Hello again and welcome back to DVD World. My name is Brian Sweet and it is my pleasure to present this week's review of "Pride.33: The Second Coming." As always, please feel free to drop me a line at HYPERLINK "mailto:bs2647@gmail.com" bs2647@gmail.com if you have a request for a specific event to be reviewed or questions regarding anything having to do with MMA or DVDs. I may be able to point you in the right direction if you are having problems completing your collection. Without further ado, lets get down to business and have a look at this week's selection.
Pride.33 - The Second Coming
February 24, 2007
Thomas and mack Center
Las Vegas, Nev.
NICK DIAZ VS. "THE FIREBALL KID" TAKANORI GOMI
This was Nick's first fight in Pride, and many expected him to put up a good fight but ultimately lose to the Fireball Kid. Diaz had been knocked out once before, early in his career but is as tough as they come. Gomi on the other hand, was considered on another level and capable of destroying anyone in his way. This event was stacked full of main event caliber fighters and Diaz was brought in to attract a few more fans, at least, that's what we all thought going in. Gomi had just demolished the number one contender to his Pride lightweight championship in less than two minutes at "Shockwave 2006," and seemed to be on the fast track to greatness. Diaz was coming off two wins in the UFC over Josh Neer and Gleison Tibau. Everyone knew he has nice boxing skills, but he could never seem to pull out a win over top ranked opposition. What a difference two and a half years make. This fight became something special roughly two minutes in as both men began swinging for the fences and looked to drop bombs on each others faces in short order. It seems overwhelming to try and paint a picture for you as this scrap certainly has to be viewed rather than read about. However, I consider myself up to the task so let's get right to it.
THE FIGHT
Round 1: Diaz immediately gets to work with a jab followed by a straight right that misses as Gomi shoots for the takedown and gets it. Diaz scrambles but Gomi is relentless and takes back side control. Diaz works for a kimura as both men stand, but Gomi gets a single leg and executes a beautiful flip takedown and briefly looks for an armbar. Diaz evades, but eats several right hooks to the face as Gomi keeps the pressure on. Diaz maintains well and pulls Gomi in close and into his guard. Takanori postures up and misses a few punches as he stands. Diaz works some leg kicks, but doesn't get much as Gomi dives into half guard and looks to drop some more bombs. Again Gomi dives into guard with a right hand that lands and Diaz pulls him back in close. The ref repositions both men and the action slows briefly. Gomi postures up again and drops a bomb of a right hand, but Diaz is game as he works a triangle choke attempt. Gomi evades and keeps throwing out punches before standing. The ref motions for Diaz to stand and he obliges.
Back on their feet now and Diaz begins working some beautiful one two combinations that barely miss. Gomi scampers away but eats a nice right hook in the process. What an incredible pace being set here by both men. Diaz lands a few jabs that land perfectly followed by a straight right that lands simultaneously with a wild right hook by Gomi that drops Diaz. Gomi rushes into guard and looks to finish the fight, but Diaz recovers quickly and rolls through as gomi take back side control. Gomi lands a few punches, but Diaz rolls through again and brings Gomi back in close to his guard. Gomi stands, but looks tired now as Diaz rises to his feet and begins establishing his jab again. Diaz lands a nice straight kick followed by a few jabs and hooks that all land for the most part. Gomi swings wildly but nothing much connects.
Diaz keeps peppering jabs out and clinches, before Gomi lands a nice right hook that backs Nick away. Gomi rushes in for a weak takedown attempt, but gets stuffed as Diaz works the jab again. Gomi seems to have blown his load now as Diaz keeps landing one two combos all over the ring. Diaz is picking Gomi apart now as the Japanese superstar drops his hands out of exhaustion. Takanori throws out a few wild punches every so often, but they miss their mark and Diaz persists with his combinations. Gomi lands a nice left hook but keeps eating punches as Diaz displays beautiful boxing technique here. Diaz mixes up his attack now with a roundhouse kick followed by a few uppercuts. Gomi eats an uppercut, jab, and straight right combo that backs him up toward the ropes. Gomi swings wildly with an overhand right that misses completely. Diaz finishes off the round with hooks and straight punches as Gomi looks exhausted.
