Rewriting MMA History (2000-Modern Day)

McDojoDelux · May 28, 2020

<div style="text-align:center;">End Of Year Recap (2002)

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PRIDE ran the entire sport of MMA all year long consistently putting on quality shows which put other organizations to shame the UFC especially had a very difficult year with a lot of highly anticipated fights being delayed due to injury, in particular, the Chuck Liddel vs Tito Ortiz fight which was postponed four separate times due to four differing injuries (early thread posts go into more detail about this saga) despite the down year the UFC still had some noteworthy moments unlike other top organizations like Pancrase, K1 Hero’s, and ICON Sports with them all having a pretty lackluster year with little to no memorable moments whatsoever.

Moments to Remeber (UFC)

Kevin Randleman had become one of the most successful champions in the early history of the UFC up to that point with 4 successful title defenses over Randy Couture, Josh Barnett, Pedro Rizzo, and Semmy Schilt however with the lack of depth in the UFC’s Heavyweight division meant these four names stayed on top on the division leaving no room for any fresh match-ups for Randleman so after Couture’s spectacular win over Pedro Rizzo in 2001’s Fight of the Year, Randy 'The Natural' Couture was granted another shot at the title at UFC 41: The Rematch. Couture would put on a clinic completely outclassing Radleman in all areas of the fight dropping Kevin twice in the 1st then cutting him up and rocking him multiple times with ground and pound in the 2nd before landing a devastating uppercut which knocked Randleman out cold in the 3rd, 'The Natural' would go on to immediately drop the belt in a rematch against Pedro Rizzo losing a wide unanimous decision (50-44, 50-43, 50-42 just wanted to add that 10-8 rounds were on ‘rare’ for this fight) many including Dana White would criticize Couture in his loss to Rizzo as the American elected to stand with the heavy-handed Rizzo for the entire fight instead of implementing his world-class wrestling.

“I think it’s clear that Randy [Couture] fell in love with his boxing after beating [Kevin] Randleman. I mean what the actual f--k was the gameplan? Rizzo is a world-class striker and he stood there flat-footed taking shot after shot. I give Randy credit for never falling down once but when that's all the credit you can give in a striking match that isn’t much if anything-”.

- Dana White

With the Light Heavyweight division stuck in limbo as well as the Heavyweight and Welterweight lacking any depth outside the top five the UFC relied heavily on both the Middle and Lightweight divisions to get through the year but both weight classes also suffered stepbacks of their own for example; UFC 42 was one of the most anticipated if not the most anticipated UFC card of the year with the headliner being a rematch between current Middleweight Champion Jose Landi-Jons and former champ Murilo Bustamante their first fight ending in controversial fashion as before the finishing sequence at the start of the 2nd round Jose had poked Bustamante in the eye before being dropped by a right hook to finish the fight which was also thought to be prematurely stopped as Bustamante wasn’t out but referee Steve Mazzagatti called off the fight much to the displeasure of the crowd. Their rematch was scheduled for April in Denver, Colorado at the McNichols Sports Arena the venue of the 1st ever UFC show however three weeks before the fight Murilo Bustamante would have a successful emergency back surgery after being involved in a car accident and was estimated to miss two years at the very least the outspoken and often harsh Jose Landi-Jons would reach out to wish Bustamante a full recovery as well as giving his blessing his family but as the saying goes 'the fight must go on' as taking his place Nate Marquardt stepped in on short notice and would finish Jose in the 1st round via submission after getting a quick rear-naked choke in the first two minutes of the fight to become the new undisputed Middleweight Champion. In the Lightweight division Champion Yves Edwards would be sidelined a year after multiple knee injuries lead him to have surgery to reconstruct his knee, therefore, an interim title was set-up between Dim Thomas and Jens Pulver the fight was a one-sided grappling clinch as Dim Thomas controlled the entire fight as his constant coming forth movement couldn’t allow Pulver to get any decent combinations on the feet as Thomas would submit Pulver in the 5th round with an Armbar to win interim gold at UFC 44: Last Man Standing.

PRIDE and UFC Champions

(Start of 2003)

PRIDE:

PRIDE Heavyweight Champion: Mark Coleman (9-5)

Title Defenses 0 (Next fight Antonio Nogueira)

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PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Champion: Guy Mezger (28-10-2)

Title Defenses 0 (Next fight Masakatsu Funaki)

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PRIDE Middleweight Champion: Sanae Kikuta (16-5-2)

Title Defenses 1 (Next fight Anderson Silva)

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UFC:

UFC Heavyweight Champion: Pedro Rizzo (12-2)

Title Defenses 0 (Next fight Semmy Schilt)

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UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion: Chuck Liddell (10-1)

Title Defenses 0 (Next fight Tito Ortiz)

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UFC Middleweight Champion: Nate Marquardt (10-1)

Title Defenses 1 (Next fight Evan Turner)

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UFC Welterweight Champion: Matt Hughes

Title Defenses 2 (Next fight Matt Serra)

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UFC Lightweight Champion: Yves Edwards (12-3) Next fight Dim Thomas

Interim Champion: Dim Thomas (12-1) Next fight Yves Edwards

Combined Title Defenses 0

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What’s Next? (Early 2003)

The UFC was quick to start the year off with a bang by finally getting a stroke of luck from the MMA gods as UFC 47 Riot Act would be headlined by Chuck Liddell and his heated rival Tito Ortiz to fight for the title he never lost for the UFC’s Light-Heavyweight Champion in early February in the Mandalay Bay Center (Las Vegas, Nevada), PRIDE where also eager to keep their streak of critically acclaimed shows on a roll as PRIDE 27 would be headlined by Light-Heavyweight Champion Guy Mezger as he’d fight Pancrase legend Masakatsu Funaki for the 4th time in late February. Funaki had recently signed with PRIDE in December of 2002 and due to him holding two wins over the current PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Champ as well as being a Japanese legend in MMA (specifically Pancrase) he would instantly get a title shot over every other Light-Heavyweight contenders in PRIDE speaking of which the co-main event would be between two fellow Ligh-Heavyweight contenders themselves as the undefeated knockout artist Quinton Jackson would fight the legendary Kazushi Sakuraba making his return after losing his championship belt to Guy Mezger.

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McDojoDelux · May 29, 2020

UFC 47: Riot Act

Chuck Liddell vs Tito Ortiz

February 2003 (Week 1)

Build-up:

After much talk and speculation, the UFC has proven that 5th times is the charm as one of the most highly anticipated fights in MMA history will finally go down this weekend as Light-Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell (10-1) will finally take on his most heated rival and the former champion himself Tito Ortiz (10-2) in the Mandalay Bay Center (Las Vegas, Nevada). The feud between the two is well documented as the former friends turned enemies were once training partners but as Liddell climbed the ladder towards a championship tension began to grow between him and then champion at the time Tito Ortiz until the relationship turned toxic which even lead to a feud between Ortiz and Dana White. After much delay, the fight between Tito and Liddell would previously be scheduled four separate times in 2002 as Tito would pull out of all four fights due to injury this lead to many accusing Ortiz of ducking ‘The Iceman’ a narrative that was started by both Liddel and Dana White themselves which lead to the UFC stripping Ortiz of his Light-Heavyweight Championship belt in late 2002 promoting Liddell to the undisputed Champion as he had won interim gold in July that year against the always game Vladimir Matyushenko. After he was stripped Ortiz went on a media tour bashing Liddel, Dana, and the UFC for mistreating him; by late December (2002) much thought ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ would leave the UFC as his contract would expire by then but surprisingly he would sign a 3-fight extension and in interviews laid out his plans for the near future,

“2003 is gonna be a great year for me. The plan is to defend my title three more times before leaving that s--hole [The UFC] for good! I’m going to destroy the Burger King champion [Chuck] Liddell, leave his lacey Dana [White] in tears then grab two big paydays on my way out, all he [Dana White] can do is just sit there in horror and watch. That's the reason I’m still here and right behind me is the beautiful city of Las Vegas the Mandalay Bay Center is right here and if you look right there that's my hotel room I’ll be hosting an afterparty for my victory later that night see you guys there-”

