard competition. Goes made his MMA debut against Frank Shamrock and in Goes last two fights he has faced Dan Henderson and Kazushi Sakuraba. Malenko is coming of a decision loss to Wanderlei Silva but the American wrestler is trying to put that past him and get the win here.
The Fight: Allen Goes immediately goes for a double leg takedown and is successful in his attempt. Allen has Malenko in the guard position and is trying hard to get to a better position. Goes is now moved into half-guard, then quickly moves to side control and is holding Malenko down. Allen Goes now has the mounted position and this is not a great spot for Malenko. Goes is trying hard to keep it active so the referee doesn’t have top stand them up. Goes tries for an armbar but misses and ends up with Carl Malenko on top of him. Malenko is holding onto Goes legs and Goes flips Malenko over magnificently, but they end up in the same position. Malenko stands up and also allows Goes to get to his feet. They are both on there feet and Goes tries for a double leg takedown and is successful yet again. Goes is in side control like earlier in the fight, like a replica from earlier in the fight, Goes gets the mount. Goes has the side choke this time and it is in DEEP. Malenko looks to be unconscious but seconds later ends up tapping anyway.
Winner Allan Goes via side choke at 9:16 of Round 1.
The Breakdown: Allen Goes used his jiu-jitsu skills taught to him by Carlson Gracie to pick apart Malenko. Malenko looked to have some skills but wasn’t nearly at the same level of Allen Goes. This would be Carl Malenko’s last PRIDE fight, after this fight Malenko took five years of off MMA and flew completely of the radar.
Mark Coleman
(Fighting out of USA, 6’1, 245lbs, 6-4)
Vs.
Ricardo Morais
(Fighting out of Brazil, 6’8, 270lbs, 8-1-1)
Background: This fight looks like a very intriguing match up. In one corner is the first UFC Heavyweight Champion, the inventor of ‘Ground N Pound’ Mark Coleman. In the other corner is the giant Ricardo Morias, who has only been defeated once in his career. After a very impressive start in the UFC, Mark Coleman is coming of four consecutive losses and is dying for a victory. Who will prevail, the giant Morais or the former UFC champion, Mark Coleman?
The Fight: They start of the fight just feeling out each other. Coleman fakes to go in for a take down while Morais is testing out his jabs over the smaller Mark Coleman. Morais rushes Coleman into the corner and they are now clinches up. The referee gets them out the clinch and they restart in the middle of the ring. Coleman lunges in for a big right hand but it only catches the air. Coleman then goes for a double leg takedown but quickly changes it to a single leg and is able to get Morais to the ground, Coleman has Morais in the guard position. Morais tries hard to shrug Coleman of off him but to no avail. Coleman is now controlling Morias in a side control position. Coleman has Morias in a head lock type of position but Morias is able to spin out of it and even get Coleman’s back. Morias then gets up and is chasing Coleman around the ring throwing some big haymakers. Coleman dives for a single leg takedown and is able to get it and have Morias in the guard position. Coleman is trying to get a neck crank but is unable in his attempts. The bell goes to finish a relatively dull round, Coleman using his wrestling to hold down Morias.
Round two begins and Morias throws a BIG body kick on Coleman but Coleman is able to catch the leg and get A MASSIVE TAKEDOWN. Coleman follows this takedown through by moving into side control. Now in side control Coleman is holding down Morias’s head and body. Morias spins out of this hold and finds himself with Coleman on top of him in the guard position. After a few minutes of pretty much nothing, Coleman finally passes and moves into side control. Morias tries to get up but Coleman pins him back on the ground. Coleman has been trying neck cranks the whole fight but has been unsuccessful in his attempts. The referee thinks they are to close to the ropes and moves them back to the center. Coleman now gets the mount and it is the most exciting thing that has happened in the last few minutes. While in the mount Coleman is throwing some small punches to Morias’s head. The bell rings for the end of the fight and it finishes a fight which was not very exciting
Winner Mark Coleman via decision
The Breakdown: Mark Coleman is able to get the victory but it was a very dull fight to watch. Ricardo Morais seems to need to learn some takedown defense and some ways of getting out of the guard. Coleman’s big wrestling background helped him get this win, Coleman did what he had to do but it didn’t excite the fans.
