MMA Reviews

UFC 73: Stacked

Sacramento in California plays host to UFC 73, co-headlined by a Lightweight and Middleweight Championship bout. As the name suggests, this event is totally stacked with a strong fight card featuring a broad array of well-established UFC fighters.

The Lightweight Championship bout pits current champion Sean Sherk against challenger Hermes Franca. Will the Brazilian Franca be able to make the next big step up? The same question stands for Nathan Marquardt. After an impressive start to his UFC career, can he overcome Middleweight champion Anderson Silva who has defended his title once already? Also sure to be a cracker, the “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” looks to put an end to Rashad Evans perfect 15-0 record.

UFC 73: Stacked features the following bouts: Anderson Silva vs. Nathan Marquardt, Rashad Evans vs. Tito Ortiz, Alvin Robinson vs. Kenny Florian, Sean Sherk vs. Hermes Franca, Heath Herring vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mike Nickels vs. Stephan Bonnar, Diego Saraivavs vs. Jorge Gurgel, Chris Lytle vs. Jason Gilliam & Mark Bocek vs. Frankie Edgar DVD Special Features include a behind the scenes featurette.

Once again the UFC produces an excellent card of action.  it features fast and furious action, a near KO shocker in the Herring/Nogueira bout, kenny Florian puts on another masterclass and Anderson Silva, does basically what Anderson Silva does so well.  Match of the event has to goto the Sherk/Franca bout, but definetly one to add to the collection.

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UFC 72: Victory  

From the Odyssey in Belfast – Northern Ireland, UFC 72 continues the UFC’s expansion into Europe with a fight card packed with crowd favourites. The line-up features some of the UFC’s finest rising stars including The Ultimate Fighter alumni like Rory Singer, “Short Fuse” Ed Herman, Marcus Davis and Scott Smith as well as UK fighters Jason Tan, Stevie Lynch and Collin Robinson.

Forrest Griffin and Hector Ramirez battle it out in the Light Heavyweight category with Ramirez hoping to strike his way to victory. Will he have enough to overcome the heavy hands and all-round talent of Griffin? The main event sees Rich Franklin go head-to-head with Yushin Okami. Franklin comes into the fight looking to earn a shot at regaining the Middleweight title while Okami aims at building upon his 4-0 UFC start and claiming a valuable scalp along the way. Who will prevail and who will have to go back to the drawing board?

UFC 72: Victory features the following bouts: Rich Franklin vs. Yushin Okami, Forrest Griffin vs. Hector Ramirez, Tyson Griffin vs. Clay Guida, Jason MacDonald vs. Rory Singer, Ed Herman vs. Scott Smith, Eddie Sanchez vs. Colin Robinson, Dustin Hazelett vs. Stevie Lynch & Marcus Davis vs. Jason Tan DVD Special Features include a behind the scenes featurette.

The UFC came to Belfast and conquered in this hit and miss event.  The main event only really gets going in the third and final round where there are submission attempts galore.  Forrest Griffin mounts the comeback trail after losing in a shock KO to Keith Jardine with a more controlled performance, but match of the night and contender for match of the year is Clay Guida Vs. Tyson Griffin.  This DVD is worth buying alone for this match.

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The Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback 

The Ultimate Fighter 4 – The Comeback In the fourth series of this massively popular “reality TV” show, sixteen mixed martial arts fighters living in the same house in Las Vegas, undertake three months of gruelling training and painstaking hard work as they compete to become The Ultimate Fighter (TUF).

Unlike previous series, the TUF 4 cast is composed entirely of fighters that had already fought in the UFC, but were yet to win a UFC title. Instead of coaches, the fighters are under the watchful eyes of fighters and instructors like Georges St. Pierre, Mark Laimon, Mark DellaGrotte, and UFC legend Randy Couture.

Pushed to the absolute limit, the fighters endure various genres of mixed martial arts training including Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling, Karate and Muay Thai. Split into two teams and two weight classes (welterweights and middleweights), the teams compete to determine which will have the right to pair one of their own fighters against an opponent of their choice – the loser is then eliminated from the house. This continues until the four remaining fighters of each weight class are placed in a single-elimination tournament, where the title of Ultimate Fighter is awarded to the winner.

The final victor gains the sensational prize of a six-figure contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Losers walk away with the experience of competing in the renowned Octagon among some of the best MMA professionals in the business – but little else for their incredible endeavours. This great-value five-disc set containing over 13 hours of footage also includes DVD Special Features such as finalist profiles, cast interviews and deleted scenes.

This series of TUF is memorable for one thing or fighter alone Matt 'And you're breathing' Serra who really comes into his own as the makeshift captain of his team.  Because the fighters have all appeared in the UFC before you get more rounded fights and some real barnstormers they are too.  This disc also comes extra's heavy with some great stuff like the interviews with the cast and not seen before deleted scenes.  Not the best TUF, but definetly up there.

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UFC 71: Liddell Vs. Jackson 

Held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in front of more than 14,500 fans, UFC 71 is headlined by the showdown between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell.

Discussion in the lead up to the main event, which generated a record level of media coverage for the sport in the US, revolved around whether Liddell as the current Light Heavyweight Champion, could win back the last loss on his record. Would the fight live up to the hype? When it comes to “The Iceman” and “Rampage”, anything is possible…

As usual, the rest of the fight card is packed with current and rising UFC stars. Expert grappler Karo Parisyan takes on the awesome wrestling skills of Josh Burkman, as the two battle in out for supremacy in a welterweight bout! The Ultimate Fighter Series 3 star Kalib Starnes goes head-to-head with Chris Leben in a mammoth fight that will test both the competitors’ skills and stamina.

Meanwhile Terry Martin and Ivan Salaverry prepare to reinforce the United States vs. Canada rivalry, as the two opposing nationals square up. Will Martin’s punching power overcome Salaverry’s well-rounded fighting nature, or will the Canadian take victory?

UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson features the following bouts: Chuck Liddell vs. Quinton Jackson, Karo Parisyan vs. Josh Burkman, Terry Martin vs. Ivan Salaverry, Houston Alexander vs. Keith Jardine, Kalib Starnes vs. Chris Leben, Thiago Silva vs. James Irvin (prelim), Alan Belcher vs. Sean Salmon (prelim), Jeremy Stephens vs. Din Thomas (prelim) & Carmelo Marrero vs. Wilson Gouveia (prelim) DVD special features include a behind the scenes featurette on Liddell and Jackson.

UFC 71 was yet another cracking main event with Liddell & Jackson really going for it.  The introduction to the UFC of the exciting Houston Alexander and another great match from Karo Parisyan who seriously needs a title shot soon.  Once again the extras comprise a solitary (But good) documentary on the build up to the main event.

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