- Tito Ortiz (via an ESPN interview)

With Tito being the biggest MMA star in America he had access to doing interviews on mainstream media platforms meaning he could draw the mainstream media's attention which he indeed did as for the first time in the history of the UFC they sold out the Mandalay Bay Center and saw multiple sports platforms like ESPN, Fox, NBC, and all sports talk shows discussing the event. The UFC recognized this would be their biggest show yet and stacked the main card with an array of up and coming prospects like BJ Penn, Rich Franklin, and Tim Sylvia the co-main event would be a match between to other bitter rivals as Sean Sherk would face Wander Braga the two would grow a legit disdain for each other as Sherk in an attempt to gain interest started trash-talking but he would go too far as in an interview with Blurcat he made multiple racial remarks towards Wander and the country of Brazil many bashed Sherk for these remarks including Dana White,

“What he said was disgusting and the only reason he’s fighting is that Wander [braga] wants to fight him, he’s [sean Sherk] in big trouble I don’t want anyone thinking this is what we do here it’s not-”

- Dana White

Main-Card Fights:

Main-Event

Light-Heavyweight: (CHAMP) Chuck Liddel (10-1) vs. Tito Ortiz (10-2)

For the UFC Light-Heavyweight Championship

Chuck Liddell’s 1st Attempted Title Defense

Co-Main

Lightweight: Sean Sherk (14-1) vs. Wander Braga (14-0)

Main-Card

Heavyweight: Tim Sylvia (4-1) vs. Wesley Correira (2-2)

Middleweight: Rich Franklin (8-1) vs. Eugene Jackson (12-5-1)

Lightweight: BJ Penn (4-0) vs. Luiz Firmino (7-0)

Liddel looks to verify championship with a big win as all fighters make weight (MMAFighting.com)

Fight Play-By-Plays:

Sean Sherk vs Wander Braga

Round 1

During the introductions, there is universal hate for Sean Sherk as he is showered with boos while Wander gets nothing but cheers it's clear the entire crowd wants Wander to win after Sherk’s distasteful remarks.

Sherk starts the fight with a strong double-leg takedown Braga is left pulling guard Sean starts displaying his strong top game keeping Braga down effortlessly but isn't doing much in terms of actual work on the ground forcing referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy on multiple occasions to urge Sean to start ‘working’ as he seems content to stay in guard and throw a few punches to the body then sometimes goes to the head with an elbow. After 4 minutes on the ground and not even attempting to even pass guard John McCarthy forces them up to their feet the last minute is left with both fighters feinting trying to get the other to commit with Sherk able to clip Wander with an overhand as the round ends.

Unofficial Judges

Sherdog: 10-9 Sherk

Yahoo: 10-9 Sherk

Random Guy (Me): 10-9 Sherk

Round 2

Sean opens with a jab then scores a leg kick before diving for another double-leg which he gets the next 3 minutes are completely lackluster as Sherk doesn't want to risk getting submitted by the jiu-jitsu black belt resulting in some pretty dull ground and pound that is mainly to the body. Once again there both stood up and once again it's a battle of feints as both are trying to get the other to commit, Sean is the first to fall for it missing a one-two and an overhand allowing Wander to drive Sherk to the cage but he is outwrestled and is reversed as Sherk ends the round unloading with some nice dirty boxing that includes an array of elbows, knees to the head and body, as well as some short punches.

Unofficial Judges

Sherdog: 20-18 Sherk

Yahoo: 20-18 Sherk

Random Guy (Me): 20-18 Sherk

Round 3

Sherk goes for another double-leg and he gets it he is a perfect 100% (3/3) on takedowns tonight the next minute and a half are spent with Sherk rinsing and repeating the game plan staying in half guard to avoid any possible submissions,

The crowd starts to boo endlessly as they are clearly displeased with Sherk’s lack of risk-taking and it seems like the boos got to him as Sherk for the first time is trying to transition into a more dominant position.

A BEAUTIFUL SCRAMBLE SEE’S WANDER TAKE SHERK’S BACK THIS IS BAD!!!! HE GETS HOOKS AND….. HE’S GOING FOR A REAR-NAKED CHOKE!!! THAT’S IT SHERK TAPS!!!!

“UNBELIEVABLE!!!! Wander Braga was way behind he was getting dominant for the entire fight and in a beautiful scramble gets Sean’s back and sinks in the rear-naked….. WOW!”

- Joe Rogan

Official Result: Wander Braga def. Sean Sherk via SUB (RNC) R3 (2:56)

(CHAMP) Chuck Liddel vs Tito Ortiz

UFC Light-Heavyweight Championship Bout

Round 1

“No touching of the gloves, no surprises there! Chuck Liddel and Tito Ortiz….. HERE WE GO!”

- Mike Goldberg

Tito opens with a jab that leads to a one-two Liddel responds with a HUGE RIGHT HOOK but it misses as Ortiz flicks out a quick jab while backing away, Ortiz is showcasing some excellent head movement dodging and blocking a five punch combination with Liddel only able to score a decent hook to the body. As Tito ducks under a hook he seizes this opportunity and clinches with Liddell he starts by hitting two sharp elbows to the side of Chuck’s head before LIFTING 'THE ICEMAN' HIGH INTO THE AIR AND SLAMS HIM ONTO THE GROUND Ortiz grabs side control and starts unloading with some elbows which are mostly blocked by Liddell. After some time on the ground, Ortiz is able to get full mount THIS IS BAD!! BIG ELBOWS BLOODY LIDDELL A CUT NEAR THE HAIRLINE IS BLEEDING BADLY!! Liddel is starting to defend himself more intelligently now but he’s still in full mount as Ortiz is raining down some PUNISHMENT with only a couple of shots particularly landing, LIDDEL GIVES UP HIS BACK TRYING TO SCRAMBLE BIG SHOTS AS ORTIZ UNLOADS WITH SOME HUGE GROUND AND POUND!! Tito wants to get hooks in but the round comes to an end.

Unofficial Judges

Sherdog: 10-9 Ortiz

Yahoo: 10-8 Ortiz

Random Guy (Me): 10-8 Ortiz

Round 2

Ortiz is coming forward aggressively to start this round throwing a straight which Liddell slips AND COMES BACK WITH A CRUNCHING RIGHT HOOK AS ORTIZ IS COMING IN FULL FORCE INTO THAT HOOK!!! TITO ORTIZ HAS JUST BEEN BRUTALLY KNOCKED OUT!!

The knockout has the crowd going CRAZY the cheering is seemingly causing an earthquake WOW!!!

“AND IT IS ALL OVER!!! Chuck Liddel knocks-out Tito Ortiz early in round 2”

- Mike Goldberg

Official Result: Chuck Liddell def. Tito Ortiz via KO R2 (0:18)

Main-Card Results:

Main-Event

Chuck Liddell def. Tito Ortiz via KO (Punch) R2 (0:18)

Liddell Retains UFC Light-Heavyweight Title

(1st Successful Title Defense)

Co-Main

Wander Braga def. Sean Sherk via SUB (RNC) R3 (2:56)

Main-Card

Wesley Correira def. Tim Sylvia via TKO R2 (3:34)

Rich Franklin def. Eugene Jackson via KO (Kick) R1 (0:30)

BJ Penn def. Luiz Firmino via UD

Post-Fight Interviews/Press Conference:

As Joe Rogan interviewed both fighters in the octagon both shook hands and embraced briefly but Liddell was quick to remind people the beef between the two is still alive,

“I respect him as a fighter. We have our differences personally and that's still there with what he did. I just can’t forgive him, I don’t wish him any harm and I’m grateful we finally got to fight… THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR COMING!!! I’ll see you all next time whoever they put in front of me I don’t care, see guys next time”.

