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UFC 117: Silva v Sonnen

Following in suit wth UFC 116, UFC 117 comes complete with another epic championship showdown of the ages.

UFC are brilliant at promoting their top tier fights, some fighters possess the gift-of-the-gab to promote themselves, helping propel their careers into the stratosphere.  Chael Sonnen, Anderson Silva’s challenger for his middleweight crown is one of those fitting into that category.

Sonnen is a talker who can back it up, check out the Countdown show (disc 2) to witness his ‘promo’ highlights plus all the build-up and comments from defending champ Silva. This bonus feature shows some great footage of Sonnen’s college wrestling career and what makes him the MMA contender he is today.

Heading over to disc 1, how did the plot pan out for the 185-pounders title tilt? Value for money is delivered, we are given a near full 25 minutes of championship calibre competition.

Like Lesnar’s title defence against Carwin we see a similar story, but told over more rounds. Silva is on the back-foot often defending against Sonnen’s superb wrestling throughout the majority of the match-up, making a last minute comeback snatching a round 5 tap-out win.

If Anderson didn’t pull out the triangle-choke victory, Chael would have clearly taken it on points. A gripping must see title defence.

UFC 117 DVD isn’t marketed as USA v Brazil, interestingly the supporting cast of bouts featured on disc 1 are all between those 2 nations. A great theme Dana White and co opted not to use, instead pushing the focus on Silva v Sonnen.

First off a personal favourite fighter steps in the cage – Roy ‘Big’ Country Nelson, stepping up to battle Junior Dos Santos. Lack of success here for Nelson, but an awesome performance from the Brazilian striker.

Welterweight legend Matt Hughes is featured, versus Renzo Gracie student Ricardo Almeida, who hoped for revenge for his trainer’s loss.  Hughes puts on a clinic putting the BJJ practitioner to sleep in a choke.

Ultimate Warrior minus the war paint Clay Guida next in the octagon, again it’s another USA v Brazil skirmish, battling Rafael Dos Anjos. Strange Guida’s cage entrance is omitted, it’s part of the hype and excitement of a live bout. Not the most entertaining scrap but a win for Guida due to Dos Anjos injured jaw.

Welterweight contenders collide next – American wrestler John Fitch against Brazilian Muay Thai fighter Thiago Alves. The bout is a decider at another shot for Georges ‘Rush’ St Pierre’s belt. So a lot at stake. Due to Alves struggling to reach 170lbs this fight lacks a little in the entertainment stakes plus Alves doesn’t match well with American wrestler Fitch. Ugly to watch but Fitch gets the job done.

UFC & FightDVD are reliable as ever for bonus material, this 2 disc release includes many extras – prelims, weigh-ins, interviews plus behind the scenes footage. Interviews and behind the scenes are fun for some great moments from Big Country – Nelson.

UFC 117 Silva vs. Sonnen 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 & Blu-ray releases.

UFC DVD review by Duane Farr

duane@bluraymma.com

It was one of the most hyped fights of the year, the most controversial fighter in mixed martial arts against the brash, trash-talking challenger in the main event of UFC 117: Silva v Sonnen, shown live in the early hours of this past Sunday morning on ESPN here in Britain.

The big boys began the show as Roy Nelson faced Junior Dos Santos in the heavyweight division.

There was a part of me that wanted Nelson to win, but deep down I knew that Dos Santos would be too much for him. The Brazilian had a tremendous first round, rocking Big Country a number of times. But as the fight progressed and as Dos Santos continued to tee off he just couldn’t put Nelson away. Nelson had his moments, but they were few and far between.

No surprise with the decision here, Dos Santos all the way with a dominating performance.

It was down to the welterweight division for the next fight as Matt Hughes took on Ricardo Almeida.

The latest inductee into the Hall of Fame put on a vintage performance. After both men tested the waters Hughes sent Almeida down with a big left hook. Hughes followed him to the ground and immediately went for a guillotine. Almeida was out of it seconds later, giving Hughes and outstanding submission win, and also giving his doubters a lesson. Write him off at your peril.

The lightweights were up next as Clay Guida faced Rafael Dos Anjos.

This proved to be another enjoyable encounter. There were some nice exchanges early in the first, with both guys getting in some good shots. From there we had some good ground work in round two.

The ending came in the third round. After Guida scored with a big take down he took control of Dos Anjos’ head and arms. That was enough for the Brazilian. His jaw broken, he just couldn’t take any more and tapped out. Another great encounter, and a good performance from Guida.

The only filler material of the evening saw Stefan Struve going up against Christian Morecraft.

