PRIDE 25 "Body Blow" - Results (SPOILERS)

[Guest Army Eye]

1. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira d. Kazuhiro Nakamura by submission (armbar) - 3:49 R2

 

2. Akira Shoji d. Alex Stiebling by decision (2-1)

 

3. Alexander Otsuka d. Kenichi Yamamoto by decision (3-0)

 

4. Anderson Silva d. Carlos Newton by KO (flying knee) - 6:27 R1

 

5. Dan Henderson d. Shungo Oyama by TKO (punches) - 3:28 R1

 

6. Antonio Schembri d. Kazushi Sakuraba by KO (knees) - 6:15 R1

 

7. Quinton Jackson d. Kevin Randleman by TKO (punches) - 6:58 R1

 

8. Fedor Emelianenko d. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by decision (3-0)

(Fedor Emelianenko becomes new PRIDE Heavyweight Champion)

 

 

 

Some stunning upsets..

 

As much as I love Nino, it is hard to get happy about him beating Sakuraba. Another heartbreaking loss for him.

 

For Minotauro, his first loss in over three years, and over that span he fought just about every top contender. A remarkable run for him. Guess he had to lose sometime.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

HOLY SHIT!

 

4. Anderson Silva d. Carlos Newton by KO (flying knee) - 6:27 R1

 

THIS surprised me almost more than Nog losing. Newton can take A LOT of punishment - I thought he couldn't get knocked out.

 

6. Antonio Schembri d. Kazushi Sakuraba by KO (knees) - 6:15 R1

 

You're right, this is really fn heartbreaking for Sak. He either needs a really long rest or retirement - because his body can't seem to hold up any more.

 

8. Fedor Emelianenko d. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by decision (3-0)

(Fedor Emelianenko becomes new PRIDE Heavyweight Champion)

 

I am really bitter right now. Shit. Nog will win the rematch. HE WILL! I hope this match wasn't all GnP, but it probably was.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

(here's a more detailed version)

 

3/16/03

Yokohama Arena

 

The show opened with a video piece with images of ``THE END OF PRIDE?`` then ``PRIDE NEVER DIE!`` with clips of fighters talking about former President Naoto Morishita.

 

1. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira defeated Kazuhiro Nakamura in 3:30 in 2R by submission (armbar).

-Match photo 1, Match photo 2

-Nakamura entered wearing the gi, however he removed it before the fight began.

-1R: Nakamura picks up Nogueira and throws him down. Nogueira lays on his back while Nakamura stands. Nakamura jumps on him into his guard. Nogueira went for an uma plata, but it was unsuccessful, allowing Nakamura to escape. Nakamura goes back into Nogueira`s guard. Nakamura tripods. Nogueira conties to go for a triangle, but isn`t successful. Nakamura gets out of the guard and stands up, while Nogueira lays on his back. The referee makes Nogueira stand. Nogueira lands some solid punches while Nakamura attempts a takedown. They go down with Nakamura on his back in Nakamura`s half guard. Nogueira lands shots to the body. Nakamura escapes and gets to his feet, with Nogueira in the BUTT scoot again. Nakamura jumps on Nogueira again and go into Nogueira`s guard. Nakamura lands a series of punches to the face. Nogueira attempts an uma plata and loses it, allowing Nakamura to stand. Nakamura goes for a bicycle kick and goes to the ground with him. Nogueira continues to attempt the triangle. While Nakamura lands small strikes, Nogueira attempts to sweep with an armbar, but Nakamura defends. Nakamura gets to his feet again. The referee makes Nogueira stand. The round ends.

-2R: Nakamura attempts a takedown, but Nogueira sprawls and gets him down but is unable to get him all the way down. The referee makes Nogueira stand. They go back down again, in Nakamura`s guard. Nogueira lands a series of shots to the face and body. Nakamura rolls, trying to escape and gives Nogueira his back. Nogueira applies an armbar. Nakamura taps out.

