Release date: August 11th 2003

Price: £12.99 (VHS) & £17.99 (DVD)

This is one of the two first compilation offerings from the UFC in the UK. With UFC video releases now picking up pace with them coming out thick and fast. These titles though are a new chapter for UFC as we are use to just buying and watching the main events but now we have best of compilations to keep us entertained.

These compilations are for the action fan who does not like waiting around for the big fight endings. The titles feature highlights from classic matches from past to present which are still talked about today featuring the likes of Frank Shamrock, Carlos Newton and Pat Miletich to name but a few. So if you want to brush up on your submission knowledge and see how many different ways you could make your opponent submit this looked like the video for you.

Highs and Lows

The opening menu on the DVD version is brilliant as it lets you decide if it’s arm locks, leg locks or chokes you want to watch. If you are not picky though or have the VHS version you can play it all through from the start and watch it all the way through in one sitting.

The opening introduction is brilliant especially for those new to UFC as it takes you along with Ricco Rodriguez through the history of submissions in the UFC, who the best submission fighters were and what techniques are actually deployed by the fighters in the ring. They document the UFC legend Gracie who was seen as an innovator alongside his family members in the form of ju-jitsu he showcased in the octagon. Gracie although not active in the octagon any more was a crowd favourite and someone who will definitely stay in the UFC record books for years to come.

These type of releases are brilliant for being able to see the footage you have heard and read about that hasn’t been widely available in the UK before. A collector’s item with brilliant library footage. These releases I feel will be the only way to see the footage from past unreleased events. I feel the new big blockbuster UFC events happening at the moment in the States will keep the people down at UFC Video very busy for which they are currently up to UFC 41: Onslaught.

The main down point I could find was that if watching it all the way through or multiple times like I have been recently it can get a little monotonous. Just watching the submission clips I feel it could have been broken up with fighter profiles, submission demos and discussion from the commentators. When watching it through again I think you would find yourself skipping to your favourite knockouts like the brilliant Newton/Miletich match.

Overall

I thought this was a fast paced action all the way DVD/VHS though for my liking I did find it a touch too fast. The variety is there though to keep you entertained as the release features 25 different submissions from different matches to feast your eyes over. The only thing I would change would be to have more slow-mo, replays and commentary breaking things down frame by frame but that would of made the release in to a 4 hour epic.

DVD Extras

• Matt Serra feature
• UFC 32 Rules meeting
• UFC 43 Post fight conference
• Ricco Rodriguez submission demo
• UFC 36 Gil Casttillo showing submissions to Tampa Bay linemen

The DVD extras like on most film DVD’s are for your hardcore UFC fan with some collectors gems or for those who like to get behind the scenes and learn what goes on outside the octagon. From a personal standpoint my favourite DVD extra was the submission demo put on by Ricco Rodriguez very educational and gives an insight to those thinking about taking up UFC or any form of martial art.

Points: 7 / 10

Adam Sibley

Buy It:

UK: £14.99 (DVD)