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UFC 113: Machida vs Shogun 2

UFC 113 fight card includes 1 title bout, 2 last appearances, plus a number one  contendership decider for the welterweight strap.

Streetfighting bad-ass Kimbo Slice makes his second official UFC appearance, following an impressive performance against Houston Alexander, demonstrating wrestling ability, evidence of Kimbo evolving to be a fully-fledged mixed martial artist.

Could Kimbo  SLICE up ‘Meat’ Mitrione? Highlights are Kimbo’s slams in Round 1, for Slice fans, which unfortunately sapps the-street-certified-slugger.

The star shining brighter is Mitrione’s. Maniacally-ever-smiling Mitrione sticks to a game plan that works wonders. Sadly Slice’s star fades out, fighting his last bout for the UFC. Mitrione is like an overgrown kid, who happens to be lethal.

Josh Kosccheck versus Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley: Second last appearance of a fighter  here, following Kimbo’s departure. Kos versus Daley was a fight with heaps of hype and heat leading up to UFC 113. Kos – hated heel, Daley – cocky Brit, who ordinarily would be the villain versus an American UFC fan favourite but Koscheck is no fan favourite.

The build-up banter included an online competition to design Koscheck a new hairstyle, featung wacky photoshopped pictures  galore. Daley clearly the anti-hero fan favourite here.

Daley is resilient versus wrestler Kos, but unable to get in the much needed explosive stand-up offence. Aside from the photshop competition this fight will be remembered for Daley’s post fight cheap-shot to Koscheck, earning Daley a one way ticket out of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Marquee bout – Machida vs Shogun 2 confirms what most fans and pundits alike already knew, Rua was the better fighter. An impressive win for Shogun, a sad loss for ‘The Dragon’  but don’t worry we’ve not seen the last of Machida. That’s what I love about the UFC, fighter get a second chance unlike boxers.

UFC 113 2 disc DVD is loaded with 8 other bouts from the Montreal card, featuring a whole host of Canadian cage competitors. Plus all the usual must see bonus features including weigh-ins, Countdown show, and behind the scenes.

Behind The Scense takes an in depth look back at Shogun and Machida’s first epic encounter from UFC 104. Includes input from UFC matchmaker extraordinaire Joe Silva, commentator Joe Rogan, plus the fighters themselves.

UFC 113 is another welcome addition to any UFC fanatic’s DVD collection. Enjoy!

UFC 113 – Machida vs. Shogun 2  is out now on DVD, available direct from www.fightdvd.co.uk and all good retailers.

Keep visiting BluRayMMA.com for more reviews of brand new UFC, related combat sport and martial arts DVD releases.

UFC DVD review by Duane Farr

duane@bluraymma.com

UFC 113: Machida vs Shogun 2

Time to unleash ‘The Dragon’! Coming up Saturday 8th May, at the Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec, Canada, is one of the most highly anticipated rematches, in the world of mixed martial arts competition.

When Shogun Rua challenged fellow Brazilian Lyoto ‘The Dragon’ Machida, losing on a points decision, we knew it wasn’t final. Dana White almost immediately announced a rematch would be booked. The UFC powers that be have kept to their word, once again Karate will battle Muay Thai kick-boxing within the confines of the octagon.

Clearly there was good reason for signing up a second light-heavyweight title clash between this pair of elite cage warriors. The majority saw the fight won by Shogun due to the damage inflicted but the cage-side judges saw the outcome differently. I applaud the UFC for choosing to match them up once more to decide who truly is the mixed martial artist deserving of the light-heavyweight belt.

In previous UFC fights it was rare for Machida to receive a strike, due to an elusive almost Kangeroo-like in and out Karate style. Former top rung Pride FC competitor Shogun broke the chain, inflicting pain, chopping at The Dragon with his Muay Thai leg kicks. Rua is likely to utilise his leg kicks once again, attempting to take the spring out of the light-heavyweight champions legs.

Hopefully second time around the decision won’t be left in the judges hands, on Saturday at the Montreal Bell Centre. We don’t want more indecision, a kin to the current situation following the British General Election. Whatever happens the contest looks to be highly competitive. It’s going to be a war!

Backing up the main event, sees our very own home-grown contender, Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley booked in showdown with former ultimate fighter contestant Josh Koscheck. Both battlers have a chance of rising up against welterweight king Georges ‘Rush’ St Pierre.

Adding to the drama Dana White recently announced the number one contender will coach opposite GSP on the next season of TUF. Got to say I’m loving the possibility of another Brit following in the footsteps of Mike Bisping on TUF 12.

The build-up to their cage-clash has been entertaining to say the least. Both guys are not afraid of coming forward, airing their opinions. Koscheck is the one who stepped up to Dan Hardy laying down the gauntlet previously.

Brit Daley fighting out of Nottingham’s Rough House – the same gym as GSP’s last challenger Dan ‘The Outlaw’ Hardy has been trading insults, referring to Koscheck as a “Fraggle”. Nothing like a bit banter to get inside an opponent’s head, gaining media attention, helping to sell tickets.

Banter includes some online fan from the fans, participating in a Josh Koscheck new hairstyle photoshop competition. Check the 2 other recent blog posts for more some great examples from the competition: Guido Josh & this fan video

Trash talking aside, who’s to win and how? Koscheck undoubtedly boasts the ground advantage, but if Semtex Daley keeps the fight standing Kos could be going to sleep courtesy of Daley big bombs. Paul Daley’s got awesome knock-out power, but Daley is going to need excellent take-down defence against division 1 wrestler Koscheck. Unfortunately this is what stable mate Hardy lacked when he locked horns with GSP. Semtex needs to have the take-down defence in place or the Brit will be out classed on the canvas.

We’ll witness a returning Kimbo Slice on Saturday. Kimbo once a controversial figure for defunct Elite XC on CBS, now a fully-fledged fan favourite, thanks to his appearance on The Ultimate Fighter: The Heavyweights. Slice earned many a fan, working hard on the MMA reality TV series, under the tutelage of ever popular cage-fighting bad-ass Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson.

The fighter stepping into the 8-sided cage with Slice at UFC 113 will be none other than Matt Mitrione, another TUF 9 competitor. Nick-named Meat Head on the show, Mitrione trained under coach Rashad Evans, the opponent for Rampage later this month at UFC 114.

Kimbo already built up a name before TUF 10, the reality show made him even bigger. Mitrione on the other hand is an interesting character in different ways. He plays some games that can put the opponent off balance. Mitrone doesn’t have much to lose, if he beats Kimbo he makes a name for himself, alternatively Slice as name fighter could lose some pulling power if he isn’t the man with his arm raised afterwards.

Mitrione and Kimbo are both hard hitting sluggers, the difference will show in other areas where the TUF aluminis have progressed. We know from last time we saw Kimbo he’s now got some ground game. I’m calling a Mitrione upset.

The advertised fight card in full.

Main Card:

Lyoto Machida vs Mauricio Rua -Light Heavyweight Championship

Josh Koscheck vs Paul Daley

Sam Stout vs Jeremy Stephens

Kimbo Slice vs Matt Mitrione

Patrick Cote vs Alan Belcher

Prelim Card:

Tim Credeur vs Tom Lawlor

Marcus Davies vs Jonathan Goulet

TJ Grant vs Johny Hendricks

Joey Beltran vs Chad Corvin

Yoshiyuki vs Mike Guymon

Nick Catone vs John Salter

Subscribers can watch UFC 113 live on ESPN, in the early hours of Sunday morning, pay per view in North America.

UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr

duane@bluraymma.com