Search - Pride Fighting Championships: Demolition on DVD

Pride 21: Demolition

Matt | NJ | 08/21/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"June 23, 2002
Saitama Super Arena, Japan

This is another solid fight card put together by the Pride organization. Maybe the term isn't "put together" so much as it is "allowed" to occur. These are the matchups that make sense and Pride is probably the best organization for allowing these matchups to happen when they should happen.

Bob Sapp v. Kiyoshi Tamura:
Sapp is a beast of a man at 370 lbs. The fighters step in, the bell sounds, fighting ensues for only a moment and a towel is thrown in to stop the action... Very interesting.

Gary "Big Daddy" Goodridge v. Labazanov Arhmed:
This one goes to the ground rather quickly. Arhmed gets the first takedown, but Goodridge reverses the flow of the fight on the ground soon thereafter. The fight gets a bit boring and I don't believe either fighter is a serious threat in Pride competition. This one unfortunately goes to a decision.

Alex Steibling v. Anderson Silva:
This one is stopped just as the action is getting good... Steibling is a mad man and Silva is one of the most precise strikers in the game.

Jeremy Horn v. Gilbert Yvel:

Now, I'm always game to see Gilbert Yvel get beat up on. He is one of the most irritating figures in all of mixed martial arts. Horn starts this fight out with a good, solid slam. He then slowly works for a submission. The rounds get better as the fight progressed, with Horn getting numerous takedowns throughout.

Renzo Gracie v. Shungo Ohyama:
Ohyama showboats and gets taken down by Gracie. The action is slow in this one... The fighters are eventually stood up by the referee, thank God. Ohyama wants to brawl, but Renzo is tentative. Ohyama lands one good kick, but that's about all there is to speak about as he slowly starts to take over the fight. As an odd sidenote, Renzo gets frustrated and actually spits at Ohyama during this fight. Wonderful sportsmanship. It is funny, though, and at least it boosts the level of entertainment somewhat. This one also unfortunately goes the distance.

Emelianenko Fedor v. Semmy Schilt:
Ahhh, the big boys take the stage. Pride heavyweight action is the best in the world. We all know Semmy Schilt, standing 7 feet tall... But we are about to meet Fedor. Fedor gets a quick takedown and totally controls Schilt. Not too much damage is sustained in the 1st round. Schilt is on his back for the duration of the round. As we all know, Fedor is undefeated in Pride Fighting, so I won't consider it a spoiler in telling you that this is where Fedor secures his first of MANY wins in Pride, this time, via decision. This marks the emergence of one of the most exciting athletes in the sport.

Don "The Predator" Frye v. Yoshihiro Takayama:
Frye was set to fight Mark Coleman, but Coleman pulled out of the bout due to an injury suffered in training. Oh well. This fight is no doubt better than a Frye/Coleman fight could ever be in terms of excitement. Frye lands good punches right away. They then stand, holding each others' heads, trading right hands. A knee is landed and they trade again. This is frenzied action and Takayama's face shows the due wear. Frye's mouthpiece goes flying... This is an awesome standing battle and the crowd goes wild for it in the first round. A winner is then clearly defined and identified, beating his opponent to a referee stoppage. Great fight!

This is another keeper in the collection! Check it out."