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UFC 99 - The Comeback: Franklin vs Silva

It is just a matter of weeks since the last UFC event our side of the Atlantic took place, when the UFC landed down in Manchester, England for UFC 105. UFC 99 was the last time back on June 13th, 2009 we didn’t have to watch a live UFC card at stupid o’clock. Now is your chance to add this fightdvd release to your collection, complete with all the preliminary bouts, countdown show, the weigh-ins plus a special look behind the scenes of this mammoth MMA event from Lanxess Arena, Cologne, Germany.

The marquee match-up featured Pride FC veteran Wanderlei ‘The Axe Murderer’ Silva facing off against UFC babyface Rich ‘Ace’ Franklin. Both competitors are enormously popular, Franklin being a likable fan favourite American hero, then we have Wanderlei the Brazilian rugged old school Pride campaigner. Surprisingly despite appearances there is little age difference between the pairing but Wanderlei has seen more wear and tear.

Both fighters were looking to climb back to the top having lost on their previous outings in the octagon, hence the comeback title. The contest was billed as a catch-weight bout at 195lbs, since Franklin was heading up to light-heavyweight and Silva down to the middle-weight division. A division dominated by another Silva and former Chute Boxe training partner Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva. Added to the fight build-up was Anderson choosing to train with Franklin, a fighter the middle-weight champ had beaten and wanted to help beat Wanderlei.  Incidently this headline showdown is the first time I placed a bet on a UFC fight and I lost it. Don’t always bet on the meanest looking dude is my advice!

Just below the top spot on the card is a brutal gruelling contest between heavyweight contenders, Latino wrestler Cain Valesquez taking on French-African striker Cheick Kongo. Cain is hotly tipped as a possible challenger to Brock Lesnar’s heavyweight thrown in the near future.

Another heavyweight bout features the return of the Croatian K1 kick-boxing sensation Mirko Cro Cop facing off against British based cage combatant Mostupha Al-Turk.

For us Brits the top fight featured here on this 2 disc DVD release has to be the welterweight grudge match of Marcus ‘The Irish Hand Grenade’ versus Dan ‘The Outlaw’ Hardy. Davis is a fighter who made a name for himself fighting this side of the Atlantic beating home-grown talent, fitting Hardy put an end to his streak. A new star was created in The Outlaw due to this showdown in Germany, cementing Hardy’s place in the top tier of the UFC welterweight division and the hearts of Brit MMA fans. That’s hope he gained more admirers in the USA and worldwide following his display of sportsmanship post fight, Davis did himself no favours leaving the octagon so swiftly. Look out for the UFC match-makers to announce a date for Dan Hardy to challenge Georges St Pierre in 2010 for the welterweight gold.

You can also view my original review of the live event by visiting our sister site BluRayUFC.com

UFC 99 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 and related combat sports and martial arts DVD releases.

UFC DVD review by Duane Farr

duane@bluraymma.com