My observations at Pride 33 live event

keith101rn · #1 (**permalink**) 02-26-2007, 03:32 AM

I arrived early Friday in Vegas just to attend the weigh-in press conference. I was expecting a small crowd, maybe a hundred. To my suprise a huge line formed outside of Ceasar's Palace grand ballroom before the doors were even opened. The president and CEO of CP came out before the weigh-in and spoke about how the turn out for Pride's 33 weigh-in dwarfed some of the major Vegas boxing matches weigh-in. Overall, it was worth the attendance.

I arrived at the Thomas & Mack an hour before the opening ceremony. Seeing the opening ceremony live made me realize why Pride spends so much money on it. The opening ceremony creates the atmosphere for the start of the fights. It's filled with energy and spectacle. The exploding fireworks got my adrenaline pumping and I was ready to see some great fights. That's not even mentioning the dazzling lights and music and fighters intro. With the fire works, music, and light effects it was worth the experience. I don't know what the actual numbers were, but the arena was pretty packed by the 6th fight on the card. The energy in the room was intense for some of the fights, and hit its peak during the Gomi-Diaz, Henderson-Silva match. When Gomi knocked down Diaz the entire crowd jumped to their feet. It was freaking wild. It escalated when Diaz started to land some of his jabs and seemed like everyone gasped and cheered after he won.

The energy level in the crowd for the Henderson-Silva match was even higher than Gomi-Diaz. It seemed that the crowd didn't know who to cheer for, because both were such great fighters. And when Silva was KO'd the house exploded. I've never been to an event with that much energy before. Anyway, this event was worth every penny. I'm definitely coming out to their next event on U.S. soil.

Highlander · #2 (**permalink**) 02-26-2007, 03:39 AM

Pride is to Formula 1
as
UFC is to Nascar.

I like nascar more than formula 1, as I like UFC more than Pride, but Pride has more respect fo their fighters and don't treat them like street fighters.

Also in Japan, there's no ignorant, drunk rednecks chanting U.S.A.

Rockx · #3 (**permalink**) 02-26-2007, 03:41 AM

Well you have sold me..I am going to the next Pride show in Vegas.

808botz · #4 (**permalink**) 02-26-2007, 03:42 AM

Yea it had alot of good fights......But sorry to say pride gotta stop with this non title fights...GOMI is a over rated fighter...This is his 2 or 3rd non title fight...The people who keep up with mma can tell you...Its shame how they protect there own fighters(race).....If that was Gibert M every damm fight would be a title fight....But hey all the other fights where great...Hopefully pride and Ufc can have a fight off...I would love to see Chuck vs hendo or silva...Or how but a open Wt Grand prix in japan...With ufc and pride fighers..Or a shogun with vera...

keith101rn · #5 (**permalink**) 02-26-2007, 03:53 AM

Gomi is a very good fighter but this was by far one of strangest perfomance I've ever seen from him. He definitely has a huge fan base here, as I noticed from the crowds reaction during his introduction. That's the cool thing about being live at the event. I was able to share in the spectacle and observe crowds reaction to all the fighers. For instance, Henderson & Silva received equally loud ovations and cheers prior to their entrance. The crowd was practically cheering for both fighters the entire fight.

smoogy · #6 (**permalink**) 02-26-2007, 03:55 AM

You've got to realize, Nick Diaz is signed with Elite XC. Pride didn't want anyone showing off their title belt in another organization. However, if that was their reasoning I don't think they should've had Gomi fight another non-title match... but the result was awesome so its all good.

Interesting observations, the Pride shows get some flak for the WWE-style pyrotechnics and intros, but its one of the Japanese elements of the show I enjoy. This was the first Pride PPV I've ordered but as long as the matchmaking is decent, I intend to order the next one. Sokoudjou4lyfe!

WadoKai · #7 (**permalink**) 02-26-2007, 04:01 AM

I just saw the fights tonight, after biding my time avoiding spoilers. That pay per view was fucking amazing. Pure and simple.

Great, great, great fights. I'm so stoked.

matto · #8 (**permalink**) 02-26-2007, 04:39 AM

ya its bs how they were chanting usa, but u cant even compair taht to the japanese bias its so bs they r the most bias crowd in the world.

Highlander · #9 (**permalink**) 02-26-2007, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matto

ya its bs how they were chanting usa, but u cant even compair taht to the japanese bias its so bs they r the most bias crowd in the world.

how are they bias?

dagreat1 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-26-2007, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith101rn

I arrived early Friday in Vegas just to attend the weigh-in press conference. I was expecting a small crowd, maybe a hundred. To my suprise a huge line formed outside of Ceasar's Palace grand ballroom before the doors were even opened. The president and CEO of CP came out before the weigh-in and spoke about how the turn out for Pride's 33 weigh-in dwarfed some of the major Vegas boxing matches weigh-in. Overall, it was worth the attendance.

I arrived at the Thomas & Mack an hour before the opening ceremony. Seeing the opening ceremony live made me realize why Pride spends so much money on it. The opening ceremony creates the atmosphere for the start of the fights. It's filled with energy and spectacle. The exploding fireworks got my adrenaline pumping and I was ready to see some great fights. That's not even mentioning the dazzling lights and music and fighters intro. With the fire works, music, and light effects it was worth the experience. I don't know what the actual numbers were, but the arena was pretty packed by the 6th fight on the card. The energy in the room was intense for some of the fights, and hit its peak during the Gomi-Diaz, Henderson-Silva match. When Gomi knocked down Diaz the entire crowd jumped to their feet. It was freaking wild. It escalated when Diaz started to land some of his jabs and seemed like everyone gasped and cheered after he won.

The energy level in the crowd for the Henderson-Silva match was even higher than Gomi-Diaz. It seemed that the crowd didn't know who to cheer for, because both were such great fighters. And when Silva was KO'd the house exploded. I've never been to an event with that much energy before. Anyway, this event was worth every penny. I'm definitely coming out to their next event on U.S. soil.

Great read man, I got that same feeling just watching it on TV so I can only imagine how watching it live must've been.

I am not sure about how the UFC events are as far as how packed they are from the start but they seem to be.

How full was the stadium prior to the 6th match because a friend of mine attended the last event while in Vegas (he was not plannign on even going to the event) and PRIDE was handing out free tickets during hte event to fill the stadium, I hope this was not the case here because the event was so phenomenal but fillin up the stadium durign the 6th fight of the night does not sound good to me.

I hope thier PPV numbers were staggering. It was one of those PPV's where you just feel you just robbed them because you only paid $40.00 for the PPV as opposed to feeling the opposite via PRIDE real deal and UFC 68 (and the one with Sylvia vs AA III).

Again great read, thanks for posting this.