- Chuck Liddell

As Rogan interviewed Ortiz he remarked how after such a successful first round he started to get in over his head that he could outstrike Liddell which led to him rushing in he thanked everyone for coming and said he hoped to ‘see everyone’ at his afterparty which is still being held despite the defeat.

During the press conference UFC, President Dana White was all smiles expressing his delight with how successful the show was a remarking how this show will help the UFC break into the mainstream,

“I’m very happy with how tonight went. I mean that knockout WOW!! Like holy--t that is the greatest knockout I’ve seen in my life, tonight was very successful this was by far the greatest we've done in terms of pay-per-view buys. I'm just over the moon with how well the fights went tonight man I think when we [The UFC] grow even bigger and bigger people will look back to this event and be like 'yeah that's the event that started it all'. That knockout is gonna be on highlight reels for years to come and is probably the most iconic knockout inside the ocotogan”.

- Dana White

Dana also had some breaking news which wasn’t really surprising as the doctors revealed Ortiz had suffered a broken jaw as well as a grade 2 concussion which would keep Ortiz out until around November-December, as well as revealing the cut on Liddell’s hairline would require surgery and he would be out for at least 3 months as well as announcing Sean Sherk's release from the UFC.

McDojoDelux · May 31, 2020

MMA NEWS

Blurcat

February 2003 (Week 4)

Chuck Liddell Tests Positive for PED's receives 1-Year Suspension

Story:

Devastating news for UFC fans as fan favorite and UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell has tested positive for Drostanolone and Norboletone according to VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) after both substances came up in his A and B sample, the news shocked many around the world as the Nevada State Athletic commission have handed out a one-year suspension to ‘The Iceman’ and has overturned his victory over Tito Ortiz to a no-contest. Liddel has gone to deny the test results saying it must be a ‘mistake’ and the positive test was a result of a ‘mix up’ in the lab,

“I would never disrespect the sport I love like that, I’m as clean of an athlete as they come. There must have been a mistake in the lab, a possible mix up of tests? Because that’s the only explanation I have. I did not cheat and I never will”.

- Chuck Liddell (In an exclusive Blurcat interview)

UFC President Dana White couldn’t believe the result himself and told reporters in interviews leading up to UFC 48 he would work closely with the Nevada State athletic commission and VADA to work out a possible solution as Dana explained the UFC would NOT strip Liddell of his championship and would try and find a way around this,

“I was shocked when I heard the news and to be completely honest with you I think it’s a mistake. I know Liddell is clean and just in case for those who where wondering we will not be stripping Chuck Liddel, what image would it send if we strip a guy we know is innocent for an incorrect test result?”

- Dana White (Via the UFC 48 Pre-Fight Press Conference)

One fighter levied about White’s comments and the whole situation, in general, was Liddell’s opponent Tito Ortiz going on a FURIOUS rant about Liddell, White, and the clear favoritism the UFC is giving to Liddell.

“I always knew Chuck [Liddell] and Dana [White] were horrible people but this a new low I cannot believe what has just happened I mean f--k there could be pictures of him [Chuck Liddell] injecting needles with that s--t into his butt and Dana [White] would still defend him [Chuck Liddell]. As far as I’m concerned not only am I the peoples champion but and still the Light-Heavyweight champion of the world I know, you know, Dana White knows it, [Chuck] Liddell definitely knows it”

- Tito Ortiz (Via an ESPN interview)

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MMA News

Sherdog

February 2003 (Week 4)

Frank Shamrock signs 5-Fight deal with the UFC + PRIDE 27 Preview

Story:

With the MMA world shaken by Liddell’s failed drug test the UFC signing Frank Shamrock has gone seemingly under the radar the younger brother of Ken and widely considered the best MMA fighter today the former Pancrase and UFC champion boasts a record of (21-8-2) with his last fight in the UFC going back to 1999 against Tito Ortiz where Shamrock defended his Light-Heavyweight title via a 4th round TKO in 1999’s fight of the year to this day it is considered to be MMA's rope a dope as Shamrock who was getting beaten badly in the opening rounds came on stronger later during the fight as a fatigued Tito could not stand the onslaught leading to his defeat. After the bout Shamrock retired only to come back a year later and compete in various Canadian regional shows before returning to the UFC, Frank is currently tied for the most title defense in the UFC’s Light-Heavyweight division tying Tito Ortiz with a total of 4 defenses and his signing couldn’t come any sooner for the company as rumors of an interim Light-Heavyweight title have spread like wildfire with Frank Shamrock all but being a confirmed competitor.

Also gone slightly under the radar is PRIDE 27 which will be starting tomorrow night the main event sees the fourth meeting between PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Champion Guy Mezger (29-10-2) as he faces Mataskata Funki (41-13-1) one of Pancrase’s greatest and most popular fighters making his PRIDE debut against the champion, Funki is currently 2-1 against Mezger in the three fights they have had together with the last fight going to Mezger. In the co-main Kazushi Sakuraba makes his return against the undefeated knockout specialist Quinton Jackson who leading up to the fight had some harsh words for the former champion,

“You know Sakuraba is a f---kin dork to be honest with you, he’s a cocky mother----er and I can’t be the only one that wants to knock him out whenever he [Kazushi Sakuraba] shows up wearing those dresses to the ring? Why you wearing a mask too? Who knows the f--ks wrong with him all I know is after I win this they [PRIDE] have to give me a title shot they can’t look over me anymore”

- Quinton Jackson (Via a pre-fight interview)

Main-Card Preview:

Main-Event

Light-Heavyweight: (CHAMP) Guy Mezger (29-10-2) vs. Mataskata Funki (41-13-1)

For PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Championship

Mezger’s 1st Attempted Title Defense

Co-Main

Light-Heavyweight: Quinton Jackson (7-0) vs. Kazushi Sakuraba (12-2-1)

Main-Card

Heavyweight: Gary Goodridge (14-11) vs. Carlos Barreto (13-4)

Middleweight: Richardo Liborio (4-0) vs. Izuru Takeuchi (6-5-1)

Heavyweight: Gary Myers (11-7-1) vs. Dave Beneteau (8-6)

McDojoDelux · June 5, 2020

PRIDE 27

Guy Mezger vs. Masakatsu Funaki IV

February 2003 (Week 4)

Build-up:

The Build-up section is very similar to the previous preview posts done before so if you’ve already read it you can skip most of the build-up section if you want

The biggest and greatest MMA organization in the world finally puts on their first show of 2003 with a 4th meeting between the newly crowned Light-Heavyweight champion Guy Mezger (29-10-2) taking on a legend in Japanese MMA (more specifically a Pancrase legend) Masakatsu Funaki (41-13-1) making his PRIDE debut and being the first MMA fight he would ever have outside of Pancrase. With Funki's signing, it seemed like PRIDE executives wanted to quickly cash in on his signing by putting him up against their most popular champion and fighter in general as PRIDE CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara justified the fight by saying 'they wanted to validate Mezger as a champion' as Funki was 2-1 in his three meetings with the PRIDE Light-Heavyweight champion. In the co-main event was another Light-Heavyweight bout with huge title implications as the former champion himself Kazushi Sakuraba (12-2-1) would return after his devastating loss to Guy Mezger against the intimidating knockout artist Quinton (7-0) Jackson who didn’t mince his words when discussing his thoughts on his opponent,

“You know Sakuraba is a f---kin dork to be honest with you, he’s a cocky mother----er and I can’t be the only one that wants to knock him out whenever he [Kazushi Sakuraba] shows up wearing those dresses to the ring? Why are you wearing a mask too? Who knows the f--ks wrong with him all I know is after I win this they [PRIDE] have to give me a title shot they can’t look over me anymore”

- Quinton Jackson (Via a pre-fight interview)

As for the rest of the card goes another possible title eliminator this time in the Heavyweight division as one of the earliest Heavyweight jiu-jitsu experts Carlos Barreto (13-4) faces Heavyweight-main staple the knockout artist Garry Goodbrige (14-11) both men were coming into the bout with 3-straight victories and looked possessed for a possible title shot. Barreto's recent success came from him being the first-ever fighter to successfully submit an opponent with an arm-triangle as submissions of that caliber were very rare but the fact that a Heavyweight was one of the first to do it shocked many and led to Carlos becoming a rising contender in the division. Noticing the rise in popularity Barreto went onto win all 3 of his fights while on his winning streak with an arm-triangle however, many were critical of the opposition he faced and the always outspoken Goodbrige dismissed Barreto recent surge in popularity.

