Post by BobbyTheBrain on Jul 7, 2017 0:58:12 GMT -5
Pride 3
June 24, 1998
Fight 1: Akira Shoji vs Daijiro Matsui
Two very brave and exciting Japanese warriors in this one. Shoji is already a familiar face to Pride fans here, and Matsui would become one as well. Shoji coming forward in an attempt to throw punches, Matsui goes for a takedown but Shoji sprawls and is able to land a solid right hand when they get back to their feet. Another takedown attempt from Matsui sees Shoji wind up with a sidemount on top where he lands a few shots. They wind up standing again...a 3rd takedown attempt from Matsui results in the same thing, Shoji gets his back and lands shots on Matsui. Matsui scrambles to his feet, and takes a few more blows before getting out of the corner. They stay in the middle of the ring for a sustained period, nothing major landing from either fighter, but a few leg kicks from Matsui...another takedown attempt from Matsui and AGAIN Shoji gets the advantageous position. As Stephen Quatros says "Shoji can see that shoot coming a mile away". A knee to shoulder from Shoji, Matsui scrambles to his feet, but takes a few more knees to his midsection from Shoji. The round continues in this pattern with Shoji continuing to get the advantageous position on the ground and Matsui continuing to land a few decent strikes here and there, but definitely getting the worst of it from Shoji. Another failed shoot attempt from Matsui, and before Shoji can strike the round comes to an end. Round 1 was all Shoji.
Round 2 sees Matsui coming out of his corner full of energy and eager to make something happen. He lands a low kick, but then is clinched and taken down with a Judo leg sweep from Shoji. Shoji is on top in Matsui's guard, Matsui is landing some little nagging shots to the side of Shoji's head it's nothing too damaging, but Shoji realizing he can't get much done from this position powers his way out and gets back to his feet. Matsui's best success of the fight follows here as Shoji goes to take him down, but this time Matsui winds up on top in Shoji's guard, they stand and Matsui lands some solid punches on Shoji. After a cautious feeling out period Matsui shoots in for another takedown attempt, but is again picked off by Shoji who gets the advantageous position. Shoji is tired at this point and takes the opportunity to hold Matsui down and rest. After a breather he lands some punches to the side of Matsui's head and his ribs. Shoji continues to maintain control on the ground, and the round comes to an end. Though Matsui had his moments in Round 2 much more so than Round 1, I'd still say that's a Shoji round.
Round 3, they come out circling each other on the fight. Shoji lands a solid punch, and then winds up on the ground again where he continues to maintain control. They wind up back on their feet, Shoji lands a big right hand on Matsui who then goes in for a takedown. This time he gets it, but lands in a guillotine choke like position for Shoji, Shoji doesn't have a good hold though and releases. They eventually wind up on the feet where Shoji again gets the better of it with punches. Back to the ground where Shoji lands another knee to Matsui's shoulder, and continues to maintain dominant position...he eventually winds up getting Matsui's back, but Matsui has his arms locked up so he can't attempt a choke. Finally the round comes to an end. Shoji got the better of that one as well.
Extra Round: These guys are feeling the pace here. This has already been a 30 minute contest. Matsui shoots in for another takedown...do you really need me to tell you what happens? Shoji sprawls and gets control. After a few knees to the shoulder they get back to their feet. Attempts at offense from Matsui don't wind up working, and they wind up on the ground again, Shoji gets some puches in...more knees to the shoulder. Some hammer fists to the side of Matsui's head. Finally they wind up back on their feet where Shoji storms in again with punches. Back to the ground, back to the feet, back to the ground, back to the feet...punches from Matsui...they fall through the ropes after a takedown attempt, and the fight comes an end.
There were no judges at Pride 3 so at the end of the fight the bout is declared an automatic draw.
Unofficial Winner: Akira Shoji (He won all 4 rounds)
Yeesh...That was a Marathon I feel almost as tired as they must've been after that one.
June 24, 1998
Fight 1: Akira Shoji vs Daijiro Matsui
Two very brave and exciting Japanese warriors in this one. Shoji is already a familiar face to Pride fans here, and Matsui would become one as well. Shoji coming forward in an attempt to throw punches, Matsui goes for a takedown but Shoji sprawls and is able to land a solid right hand when they get back to their feet. Another takedown attempt from Matsui sees Shoji wind up with a sidemount on top where he lands a few shots. They wind up standing again...a 3rd takedown attempt from Matsui results in the same thing, Shoji gets his back and lands shots on Matsui. Matsui scrambles to his feet, and takes a few more blows before getting out of the corner. They stay in the middle of the ring for a sustained period, nothing major landing from either fighter, but a few leg kicks from Matsui...another takedown attempt from Matsui and AGAIN Shoji gets the advantageous position. As Stephen Quatros says "Shoji can see that shoot coming a mile away". A knee to shoulder from Shoji, Matsui scrambles to his feet, but takes a few more knees to his midsection from Shoji. The round continues in this pattern with Shoji continuing to get the advantageous position on the ground and Matsui continuing to land a few decent strikes here and there, but definitely getting the worst of it from Shoji. Another failed shoot attempt from Matsui, and before Shoji can strike the round comes to an end. Round 1 was all Shoji.
Round 2 sees Matsui coming out of his corner full of energy and eager to make something happen. He lands a low kick, but then is clinched and taken down with a Judo leg sweep from Shoji. Shoji is on top in Matsui's guard, Matsui is landing some little nagging shots to the side of Shoji's head it's nothing too damaging, but Shoji realizing he can't get much done from this position powers his way out and gets back to his feet. Matsui's best success of the fight follows here as Shoji goes to take him down, but this time Matsui winds up on top in Shoji's guard, they stand and Matsui lands some solid punches on Shoji. After a cautious feeling out period Matsui shoots in for another takedown attempt, but is again picked off by Shoji who gets the advantageous position. Shoji is tired at this point and takes the opportunity to hold Matsui down and rest. After a breather he lands some punches to the side of Matsui's head and his ribs. Shoji continues to maintain control on the ground, and the round comes to an end. Though Matsui had his moments in Round 2 much more so than Round 1, I'd still say that's a Shoji round.
Round 3, they come out circling each other on the fight. Shoji lands a solid punch, and then winds up on the ground again where he continues to maintain control. They wind up back on their feet, Shoji lands a big right hand on Matsui who then goes in for a takedown. This time he gets it, but lands in a guillotine choke like position for Shoji, Shoji doesn't have a good hold though and releases. They eventually wind up on the feet where Shoji again gets the better of it with punches. Back to the ground where Shoji lands another knee to Matsui's shoulder, and continues to maintain dominant position...he eventually winds up getting Matsui's back, but Matsui has his arms locked up so he can't attempt a choke. Finally the round comes to an end. Shoji got the better of that one as well.
Extra Round: These guys are feeling the pace here. This has already been a 30 minute contest. Matsui shoots in for another takedown...do you really need me to tell you what happens? Shoji sprawls and gets control. After a few knees to the shoulder they get back to their feet. Attempts at offense from Matsui don't wind up working, and they wind up on the ground again, Shoji gets some puches in...more knees to the shoulder. Some hammer fists to the side of Matsui's head. Finally they wind up back on their feet where Shoji storms in again with punches. Back to the ground, back to the feet, back to the ground, back to the feet...punches from Matsui...they fall through the ropes after a takedown attempt, and the fight comes an end.
There were no judges at Pride 3 so at the end of the fight the bout is declared an automatic draw.
Unofficial Winner: Akira Shoji (He won all 4 rounds)
Yeesh...That was a Marathon I feel almost as tired as they must've been after that one.