The proverbial back and forth affair saw Morecraft dominating in the first round with his ground and pound, to the point where the doctor considered pulling Struve out because of his cut and badly swollen bottom lip.

This just seemed to fire up the big guy as both men began the second round swinging, with a big right from Struve knocking Morecraft down, with the referee stopping the fight after a few seconds of ground and pound. A remarkable comeback from the big guy.

It was back to the welterweight division for the next fight as Jon Fitch took on Thiago Alves.

A bit of controversy before this fight even began saw Alves failing to make the weight limit by just half a pound, forfeiting twenty per cent of his purse.

A re-match four years in the making saw some good ground and pound work from Fitch as he dominated the grappling side of things. It was as if he was able to take Alves down at will. Alves managed to get in a couple of good shots in the striking game, but in the end the weight cut seemed to take too much out of him.

In the end all three judges scored in favour of Fitch, the only decision there could be really.

The main event saw Chael Sonnen challenging Anderson Silva for the Middleweight title.

Now this is what a championship fight should be about. For over four rounds Sonnen took it to Silva, and did something that nobody else has managed to do in the UFC – he made Silva look human.

But then, with just two minutes of the fight left, and with Sonnen looking like he was going to win, it turned. Silva synched in a triangle choke, and seconds later Sonnen tapped. It was all over. The greatest fight I’ve seen this year was done, and Silva was still the UFC Middleweight Champion.

In conclusion – I know I say this almost every time, but this was a great show. The five undercard fights delivered big time, while the main event, well, what more can I say?

It was an outstanding fight, with the sort of drama you only get to see in Hollywood blockbusters, and if Chael Sonnen doesn’t get a re-match with Anderson Silva after that performance then there really is no justice in this world.

UCMMA 14: Invincible

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Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com interviews Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson, ahead of his cage-clash with Junior Dos Santos, Saturday August 7, at UFC 117.

Roy is not looking for the fight of the night bonus, being a sensible fella is more concerned about winning whilst receiving least damage physically. Ironically Nelson versus Dos Santos could well be the surprise fight of the night.

Chubby Roy Nelson is not the bookies favourite, do not be deceived by the TUF 10 winners physique, he’s got the tools to get the job done. Betting on Roy could make you a winner.

UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr

duane@bluraymma.com

Chael Sonnen talks the talk, but will the American back it up, snatching the middleweight belt from around the waist of reigning champion, the  Brazilian Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva?

Anderson is odds on favourite, but Can Sonnen get the job done? Who are you betting on? Silva or Sonnen?

Watch UFC 117 live at 3am, Saturday night on ESPN to find out.

UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr

UFC 117: USA vs Brazil

Although not officially marketed as USA vs Brazil, this unofficial UFC 117  poster design brilliantly highlights a great selling point for the Saturday’s pay per view fight-card.

Saturday August 7, a date MMA fans around the world have all been anticipating. Can the UFC top UFC 116? Will Dana White give UFC fans payback in the form of Chael Sonnen vs Anderson Silva?

There is no doubt about it Dana and co are spoiling fight fans with another stacked card. Defending middleweight champion Anderson ‘Spider’ Silva facing Chael Sonnen has set the internet alight with discussion.

Anderson’s last octagon outing, in Abu Dabai, UFC 112, was a controversial moment for the UFC. Silva’s antics turned many a fan to stop cheering the man given the honour of the best pound for pound fighter on the planet. Show-boating and not engaging are antics UFC President Dana White is not a fan of. White has hinted Silva will be out of the organisation if he continues in this vein.

Worthy of note Anderson’s actions have made him less respected, giving him heat – fans will now pay to see the former fan favourite beaten. Challenger Chael Sonnen is being hyped up as the man who can get the job done, but can he? Despite all the building up of Sonnen, the bookies have Anderson as odds on favourite to win.

My prediction: submission victory for Silva, bagging a win for Team Brazil.

A personal favourite Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson returns to octagon action at UFC 117, facing Brazilian knockout artist Junior Dos Santos. The underrated chubby winner of TUF 10, is a fighter I can’t help but like. Not only a world class heavyweight, the IFL veteran is an endearing character. Hell he’s carrying some extra timber, making him an underdog, I like an underdog. This is going to be a war, unlikely to go the distance.

My prediction: Nelson by KO.

Fight card as advertised:

See UFC 117 live from 3am on subscription channel ESPN, UK, PPV North America.

UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr

duane@bluraymma.com

UFC 117 headlined by Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva against middleweight challenger Chael Sonnen is coming up this weekend, check out the official preview video right here.

Who are you betting on Silva or Sonnen?

See the event live on ESPN, UK, pay per view, North America.

UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr

duane@bluraymma.com