“It’s easy to look at good fighting cans that can’t fight back. I've been fighting the top of the division like Igor [Vovchanchyn], Tom [Erikson], Oleg [Taktarov]. Who’s this guy fighting exactly to warrant this hype? He has no stand-up whatsoever and just lays on the ground for an hour before finally doing something. This guy doesn't belong here he belongs in the D-League divisions like the UFC”.

- Garry Goodbrige (Via a pre-fight interview)

Main-Card Fights:

Main-Event

Light-Heavyweight: (CHAMP) Guy Mezger (29-10-2) vs. Mataskata Funki (41-13-1)

For PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Championship

Mezger’s 1st Attempted Title Defense

Co-Main

Light-Heavyweight: Quinton Jackson (7-0) vs. Kazushi Sakuraba (12-2-1)

Main-Card

Heavyweight: Gary Goodridge (14-11) vs. Carlos Barreto (13-4)

Middleweight: Richardo Liborio (4-0) vs. Izuru Takeuchi (6-5-1)

Heavyweight: Gary Myers (11-7-1) vs. Dave Beneteau (8-6)

Tension Rises as PRIDE hosts it's First Show of 2003 (Blurcat)

All Fighters Successfully Make Weight

Fight Play-By-Play:

Pride Rules:

Round 1(10 Mins)

Round 2 (5 Mins then decision)

All types of Soccer Kicks allowed

No Elbows or footstomps

Gary Goodridge vs. Carlos Barreto

Round 1

Both men stare each other down while in their corners it's clear the bad blood has reached its boiling point as the fight starts

Barreto as expected shoots for a takedown right off the bat as he grabs both of Goodbrige legs going for a double-leg but Goodbrige remains steady with some great takedown defense, seeing that the takedown is going nowhere as he pushes Goodbrige to the ropes then transitions into the Muay-Thai clinch trying to get some knees off BUT Goodbrige times a perfect reverse then backs off from the ropes and while backing away TIMES A PERFECT UPPERCUT WHICH LEAVES BARRETO FALLING FACE FIRST ON THE MAT!!!!

Official Result: Garry Goodbrige KO’s Carlos Barreto R1 (0:18)

Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson vs. ‘The Gracie Hunter’ Kazushi Sakuraba

Round 1

Jackson opens the bout with a THUNDEROUS right hook with some SERIOUS swing behind it but Sakuraba ducks and gets hold of ‘Rampage’s’ right leg getting very close to a single-leg takedown but Jackson stops it and both fighters transition into a standing clinch ‘Rampage’ show off his clear STRENGTH advantage EASILY LIFTING ‘The Gracie Hunter’ SLAMMING HIM ONTO THE MAT HARD!!!! It looks like the SLAM has SERIOUS DAZED Sakuraba as JACKSON STARTS OPENING UP WITH SOME HAMMER FISTS!!! SOME MISS but SOME ALSO LAND and that starts a HUGE CUT above the nose of Sakuraba and is BLEEDING BADLY, Jackson makes a critical mistake going into Sakuraba’s guard instead of standing up as Sakuraba GET’S A BEAUTIFUL SWEEP AND IS ON TOP!! Jackson tries to use his strength to get back up but ends up GIVING HIS BACK the next 3 minutes of the fight is Sakuraba repeatedly trying to submit Jackson with a rear-naked choke but he can’t get it under the chin but the 3 minutes of wrestling have seemingly DRAINED ‘Rampage’ as he looks out of breath on the mat.

This is a very confusing move by the ref as he stands both fighters as Sakuraba was clearly working and not stalling but the ref has decided to stand both fighters up.

Jackson starts SWINGING with some SLOPPY boxing he’s missing a few BUT landing a few as well as after missing a jab he CRACKS Sakuraba with a BIG RIGHT STRAIGHT WOBBLING HIM!!! HE THEN HITS A FLUSH LEFT OVERHAND THEN RIGHT HOOK WHILE BACKING OFF SAKURABA FINDS HIMSELF TRAPPED AGAINST THE ROPES!!! ANOTHER RIGHT STRAIGHT THEN JACKSON COMES OVER WITH A CROSS!! HOW MUCH PUNISHMENT DOES THE REF NEED TO SEE??? Jackson stops unloading as he’s EXHAUSTED which leads to Sakuraba shooting quickly getting it down to the mat and in a scramble GRABS THE ARMBAR JACKSON IMMEDIATELY TAPS OUT!!!!!

Official Result: Kazushi Sakuraba SUB’s (Armbar) Quinton Jackson R1 (8:28)

(CHAMP) Guy Mezger vs. Mataskata Funki

PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Championship Bout

Round 1

Both start the fight circling each other as they the first 30 seconds is a whole lot of feinting and not a lot of committing but that ends QUICKLY as Mezger hits a nice jab straight to the liver of Funki, THAT WOBBLES HIM FOR A SECOND BEFORE GETTING STEADY AGAIN but before he can back away he gets hit CLEAN ON THE CHIN as Mezger goes over the top with an overhand. AGAIN FUNKI BUCKLES as Mezger hits a BEAUTIFUL FIVE PUNCH COMBINATION THAT ENDS WITH AN OUTTA NOWHERE HEAD KICK WHICH DROPS FUNKI!!!! HUGE GROUND AND POUND ENDS THE FIGHT AS FUNKI IS TO DAZED TO OFFERED MUCH DEFENSE!!!

Official Result: Guy Mezger TKO’s Mataskata Funki R1 (2:09)

Guy Mezger retains the PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Championship

Main-Card Results:

Main-Event

(CHAMP) Guy Mezger def. Mataskata Funki via TKO R1 (2:09)

Mezger (1st) Successful Defense

Co-Main

Kazushi Sakuraba def. Quinton Jackson via SUB (Armbar) R1 (8:28)

Main-Card

Garry Goodbridge def. Carlos Barreto via KO (Punch) R1 (0:18)

Ricardo Liborio def. Izuru Takeuchi via SUB (RNC) R1 (9:31)

Gary Myers def. Dave Beneteau via TKO R2 (4:33)

Post Fight Interview/Press Conference

Mezger left many speechless after such a dominant performance after (probably) ending his rivalry with Mataskata Funki (tying the four series of fights between them 2-2) leaving many to wonder who would be the next possible challenger? Mezger himself said he had ‘his eyes’ on the winner of Dan Henderson vs Wanderlei Silva.

“I think the winner of Dan [Henderson] and [Wanderlei] Silva would be a perfect match-up, I respect [Dan] Henderson a lot I think it’d be a great fight and [Wanderlei] Silva has been crying for a rematch for a long while now I definitely need to silence him for good so whoever wins that fight is my next opponent”.

- Guy Mezger

Mezger dismissed a rematch with Sakuraba despite his epic come from behind win against Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson saying that he thought Sakuraba ‘wasn’t a challenge and needed a few more wins’. Sakuraba said in interviews while he ‘wanted a rematch against Mezger’ he also just wanted to be ‘as active as possible’ fighting whoever is put in front of him, as for the rest of the fighters nothing, in particular, stood out except for Gary Goodbrige having a lot and I mean ALOT of ‘I told you so’ answers when addressing the media clearly relishing his quick victory over Barreto and made sure to stake his claim at the title,

“I know I’ve said this a lot but of times already but I told you so guys, I mean the fight went exactly as I said it would the dude [Carlos Barreto] can’t fight he’s just a lay and pray artist that's not fighting that's cowering in fear to say ‘no please don’t hurt me’. [Mark] Coleman and [Antoni] Nogueira are the exact same. All they do is take it to the ground to do nothing, all you need is a good pair of hands and you win kickboxing beats every other combat sports 10/10 times”.

