Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Fighting Championship Showdown XIV (Volume 14) [VHS]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the ever evolving UFC, fighting styles have been the most interseting evolution. In the beginning there was Jiu-Jitsu and it's various ground submissions. Then there were the world-class wrestlers who brought unbelievable lightning shoots and overpowering techniques. Fighters at that time were classified as either grapplers(jiu-jitsu & wrestling) or strikers(boxing,kickboxing). But leading up to this event (and the last few) cross-training and appreciation for the a complete style was evident. Grapplers would exchange a bit on their feet, before finishing their foe on the ground. This event would show the world(UFC) that a kickboxer with ground skills could take out a once invinsible champion.

UFC XIV. was yet another 2 tournament + superfight package. The middleweight(under 200lb) tourney would see the debut of Olympic Gold Medalist Kevin Jackson. Jackson would compete against a weak field, and show his superior skills.

The heavyweight tournament would usher in another great wreslter. The debut of Mark Kerr in the UFC would turn heads and impress all. Kerr,(already known for his tournament victory in Brazil) had competition coming from UFC vet Brian Johnston and 300 pounder Daniel Bobish.

The Superfight would see the return of the dominating champ Mark Coleman. Coleman was at the point invinsible. His proclamation as the best fighter in the world was hard to argue against. His toughest opponent, Don Frye would fall in about or around 10 minutes. His ego was sky high leading up to his match-up against kickboxing legend Maurice Smith. Smith was already experienced in MMA and was eager to shut Coleman out. The match-up was intriguing and fight itself was an absolute classic. Still regarded as one of the greatest fights, this Superfight was just that:SUPER!

July 27, 1997
Boutwell Auditorium
Birmingham, Alabama

This UFC event consisted of middleweight and heavyweight tournaments, plus a Super Fight main event. We see the UFC debut of fighters Mark "The Smashing Machine" Kerr and Kevin Jackson who would take part in the tournament at their respective weights.

The first fight is between Yuri Vaulin and Joe Moreira. This fight is not much more than a stalemate. Moreira gets Vaulin to the ground and rides the round out, without much action. The fight goes to overtime, where we see the same result. This very dull bout goes to a decision.

Next, Todd Butler faces Kevin Jackson, a highly decorated wrestler. Fans of the UFC are excited to see Jackson try his hand at mixed martial arts - and the time had come. This fight doesn't last long. Jackson makes a solid octagon debut.

Mark Kerr, in his UFC debut, takes on Moti Horenstein. Horenstein is coming off of a loss to Mark "The Hammer" Coleman in the last UFC tournament - and this one isn't much different. Kerr is simply too strong for him. Kerr takes him down immediately and imposes his will, quickly stopping the fight with ground & pound. Kerr appears to have a bright future in the UFC.

Dan Bobish vs. Brian Johnston: Bobish is a monster of a man, weighing in at over 300 lbs. This fight has an exciting opening, with both fighters coming out swinging for the fences. The flurry from both fighters eventually slows down and the tactical wrestling of Bobish takes effect.

As Joe Moreira is unable to compete in the finals, alternate Tony Fryklund steps in to face Kevin Jackson. Fryklund is absolutely dominated and choked out promptly. Jackson is making an impressive first appearance in this UFC tournament.

With Bobish and Kerr meeting in the heavyweight finals, we have two huge wrestlers set to face off. It doesn't turn out to be the battle I was hoping for, as Kerr takes it to Bobish and gets a submission.

The Super Fight between Maurice Smith and Mark Coleman is up next. Smith does some trash-talking about Coleman's fighting style, belittling the striking ability of the champ. In this fight, we would see a kickboxer vs. a wrestler - both at the top of their game. Coleman is dominant in the opening minutes. He controls Smith and drops down punches on him from the top and mount positions. Coleman even attempts a few chokes, but Smith survives. When the fight finally comes back up to the feet after 9 minutes, Coleman appears to be severely gassed. The fight goes into overtime. Coleman gets another takedown in this round, but Smith finds his way to his feet again and stalks Coleman around the ring, landing leg kicks and carefully chosen strikes. Coleman looks half-dead, to be honest, with nothing left in the tank. He continuously checks the clock and avoids Smith. I'm sure this is not how Coleman wanted to "go out", but that's how it plays out. Mo Smith is the new champion.

This is a decent UFC event. The main event is solid and makes up for some lackluster fights that had taken place earlier on the fight card.

well, if you're a mark kerr fan - this is the video. kerr explodes into action, virtually un-challenged, making it look pretty easy. the man has serious ground and pound skills. also, a stunning upset as markcoleman gets beat buy maurice smith in a classic grappler vs. striker matchup. 3 1/2 stars.

I thought UFC 14 was great. Maurice Smith whipped Mark Coleman, who always finds a way to tire himself out. Mark Kerr was great that night. The other matches were OK.

You have to watch the video several times and let time pass and see that the main event was okay, it was not the best. Mark Coleman's performance was not that spectacular as compared when he met Don Frye in part number 10; now part 10 was a hit between Coleman and Frye. In part 14 Maurice Smith the kickboxer-World class athelete challenges Mark Coleman for the belt, but you have to expect more from these two. Mr. Smith and Mr. Coleman had spectacular past events, and they were good, check out the past videos, but for this tournament it was so so it was actually a long distance race in where the end mark coleman just ran out of gas and then maurice smith just whacked him with his kickboxing skills on his legs and chopped him down. Dont get me wrong this fight made news, but like i said. see the fight, and you will think the following, "both guys would have had a brawl if both stood up and fought each other with their fists....just like in part ten." it seems everyones moment arrives in one of the parts and then they just have okay fights from then on or not spectacular fights. But i recommend part three AND four of EFC-EXTREME FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP Where Maurice smith shines like a star, and in part 10 mark coleman flourishes with his destruction of Don frye-it is really a great combat fight with out a doubt. it be nice if the ufc went to the old format-forget the weight classes and place all in the same category, but i guess change has to occur, and with that change i feel it has brought down the excitement of the fights. part 14 review of this video-no good at all not recommended "The Showdown"...............