This man made this title match one of the best battles in MMA history. He did everything he could. And Wanderlei fought all out. This bout was maximum power and technique vs. maximum power and technique. I’d call it the best bout in PRIDE this year. Still, now, if I think about this fight, the shocking ending flashes in of my mind. I hope Jackson is alright. We all look forward to see him in the ring again some soon.
Next up: Mark Hunt vs. Dan Bobish. I, as backstage reporter, miss watching most of the fights because I’m pinned at the interview space when other fighters speak. So I missed watching some parts of this. But I didn’t miss Dan mostly dominating the positions, or dropping knees to Mark Hunt’s hard-shelled brain. Also I didn’t miss that Mark's punch wasn’t connecting to Dan’s chin at the very last part of this fight. And I didn’t miss Dan fall down as the fight was over ... OK, what did I miss? Some said a kick to Dan’s ribs. Maybe. But did it stop Dan like that?
At the Mark Hunt interview, an interesting revelation popped out from his mouth. “Dan just gassed out,” he said. Mark didn’t mention anything the punch or his kick.
Gassed out? Wait a sec … the words Mr. Sakakibara said a few PRIDEs ago, were hitting my heart. “PRIDE is the highest level MMA ring in the world," he said. "The fighter who’s fighting in the PRIDE ring is the best of the best." Well, Maybe Dan is one of the best 300-pound fighters, but if the best fighter can’t keep their best condition for the best MMA ring, he’s not the best.
And it’s not the best idea to bring fighters to the "best ring in the world" who aren't the best. I hope everything goes good with them next time because we don't want to see fights end by some who "gassed out" recorded as a KO or TKO.