-After the fight, UFC Middleweight Champion Murilo Bustamante spoke Japanese, announcing his participation in PRIDE, reading from a paper, ``I am Murilo Bustamante, the leader of Brazilian Top Team. I am honored to be here. My dream is to become PRIDE Middleweight Champion. I will fight anybody. Please give me your support. Thank you very much.``

 

2. Akira Shoji defeated Alex Steibling at the end of 3R by split decision (2-1).

-Match photo 1

-After training with AMC Pankration, Matt Hume is Shoji`s corner, as well as Hiroyuki Abe. Shoji also appears to have lost weight since the last time he fought.

-1R: They test each other out, kickboxing, neither getting the advantage. Shoji gets him down in Steibling`s guard. Shoji gets half guard. He passes into side mount. Steibling keeps his left knee high to prevent Shoji from getting mount. Shoji lands small strikes. He attempts a full mount, but ends up back in Steibling`s guard. Shoji gets north-pole position, goes for knees, Steibling blocks and gets Shoji in his half guard. Steibling gets full guard. The exchange punches on the ground. Shoji passes and gets in side mount. He lands a few solid punches and goes for an armbar, but can`t get it, allow Steibling to get up. They clinch in the corner until the round ends.

-2R: They start the round kickboxing again. Shoji lands a four-punch combination, sending Steibling to the mat. Shoji continues to land a series of serious punches. In side mount, he continues punching, then throwing knees. Steibling gets him back in guard. More punches are landed. Steibling rolls it and gets guard. Steibling lands punches. Shoji gives him his back. Steibling has back mount. He goes for a rear naked choke. Shoji keeps his chin down. One minute left in the round. Steibling releases the hold. Shoji goes on his side before giving Steibling his back again. Steibling lands hammer punches to the head. Steibling comes very close to getting the referee stoppage before the round ends.

-3R: Steibling does some mostly unanswered kickboxing. Steibling lands several straights and jabs, as Shoji, very tired, doesn`t do much. The round ends and will go to a decision.

-The judges rule a split decision, controversially awarding the fight to Akira Shoji.

-After the fight, Shoji took the microphone, crying, said, ``My PRIDE will live forever!``

-In the back, Steibling said Shoji was tough and that he wouldn`t complain about the decision.

 

3. Alexander Otsuka defeated Kenichi Yamamoto at the end of 3R by unanimous decision (3-0).

-Match photo 1

-Yamamoto refused to shake hands with Otsuka before the fight.

-1R: Otsuka clinches Yamamoto against the ropes, trying to take him down. Otsuka slams Yamamoto down. Otsuka stands up and jumps on Yamamoto, into his guard. Otsuka goes for a can opener while Yamamoto pushes on Otsuka`s face. The fight is mostly unexciting right now. Yamamoto gets on the top and into Otsuka`s half guard. Yamamoto goes for a kneebar, which is unsuccesful, resulting in Otsuka getting in Yamamoto`s half guard. Otsuka picks Yamamoto up and slams him down on his head like a piledriver. They spend a couple minutes in Yamamoto`s guard, where Otsuka lands small strikes and tries to slam Yamamoto from there, but it never works. The round ends. A mostly uneventful round other than the slam by Otsuka.

-2R: Again, they start the round by going into the ropes then down to the ground in Yamamoto`s guard. Otsuka gets into half guard, then side mount. Some punches are landed and he lands a big knee. The fight goes standing and it appears Yamamoto`s arm is somehow cut while Otsuka bleeds from the nose. Otsuka takes Yamamoto down into Yamamoto`s half guard. They exchange body shots. The round ends.

-3R: Otsuka shoots and takes him down. Yamamoto rolls and gets full mount on Otsuka. Otsuka saves and gets half guard. Yamamoto is very tired, not able to do much. Yamamoto is given a yellow card for stalling. The fighters stand because of the yellow card. Yamamoto goes for a dropkick, but of course, it doesn`t work. They go to the ground again and the round ends. The crowd boos the unexciting fight. I would expect this to be clipped, if not removed from the US version of the pay-per-view.

-The judges give Alexander Otsuka the unanimous decision.

-Otsuka and Yamamoto shook hands after the fight.

 

4. Anderson Silva defeated Carlos Newton in 6:26 in 1R by TKO (flying knee).

-Match photo 1, Match photo 2

-Silva weighs in at 84kg; Newton at 87kg. Anderson gives the big staredown.

