by Angelina Licchelli
[Review originally released in September of 2008]
Price - £8.99 (correct as of July 1st 2010)
Available from - www.silvervision.co.uk / www.fightdvd.co.uk
Fight Card
Pride and UFC Middleweight Unification Bout
Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson
Heath Herring vs. Cheick Kongo
Evan Tanner vs. Yushin Okami
Chris Leben vs. Alessio Sakara
Jon Fitch vs. Chris Wilson
Andrei Arlovski vs. Jake O'Brien
Luke Cummo vs. Luigi Fioravanti
Diego Sanchez vs. David Bielkheden
Josh Koscheck vs. Dustin Hazelett
Jorge Gurgel vs. John Halverson
DVD Extras:
30 minute BONUS BEHIND THE SCENES FEATURETTE!
DVD motion menus with fight card stats
Exclusive prelim fights not seen on TV
As with previous releases the Extras contain a very informative and insightful look into UFC 82 and the days leading up to
the fight, featuring contributions from fighters such as Anderson Silva, Dan Henderson, Heath Herring and Cheick Kongo this is a fascinating insight into the preperations these gifted athletes have to endure before the UFC shows. Which is a welcome touch to these releases.
Preliminary Matches:
Jorge Gurgel vs. John Halverson
This is an almost identical pairing for this match, with only the ages differing. Halverson starts out with some leg strikes to the head and Gurgel responding with strikes of his own. Gurgel has a beautiful strategy of Legstrike/left hook/dodge. He's extremely quick and his fight plan is paying in dividends. Halverson sees an opening and lands some swift shots, they tie-up for the first time, trading kneelifts. Halverson drops him with a Guillotine but the hold is broken and the young Brazillian lands some nice head shots. Halverson manages to defend himself and the round ends.
Round two begins with some leg strikes connecting for Gurgel, unfortunately one connects all too painfully with Halverson's Mummy and Daddy department. It was an accidental groin kick and although the Ref stops the match until Halverson is ready, no penalty is given to Gurgel, which is a good decision by the official. Once the American regains his composure they return to the quick contest we were enjoying beforehand.
Gurgel finds himself in a headlock which he unsuccessfully turns into a takedown, instead finding himself in a Gogoplata, which he breaks free from, although still trapped in a bodyhold. Gurgel hits him with a flurry of head shots which eventually loosens the hold around his waist, although never breaking it. He swivels himself attempting freedom then stands up eventually breaking free. He's on top now and Halverson is bruising badly from the inside leg strikes the Brazillian landed on him. He holds Halverson in a head scissors but he wasn't in correct position, he lost it before grabbing an Arm-Bar and Halverson ends the round in the Male Position.
We enter the final round with some brutal head strikes by Halverson. They lock-up and a nice takedown by Gurgel is reversed by his opponent, the lock-up continues and both men appear fatigued. The Ref breaks it up and we see them enter into a striking contest. Gurgel is swinging wildly and realising he is not doing himself any favours, he mounts and takesdown Halverson and begins striking him about the head. Finding himself in another bodyscissors he continues the headstrikes but receives some elbows from Halverson. The Referee again seperates them but he goes again for the clinch. Match ends in a show of respect between the contestants and we go to Judges Decision.
Winner by Unanimous Decision - Jorge Gurgel
Diego Sanchez vs. David Bielkheden
Another even pairing in this contest. Diego Sanchez is the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 1 and Bielkheden is making his UFC debut in this Welterweight Bout. We start out with a furious takedown by Sanchez, they stay grounded as Bielkheden attempts to fight out and they trade blows. Sanchez isolates David's arm but fails to put him in a submission hold, Bielkheden manages to control Sanchez but it is quickly broken. Sanchez has him in a mount and strikes his head, although blocking a massive amount of blows connect and the Referee is forced to stop it in the closing moments of the first round.
Winner by Tap-Out - Diego Sanchez
Josh Koscheck vs. Dustin Hazelett
Another UF1 Alumni, Josh Koscheck takes on the youthful Hazelett in the next match. Hazelett comes out like a Bat out of Hell striking and shaking Koscheck. Koscheck's body shots are effective but with a much shorter reach he is having to dodge Dustin, which he does successfully. Hazelett gets a Guillotine on a standing opponent, but he doesn't get all of it and Koscheck escapes. Trading blows evenly until Koscheck dazes Hazelett with a furious takedown, but Dustin proves himself to be dangerous on the floor.
Round two sees an aggressive trade of leg strikes and a body kick by Hazelett. Koscheck then kicks Dustin hard in the head taking him down then jumps on him and flurries headshots until it is over.
Winner by TKO - Josh Koscheck
Luke Cummo vs. Luigi Fioravanti
The two 27 year old welterweights come out striking. Luigi connects and they are soon in a takedown with Fioravanti on top. Now back on their feet, Luigi takes control and is on top of another takedown. Nasty headstrikes again cause Luke to lose his guard and Luigi takes advantage. Fioravanti ends the round in pole position with Cummo getting no advantage at all.