Francisco Bueno
(Fighting out of Brazil, 5’9, 222lbs, 2-0)
Vs.
Igor Vovchanchyn
(Fighting out of Ukraine, 5’8, 235lbs, 29-1-1)
Background: After getting a convincing win at PRIDE 5, Francisco Bueno requested a match with a MMA veteran such as Igor Vovchanchyn or Mark Kerr. Buenos’s prays were answered when he was given a fight against Vovchanchyn, who had fought all around the world and had had over 30 fights. Francisco Bueno is looking to make a name for himself but it isn’t going to be easy against a well skilled Igor Vovchanchyn.
The Fight: No punches are thrown in the first minute or so. Igor has taken the center of the ring and is stalking down Bueno. Igor Vovchanchyn back Bueno into the corner and throws a big left which just misses Bueno. Igor follows that left with a overhand right which catches Bueno FLUSH, ON THE BUTTON. Bueno is out and is dropping to the ground, Igor throws a few extra punches to Bueno while he is falling for good measure.
Winner Igor Vovchanchyn via knockout at 1:23 of Round 1.
The Breakdown: Igor Vovchanchyn teaches the brash Francisco Bueno that if you are going to run your mouth, you better be able to back it up! Igor now has 30 wins to his credit with only the one defeat - Igor Vovchanchyn is looking in a good position to be a big face of the PRIDE organization with five appearances in PRIDE and yet to taste defeat.
Tom Erikson
(Fighting out of USA, 6’3, 280lbs, 6-1-0)
Vs.
Gary Goodridge
(Fighting out of Trinidad, 6’3, 240lbs, 9-8)
Background: Gary Goodridge’s MMA career up to this point had been filled with both highs and lows. In the UFC, Goodridge had a record of 4-4 while in his short stint with PRIDE his current record was 2-3. His opponent Tom Erikson had yet to taste defeat but hadn’t stepped into action in around two years. Erikson even had a win over the newly crowned UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman – who had won the title a few days ago.
The Fight: The come out guns blazing, Goodridge goes for a leg kick but Erikson is able to grab Goodridge’s head and land a few short elbows. Erikson then backs Goodridge into the corner throwing some wild bombs in the meantime. Erikson now has one hand on Goodridge’s head and the other hand is throwing uppercuts and other punches. Erikson then is able to get Goodridge onto the ground and has side control. The fight slows down for about 20 seconds but then we are back into it as Erikson is able to mount Goodridge. Erikson is throwing a lot of punches at Goodridge, but Goodridge is protecting himself well. Gary is able to get out of the mount and pull Erikson down into guard. Gary Goodridge is yelling “HIT ME BABE”, “PLEASE HIT ME”. Erikson is still on top of Goodridge in the guard position and Goodridge says “HOW ABOUT A KISS!!?!?!” Erikson now moves into half guard for a few second s and then back into guard. Erikson is throwing some punches down on Goodridge but Goodridge is still taunting him. Goodridge is PATTING ERIKSON ON THE HEAD AND BACK!?! – Okay just a tad strange. Goodridge tries a side choke from the bottom but it doesn’t work. Erikson has side control now and tried for a Kimura but it didn’t work. Now Erikson moves into mount and this could be dangerous. Some good punches from the top from Erikson as the round ends.
Round two starts and Gary hits Erikson with a nice leg kick. Erikson rushes Goodridge and NEARLY THROWS HIM OVER THE ROPES, Goodridge bounces of the ropes and falls on his back with Erikson on top of him in the guard position. Erikson has him on the ground and is just holding him down. Some good and hard shots by Goodridge to the side of Erikson’s head, Erikson looks really puffed out. A few big shots by Erikson while in the guard position but nothing much is happening while they are on the ground, the fight should really be put back on the feet. Erikson moves into half guard, and then seconds later the bell goes.
Winner Tom Erikson via decision
The Breakdown: Erikson wins this fight but only by laying on top of Goodridge for 80% of the fight. Goodridge was funny when he was in the ring and even though he loss, people look like they would rather see Goodridge again then Erikson. The start of this fight was the most exciting thing about it, if only the rest of the fight could have been in the same manner.
