Today for some reason, Sydney hosted a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event called IMPACT FC The Uprising.

It was live from the Sydney Entertainment Centre and televised on Main-Event.

For the first couple of match-ups the biggest hit (pun intended) was the imported referee, Big John McCarthy.  Earlier today, I was happy to order this event but I admit I did not realise this was an Australian event.  Australian events are so often underwhelming.

I might as well jump straight to the third fight..

During the third fight (Murilo Rua from Brazil V Jeremy May from America) we saw a classic example that nick-names or fight-names do not have to necessarily be relevant.  The guy from Brazil (Rua), called himself “The Ninja”.  After seeing him fight it became apparent that he must have received his name based on the tattoo of typical Asian writing across his upper back, certainly not from his stealthy ninja moves.  Having said that, The Ninja did go on to win in the second with a submission.

Next fight:

Denis Kang from America Vs Paulo Filho from Brazil:

Both obviously accomplished ring-fighters, unfortunately most of the bout was spent on the canvas grappling.  Whereas this is a great skill and certainly takes maximum energy, it’s not pleasing to the audience.  It’s nowhere near as dynamic looking, therefore these types of bout are often seen as boring.

Even worse, the judges decision came back as a draw!  Fair enough I suppose, it was however anything but explosive.  And it must be remembered at this level of competition, the crowd must be pleased.  Hopefully not as much as the professional wrestling, but still this must be a consideration.

(As a personal interjection at this time, I wish the Australian commentator would stop saying “down under”).

Next up: Carlos Newton from Canada V Brian Ebersole from America

Apparently Ebersole is now based in Australia; one wonders how he thinks that is going to advance his MMA career..

Notwithstanding that the loud-speaker commentator a couple of times referred to the venue as Brisbane, we are still hopeful of seeing some good action.

(Sorry, but another annoying and very commercial aspect to this event is that excitable man on the loud-speaker periodically telling the audience to “make some noise”.  It’s somewhat reminiscent of the one and only basketball game I went to).

I won’t even bother mentioning who won this bout.

Next:

Super Heavyweights: Brad Morris V Soa Palelei (The Hulk):

(Christ, its becoming more bizarre; the next  bout sees one of the competitors come out to the ring with over-sized green Incredible Hulk hands that he must have received in a show-bag at last years Royal Melbourne Show.  Complete with a strange green pseudo-hulk / Indonesian face mask.  If it wasn’t for the commentator explaining that “with the substance comes the show”, I would have been left confused and dazed and probably thinking I was still at Rob’s engagement party last night).

Not a bad match though.  A lot of power in that ring.  The Hulk comes away the winner with a mighty figure 4 arm-bar on the mat.  Just as well this one ended when it did, I think The Hulk was changing back into Dr Bruce Banner.  And take it from me, Dr Banner can’t fight for shit.

Next:

Welterweights: Paul Daley from the UK (regardless of the USA flag the television people are displaying with his name) Vs Daniel Acacio from Brazil:

Dynamic bout, especially compared to the super-heavyweights.

Verbal tap-out in the third due to a downward elbow strike to the head of Acacio  which opened him up.  Victory to Daley.

Main Event:

Ken Shamrock V Pedro Rizzo (14 year veteran):

Shamrock, at 46 years old is known as a very direct fighter, usually meeting his opponent head-on.  This is his 43^rd professional bout! He has however been out of the cage for 18 months so it will be interesting to see how much ring-rust he has still attached to him.

(The loud man with the loud- speaker needs to work out if he is a professional announcer or a hip-hop DJ).

Shamrock’s fighting style is very tight; elbows in and moving around almost like a boxer.  Even though this is a useful style for a reason, I don’t often see MMA fighters using it.

In the first round Shamrock took a devastating roundhouse kick to the knee which sent him to the canvas in pain.  It’s no wonder, the kick was textbook, chopping down onto the knee.  After Shamrock went down it was apparent to Rizzo that Shamrock didn’t want to continue on, therefore he paused for a couple of seconds but the referee did not stop the fight, so Rizzo was forced to come in for the slaughter.  Soon after the fight was stopped.

In the after fight interviews, Shamrock showed just what a humble gentleman he really is, congratulating his victorious opponent.  In answer to the interviewer’s question about the ongoing career of Shamrock, he showed his great attitude and sense of humour when he answered that as long as the fans want to see him, he is happy to get into the ring and get beaten up.

Hats off to both fighters.

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