Pride 33 Second Coming, tore through Vegas bringing the ailing Pride FC company some much needed success, with a night of amazing fights, and shocking outcomes!Dan Henderson KO'd Wanderlei Silva with a brutal left hand, to become the first ever, two weight-class, simultaneous, Champion! Silva seemed cautious and unfocused, as Dan was the aggressor, easily winning the first 2 rounds. Then, in the 3rd, the brutal left came in to emphatically end the night. Dan lost all his front teeth in the fight, but still got the win. Silva came in with a high temperature, and strep-throat, which may have led to his passiveness, but you must credit Dan for a smart fight, and a great finish. Dan is now the Welterweight, and Middleweight Champion, while Silva's 6 year reign, is now over!
Nick Diaz shocked everyone, after getting overwhelmed early on in the fight, and getting dropped to the canvas in the 1st, to recover, dominate Gomi, and then tap him out with the rare submission, the GoGoplata! Gomi threw all he had at Diaz early, and had Diablo on the ropes. But for all the punishment he took (including a huge gash under his right eye), Gomi seemed to tire badly, and Diaz began to come on strong. In the 2nd, Gomi had nothing left, and with the crowd roaring Nick's name behind him, Gomi desperately took Nick to the ground, only to be caught in a tight GoGoplata, from which he could not escape!
Shogun didn't take long to KO Overeem in their rematch. Rua pushed the pace (as always), and Alistair had no answers. From his back, Alistair tried to defend himself, but Shogun came through with a straight punch that KO'd Overeem, and sent his mouth guard flying. Shogun has got to be a #1 contender now. Especially since....
Sokoudjou KO'd Lil' Nogueira in one punch! Granted, he wasn't even looking when he threw it, and connected with his wrist more than his hand, but a KO win is a win none the less. Sokoudjou has been training with Team Quest, and didn't need to showcase his new skills, just the power in his left wrist. Antonio was left asking what happened?
Sergei Kharitonov got back on track with an armbar submission win over Michael Russow. Curious that Mikey claimed he never tapped out, but in the replay you could see him repeatedly tapping.
Mach Sakurai probably scored the prettiest KO of the night on Mac Danzig. Mac was just over matched here, and Mach worked until he finished his opponent in the 2nd. Gomi had better have eyes in the back of his head, every contender near him is winning, and winning strong.
Speaking of Gomi contenders, Hellboy Hansen got a unanimous decision win over the very tough Jason Ireland in a very tough affair. Hellboy really dominated the game, but damn if Jason can take a beating, and keep on coming. He'll get a contract for sure in Japan, and Hansen puts himself back in the Lightweight title scene.
Frank Trigg defeated the lackluster Misaki by decision. Trigg easily won all three rounds with takedowns, and overall control. This only helps to prove my thoughts, that Misaki is overrated, and most guys in the division will beat him. The Grand Prix tournament was a gift, and a healthy Denis Kang is waiting in the wings for revenge.
James Lee came out and surprised Travis Wiuff with a guillotine win in only 39 seconds. Travis, you should be embarrassed, and Lee, welcome to MMA.
And so, what have we all learned here. Takanori Gomi shouldn't be the Lightweight Champ, now for the 2nd time. This crap of not having Champs defend the belt in Pride, has got to stop. Gomi lost to Marcus Aurelio (which he later avenged by split decision), and now Nick Diaz, without losing his strap. This makes the title a joke, and Gomi a protected company man, in the eyes of the fans. Nick, congrats on a sure contract with Pride FC, where he has always wanted to compete, and the Fight of the Year (so far). Anyone else think Mach Sakurai could beat Gomi this time around, hmmmm?
Um, Silva, we love you, and you are a legendary warrior, but take some time off. The guy fights too much, and it has taken a toll on his body. Thank you also, for not using your illness as an excuse for your loss (he never mentioned it, it was revealed after the fight by Pride doctors), but damn it, don't be so proud that you can't cancel a fight when you are not at 100%. Dan Henderson has now done what no other man has done in MMA, but everyone is coming for him, and now in 2 weight classes! The Middleweight title shot was to go to Lil Nog, but after his loss, it will probably be given to Shogun. Wanderlei even said after the fight, it was now Shogun's time, and that he would step aside and let Shogun have his time with the title. This fight has to happen. Oh and Dan, don't forget Paulo Filho and Denis Kang will be back from injuries soon, and want a shot at that Welterweight title.
Sergei Kharitonov is back in the Heavyweight scene, if nothing else, than for something different besides the normal players competing to get beaten by Fedor (Nogueira, Barnett, Hunt, Fujita, ect.). Can't wait to see how good Sokoudjou can be, and Frank Trigg, has he found new life in the Welterweight division?
Pride 33 was a great event, and successful because it had amazing fights that will be talked about for some time, and a crowd that was loud, and into the action for the entire show. Great night, and UFC, Pride FC ain't dead yet, bitches!
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