Alexander Otsuka
(Fighting out of Japan, 6’1, 203lbs 1-2)
Vs.
Renzo Gracie
(Fighting out of Brazil, 5’11 185lbs, 6-1-0)
Background: Renzo Gracie is from the great Gracie family, the family that brought jiu-jitsu to mixed martial arts. Alexander Otsuka comes into this fight after having an upset victory over former UFC tournament winner Marco Ruas. Can Renzo Gracie continue his undefeated streak or will Alexander Otsuka shock the world yet again?
The Fight: They start the fight throwing a few jabs then something which you don’t see often, both went for a leg kick and hit each others leg. Renzo hits with a good left-right combination but it doesn’t have much power behind it. They both go for leg kicks again and shockingly hit each others legs. Otsuka goes for the double leg takedown and is successful and winds up in half guard, Renzo then pulls Otsuka into guard. They show you a close up of Otsuka’s pants which are bright pink and say “DIET BUTCHER” on them. Renzo looks for the triangle choke but Otsuka slams him down onto the canvas. Some very nice up kicks are delivered by Renzo Gracie and the Renzo falls into guard again. Otsuka is throwing a few body and head shots but not with much power. Renzo is really looking for a triangle choke but isn’t able to get it, so Renzo kicks Otsuka out the way and they both get to there feet. Good right low kick by Renzo, Otsuka goes for the double leg again but Renzo sprawls well. Renzo hits with another low kick and the low kicks seem to really hurt Otsuka. Renzo goes for the guillotine but Otsuka manages to get his head out. Bell rings to finish a very even round.
Round two starts and Otsuka throws a good front kick which is followed by a leg kick. Another good double leg takedown by Otsuka and Renzo’s back is now against the ropes. Otsuka pulls Renzo of the ropes and is now in the guard position. Otsuka has some blood coming down from his nose and his face is a mess at the moment. Otsuka goes for a neck crank but Renzo is able to get out of that and lock in an armbar. The armbar looks to be in deep but somehow Otsuka is able to get out of it. Renzo Gracie quickly moves on Otsuka and has him in the side-control position. Renzo Gracie works Otsuka on the ground and is able to get Otsuka mounted. Renzo is throwing some nice knees from the top onto Otsuka’s body. Otsuka rolls and Renzo winds up and goes for a bigkick when Otsuka is getting up, but Renzo misses and they are back to both standing. They exchange for a bit before Otsuka goes for a body lock but Renzo ends up grabbing his back. Renzo then grabs Otsuka and throws him in A GERMAN SUPLEX TYPE MOVE. Renzo then holds down Otsuka for the remaining minute of the fight.
Winner Renzo Gracie via decision
The Breakdown: One of the best fight of the night. Renzo Gracie was just too good for Otsuka, but Otsuka never stopped trying. Otsuka is a professional wrestler and although he has a big heart, maybe MMA is not for Otsuka who goes to 1-3 in his MMA record. Renzo Gracie keeps the name proud and remains undefeated.
Kazushi Sakuraba
(Fighting out of Japan, 6’0, 183lbs 6-1-1)
Vs.
Royler Gracie
(Fighting out of Brazil, 5’8 150lbs, 3-0)
Background: THE MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING – Undefeated Royler Gracie (brother of the legendary Royce Gracie) tries to make it two for two for the Gracie’s as he takes on Japanese standout Kazushi Sakuraba. This is Sakuraba’s seventh time going into the PRIDE ring and in his previous six fights he was not on the losing ways. While Royler Gracie is making his second appearance in PRIDE after successfully winning at PRIDE 2. Can both the Gracie’s win or will Kazushi Sakuraba put a stop to the Gracie dominance in MMA.