Fioravanti finds himself easily in the Male position again early in the second round. After a messy exchange Cummo finds himself on top for the first time, though Luigi quickly turns it into another takedown. We enter the final minute of the round with Luigi back on top, although Luke is on top he is victim to an attempted Gogoplata, it's not successful but he then ends the round with yet another takedown to secure the round with the judges. Cummo is never feeling like a threat.
Round Three finds us in familiar territory as the much stronger Fioravanti attempts a takedown, after some to-ing and fro-ing Luigi gets him down again. He's in control and Luke is mounting no defense. Referee seperates them and it leads to ANOTHER takedown by Luigi. Luke has had none of this fight and the crowd are beginning to boo very loudly. They are up, but for how long? Oh, not long it turns out, Luigi is just manhandling him, there is little entertainment to be found here. Up and Down AGAIN. Cummo attempts futile elbows and Luigi stays in control. This will go to Judges decision. I expect an unanimous victory for Mr Fioravanti...
Winner by Unanimous Decision - Luigi Fioravanti
Andrei Arlovski vs. Jake O'Brien
Arlovski starts out with a headlock and maintains control. O'Brien finally connects with his takedown attempt but the former champ defends excellently. One of Arlovski's elbows split O'Brien's head open badly. The second round is a feeling-out process, but Arlovski's headlock grounds Jake again. Back to their feet O'brien takesdown Arlovski but doesn't capitalise. Arlovski finds himself on top and pounds him around the head with vicious strikes. The referee ends it.
Winner by TKO - Andrei Arlovski
Main Card Matches:
Jon Fitch vs. Chris Wilson
This evenly balanced contest starts slowly but Wilson attempts some vicious looking kicks which although not connecting look very dangerous. He catches Fitch with some great strikes and uppercuts, which Fitch blocks with a clinch. Fitch gets a takedown but Wilson attempts a Gogoplata, he doesn't get it all and switches to a guard. Round ends with Fitch on top.
The second round begins evenly with exchanges of attempted takedowns. Fitch is back on top overpowering Wilson and maintains position until round end. Round Three starts out more excitingly than the last round ended, with attempted leg strikes from Fitch. Wilson is avoiding another takedown very well. They exchange leg kicks halfway through the final round. Nothing much is connecting and they end up in a double takedown, Fitch has the upper hand again. Round ends in a double choke-style hold. Match ends with Judges decision.
Winner by Unanimous Decision - Jon Fitch
Evan Tanner vs. Yushin Okami
Evan Tanner returns after a Two Year abscence from UFC to take on the 11 year younger Japanese wrestler in this Middleweight Bout. Physical start to this match as both men try head strikes and leg strikes. Okami hits and pounds on Tanner's head but it is reversed and the American takes him down. In a clinch with Tanner in control we see that Evan is bleeding already. They split and are quickly back in a clinch against the fence. Again they are split and exchange strikes until round's end.
A tentative second round sees the fighters exchanging but not often connecting a series of leg kicks and head strikes. Okami catches him with a strong left knee to the head to end the contest.
Winner by Knockout - Yushin Okami
Chris Leben vs. Alessio Sakara
Physical bout as both men get the upper hand in the early going. Leben is aggressive at the outset and hits with a flurry of uppercuts. And it's over, despite being bloodied he is victorious over the Italian. Sakara is disapponted with the stoppage.
Winner by TKO - Chris Leben
Heath Herring vs. Cheick Kongo
Heavyweight match now as two 6'4" fighters go toe to toe. The big Frenchman is rocked within 5 seconds of the opening round by the aggressive Heath Herring. Kongo in turn takes him down and connects with some big shots. Heath dodges the knee but is taken down once more. Kongo grounds him and swings and misses, Herring is back up but is quickly taken back down by the dominant Kongo.
Round Two starts with a scramble, they hit the ground and Kongo gets on top, Herring connects with a strong Up-Kick but is unable to get up as Kongo kicks at him. The ref calls for them to seperate and they clinch against the fence, delivering knee shots. Herring is downed with a strong headshot and stays dominant until Heath flips over and grounds Kongo. They stay grounded until Round's end and it's even going into the final round. Which starts off with Kongo kicking and falling, Heath took control but it is quickly reversed and Cheik is on-top again with kneeshots to the American's sides. Heath takes control with shots to the ribs of the fallen Kongo. Heath stays in control until match end. Judge's decision will decide the outcome.
Winner by Split Decision - Heath Herring
Pride and UFC Middleweight Unification Bout
Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson
Slow start with kicks attempted but not connecting. Henderson is blocking everything being thrown at him and finally takes down Silva. Round one belongs to Henderson. Henderson goes in strong in the second of the scheduled five rounds. Despite this, Silva takes control on the takedown. They are clinched against the cage and bodyshots are thrown by the big Brazillian, Dan tries to throw him but it doesn't work and they start to exchange fist strikes. Silva takes him down and goes in for the kill. Body shots are thrown but Henderson is defending well. Going into the closing seconds of the second round he locks in a Rear-Naked Chokehold and finishes it.
Winner by Tap-Out - Anderson Silva
Overall:
As with all UFC releases, the strong card is done justice by a great package. Strong extras, great aesthetic presentation and crisp audio and video compliment the excellent show perfectly. Recommended.
This is also an opportune time to say RIP and Godspeed to Evan Tanner who lost his life earlier this month
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