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UFC: Best of 2009 DVD.

Along with putting all the UFC pay per view events on DVD for you to own, fortunately for us FightDVD also release all the best of collectors discs. One such recent offering is UFC Best of 2009.

Originally aired on ESPN, this unique DVD has the function of choosing extra bouts in their entirety as you view the main feature or you can pick to see the fights separately from the menu.

2009 without a doubt was an exciting year for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, seeing new champions crowned, emerging top contenders plus returning cage warriors returning to better form. If you weren’t able to catch all the UFC’s output last year then this DVD for you.

Highlights include the epic battle of champions, Georges ‘Rush’ St Pierre (Welterweight champ), challenged by the then reigning lightweight title holder BJ ‘The Prodigy’ Penn.

Another pivotal title fight was the crowning of new light-heavyweight king Lyoto ‘The Dragon’ Machida, who devastated ‘Suga’ Rashad Evans.

One of the biggest moments of them all had to be at the monumental pay per view – UFC 100. That huge moment there on July 11 being former WWE wrestler Brock Lesnar beating Frank Mir. Yes, ‘the next big thing’ stamped his moniker on Mir and the heavyweight division, thus avenging his only MMA lost.

Along with dominant champions, 2009 saw a huge return for octagon icon Chuck Liddell. The KO loss to Shogun Rua reminded us the best is behind the UFC Hall of Famer. Former PRIDE FC legend Rua of course went on to greater glory, putting in a great performance versus Machida, earning a return title fight in 2010.

Still in the LHW bracket, 2009 was the year a UFC great – Tito Ortiz made his return to active MMA competition and the ranks of the UFC. A new arrival making an impact Brazilian Little Nog.

The newer emerging talent featured on the 2 disc set that get a shout are Brits Dan ‘Outlaw’ Hardy, who had a fantastic year, plus Scouser Terry Etim, another rising star from our fair isles. Can’t forget the success of the UK contingent on season 9 of The Ultimate Fighter. Lightweight winner Ross Pearson in particular is a fighter to watch the progress of.

A fight aired at part of TUF 9 finale making the compilation here is Diego ‘Nightmare’ Sanchez facing Clay ‘The Carpenter’ Guida, in possibly the best slug-fest of ’09.

TUF 10: The Heavyweights receives a mention but here too, but not enough time here given to winner Roy Nelson, a fighter Dana White didn’t seem to appreciate.

The Best of 2009 may not be personally all what you might pick for the DVD but it’s clearly a value for money addition to your MMA DVD collection, boasting 345 minutes worth of ultimate-fighting action in total, including bonus material, peeking behind the scenes of memorable 2009 cage-clashes.

UFC Best Of 2009 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.

A jubilant Michael Bisping at UFC 105, Manchester.

UFC 105, another action packed DVD release from the Ultimate Fighting Championship and FightDVD.  This fight card was the most recent UFC event on British soil, held in Manchester.

Legendary hall of famer Randy ‘The Natural’ Couture fought in the top spot versus Brandon ‘The Truth’ Vera. Vera formerly a hotly tipped future champ who beat former heavyweight title-holder Frank Mir. At UFC 105 Vera aimed to return to that same form. For Couture this match-up was his first octagon outing following the recent decision to drop a weight bracket back down to light-heavyweight.

The main event billed contest, in all honesty wasn’t the most exciting bout. The Natural did enough to edge out a tick in the ‘W’ column, using his patented clinch game, trapping Vera against the fence coupled with dirty boxing.

Value for money is evident however from the British contingent representing their homeland.

Co-main event position on the fight card goes to English Dan ‘The Outlaw’ Hardy, taking on American Ultimate Fighter veteran Mike ‘Quick’ Swick. On the line for this one was a shot at Georges St Pierre’s coveted welterweight strap.  So stakes were high. Hardy the Mohicanned-Midlander, impressed earning his shot for GSP’s gold at UFC 111. A points win , getting the job done to earn a place in history, as the first ever mixed martial artist to challenge a UFC champion.

Next on the bill saw Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping return to winning ways, following the brutally devastating knock-out loss to Dan Henderson back at the monumental UFC 100 on July 11th 2009. The TUF 3 winner Bisping clashed with French born, former Pride FC competitor Denis Kang , giving the Brit MMA superstar the opportunity to shine.  Despite a rocky start getting floored by his opposition Kang, Bisping defied the odds.