- Garry Goodridge

McDojoDelux · June 9, 2020

PRIDE 29

Sanae Kikuta vs. Anderson Silva

April 2003 (Week 4)

Build-up:

PRIDE 29 flew relatively under the radar as most of the promotion and marketing was directed to PRIDE 31 headlined by the PRIDE Heavyweight Champion Mark Coleman and the challenger Antonio Nogueira which was to be held in early August in the Tokyo Dome but the 29th PRIDE show was seen as one of the weaker cards put on in the companies history with the card being very top-heavy as the card featured no prelim fights meaning only five fights would take place. The headliner for the event would be a PRIDE Middleweight Championship bout as Sanae Kikuta (16-5-2) coming off a controversial decision win over Egan Inoue is set to defend against the undefeated prospect turned contender Anderson Silva (9-0) who has wowed Japanese fans alike with his slick movement and knockouts that come straight out of a movie, Silva would earn the right to fight Kikuta after dominating one of the most intimidating strikers in the division Lee Murray making Murray look like a complete amateur using his spectacular head movement before TKO’ing him 7 minutes into the 1st round. In the co-main Anderson Silva’s mentor Wanderlei Silva (14-5) would fight Dan Henderson (10-0 + former RING’s Light-Heavyweight Champion) in a title eliminator as the winner was promised a title-shot against Guy Mezger later that year, Wanderlei who had long taken issue and clashed with multiple of his opponents showed Henderson nothing but respect.

“I’ve been fighting a lot of guys who I don’t like. It's no secret but he has shown me nothing but respect so I show nothing but respect to him. He’s a good fighter, strong, powerful, and former champion, very good fighter. I’m confident in my ability to win the fight. I think he is very hittable and with a guy like me if you're hittable you're not going to survive”.

- Wanderlei Silva

Rounding out the rest of the main-card a Heavyweight bout between rising prospect Fedor Emelianenko (9-0) fighting a veteran of the sport and the older brother of Alistair, Valentijn Overeem (14-8) who was an accomplished Dutch kickboxer and grappler making him one of the more complete Heavyweights in the world being able to compete wherever the fight went. Fedor who had accomplished an undefeated professional record as well as winning all 4 fights he had in PRIDE showcased his array of skills winning all 9 fights with relative ease getting a variety a wins via ko, submission, and decision. He had world-class sambo wrestling, a lethal submission game, and had one-punch knockout power which made up for his lack of technique however, despite the unquestionable talent he had faced a very weak batch of opponents something his opponent didn’t overlook.

“He’s good, don't get me wrong, but you look at who he’s beat and you start to question how good he really is you know? Five of the nine opponents he’s faced have an under five hundred record so that should tell a lot. I just think he’s not ready to face someone like me yet”.

- Valentijn Overeem

Main-Card Fights:

Main-Event

Middleweight: (CHAMP) Sanae Kikuta (16-5-2) vs. Anderson Silva (9-0)

For PRIDE Middleweight Championship

Kikuta’s 2nd Attempted Title Defense

Co-Main

Light-Heavyweight: Wanderlei Silva (14-5) vs. Dan Henderson (10-0)

Main-Card

Heavyweight: Fedor Emelianenko (9-0) vs. Valentijn Overeem (14-8)

Heavyweight: Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (21-13-1) vs. Ibragim Magomdev (5-2)

Middleweight: Dion Staring (2-2) vs. Mike Rogers (5-1)

Fedor looks to Prove himself with Step-up in Competition (MMAFighting)

All Fighters Successfully Make Weight

Fight Play-By-Plays:

Pride Rules:

Round 1(10 Mins)

Round 2 (5 Mins then decision)

All types of Soccer Kicks allowed

No Elbows or footstomps

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Valentijn Overeem

Tape of the Tape

Age: (26) ------ (31)

Height: (6'0") ------ (6'4")

Record: (9-0) ------ (14-8)

Nickname: (The Last Emperor) ------ (N/A)

Style: (Sambo) ------ (Kickboxer & Grappler)

Betting Odds: (-760) ------ (+400)

Round 1

Both fighters start the bout slowly not wanting to get brought into a firefight as the first minute involves both just mostly standing stationary in the middle of the ring with the few punches thrown between the two all being blocked the only blow landed being a roundhouse kick by Overeem. Valentijn tries to implement kicks more into his offense as both can’t seem to find the range to land anything consistently, Overeem hits a nice jab and leg kick but leaves his guard down which allows Fedor to COUNTER with a RUTHLESS RIGHT HOOK LANDING RIGHT ON THE CHIN!!! Overeem is WOBBLED Fedor calmly calculates his attack by getting Overeem into the Muay-Thai clinch and landing a FIGHT ENDING KNEE!!!!

Official Result: Fedor Emelianenko KO’s Valentijn Overeem (R1 - 1:35)

Wanderlei Silva vs. Dan Henderson

Tape of the Tape

Age: (26) ------ (32)

Height: (5'11") ------ (6'0")

Record: (14-5) ------ (10-0)

Nickname: (The Axe Murderer) ------ (Hendo)

Style: (Muay-Thai) ------ (Greco Roman-Wrestler)

Betting Odds: (-150) ------ (+150)

Round 1

Silva comes out charging down his opponent looking to exclusively push the pace of this fight as Henderson seems more than willing to be on the backfoot making sure not to get trapped in the corner of the ring, Silva nearly feints Henderson in the corner to set up a trap but Hendo is able to just knick Wanderlei with a straight that grazes the cheek of The Axe Murderer. Silva backs off which leads to Henderson getting a hold of Wanderlei’s right leg he attempts to lift him up in the air for a SLAM but can’t do it and is pulled in Wanderlei’s DEADLY MUAY-THAT CLINCH this is very bad for Henderson!!! Silva is STARTING TO UNLOAD with some VICIOUS KNEE’s TO THE BODY Silva in total hits 5 before Henderson is able to break free and it's clear the knees have LEFT some SERIOUS DAMAGE around his waist which lowers Henderson’s guard, this allows The Axe Murderer to drive a jab and cross clean on Hendo’s chin then hits a nice hook to the body before landing an overhand and uppercut. Henderson is CLEARLY HURT as while none of the punches has wobbled him at all he is just COVERING UP AGAINST THE ROPES and not firing back at all, Silva gets him INTO THE MAUY-THAI CLINCH again DRIVING A KNEE STRAIGHT INTO HENDERSON’S FACE!!! THE KNEE LEAVES HENDERSON KNOCKOUTED OUTLYING AGAINST THE ROPES OH MY GOODNESS WHAT A KNOCKOUT!!!!!

Official Result: Wanderlei Silva KO’s (Knee) Dan Henderson (R1 - 5:27)

(CHAMP) Sanae Kikuta vs. Anderson Silva

PRIDE Middleweight Championship Bout

Tape of the Tape

Age: (31) ------ (24)

Height: (5'9") ------ (6'2")

Record: (16-5-2) ------ (9-0)

Nickname: (N/A) ------ (The Spider)

Style: (Sambo) ------ (Muay-Thai)

Betting Odds: (+600) ------ (-900)

Round 1

Motivated by Wanderlei’s Silva dominant win over Dan Henderson, Silva walks to the ring with an air of invincibility, smiling, moonwalking, and high fiving everyone he comes across making his way to the ring. While they touch gloves in the middle of the ring before the fight starts their brief touching of the gloves further illustrates Silva’s HUGE height and reach advantage.