As Diaz walks toward his corner, he raises both arms in victory as the crowd goes wild. Without a doubt, this is the best fight of the night so far.
Round 2: Diaz stands in his corner and can clearly be seen saying "Come on bitch," as round two gets underway. Diaz gets back to work looking to land some combinations as Gomi uses head movement to evade. Diaz keeps the pressure on and lands almost at will with hooks and jabs. Gomi ducks under a nice combo thrown by Diaz and lands a beautiful overhand left right hook combo that opens up a nasty gash just under the right eye of Nick Diaz. The ringside physician checks the cut and deems Diaz eligible to continue. Both men get back to work here as Diaz keeps working his jab with much success. Diaz lands a nice jab, uppercut, left hook combo that all hit their mark. Gomi motions for the ref to stop the fight as Diaz cannot possibly continue. However, Diaz proves Gomi wrong and keeps working his jab. Gomi lands a nice left hook but eats more combos before landing another overhand right left hook combo of his own. Gomi shoots in for a takedown after eating a hard straight right left hook combo. Gomi gets the takedown but Diaz instantaneously locks in a fight ending gogoplata. What a brutal fight and a beautiful submission ending.
This fight is seriously worth the price of the DVD alone. I've found that every time I watch this brawl, I notice something different. Gomi clearly did not train for a three round fight. In fact, he did not appear to have trained for a one round fight. He was exhausted half way through the first stanza as Diaz established his superior striking skills and conditioning.
AFTERMATH
Nick Diaz:
Diaz tested positive for marijuana following this fight and it was eventually ruled a no contest. Many fans have simply chosen to count this as a win for Diaz, although the California State Athletic Commission ruled otherwise. In any case, after this fight, Diaz went on to greater fame as he dispatched a good number of quality opponents.
Seven months later, Diaz made his Elite XC debut and won a decision victory over Mike Aina but would then lose his next fight due to cuts against KJ Noons. This fight was for the vacant 160 pound title and was basically tailor made for Diaz. Noons fought extremely well and beat Diaz to the punch numerous times en route to the stoppage. Diaz would then go on to participate at Dream.3 and win via corner stoppage against Katsuya Inoue.
Next up were two more fight in Elite XC before the promotion folded. In April of 2009, Diaz earned the biggest victory of his career when he won via TKO over UFC legend, Frank Shamrock in a thrilling fight that caused the MMA world take major notice of Diaz. That fight basically bought Diaz the hearts of many fans. He obliterated any offense Shamrock had to offer and handled the former UFC champ with ease.
Finally, Diaz managed to submit granite chinned middleweight contender Scott Smith in a thriller at "Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields." Diaz has become an excellent fighter over the years, but he should think about taking a break from his marijuana consumption. It seems that he would rather partake in extracurricular activities than make a serious run for a Strikeforce championship. Only time will tell what Diaz can accomplish. One thing is for sure though. He is damn entertaining to watch.
"The Fireball Kid" Takanori Gomi:
Gomi was considered a major favorite to win this fight. He came into Pride and completely dominated his opponents in route to a ten fight win streak. He had spent most of his career in Shooto before coming to Pride, but he made the transition looks quite easy. Gomi was coming off a spectacular win over Mitsuhiro Ishida and was enjoying a three fight win streak after losing quite surprisingly to Marcus Aurelio at Bushido 10.
What made this fight different was that this was Takanori's first time fighting in front of an American audience and I think he really didn't expect Diaz to bring the fight like he did. This brawl proved to be Gomi's last in Pride as he would go on to fight in Sengoku a year later. Gomi would win his first two fights before suffering a two fight losing streak. He then went back to Shooto and enjoyed a win, followed by another win at "Vale Tudo Japan 2009."
Gomi is still an incredibly tough customer although his days as Pride's only Japanese champion are over and done with. Every so often, rumors circulate about a possible UFC signing, but nothing ever seems to materialize. We can only hope that he makes his way to Strikeforce and takes a rematch with Diaz as it would surely produce some major noise within the MMA community. He is a former Pride lightweight champion and Pride Lightweight grand prix tournament winner. Much like Diaz, only time will tell what lies ahead for the Fireball Kid.
UP NEXT: Dan "Hollywood" Henderson vs. Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva.