The Count overwhelmed Kang, utilising a ground and pound attack, repeatedly taking his opponent to the canvas, until gaining the TKO win.

Elsewhere you’ll witness another British Ultimate Fighter put in a fantastic performance, as Ross Pearson brutalises American Aaron Riley.

Look out for Nick Osipaczak and Terry in their respective preliminary bouts, 2 Brit battlers who do not fail to entertain.

UFC 105 – a DVD you must have in your collection, as a supporter of home-grown world calibre MMA talent, however it’s a shame some cage entrance music is missing, including Blur’s song used by Bisping and post fight interviews plus The Count’s celebration exhibition match with his son. Notably Andre Winner vs Roli Delgado got the chop from the FightDVD release.

Despite taking a little away you do receive bonus material included in the 2 disc package.

UFC 105 – COUTURE vs. VERA is out now on DVD, available direct from www.fightdvd.co.uk, HMV and all good retailers.

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

UFC DVD review by Duane Farr

duane@bluraymma.com

UFC Ultimate 100 Greatest Fight Moments

The essential Ultimate 100 as voted for by the UFC fans online at UFC.com and presented by the voice of the UFC Mike Goldberg. This near 4 hour offering of octagon action is a fantastic starting point for all MMA converts.

Packaged up here are highlights of the 16 year history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Sit back, crack open a Budweiser, relax and enjoy the journey following MMA evolve out of the no holds barred ‘Gracie Rules era’, to present day mainstream exposed Ultimate Fighter era of reality TV.

Many pioneering cage battlers feature on this release, including Tank Abbott, Don Frye, Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Mark Coleman, Randy Couture, plus all the UFC champs and fan favourites such as Georges St Pierre, BJ Penn, Anderson Silva, Rich Franklin and Forrest Griffin.

Not only will you witness some classic match-up highlights, you’ll witness some amazing upsets in the form of Gabriel Gonzaga KO’ing K1 knock-out king Cro Cop and Matt Sera nailing GSP. These upsets are perfect examples demonstrating the unpredictability of MMA, making it the most exciting sport to watch in the world today.

Voted by the fans at the number 5 spot is Lesnar vs Mir 1, from UFC 81. A classic clash and a recent memorable moment for current UFC fanatics. I’m sure if the vote took place post UFC 100, Lesnar vs Mir 2 would have been right up there.

On a collector’s  compilation DVD in this format you don’t see the complete bouts but this acts to help you choose the UFC releases to add to your personal collection next.

Another fantastically presented DVD release from the UFC. However the DVD isn’t actually a history of the UFC, hence the missing fighters who played their part shaping the sport, most notably Frank Shamrock, Kazushi Sakuraba and Bas Rutten. Here’s hoping the UFC will eventually create a docu-movie of the UFC and mixed martial arts drawing on the video library at hand from the UFC, Pride FC and WEC.

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

UFC DVD review by Duane Farr
duane@bluraymma.com

UFC 100 - now available on DVD

Back on July 11th 2009 took place the Zuffa brand’s monumental hundredth numbered event. I remember the weekend well having timed my Sky + installation so I had no fear of missing this epic card. The biggest bonus of all the UFC treated those with Sky to the PPV card for free, on an obscure horse racing channel, despite all the Setanta debacle plus hours of extra UFC viewing thrown to boot.

UFC 100 was truly something special, drawing in the punters via a hat-trick of marquee match-ups. Making up that trifecta were all highly anticipated fights 2 of which were contesting over championship title ownership.

Team USA coach Dan ‘Hendo’ Henderson versus rival TUF 9 rival, our very own Mike ‘The Count’ Bisping was a fight the fans on both sides of the pond were eager to see, having followed the middleweight contenders coach their nation’s team each week on the MMA reality TV show – The Ultimate Fighter: US vs UK. The outcome of their middleweight showdown was not what I and most British fans hoped for, Bisping was not the best man on the night. Despite the loss for Bisping the bigger disappointment was the way Henderson dived in fist first when his opponent was clearly out of it. It was a brutal move, not good for the sport of MMA, neither was his reaction post fight. If Brit Bisping acted in the same manner smirking, acting all cocky the American crowd would have reacted in a far different way but hey, Mike is the British villain.

The second reason for buying this collectors DVD is Georges ‘Rush’ St Pierre successfully defending his welterweight crown versus Thiago Alves, in gruelling 5 round battle of wills.

