Posted on 11/04/2007 6:15:50 AM PST by UFC Pride K1
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Nov. 3 -- The first chapter of the IFL Grand Prix had few surprises.
At the Sears Centre just outside of Chicago, 4,107 fans watched the favorites prevail in every match. In fact, almost everything played out as expected.
It wasn't pretty, but Vladimir Matyushenko won his first title belt with a unanimous decision over a very game Alex Schoenauer. "The Janitor" spent the first round of their light heavyweight bout in his most comfortable place -- on the ground. He easily took down Schoenauer and controlled his hands while pounding on his head.
Schoenauer hung tough, however. In the second round, he showed he wouldn't go down without a fight, attempting a kneebar and doing a much better job of preventing Matyushenko's damaging blows.
(Excerpt) Read more at sherdog.com ...
NRA.
Why settle for less?
UFC because, unlike K-1/Pride, their champions actually fight people. They don’t sit on their ass like Fedor.
Since UFC purchased Pride, many of the fighters have either went elsewhere or joined the UFC.
And, despite the claims of many PRIDE fanbodys, their fighters aren’t exactly dominating the UFC. That’s not to say that Pride didn’t have some awesome fighters, mind you... But it is becoming apparrent that Pride fighters, in general were, not above UFC fighters.
I’m a bit dissapointed that UFC purchased Pride. I think the UFC fights are too expensive, and competition helps to keep prices down. I think this is why UFC purchased pride, because they saw the financial pressure as Pride matches were now being held in the US on PPV...
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HDNet Fights and M-1.
I prefer IFL because of their announcer, Kenny Rice. He’s knowledgable about the fight, fighters and what the fans are interested in. He seems to really enjoy the sport.
And the Pride fighters have been getting stomped in the UFC. Shogun got his @$$ handed to him and Cro Cop has been less than impressive as of late.
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