The Fight: They touch gloves to begin the fight. Sakuraba looks for a big kick but gets nothing but air. Royler shoots for the double leg takedown but is unsuccessful so he pulls Sakuraba down into his guard. Sakuraba is throwing a few shot punches to Royler’s side but Royler is doing a good job to hold onto Sakuraba. After staying in the same position for the last few minutes, Sakuraba stands up and lets Royler stand up as well. Sakuraba goes for a huge high kick and is only inches of hitting Royler Gracie. Royler rushes in looking for a takedown but instead eats a good knee by Sakuraba, Royler then decides to pull guard again. Sakuraba lands some nice hammer fists and then decides to stand up. In something very bizarre, Royler is on the ground moving to try and land some up kicks on Sakuraba. The thing is Sakuraba is easily able to walk away from them. Royler is scooting around the ring in a crab type position and when Sakuraba throws a leg kick at him, the fans are really getting behind him. Five leg kicks to Royler before Sakuraba is able to land a nice kick to the head of Royler. After realizing that Sakuraba isn’t going to go to the ground, Royler decides to stand up. GREAT LOW KICK by Sakuraba to the inside of the leg of Royler, which knocks Royler to the mat but he is able to get up quickly. Royler for the third time in this fight looks to pull guard but is unable to and is on the ground while Sakuraba is standing. Some more leg kicks by Sakuraba and the right thigh of Royler Gracie is very bruised. The leg kicks must be really hurting Royler, Royler keeps motioning Sakuraba to come down to the ground but Sakuraba doesn’t need to. Sakuraba hits Royler with a great leg kick and Royler grabs his leg in pain, Sakuraba sees this and hacks away with consecutive leg kicks. SAKURABA IS PLAYING WITH ROYLER GRACIE, Sakuraba pretends to let Royler grab his arm but when Royler tries that, Sakuraba kicks him in the leg. Sakuraba tries a spinning back kick just before the bell goes but misses Royler’s head. Surprisingly Royler is able to walk to his corner.
Start of round two and they touch gloves again like the first. Royler grabs Sakuraba’s hand and tries to pull him closer to him but Sakuraba ends up getting a Muay Thai type clinch. In this clinch Sakuraba throws a great knee before they break of off each other. While Sakuraba is moving back from Royler, Sakuraba is able to land a chopping right hook which dazes Royler. Bas Rutten in commentary said Sakuraba should throw a high kick and Sakuraba throws one and IT KNOCKS ROYLER TO THE GROUND. Back to the same position as most of this fight has played out, with Royler on the ground and Sakuraba standing (throwing leg kicks). This time Royler decides to stand up instead of taking punishment on the ground. Sakuraba is killing him on the feet though and Royler hasn’t mounted any attack when on his feet. Nice high kick by Sakuraba and Royler is getting absolutely destroyed. INCREDIBLE SPINNING BACK KICK by Sakuraba to Royler’s mid section. A leg kick by Sakuraba makes Royler go to the ground and Royler doesn’t get up and is just moving himself along the ground. Now back to the feet but nothing has changed, Sakuraba is still destroying Royler. Royler falls to the ground yet again and by choice Sakuraba decides to also go to the ground. Sakuraba stands back up and surprise! Surprise! Sakuraba throws some more leg kicks. Finally Royler gets something he wants as he pulls half guard on Sakuraba, but Sakuraba nearly has a Kimura in. Sakuraba then transitions it into an arm lock and it is in very deep. The referee ends the fight but Royler Gracie didn’t tap and is very livid.
Winner Kazushi Sakuraba via arm lock submission at 13:16 of Round 2.
The Breakdown: Royler Gracie becomes the first Gracie to be defeated in a real MMA fight. This didn’t come without controversy though as Royler Gracie didn’t tap yet the referee called the fight of. That being said you can’t say that Kazushi Sakuraba didn’t dominate Royler Gracie for the entire fight. Kazushi Sakuraba did have a big weight difference as Sakuraba fights at 185 and Royler only weighs 150 pounds. After this fight Sakuraba looks to be the new star in MMA with good striking, wrestling and submission skills.
The 411: This event had some of the greatest MMA stars on it, involving two Gracie’s, Wanderlei Silva, Frank Trigg, Kazushi Sakuraba and Igor Vovchanchyn to name a few. But that being said this wasn’t the best event to watch. Too many fights on this card went to the judges and most of them fights were really one sided. One positive we can take out of this event is one of the most brutal KO’s in MMA history by Igor Vovchanchyn on Francisco Bueno
