Hailed as one of the quickest up and coming ring sports of this decade, the UFC has taken the world by storm, clashing mixed Martial Arts stars and athletes together in an octagon ring, all fighting it out for glory. Competitors from all over the world come to this one ring, pitting the world's best martial arts together - wrestling, Jui-jitsu, kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do.

UFC rules are simple; no gouging, biting, low blows, head butts or attacks to the back of the head. Wins come from knockouts or submissions, which require placing a part of your opponent's body under such pain and discomfort that he verbally or physically taps out, indicating to the in-ring referee that he has had enough. If the fight lasts the full allocation of rounds then the ringside judges decide who wins, based on aggression, octagon control, strikes and grappling.

This latest UFC DVD instalment, UFC 68 - The Uprising, hosts a medley of huge names and veterans together on this mammoth fight-card. I can safely say that if you like UFC you will not be disappointed. The different circumstances of the fighters give all these fights a uniqueness, and before long you will be cheering on your favourite! The venue for the fight this time around was the National Arena in Columbus Ohio, in the United States, with over 19,000 in attendance. So, without further ado, let's see what's on offer!

Light Heavyweight bout (Non-title)
Renato Sobral vs. Jason Lambert
3 Five Minute Rounds

Renato "Babalu" Sobral representing Brazil is a very entertaining fighter with a no holds barred approach. Combining pinpoint striking accuracy and a huge repertoire of submission techniques, this 31-year-old 6'11" tattooed monster is feared in the UFC world. Adopting the Brazilian Jui-jitsu style, he comes from the world-renowned Gracie School of Fighting, so be prepared to see lots of ground 'n' pound (when the fighter mounts the opponent and begins to lay the smack down by raining fists and elbows to the head and body). With the discipline he adopts, submissions are second nature to him, so expect to see chokes, arm-bars (contorting the arm to the point of excruciating pain) and various other submission attempts. The last time Sobral was in a ring was August 2006, where he lost to former light heavyweight champ Chuck Liddell after a ten-fight winning spree, so it's safe to say he wants to win - and badly. He is up against former county sheriff Jason Lambert from California. Since joining the UFC in 2006, Lambert has dispatched three of the biggest names in the UFC history, with all fights not getting past the second round, due to knockouts. This sends a statement to the world that Lambert has some "heavy" hands and isn't afraid to stand toe to toe and slug it out. With Lambert adopting a street fighting style and Sobral as a natural Jui-jitsu fighter, expect a stand-up war.

Welterweight bout (Non-title)
Matt Hughes vs. Chris Lytle
3 Five Minute Rounds

The nine-time UFC champion and UFC Hall of famer Matt Hughes, known around the world (if not universe!) for his superior wrestling and submission skills, is looking to avenge his loss against champion George St Pierre. Behind Hughes is a vast list of victories over superior fighters and with that comes a reputation of being one of the best UFC wrestlers to date. Besides being ridiculously strong, Hughes is adept at taking his opponents to the ground and pounding away. However, he meets Chris "Lights Out" Lytle, a former professional boxer fresh from his time on The Ultimate Fighter Season 4, a reality TV fight series. In the series Lytle came short in the finale, but has been given another opportunity to test his mettle. With a stand-up fighter going against a guy that could literally pick you up, slam you on your head and make you submit, this fight really could go either way.

Middleweight bout (Non-title)
Rich Franklin vs. Jason Macdonald
3 Five Minute Rounds

Coming from a vicious beat down and loss to veteran Anderson Silva, Rich "Ace" Franklin looks very dangerous in his return to the octagon. In his home state of Ohio, "Ace" has a lot to prove to himself and to his crowd in attendance, in turn making him a very hungry fighter. Franklin brings with him a combination of strikes and good conditioning, coupled with fight intelligence and submission techniques. In Franklin's way is Jason "The Athlete" Macdonald, a 6'3", 183 pound chiselled mountain of a man from Alberta, Canada. Experienced in stand up warfare, with a very good submission game, this will prove difficult for the "something to prove" Rich Franklin to overcome. To add to Franklin's woes, Macdonald has just come off two impressive submission and knockout victories, giving him the upper hand. Either man has the ability to win standing up or on the ground, making this a very even match-up.