Kikuta clearly has a game plan of blitzing and darting out of range as Anderson is more of a counter striker, not one to typically push the face of the fight so Kikuta is more than happy to be the aggressor but Sanae is smart about his attacks and uses his footwork to circle around Anderson constantly keeping Silva’s guard high. It takes about 50 seconds before the first strike is thrown as Kikuta throws and lands two hooks to the body then hits a CLEAN uppercut right UNDER THE CHIN of Silva, Kikuta tries to land an overhand then cross but Silva uses his slick head movement to slip right past them. Kikuta tries to utilize this tactics again but can’t land any punches as Silva dodges them all before UNLOADING with a 5 punch combinations of HARD STRAIGHT PUNCHES this cause SOME SWELLING UNDER THE LEFT EYE OF KIKUTA as well as causing a BLOODY NOSE to the face of Sanae Kikuta. Now Anderson is MARCHING DOWN Kikuta this leads to a BRUTAL 3 minutes of the fight where Silva pieces up Kikuta on the feet with an array of straight punches not wanting to get to close with hooks in case Kikuta shoots for the takedown, the brilliant footwork by Kikuta earlier is completely gone he is flat-footed and clearly the damage from Silva has HURT Kikuta badly as The Spider is keen to keep up the pace taunting his opponent by doing an array of dances, in particular, going back to the moonwalk multiple times. Halfway through the round and Silva lands a nice left jab and right straight but it leaning too forwards while throwing which allows Kikuta to get a body lock and attempts a JUDO THROW but Silva is too big and uses his size to deny the takedown but he can’t break free of the world-class grappling of Kikuta as he leaves Anderson against the ropes and SMASHING Silva with some dirty boxing until the round ends.

That was a brutal round for both fighters as Kikuta’s left eye is nearly completely SHUT and his nose can’t stop bleeding while Silva requires multiple ice packs to the body and face as the dirty boxing by Kikuta has left him seriously redness.

Round 2

Silva opens with leg kicks to leave Kikuta limp which causes the champ to shoot multiple times but backout as Anderson counters with flying knees and uppercuts, Kikuta is left taking an array of CRUNCHING leg kicks but finally catches a break when he catches Silva’s kick when he attempts a roundhouse kick. Kikuta tries to set up another JUDO THROW but simply can’t so he goes back to his dirty boxing BUT this time around doesn't have the bodylock so he can’t keep a hold of Silva for long as while trying to drive him against the ropes but Silva slips away. Silva goes to the body with a hook which might of HURT Kikuta as his guard slumps to his body this leaves Silva going UP HIGH WITH THE HEAD KICK!!! KIKUTA KNEES BUCKLE AND SHOOTS FOR A DESPERATION TAKEDOWN he can’t get it and Silva the hits two jabs then DROPS KIKUTA WITH A STUNNING RIGHT HOOK, SILVA THEN POUNDS AWAY WITH SOME RIGHT HANDS BEFORE THE REFEREE STEPS IN TO STOP IT!!!!

Silva holds the belt in the air while stepping atop the ropes in the corner with his team after shaking hands and they both bow towards each other in the center of the ring.

Official Result: Anderson Silva TKO’s Sane Kikuta (R2 - 3:28)

Anderson Silva wins the PRIDE Middleweight Title

Main-Card Results:

Main-Event

(NEW CHAMP) Anderson Silva def. Sanae Kikuta via TKO (Kick & Punches) R2 (3:28)

Silva wins PRIDE Middleweight Championship

Co-Main

Wanderlei Silva def. Dan Henderson via KO (Knee) R1 (5:27)

Main-Card

Fedor Emelianenko def. Valentijn Overeem via KO (Knee) R1 (1:35)

Tsuyoshi Kohsaka def. Ibragim Magomdev via UD

Mike Rogers def. Dion Staring via SUB (Armbar) R2 (4:26)

Post Fight Interview/Press Conference

Anderson in his ring interview thanked his mentors Wanderlei Silva, both the Nogueira brothers and his friend Murilo Rua the younger brother of PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Mauricio Rua who was all in his corner for the fight. They all raised the Brazilain flag high as they left the ring but not before all got a chance to shake hands and thank Sanae Kikuta for the fight in the post-fight press conference Kikuta showed nothing but class,

“I’m happy for him and his team. They all have a very close bond which is great to see they represent MMA well and I’m to lose to someone like Anderson it’s a great learning curve. Don’t get me wrong I’m devastated I lost but at the same time I’m happy for Anderson he’s worked hard to get here and deserves nothing but the highest level of respect”.

- Sane Kikuta

Fedor in his post-fight interview told reporters he wanted a quick turnaround and called out the winner of Mark Coleman and Antonio Nogueira, but PRIDE CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara was interested in building up Fedor a bit more before feeding him to the top of PRIDE's Heavyweight division.

“A title shot for him isn’t out of the realm of possibility, it was a clinical win flawless performance but I’d prefer a few more fights we've got multiple other contenders in the Heavyweight division so I think a few more wins before a title-shot is what is likely to happen”.

- Nobuyuki Sakakibara

mattu29 · June 9, 2020

Damn! Wanderlei killed hendo!

McDojoDelux · June 9, 2020

Yeah I was quite surprised Silva ran through him like he did especially since Wanderlei has been quite inconsistent in my sim as a Hendo fan myself it was quite devasting <img alt="

" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/frown.png.e6b571745a30fe6a6f2e918994141a47.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />.

McDojoDelux · June 12, 2020

PRIDE 31

Mark Coleman vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

August 2003 (Week 1)

Build-up:

The most hyped up and anticipated PRIDE show in quite some time has finally arrived PRIDE 31 featuring the Heavyweight championship of the world bout headlined by the returning champion Mark Coleman (9-5) and the challenger Brazilain Jiu-Jitsu master Antonio Nogueira (10-0), a sold-out Tokyo Dome arena was interested to see the return of Coleman after a year and a half out of the ring with an ACL tear which he acquired after he won the title against Igor Vovchanchyn (2001) in one of MMA's best feel-good stories as he tore his ACL only minutes into the fight only to still win the championship with a unanimous decision. In Coleman’s year and a half absence, PRIDE management has looked fiercely for a worthy opponent to welcome him back this lead to a failed to Heavyweight Grand Prix in 2002 with only three Heavyweight fighters being available as most were dealing with injuries, after the scraped Grand Prix it was decided a have an array of Heavyweight fighters on PRIDE 25 with the most impressive performance would earn the title shot that night Nogueira would defeat Andrei Arlovski in an epic come from behind and admittedly controversial decision win. Nogueira is coming into his first-ever championship bout with notable wins over the previously mentioned Andrei Arlovski, Gilbert Yvel (last RINGS Heavyweight champion), Valentijn Overeem, and was confident he would add Mark Coleman to the list.

“I’m really excited. I've beaten many top heavyweights throughout my career. I've seen nothing but success and I very much intend to continue that success against Coleman, he’s a great champion but I just feel he’s been out too long and that will lead to his defeat. Activity is key in my opinion-”

- Antonio Nogueira

Coleman was also very confident coming in feeling his time out allowed him to rest up all nagging injuries which he felt would make him the more healthier and fresher fighter in the ring,

“I’ve never felt better, to be honest with you, I just feel fresh, healthy, I just feel great I feel the time off has allowed me to put everything into perspective. I’ve been trying to fight 2-3 times a year not having an itch of concern for my body. Now I know the importance of taking time off for my body”.

