As we near the 18-year mark since Pride FC’s final event on April 8th, 2007, nostalgic sentiment for the iconic Japanese MMA promotion has started to creep back.

Pride represents an era of mixed martial arts that will never be replicated – a pioneering time when nothing was outside the realm of possibility. Not yet sanitized or strictly beholden to weight classes, it offered elite combat and shocking entertainment, with the two threads often intertwined.

With that in mind, relive some of its most memorable highlights with 10 of the most insane Pride moments ever.

10

Ikuhisa Minowa Wins One Of Many ‘Freakshows’ Against Giant Silva

Japanese Star Grew Reputation For David Vs. Goliath Battles

• The Japanese fighter outweighed by 200lbs.
• It shows the true spirit of martial arts.
• One of many ‘Freakshow’ fights in Minowa’s career.

No list of Pride’s unique memories would be complete without their infamous “freakshow” fights, and one man who was always front and center in them was Ikuhisa “Minowaman” Minowa.

The 5’9″, 181-pound Japanese grappler was no stranger to a David vs. Goliath battle, and his clash against “Giant” Silva at Pride Bushido 10 stands out as one of the craziest.

Clocking in at 7’2″ and 385 pounds, professional wrestler and former basketball player Silva was a monster of a man, albeit one with very little martial arts experience besides a crash course in BJJ under the Gracies.

Minowa made the most of this skill disparity and took “Giant” down early. The colossal Brazilian seemed stranded, unable to get his hulking mass off the canvas.

“Minowaman” capitalized and finished his rival with a barrage of grounded knees to Silva’s body and head at 2:33.

9

Ryo Chonan’s Incredible Submission Of Anderson Silva

“Piranha” Scores Epic Win Over Future Legend

• The Japanese fighter finished a UFC great.
• Rare flying entry into heel hook.
• One of MMA’s craziest finishes.

Hindsight has given Ryo “Piranha” Chonan’s incredible submission over Anderson “The Spider” Silva more kudos, but even without his rival’s Hall-of-Fame UFC career, the Japanese grappler’s submission remains one of the best ever.

At 7-4, he faced the 14-2 Brazilian striker in front of 48,000 fans at Pride Shockwave 2004, the mammoth New Year’s Eve event.

Silva stung his foe with heavy strikes throughout the contest, but Chonan’s grappling ability saw him have success with ground-and-pound. Still, coming into the final frame, the match was still up for grabs.

With a couple of minutes remaining, “Piranha” launched into a flying scissor attack that put Silva onto the canvas and then secured an inside heel hook to elicit a frenzied tap from “The Spider” at 3:08.

8

Fedor Emelianenko Survives Kevin Randleman’s Suplex

Russian Heavyweight Legend Showcases Durability

• Randleman proves his immense power.
• No quit from “The Last Emperor.”
• Goes on to secure win via submission.

Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko’s unbeaten run in Pride’s heavyweight ranks made him a legend.

He earned a perfect 14-0 slate with 1 No Contest en route to three title defenses, though there were some scary moments along the way.

Kevin “The Monster” Randleman’s wince-inducing suplex at Pride Critical Countdown 2004, was one of them, as the American wrestler sent Emelianenko soaring through the air until his head and neck met the ring floor with a thud.

Against many other fighters, that would have been enough for victory, but Fedor rallied back from underneath, reversed to top position, and then finished Randleman with a kimura after an exhilarating 93 seconds.

7

Mark Hunt’s Famous Atomic Butt Drop

“Super Samoan” Throws Out MMA Rulebook

• Hunt up against it against surging Wanderlei Silva.
• Throws out textbooks with his unique technique.
• Admits it was influenced by Street Fighter.

Although he was an experienced kickboxer, Mark “Super Samoan” Hunt entered his matchup against Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva at just 1-1 in MMA.

Meanwhile, Silva was on a 17-fight unbeaten streak in the promotion, with 13 of those victories coming by vicious stoppage.

Hunt picked this time to draw on his gaming skills to unleash the move he called the “E-Honda Special” – also known as the “Atomic Butt Drop.”

With the Brazilian on his back, “Super Samoan” wanted to avoid any dangerous upkicks, so he chose to attack his foe butt first.

While jaw-dropping, it didn’t have much impact on the fight, but Hunt still went on to win a shocking split decision over the surging Silva.

6

Hammer House Meets Chute Boxe In Post-Fight Melee

Mark Coleman erupts after win over Mauricio Rua

• American and Brazilian rivals erupt in ring.
• Famous fighters throwing leather after the bell.
• Coleman, Wanderlei, Ninja all involved.

American wrestling Olympian and UFC pioneer Mark “The Hammer” Coleman took on a rising star in Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at Pride 31, but it was the post-fight incident that lives long in the memory.