The hugest history making moment, making up the third part of the triple main event at the top of the card was the most highly anticipated heavyweight title clash between former pro wrestler Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir. Lesnar solidified his thrown, sitting at the top of the UFC heavyweight division, dominating Mir in brutal style, thus avenging his only MMA loss. In the process he shut up Mir and all the doubters.

Disc 2 includes 6 preliminary fights, including UFC hall of famer Mark ‘The Hammer’ Coleman in action against The Ultimate Fighter 1 light-heavyweight finalist Stephan Bonnar. 44 year old Coleman proves he can still do it versus a man 12 years his junior in this bonus bout.  Further bonus material includes Countdown to UFC 100 plus UFC 100: Behind The Scenes.

UFC 100: Making History is a must have DVD, however it is just a shame they chose to edit some of the post fight interviews and octagon entrances from the live recording. Plus a hall of fame induction ceremony, announcing the new inductees would have completed the package. In the world of pro wrestling the WWE make a huge deal of their Hall of Fame inductions annually at the weekend of Wrestlemania, the UFC would do well to do similar, I’m sure the fight fans would love it.

The Ultimate Fighter 9: United States vs United Kingdom

Season 10 of the Ultimate Fighter is fresh in our minds, it is fair to say since watching TUF 9 on DVD format, I am reminded how much more successful that season was. Sure TUF 10 ratings at times were fantastic down to the drawing power of internet sensation Kimbo Slice but overall US vs UK was superior viewing.

Series 9 pitted the Brits going head to head against the Yanks, with established fighters Dan Henderson and Mike Bisping as coaches, built up to an awesome showdown at UFC 100. Not only did it build up tension for the middleweight clash it worked as a platform to create fresh and exciting new young stars for the Zuffa brand, most notably Ross Pearson, James Wilks, Andre Winner of the UK and American Demarques Johnson. Giving the show the added international rivalry made the MMA reality TV programme compelling viewing each and every week.

The only downside for us Brits was seeing our boy Bisping brutally beaten by Hendo following TUF 9 at UFC 100. However the series gave Yanks and Brits a reason to watch that fight featured on the mammoth pay per view card.

Whilst viewing disc 1 I realised this was Alex Reid’s first reality TV show he missed featuring in, failing to beat Dean Amasinger for a place in the ultimate fighter house. The second of course for Katie Price’s ex-boyfriend was hit ITV series I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, where he planned to swing into the jungle, Tarzan style and propose to then girlfriend glamour girl Jordan, live on national television.

Relive the whole series once more when you buy this 5 disc DVD set. The finale show on disc 4 features a contending MMA fight of the year, between lightweight battlers  Clay “The Carpenter” Guida and Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez.

On the fifth DVD you will be treated to all the extras not included on the Virgin 1 aired TV series. The UFC take you behind the scenes of the series, a feature on the finale fighters plus UK and US bonus scene. Do yourself a favour by watching the UK bonus scenes alone for Lawson and Faulkner’s pro wrestling exhibition bout. Bournemouth based fighter Jeff Lawson is pure comedy gold.

The Ultimate Fighter season 9: US vs UK is out now on DVD, available direct from www.fightdvd.co.uk, HMV 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

UFC 107 - Penn vs Sanchez

December 12th 2009, FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tenn.

Here is a brief preview of the event broadcasting live tonight on ESPN and ESPN HD on the Sky and Virgin Media platforms.

B.J. “The Prodigy” Penn vs. Diego “The Nightmare” Sanchez

So who is your money on in this lightweight title contest? The odds on favourite in the UFC 107 main event is veteran Penn but in the world of MMA anything can happen. If I was a betting man Penn would be the fighter I would choose to place a bet on. The Hawaii native is the man with the tools needed for the job, knock-out boxing, awesome Ju Jitsu skills packaged up with experience.

As has been discussed frequently on the internet forums in recent times the UFC fighters wearing the belts around their waists look to remain dominant for some time, although questions look to be answered with light-heavyweight champ since his controversial points win over Shogun Rua. However I don’t see BJ leaving the octagon minus the strap.

Sanchez is an overwhelming force inside the octagon but versus veteran title holder BJ Penn he could well make a mistake rushing in, giving Penn the opening to take advantage of in the heat of cage combat. A question to be answered in this championship showdown is whether The Nightmare has the conditioning required to go the full 5 rounds as the challenger. Tonight we shall find out.

