Review of UFC 71: Liddell vs Jackson

Introduction

As seems to be the case with every UFC offering in 2007, UFC 71: Liddell vs Jackson had a wider meaning for the company, outside of just the event bouts themselves. Beginning with this show, American sports channel ESPN - in some ways, Sky Sports is our equivalent - began coverage of the UFC, previewing and reporting on it, much like you would expect of a high-profile boxing match. The potential impact of ESPN`s coverage could not be underestimated - this was UFC`s opportunity to show off its product to a wide range of sports fans who had never previously encountered upon it.

In the Octagon, the main attraction was the Light-Heavyweight title fight, between dominant champion Chuck Liddell, and former PRIDE star Quinton Jackson. The two had met once before, in Japan in 2003, with Jackson emerging victorious. However, it soon became common knowledge that Liddell had suffered a major leg injury just prior to the fight, a fact which unquestionably mitigated him during the bout.

Elsewhere on the UFC 71 card, there was an eagerly anticipated Welterweight bout, as Karo Parisyan faced Josh Burkman.

UFC 71 was held on 26th May 2007, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Video

Video is presented in 4:3 fullscreen PAL, and is very good for a DVD of this genre. Production values are high, but not distracting from the fights themselves, and the camerawork is excellent, meaning that none of the in-Octagon action is missed.

In terms of the transfer to DVD, this is spotless, with no noticeable digital artefacts.

Audio

Audio is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0, and is also very good for a DVD of this genre. Everything is clear in the mix, so that in-Octagon action, crowd noise, and commentary are all well represented, and easily audible alongside each other. Speaking of commentary, it is provided very ably by regular hosts Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan.

There are further 2.0 tracks available in French, Dutch, and German.

Features

As is standard on UFC event DVDs, the evening`s main event is profiled in the bonus features, though we also get a look at the Karo Parisyan vs Josh Burkman fight as well.

It`s Chuck Liddell, and particularly, Quinton Jackson who take centre stage, however. Jackson is his usual charismatic, humorous self, and Liddell comes across as the relaxed, confident champion.

For both contests, we get a look at the fighters` preparation, the weigh-ins, and the post-bout reaction. Throughout all of this, there is much interview footage, helping to set the scene for the contest.

Conclusion

A Light-Heavyweight contest kicked off the preliminary bouts at UFC 71, as Wilson Gouveia faced Carmelo Marrero. It was hardly a spectacular fight, but the ferocity of the eventual winner`s leg kicks were something to behold.

Jeremy Stephens vs Din Thomas was a good fight which featured a nice submission finish, though it was a one which was longer than the next two encounters combined, as Alan Belcher faced Sean Salmon, and Thiago Alves fought James Irvin. Belcher vs Salmon was basic fare, and Silva vs Irvin was unfortunately marred by an injury.

Chris Leben and Kalib Starnes opened up the original pay-per-view broadcast of the show, in what was a long, hard-fought fight. It was very, very different from the explosive Keith Jardine vs Houston Alexander bout, which despite being much shorter, was even more worthwhile. Another short fight was next, as Terry Martin and Ivan Salaverry contested a Middleweight bout.

After what seemed like the blink of an eye, simply because of the number of short bouts during the evening, the evening`s two marquee bouts were next, with Josh Burkman vs Karo Parisyan up first, in a Welterweight bout. This was a long but entertaining contest between two young, evenly-matched fighters. From the very get-go in this one, there was little stalling, with both looking for the immediate finish.

The main event of Liddell vs Jackson was not quite the classic that some expected, but it was certainly a very climactic way in which to end UFC 71. It was short and explosive, and the live audience`s tension unquestionably added to the big-time feel of the match.


Overall, UFC 71 was an odd card, which ended up being a reasonably good show. The oddity of it was that there were six short fights from a total of nine, which was good in the sense that the action was quick, but also left a feeling in some instances that there was a lack of competitiveness. Either way, Liddell vs Jackson, Burkman vs Parisyan, Jardine vs Alexander, and Thomas vs Stephens, were all worth watching, so in that sense, the big matches delivered.

Given the coverage of ESPN, UFC 71 may well prove to be a turning point in the history of the company. No matter, it is worthy of consideration for your own, personal, DVD collection.