-1R: Newton acheives the takedown after some jabs. Small strikes by both fighters. Netwon passes into side mount. He lands a big knee in north-south position. Newton takes full mount, Silva tries to resist, but Newton gets it. Newton lands some punches. Silva spins out and they go into Silva`s guard. Silva`s legs are so long that he`s able to do a triangle on Newton`s torso for guard. After a period of inactivity, the referee gives a yellow card to Silva for stalling and stands the fighters. Silva hits a big flying knee as Newton goes for the double-leg. Newton goes down. Silva follows with punches. The referee stops the fight.

-Anderson screamed wildly and did his Michael Jackson dance in the ring after winning.

 

5. Dan Henderson defeated Shungo Oyama in 3:27 in 1R by TKO (punches).

-Match photo 1, Match photo 2

 

-Matt Linland and Randy Couture are among Henderson`s corner as part of Team Quest.

-1R: Henderson goes in with a combination and knocks Oyama down, but Oyama gets back up to take more punches. They continue in a stand-up exchange until Oyama does for a hip throw, but Henderson gets back up from him it and takes Oyama down himself, getting side mount. Oyama spins out and gets to his feet to return to stand-up. Henderson takes Oyama down to side mount and rains punches. After about nine straight punches, the referee stops the fight.

 

-Intermission

-Bob Sapp entered wearing an Inoki mask. Sapp got in the ring and did the whole Inoki routine. The lights went out. Antonio Inoki, who is in Parao, appeared on the screen. He said, ``PRIDE`s starting off fresh again. I`m hoping today`s event will be successful.`` Kazuyuki Fujita then appeared on the screen with Inoki. Fujita said, ``I will challenge anybody anywhere, anytime.`` Sapp in the ring, then jokingly said, ``Fujita, come on!`` Fujita said, ``See you at PRIDE 26.`` Sapp then did the Inoki, ``Ich! Ni! San! Daa!!``

 

6. Kazushi Sakuraba lost to Antonio ``Nino`` Schembri in 6:07 in 1R by TKO (knees).

-Match photo 1

-1R: Sakuraba goes for a high kick, but Schembri blocks it. They exchange knee, kick and punch attempts before going to the ground. Schembri has a red mark on his leg from a low kick. Schembri tries to pull guard while Sakuraba stands. Schembri is bleeding heavily from the nose. He`s sent to be checked by the doctor. The fight continues. Sakuraba dominates Schembri standing. The crowd cheers for his every strike. Big left by Sakuraba, he follows with combinations, but Schembri gets out. Sakuraba hits the Mongolian chop. They tie up. Sakuraba pushes him into the corner. Schembri comes up with a knee. A series of big knees by Schembri. He follows with punches. The referee stops the fight. Sakuraba has been defeated in a huge upset.

 

7. Quinton ``Rampage`` Jackson defeated Kevin Randleman in 7:00 in 1R by TKO (punches).

-Match photo 1 (Silva-Jackson pull-apart)

-The winner of this fight earns a match with Vanderlei Silva for the PRIDE Middleweight Title.

-Both Jackson and Randleman come in weighing 93kg (205lbs).

-1R: They go into a clinch in the over-under. All small striking with Jackson going for his muay thai knees to the body. The referee calls for the fighters to return to the middle of the right. The same thing only happens as they go into the corner with Jackson going for knees again. The referee breaks them up again. The same thing happens the third time. The referee breaks them up and this time gives a yellow card to both fighters. Jackson hits Randleman with a combination. Randleman goes down. Jackson lands knees. He takes full mount and lands punches. The referee stops the fight. Jackson earns a match with Vanderlei Silva.

-After the fight, Jackson took the microphone. Vanderlei Silva gets in the ring after the fight. Jackson and Silva stare at each other from across the ring. Silva pushes Jackson. Jackson drops the microphone. The ring floods. Jackson and Silva are just barely separated by about 20 people. Silva takes the microphone. He said, in Portugese, ``Come on. Let`s go. Right now.`` I`m not sure if Jackson understood what he said, but he tried to get back in the ring, but of course, he didn`t get back in and left.