Middleweight bout (Non-title)
Martin Kampmann vs. Drew McFedries
3 Five Minute Rounds

Martin "The Hitman" Kampmann, the 24 year old from Denmark, brings with him an all-round polished fight game. Well versed in stand-up fighting and very proficient in pounding away on the ground, he can also sneak in a submission or two, or three, or four… making him a dangerous fighter because of his all round game. Wrestler turned boxer Drew McFedries has earned a rapid reputation for having hard as steel hands and an iron chin. In his last bout he was on the receiving end of two five-minute rounds of pure annihilation before devastating his opponent with a thunderous uppercut knockout, displaying his heart and heavy hands. McFedries is now eager to continue winning and climbing the middleweight ladder. Because these fighters have both come off wins, they are both on a high and looking to continue their streak, making this exciting because they both prefer to stand up and engage in war - so expect some bombs!

Heavyweight Bout (Title fight)
Tim Sylvia vs. Randy Couture
5 Five Minute Rounds

Well, by the time you get to this fight, you're not human if you're not fired up! The man, the legend, the hall of famer, "The Natural" Randy Couture, 43 years of age, steps into the octagon after coming out of retirement, looking for the heavyweight belt. There isn't a man in the UFC that has a CV like Couture's, beating every heavyweight when in his prime and three-time champion of different weight classes. He has world class wrestling, striking, ground 'n' pound, submission, bone-breaking slams and takedown defence all under his belt, and is a phenomenal athlete at the age of 43. Couture has something to prove coming out of retirement… However he fights current champ and all round crazy man Tim "The Maniac" Sylvia. This 6'8" 280 pound animal should not be counted out simply because he is fighting a legend; this man has enough power in his hands to make even the spectators wince and feel sorry for whoever is on the receiving end of his fists. Being 6'8", he has a distinct reach advantage over most (86" reach) and coupled with a good takedown defence, "The Maniac" has more than a chance to dictate this fight. Possessing an incredible record of knocking out heavyweights with a single blow, this man is no champion by luck.

On paper alone this fight is mammoth, but because Couture is coming out of retirement, it makes it much more interesting. Does he win the belt and cement his name in history even more so, or lose and tarnish his reputation? "The Maniac" is no pushover and is determined to hold onto that belt, making Couture's life a lot harder. Disconnect the phone, grab the beverages and snacks and make sure you use the bathroom facilities before you watch this one…

The DVD also contains four preliminary fights that were not part of the main fight card, and there are as follows:

Jamie Varner vs. Jason Gilliam (Lightweight Bout)

A very quick bout, with a good display of ju-jitsu on offer.

Jason Dent vs. Gleison Tibau (Lightweight Bout)

A good, very even match up, with a display of different skills on show. Up and down, back and forth, this match is worthy of being on the main card.

Jon Fitch vs. Luigi Fioravanti (Welterweight Bout)

A very close fight, with both fighters digging deep and showcasing their talents.

Matt Hamill vs. Rex Holman (Light heavyweight Bout)

A very physical fight with lots of bruising punches and kicks, this is a good one to watch as an introduction to UFC.

Overall, the show of fights on offer maintains a level of intensity and excitement from beginning to end, with a very professional deliverance. The entertainment value of this DVD is great, and it's the type of DVD that you might find yourself watching again and again, most notably the final bout.

The "Dana White (President of the UFC) steam train" keeps rolling on, with his recent acquisition of the Japanese version of UFC, called Pride, now under his control. This means more fighters, more styles and more competition. However UFC 68 is definitely a groundbreaker and one that should be in the collection of not just UFC fans, but entertainment and sports fans alike. LET'S GET IT ON!!

Reviewed by Earl McFarlane for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).