- Mark Coleman

PRIDE made sure to stack the card with high-level world-class fights as PRIDE 31 would become the most stacked card in the history of PRIDE (up to that point at least), ‘The Gracie Hunter’ Kazushi Sakuraba (13-2-1-1NC) would be in the co-main event taking on Russian sambo-wrestling pioneer Mikhail Ilyuckchin (22-9). The Russian sambo-wrestler much like Coleman would make his return to the ring after taking a year and a half off as in his last contest Ilyuckchin suffered a devastating 34 second TKO loss to Wanderlei Silva, Ilyuckchin is widely known for being the first MMA fighter to successfully pull off a calf-slicer submission and his largely forgotten win over Randy Couture in RINGS. Sakuraba meanwhile is considered the most popular fighter in MMA at the moment his wins over Rickson Gracie, Royce Gracie, Renzo Gracie, Royler Gracie, Viktor Belfort, Wanderlei Silva, and many others. Rounding out the card was a swell of Heavyweight bouts the first being between former Heavyweight champion Igor Vovchanchyn (43-3-1NC) and Andrei Arlovski (8-3) as both looked to get back into title contention, Volk Han (16-11) took on Gary Myers (13-7-1) and rising prospect Heath Herring (19-7) would fight Mike Whitehead (2-2).

Main-Card Fights:

Main-Event

Heavyweight: (CHAMP) Mark Coleman (9-5) vs. Antonio Nogueira (10-0)

For PRIDE Heavyweight Championship

Coleman’s 1st Attempted Title Defense

Co-Main

Light-Heavyweight: Kazushi Sakuraba (13-2-1-1NC) vs. Mikhail Ilyuckchin (22-9)

Main-Card

Heavyweight: Igor Vovchanchyn (43-3-1NC) vs. Andrei Arlovski (8-3)

Heavyweight: Volk Han (16-11) vs. Gary Myers (13-7-1)

Heavyweight: Mike Whitehead (2-2) vs. Heath Herring (19-7)

"I'm only getting better" - Kazushi Sakuraba (Sherdog)

All fighters Successfully make Weight

Fight Play-By-Plays:

Pride Rules:

Round 1(10 Mins)

Round 2 (5 Mins then decision)

Knees to the Head are Allowed

All types of Soccer Kicks allowed

No Elbows or footstomps

Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Andrei Arlovski

Tape of the Tape

Age: (31) ------ (24)

Height: (5'8") ------ (6'4")

Record: (43-3-1NC) ------ (8-3)

Nickname: (Ice-Cold) ------ (Pitbull)

Style: (Kickboxing) ------ (Sambo/Boxing)

Betting Odds: (+500) ------ (-350)

Round 1

Both fighters come out trying to push the pace with neither backing down leading to some nice back and forward boxing in the middle of the ring Arlovksi throws a nice-two but Igor slips the hook countering with a hook to the body while slipping Arlovksi’s hook up top. Igor launches an uppercut but BARELY misses allowing Arlovski to land a THUDDING cross on the forehead of Vovchanchyn. ‘Pitbull’ is starting to gain some confidence and is now winning the exchanges as he keeps launching an array of straight punches but can’t seem to find Igor’s chin cleanly. Igor isn’t backing down landing some good shots of his own to the body. ‘Pitbull’ taunts Igor by sticking his lounge out but it comes back to bite him as Igor’s bodywork has now started to pay off as a NICE RIGHT HOOK TO THE BODY STUNS ARLOVSKI!!! HE BACKS AWAY BUT CAN’T KEEP HIS FOOTING HE’S DOWN!!! BIG GROUND AND POUND ENDS THIS FIGHT ITS OVER JUST LIKE THAT.

Official Result: Igor Vovchanchyn TKO’S Andrei Arlovski (R1 - 2:23)

Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Mikhail Ilyuckchin

Tape of the Tape

Age: (35) ------ (36)

Height: (6'0") ------ (5'9")

Record: (13-2-1NC) ------ (22-9)

Nickname: (The Gracie Hunter) ------ (N/A)

Style: (Catch-Wreslting) ------ (Sambo)

Betting Odds: (+200) ------ (-200)

Round 1

Both look to grapple as they get a hold of each other in the clinch Ilyuckchin gets BEAUTIFUL JUDO THROW gaining side control Ilyuckchin is trying to get some knees to the head in but ‘The Gracie Hunter’ scrambles well but ends up giving his back but nothing comes of it as Ilyuckhin can’t get hooks in to threaten the submission. But Sakuraba is still on his back however has done very well defending himself another AMAZING scramble sees Ilyuckchin trapped in the guard of Kazushi Sakuraba as he's still on top but in half-guard, Sakuraba now attempts an ARMBAR from the bottom it looks like a feeble attempt at first BUT IN A SCRAMBLE HE SWEEPS AND IS NOW ON TOP HE LOCKS IT IN!!! ILYUCKHIN TRIES TO POWER OUT OF IT BUT HE SUCCUMBED TO THE ARMBAR AND TAPS!!!

Official Result: Kazushi Sakuraba SUB’S Mikhail Ilyuckchin (R1 - 2:07)

(CHAMP) Mark Coleman vs. Antonio Nogueira

PRIDE Heavyweight Championship Bout

Tape of the Tape

Age: (38) ------ (27)

Height: (6'1") ------ (6'3")

Record: (9-5) ------ (10-0)

Nickname: (The Hammer) ------ (Big Nog)

Style: (Wrestler) ------ (Jiu-Jitsu/Boxing)

Betting Odds: (+550) ------ (-400)

Round 1

Both fighters have the same idea wanting to take the fight to the ground as they start clinching Nogueira out-wrestles Coleman early on getting a more dominant position in the clinch Nogueira tries a trip takedown but can’t get it this leads to him driving Coleman to the ropes but Coleman utilizes his superior strength and turns it around as Nogueira is against the ropes. Coleman then drags Nogueira to the ground with a belly to belly suplex leaving Nogueira pulling guard ‘The Hammer’ now starts with his ionic ground and pound but after a few shots Nogueira threatens a triangle which causes Coleman to back off completely and they are both back to their feet. ‘Big Nog’ hits a nice roundhouse kick to the body than a straight then followed by a cross then a one-two Coleman is starting to get pierced up on the feet he seemingly has no answer for Nogueira’s stand up Coleman is in desperation mode now quickly getting in close and grabs a hold of Nogueira securing a double-leg takedown NOGUEIRA GRABS HIS RIGHT ARM AND SWEEPS COLEMAN!!! HE’S GOT THE ARMBAR COLEMAN TRIES TO ESCAPE……. HE TAPS!!!!

"That is it, folks! Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is the NEW Heavyweight CHAMPION OF THE WOOOOOORLD!"

- Mauro Ranallo

Nogueira and his corner (which includes Anderson Silva, Wanderlei Silva, Murilo Rua, and his brother younger brother) all celebrate lifting Antonio atop their shoulders while he wears the PRIDE Heavyweight championship belt during his interview a brief shuffle between Wanderlei and PRIDE Light-Heavyweight champion Guy Mezger who was in attendance breaks out as Nogueira announces the Brazilian takeover in PRIDE as Anderson and him are now the new champions in their weight class while claiming Wanderlei will become the new PRIDE Light-Heavyweight champion. Mezger takes issue and charges to the ring only to meet by security that keeps him and Wanderlei separated as they try to fight each other; the interview ends with Mezger giving the bird to Nogueria and his entire corner as he is led back to the crowd.

Official Result: Antonio Nogueira SUB’s Mark Coleman (R1 - 5:52)

Antonio Nogueira wins the PRIDE Heavyweight Title

Main-Card Results:

Main-Event

(NEW CHAMP) Antonio Nogueira def. Mark Coleman via SUB (Armbar) R1 (5:52)

Nogueira wins PRIDE Heavyweight Championship

Co-Main

Kazushi Sakuraba def. Mikhail Ilyuckchin via SUB (Armbar) R1 (2:07)

Main-Card

Igor Vovchanchyn def. Andrei Arlovski via TKO R1 (3:23)

Gary Myers def. Volk Han via UD

Heath Herring def. Mike Whitehead via UD

Post Fight Interview/Press Conference:

(+Another post-fight BRAWL backstage)

Despite the post-fight scuffle with Mezger Nogueira remained civil and didn’t really want to pay attention to Mezger's antics wanting to focus on him during his interview,

“I don’t really care it just happened, I just gave my thoughts that I think Wanderlei will beat him that the Brazilian takeover is now and he was offended I can’t control other people's feelings. I don’t hate Mezger, I just train with Wanderlei every day and I know what's coming. He's knocking out the heavyweights, light-heavyweights, he just defeated a former unbeaten champion Dan Henderson. It's his time if you ask me I meant no offense. That being said this is the only recognition it will get from here on out, forget that thing happened it’s my time now-”.