Cheick Kongo vs. Frank Mir

Both heavyweight fighters are on the comeback trail, hoping to avenge their summertime losses. Mir lost to Lesnar at UFC 100 and Kongo to Velasquez at UFC 99. The humble Kongo intends to end the reign of the big mouthed American.  A contrast in characters here I feel. Taking on big Brock many UFC fans booed Lesnar and cheered Mir, partly because of arrogance displayed by the former WWE star and partly due to him being a former pro wrestler. In this match-up it’s clear Mir is the one with all the swagger. Despite Mir not endearing himself, I’m picking him to beat Kongo via tap-out within the 2nd round.

The full fight line up:

B.J. Penn vs. Diego Sanchez – lightweight title clash

Cheick Kongo vs. Frank Mir

Jon Fitch vs. Mike Pierce

Kenny Florian vs. Clay Guida

Paul Buentello vs. Stefan Struve

Unaired prelims:

Alan Belcher vs. Wilson Gouveia

Shane Nelson vs. Matt Wiman

Ricardo Funch vs. Johny Hendricks

Lucio Linhares vs. Rousimar Palhares

Edgar Garcia vs. DaMarques Johnson

Kevin Burns vs. T.J. Grant

UK viewers can see UFC 107 live as it happens on ESPN and ESPN HD in the early hours of Sunday morning at 3am. As a subscriber you can see the prelims and more from 11:30pm onwards:

11:30pm-UFC Unleashed

12:30am-MMA Live

1am-Countdown to UFC 107

2am-UFC 107 Prelims Live

3am-UFC 107:Penn vs Sanchez Live

UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr

duane@bluraymma.com

The monumental UFC 100 has not long passed us that took place on Saturday 11th July on The Racing channel. A bit of a strange choice of TV channel for the Ultimate Fighting Championship historic event but wasn’t it great to see the 3 hour event live without any ad break interuptions? It appears as the UFC 100 got closer a deal could not be agreed in time so something was worked
out to include the mammoth fight card on Seatanta Ireland and The Racing Channel owned by the Irish channel. Not only did we get the whole event free but on top of that the UFC treated us to a very nice bonus of several extra hours of UFC TV programming including the top 100 of UFC fights.

Post July 11th we are still left not knowing the new home for the UFC on British airwaves. With the Disney owned ESPN looking to expand in the UK by buying premiership football games available since the demise of Setanta Sports it appears the forthcoming ESPN subscription channel will be the likely UK television home for the UFC, although at this point has not been confirmed.

Since July 11th I have been fortunate to have the use of Sky + including Sky Sports and Bravo. Not many days after on Wed 15th July Cage Rage successor Ultimate Challenge aired Sky Sports 3. After seeing UFC 100 so this British MMA offering was not likely to compare but to be fair the show was pretty good including 2 UK1 kickboxing bouts, one of which featuring top name on the circuit Aldershot’s own Alex Reid. Reid is top class showman as well as one tough competitor. TUF 9 entrant totally outclassed his opponent.

Next next month on the small screen will hopefully be the return of Affliction to Bravo for their 3rd event titled Affliction M1 Global Trilogy taking place August 1st in Anaheim, Claifornia. The fight card will boast awesome heavyweight title bout main event of Fedor Emelianko taking on challenger Josh Barnett. As yet there are no adverts for the event on Bravo but fingers crossed Bravo won’t let us down.

The following week it’s UFC 101 on August 8th. Anderson Silva vs Forrest Griffin fighting at lightheavyweight is the scheduled headliner. Again though we are still presently in the dark regarding what channel, but have faith I’m Dana and co will not let us down.

Hopping back over to Bravo we have the 2nd BAMMA event airing August 16th from London.

If you are lucky you might just be able to catch another showing of the fantastic programme from The Biography Channel – How Bruce Lee Changed The World. I highly recommend viewing this 2 hour covering ways Bruce Lee was such massive influence on our modern cultural including being the Father of Mixed Martial Arts. Hear what Dana White, The RZA, Jackie Chan and many others have to say about this iconic figure of the 20th century who long after his death continues to be a huge inspiration on into the new millenium.

UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr

duane@bluraymma.com

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Another UFC 100 build up video for you.

Brock Lesnar is a monster, watch out Frank Mir!