 

8. PRIDE Heavyeight Title: Emelianenko Fedor defeated Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at the end of 3R by unanimous decision (3-0).

-The Russian and Brazilian national anthems were played before the fight.

-Nobuhiko Takada did the sanctioning and certificate-reading for the PRIDE Heavyweight Title match.

-1R: Nogeuira goes in for a double-leg takedown and gets it, but Fedor rolls out and sits back up. Fedor throws a big right, which Nogueira avoids, but almost falls out of the ring in doing so. Fedor gets Nogueira on the ground with this. Nogueira tries to get Fedor in guard. Nogueira holds on to Fedor`s right hand so he can`t punch and applies guard. Fedor pulls up, so Nogueira throws a bicycle kick. Fedor comes down with some big punches. Fedor continues to try to do this, but Nogueira defends it. Nogueira goes for a triangle, but he doesn`t make it. Nogueira goes for a chickenwing, but couldn`t get that either. Fedor needed his glove adjusted. Nogueira goes for an uma plata also could get that on. Nogueira goes for the chickenwing again. Fedor avoids in and comes in with some hard punches. Nogueira continues to go for the chickenwing. Nogueira is bleeding slightly from the cheek. Nogueira goes for the triangle as Fedor comes up, but Fedor pulls out of it. Fedor pops up again and pounds him in the face, landing about six punches. Fedor continues to land flurry after flurry of punches. Nogueira makes a brief attempt at the triangle. Nogueira appears to becoming tired with one minute to go. Nogueira sweeps. He gets into half guard on Fedor. Nogueira with some small punches. Fedor counters with his own sweep and pounds Nogueira in the face. A round largely dominated by Fedor ends.

-2R: Nogueira shoots with a double-leg but can`t do it yet. Fedor tries to knee him. Nogueira drops back, putting the fight in Nogueira`s guard once again. More of the same thing with Fedor pulling up and dropping punches on Nogueira, though not quite to the same extent yet. Nogueira goes for a triangle, then an armbar, but misses both. Fedor lands a hard right on Nogueira`s jaw. Fedor continues his method of pulling up and dropping down with punches. Nogueira sweeps and is about to get in Fedor`s guard as the round ends.

-3R: Fedor comes in with a big left, but misses and Nogueira pulls him down to the ground in his guard. Nogueira goes for an armbar then an uma plata, almost gets it, but Fedor gets out. Nogueira tries to sweep, but Fedor gets away from it, still able to drop down on Nogueira with his punches. Nogueira holds on to Fedor`s wrists to defend punches, but Fedor pulls out at will to try to punch him, but is not able to throw them as quickly as before. Fedor almost makes side mount, but seems to prefer being in Nogueira`s guard. Nogueira goes for another chickenwing, but it still doesn`t work. Noguiera tries for another armbar or triangle, but nothing works. The round ends. Bloodied, Nogueira slaps the mat and buries his head, knowing he has been defeated.

-The judges award the match to Fedor by unanimous decision. Emelianenko Fedor is the new PRIDE Heavyweight Champion.

-After the fight, Fedor took the microphone and thanked everyone and said it was an honor to fight Nogueira.

-All the fighters (except for Vanderlei Silva, since Jackson was there) entered the ring and shook Fedor`s hand, including Bob Sapp. Sapp said, ``I look forward to challenging you for the belt in the future.`` Fedor joked, ``I`m looking forward to fighting you, but I`d have to gain about 70 kilograms before that.``

-Sakuraba addressed the crowd, saying, ``I did lose the fight, but PRIDE will go on. I will support PRIDE in the future.``

[Guest Angle-plex]

Bah~! I can't believe Nog lost.

 

-After the fight, Jackson took the microphone. Vanderlei Silva gets in the ring after the fight. Jackson and Silva stare at each other from across the ring. Silva pushes Jackson. Jackson drops the microphone. The ring floods. Jackson and Silva are just barely separated by about 20 people. Silva takes the microphone. He said, in Portugese, ``Come on. Let`s go. Right now.`` I`m not sure if Jackson understood what he said, but he tried to get back in the ring, but of course, he didn`t get back in and left.

 

MMA is turning into sports entertainment more and more every day.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

Pride has always blurred the line.

