Fedor Emelianenko def. Mark Coleman (Armbar)
- Absoutely amazing, and I was very impressed with Fedor's groundwork. That hip-turn on the armbar was one of the fastest I have seen from a guy his size. I wasnt impressed with Fedor before, but I am definitely am now.
Antonio Nogueira def. Hirotaka Yokoi (Inverted Arm-Triangle)
- Easy win and Yokoi was stalling. I knew this would happen, and it was nice to see that inverted arm-triangle. I have actually used that submission several times in tournaments because most people dont expect any submission except a guillotine from the sprawl (cattle-catcher position). Very cool.
Kevin Randleman def. Mirko Filipovic (KO)
-What can I say? I was speech-less. However, I hope this means Kevin Randleman is now focused and training hard. Considering Kevin can compete as a middle-weight, a focused and healthy Randleman is virtually indestructable. That loss didnt show poor fighting ability from Mirko, just inexperience. He was so concerned about the shoot that he dropped his hands and was KO'ed.
Heath Herring def. Yoshiki Takahashi (TKO)
- Eh. Ok match. Basically a GnP win.
Sergei Kharitonov def. Murilo Rua (KO)
- I called this upset in Hogg's previous PRIDE thread. Kharitonov was Fedor's old sparring partner when Fedor was with RTT (Russian Top Team) so I knew he was a tough SOB. Besides, I dont like Rua.
Naoya Ogawa def. Stefan Leko (Side-Choke)
- I personally think this match was a work. Leko was paid to take a dive. Considering he literally dropped like a rock from a weak Ogawa jab and he is a K-1 veteran (Leko is), and all of Ogawa's wins have come from works so far, I actually predicted a work. Japan will do whatever it has to for their Judo "Golden Boy" to win. Also, did you notice the heat with Randleman at the end? Did you know Ogawa and Randleman both work for the same pro-wrestling organization in Japan (which is run by Inoki and Takada)? I smell a fish.
Paulo Cesar Silva def. Henry Miller (Kimura)
- Freak show. Silva actually trained with Renzo Gracie in preparation for this match and it showed. Even a months worth of Jiu-Jitsu is going to beat an untrained fighter and that is exactly what happened.
Semmy Schilt vs. Gan McGee (Armbar)
- Schilt showed his experience inside the ring and his training with team Golden Glory. Schilt is a great striker with submission skills and McGee was good 5 years ago. Schilt needs to work on getting out of the mount, as his attempts were laughable.
Overall a great PPV. I would have prefered Randleman not upset Mirko, but if this means he is concentrating on fighting again, then as a Randleman fan, it can only be a good thing.
Also, Nogueira tried a Omoplata AGAIN, but couldnt get it. I am still waiting for that submission to work in MMA. Theoretically it would work just fine, but no one seems to get it. It is one of my favorite Sport BJJ armlocks, so I always go nuts when Nog tries it.
There ya go MMA fans...Discuss...