DVD Review: UFC 115 – Liddell vs. Franklin
UFC 115: Liddell vs Franklin
Starting with the main fight card on disc 1 of this 2 DVD set is a battle of the welterweight contenders between Rory McDonald and former WEC champ Carlos Condit. The all actions scrap is full of suspense. Home-town favourite McDonald puts in a brilliant performance, but veteran Condit comes back to bag the win by TKO in stunning fashion in the third stanza.
Dutch former PRIDE FC & Affliction bad-boy striker Gilbert Yvel makes an appearance versus former IFL heavyweight Ben Rothwell, but doesn’t entertain in this one sided encounter against powerful wrestler Rothwell.
Next up another showdown from the welters: Paulo Thiago facing Martin Kampmann, in a Denmark vs Brazil match-up. Evenly matched, both competitors are dangerous in their own right, at least on paper.
Not one of the most enthralling fights, the Canadian fans were like a library throughtout. Kampmann dominates but unable to finish Thiago.
Super-strikers Crop Cop and Pat Berry cross swords next as the heavyweights collide in the octagon. A must-see bout, featuring stacks of hard hitting stand-up action, from 2 of the greatest current kick-boxers in the MMA game.
Best of all is the huge surprise tap-out win for Mirko in the final 30 seconds of the allotted 15 minutes. You gotta see it to believe it! Just a shame Cro Cop’s Duran Duran entrance theme is absent, great ending though.
Finally the highly anticipated main event featuring 2 legendary names of the octagon – Chuck ‘The Iceman’ Liddell and Rich ‘Ace’ Franklin. This match-up is a dream fight, Liddell the former Light Heavyweight champ and Franklin a former Middleweight title holder.
Liddell – one to leave it all behind in the cage loses to tactition Franklin, via a nasty KO blow. Awesome performance from Ace. Hold onto this DVD, could be the last appearance in the UFC for the Iceman. Amazing knock-out, a short but thrilling encounter.
You’ll find all the preliminary bouts on disc 2, including Pat Militech protege Jesse Lennox engaging in combat with Extreme Couture alumini Mike Pyle (John Hathaway opponent – UFC 120). Pyle comes out on top, impressing with a submission win in the final seconds.
TUF 9 welterweight winner James ‘Lightning’ Wilks battles German Peter Sobotta. The Brit BJJ specialist grinds out out the win, returning to winning ways.
A touch of controversy is found in the form of Mac Danzig versus Matt Wiman. The bout starts off well but sees Danzig robbed. Wiman’s with Danzig in a choke-hold, informs the ref his opponent is out. Fight is over, Danzig jumps to his feet, clearly OK, wanting to continue. Unfortunately the fight couldn’t be restarted. Here’s hoping the UFC will give the fans a rematch, who’ll want to see it as will both fighters I’m sure.
The must-see countdown show on disc 2 features some added glamour thanks to Liddell’s girlfriend Heidi Northcut, an inspiration to him, a fitness fanatic herself. As ever the feature aids to get you hyped up for the marquee match-ups.
Behind the scenes boasts extra unseen footage of Pat Berry, Cro Cop, Liddell and Franklin leading towards their cage clashes and their thoughts post fight. You are also treated to 15 minutes of Chuck’s greatest rivalries with fighters Jeremy Horn, Tito Ortiz and Randy Couture.
Another neat package from FightDVD, go grab one!
UFC 115 – Liddell vs. Franklin is out now on DVD, available direct from www.fightdvd.co.uk and all good retailers.
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UFC DVD review by Duane Farr
duane@bluraymma.com