 

I can't wait for the press conference for the Jackson/Silva fight.

 

Silva: People like you are entertainers while people like me are champions.

[Guest razazteca]

Silva hits a big flying knee as Newton goes for the double-leg. Newton goes down. Silva follows with punches. The referee stops the fight.

So Newton went for the shoot takedown but Silva hit him with a Knee instead of going for a sprawl?

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

I really really really wish my cable company showed Pride ppvs.

 

I need to see this show.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

 

Either it was a really bad shoot or Silva has insane timing.

[Guest Lord of The Curry]

Poor Carlos...poor, poor Carlos.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

1. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira d. Kazuhiro Nakamura by submission (armbar) - 3:49 R2

 

This match was surprisingly good with constant ground work. Nakamura impressed everyone even though RogNog dictated the fight. Sweet finish.

 

2. Akira Shoji d. Alex Stiebling by decision (2-1)

 

This fight was really interesting. All of the first round was on the ground with Shoji dominating. The second round kicked ass with a combination of really great groundwork and great standup by both men. The third round was all standup with Alex dominating. Stiebling should have won, but Shoji crying after the match was touching so I am not angry.

 

4. Anderson Silva d. Carlos Newton by KO (flying knee) - 6:27 R1

 

DIRTY DIRTY DIRTY knee. Newton was out on his knees!

 

5. Dan Henderson d. Shungo Oyama by TKO (punches) - 3:28 R1

 

Cool finish with Henderson Knocking out Oyama and then slamming him... he looked like a rag doll falling to the ground... FUN.

 

6. Antonio Schembri d. Kazushi Sakuraba by KO (knees) - 6:15 R1

 

This was just an odd fight. Sakuraba DOMINATED and looked really good doing so - but got cocky and ate a knee.

 

7. Quinton Jackson d. Kevin Randleman by TKO (punches) - 6:58 R1

 

Fuck the Rock. Fuck Austin. Jackson and Randleman are the TRUE PROMO KINGS! Just fabulous, fabulous stuff. I missed most of this fight but the ending was sweeeeet. Jackson/Silva just reeked of Austin/Tyson - and I ain't complainin.

 

8. Fedor Emelianenko d. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by decision (3-0)

(Fedor Emelianenko becomes new PRIDE Heavyweight Champion)

 

Fedor deserved it... I guess.... Kept shrugging off Nogs submission attempts - just completely shut him down. Kinda sad.

[Guest Army Eye]

Fuck the Rock. Fuck Austin. Jackson and Randleman are the TRUE PROMO KINGS! Just fabulous, fabulous stuff. I missed most of this fight but the ending was sweeeeet. Jackson/Silva just reeked of Austin/Tyson - and I ain't complainin.

Heh can't wait to download this, I NEED to see that Silva/Rampage pull-apart. I don't care if it was worked or not, I'll mark out huge.

[Guest benoitrulz4life]

Wow. Best PRIDE ever, and that's not hyperbole. Not a single boring match on the card. This totally blows away anything UFC has done in recent memory, and, unlike UFC, they already have the stage set for their next PPV and are building to it now.

 

Sakuraba DOMINATED the fight, but then caught a fluke knee from Nino that dazed him. That knee was Nino's first and only effective move of the fight.

 

Jackson literally beat the snot out of Randleman and pretty much controlled the fight, effectively neutralizing all of Randleman's takedowns, and sprawling and brawling extremely well.

 

As for Newton, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and ate the bad end of a Silva knee.

 

Fedor grounded and pounded more effectively than any fighter I have EVER seen, as he just shrugged off Noguiera's submission attempts and proceeded to beat Nogueira into oblivion the entire match. I think Nog will be back though, and we just might get a rematch in the Grand Prix.

 

GREAT show, and if you're thinking about ordering the show, do so NOW, rob your grandma for the money if you have to.

 

Who says PRIDE's going down the tubes, fuck that they're better than ever, making new stars to replace the old ones, something even predetermined companies do a shitty job of.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

PRIDE isn't going down the tubes but Dreamstage Entertainment is.

 

The two GP's this year should be fucking fabulous as each division is STACKED.