Coleman won the match when Rua broke his arm during a takedown, but incensed by “The Hammer” seemingly continuing when the referee tried to intervene, the Chute Boxe stable took to the ring and instigated a melee.

Among punches and grabs, Coleman managed to stand on Wanderlei Silva’s neck while he was on the floor, and the American’s father even put his dukes up at the side of the ring.

5

Kazushi Sakuraba Snaps Renzo Gracie’s Arm

Japanese star continues dominance against Gracie family

• Sakuraba becomes ‘The Gracie Hunter.’
• Renzo refuses to tap.
• Legendary rivalry continued.

Kazushi Sakuraba earned the moniker of “The Gracie Hunter” after defeating four members of the famous BJJ family, but it was his gruesome victory over Renzo Gracie that left the biggest impression.

With wins over Royler and Royce Gracie, Sakuraba faced Renzo in a grudge match at Pride 10.

Wanting to restore some family pride, the Brazilian battled hard in the first round of their contest. However, after chasing Sakuraba’s back, he came unstuck with just seconds remaining.

The Japanese icon latched onto a kimura and ripped himself free before depositing Gracie on the mat. From there, he cranked and broke his rival’s arm.

Too proud to tap, Renzo held on until the referee stopped the fight at 9:43 due to the serious injury.

4

Quinton Jackson Spoils Dana White’s Trade Plan

“Rampage” finishes Chuck Liddell

• Dana White wanted Chuck Liddell to meet Wanderlei Silva.
• “Rampage” blasts UFC favorite.
• Went on to become a huge favorite in the USA.

In a move that tempered any enthusiasm UFC president Dana White had for trades, Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell was sent to take part in the Pride Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament at Pride Final Conflict 2003.

They had their eyes set on a superstar clash between Liddell and Wanderlei Silva, which looked likely when “The Iceman” blitzed past Alistair Overeem in the opening round.

However, American compatriot Quinton “Rampage” Jackson had other ideas. After a hard-fought battle, Jackson slammed Liddell to the ground and got the TKO finish, leaving White bewildered as a guest commentator.

“Rampage” went on to the final, where he was obliterated by the in-form Silva.

3

Charles Bennett Vs. Chute Boxe

A Chokeout And A Knockout Behind The Scenes

• A volatile American gets into a scuffle backstage.
• Longtime claims finally surface.
• Piece of Japanese MMA folklore.

Backstage goings-on were just as much a part of Pride folklore as the in-ring action, and “Felony” Charles Bennett – then known as “Krazy Horse” – was a central feature.

The American wild man had his fair share of dustups, but the most famous is his altercation with the Chute Boxe team at Pride Shockwave 2005.

Video footage shows Bennett getting into a fight with Cristiano Marcello in the back room, where he is choked out by the Brazilian.

However, for years the rumor was that Bennett woke up and knocked out Wanderlei Silva – something “The Axe Murderer” long denied.

Silva finally admitted it, stating that the American sucker punched him and put him out cold, with the major twist being that the Brazilian was due to fight minutes after.

He did, and went on to defeat Ricardo Arona in an epic battle despite being separated from his senses shortly before heading out.

2

Quinton Jackson’s Powerbomb

Epic Slam Finish Over Ricardo Arona

• “Rampage” slams his way to mindblowing win.
• Becomes a highlight-reel sensation.
• Remains one of the most-watched MMA KOs.

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is on the list with arguably his most famous career moment and one of the best KOs in Pride history.

The big-punching, heavy-slamming American was a fan favorite in Japan for his persona and skills, and he went up against BJJ specialist Ricardo Arona at Pride Critical Countdown 2004.

After watching him win ADCC in 2000, 2001, and the super fight in 2003, nobody wanted to be on the ground with Arona. So, when the Brazilian locked up a triangle, everyone thought it was over. Everyone apart from Jackson, that is.

“Rampage” utilized his superhuman strength and powerbombed his way out of the submission, knocking Arona out in the process for a massive victory.

1

Don Frye And Yoshihiro Takayama’s Legendary Battle

Pair Engage In One Of MMA’s Greatest Slugfests

• USA vs. Japan hockey-style brawl.
• Cited as one of the best fights of all time.
• Frye now UFC Hall-of-Fame Inductee.

There are levels to the game when it comes to iconic moments and not many can match Don Frye vs. Yoshihiro Takayama.

UFC Hall of Famer Frye faced pro wrestler Takayama in a heavyweight tilt at Pride 21 and the result was scenes that would seem too farfetched for a movie screen.

The pair charged at each other, took collar ties, and blasted away with punches from a nose-to-nose position.

A respite in the action was a big takedown and knee from the Japanese athlete, but then they resumed their hockey scrap until they were both bloodied and bruised.

Frye eventually found himself in top position where he punched his way to victory after 6:10, but few cared about the result after one of MMA’s all-time great brawls.