- Antonio Nogueira

Many didn’t expect things to escalate the way they did with a fight nearly breaking out in the ring but expectations were further shattered when Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson had a literal fight backstage with PRIDE Middleweight champion Anderson Silva. It’s well known and documented that Jackson doesn't particularly like Wanderlei Silva one of the mentors of Anderson to put it mildly, ‘The Spider’ was by himself backstage leaving the bathroom running into Jackson as he was leaving the arena. From Anderson’s account, it seemed like they were just gonna stare each other down while walking past each other which they nearly did. But while passing each other Jackson reportedly called Anderson a very offensive slur as well as calling the Brazilain people other names too vile to report here, Anderson snapped and the two started throwing punches until they were both broken off by the very little security when both were interviewed about it they gave very different answers.

“He came out of the bathroom and just started talking s--t then he jumped me, literally waited in the bathroom for me to come by and jumped me. What happened next? I knocked him out like the p---y he is and now all he’s doing is making up a fairytale to feel good about himself. He knows the truth he’s a bumbling dumb--- that lost a street fight he ain’t no champion just a s-----g with no honor just like Wanderlei is”.

- Quinton Jackson

Jackson didn’t stop there making sure to get in any dig at Anderson, Wanderlei, or the Nogueira brothers any chance he could it started to become a running theme in his interviews and got people into the feud now more than ever.

“I was just leaving the bathroom and saw him by himself leaving the arena. I wanted to get back to Nogueira to celebrate with him. It was his night he just won the Heavyweight championship of the world. We made eye contact and stared at each other for a while just walking and walking and walking then he opened his mouth and it was off he ran while I wanted to fight there and then. He ran and got security that's about it really”.

- Anderson Silva

If anyone was interested in Wanderlei’s reaction he called Jackson a ‘disgrace to American MMA’ and reassured people once he was done with Mezger he would end Jackson forever. With Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson vs seemingly the entirety of Brazilian MMA a fight between Wanderlei or Anderson is a hot fight to sell and who would ‘Rampage’ fight? Only time will tell.

McDojoDelux · June 15, 2020

<div style="text-align:center;">End of Year Recap (2003)

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Another relatively quick year in MMA as PRIDE once again had another fantastic year as no other organizations were able to keep up with the high-level cards PRIDE was producing. Pancrase was seemingly stuck in blissful mediocrity putting on shows to just stay afloat financially but we're also seeing any rising starts potched by PRIDE, the UFC started the year off with a bang in UFC 47 but after Liddell’s positive drug test was never able to recover as a company. But many were optimistic for the new year as companies like the WEC were putting on solid shows and started to gain some serious attention due to a certain American Gangster putting the company on his back and saving the organization from bankruptcy due to his very pro wrestler persona. The UFC has even started to build some momentum back by finally stripping Chuck Liddell after a hearing at the Nevada State Athletic Commission refused to overturn or shorten Liddell’s drug suspension an interim title fight between Frank Shamrock and Tito Ortiz is rumored for UFC 56 and UFC president Dana White said they have ‘something in the works’ for a possible reality tv show on SpikeTV.

MMA News: MMA Gyms

Jaunary - December (2003)

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George St-Pierre joins Roufussports; "Duke will be able to take me to the next level" - GSP

(Sherdog.com)

A lot of fighters have been on the move in search for a gym to call home one such fighter is UFC Welterweight prospect Georges-St Pierre (4-0) after leaving Team Tompkins gym to take his game to the next level the French-Canadian has decided to join the Roufussports gym meaning he’ll be corner by the legendary Duke Roufus himself when asked about how he wants to take Georges game to the next level GSP was hoping to find Roufus said,

“I want more finishes from him, no point fighting, I want to focus on his stand up karate base style he has and perfect it, become a real threat on the feet. Right now we're working on how he can incorporate his kicks more often and we have him working with Renzo Gracie to perfect his Jiu-Jitsu. When he first came here I told him he’s too talented to have a single finish to his name so were hoping to open up apart of his game we feel has been neglected”.

- Duke Roufus

As for other fighters making changes to their training camps, we’ve got

UFC Heavyweight title contender Frank Mir (7-0) who joined American Top Team at the start of the year (2003) beating the likes of Tank Abbot, Pete Williams, and Ian Freeman while training at American Top Team.

Rich Franklin (11-2) now trains at Team Quest along with Dan Henderson, Randy Couture, and Chael Sonnen.

And finally, an array of fighters have joined Jackson Wink MMA Lightweight’s Gilbert Melendez (5-0) & Josh Thompson (6-2), Welterweight Robbie Lawler (9-3), and Heavyweight Seth Petruzelli (6-3).

UFC & PRIDE Champions (Start of 2004)

PRIDE

PRIDE Heavyweight Champion: Antonio Nogueira (11-0)

Title Defenses: 0 (Next Fight TBA)

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After defeating Mark Coleman at PRIDE 31 Nogeuria eagerly awaits his first challenger hoping to stay active as like he's said previous times before 'activity is key' to his success.

Notable Wins: Mark Coleman, Andrei Arlovski, Gilbert Yvel

PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Champion: Guy Mezger (30-10-2)

Title Defenses: 1 (Next Fight: Wanderlei Silva)

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Guy Mezger is widely regarded as the greatest fighter in MMA today after becoming one of the first fighters to hire a nutritionist he has been on a superb run defeating Kazushi Sakuraba in a rematch to win the title at PRIDE 22 and defending it in a dominate TKO victory over Japanese MMA legend Masakatsu Funaki for his first title defense. Now he is signed to defend his belt in a rematch against Wanderlei Silva later this year as a heated rivalry between the two has captured the attention of fans all around the world.

Notable Wins: Wanderlei Silva, Kazushi Sakuraba, Masakatsu Funaki, Tito Ortiz, Royce Gracie, Renzo Gracie, Tyrone Roberts

PRIDE Middleweight Champion: Anderson Silva (10-0)

Title Defenses: 0 (Next Fight Demain Maia, more info in the what's next segment)

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The newly crowned Middleweight champion Anderson Silva through his diverse and creative striking has seen a relatively fast track to the PRIDE championship winning the title against Sanae Kikuta in less than a year with the company.

Notable Wins: Sanae Kikuta, Lee Murray

UFC

UFC Heavyweight Champion: Josh Barnett (11-2)

Title Defenses: 0 (Next Fight Pedro Rizzo)

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After Pedro Rizzo had defeated Randy Couture to claim the UFC Heavyweight championship he immediately dropped the belt to Barnett in a rematch at UFC 53: Edge Point the bout started with Rizzo landing BOMBS on Barnett swinging for the fences early and landing at a 70% rate but Barnett was never once rocked showing off his granite chin. This lead to Rizzo being completely gassed in the 2nd round which allowed Barnett to easily take his opponent down and finish him with ground & pound from the mount 3 minutes into the 2nd round. With the two being 1-1 as well as the fight being booked on only 4 weeks notice as the original main-event was supposed to be Matt Hughes vs Matt Serra (both pulled out with injuries) a 3rd fight was to be booked as soon as both where medically cleared.

Notable Wins: Pedro Rizzo, Maurice Smith

UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion: Vacant

Next Fight: Frank Shamrock vs Tito Ortiz II

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With the UFC finally stripping Chuck Liddell in September (2003) the UFC has been looking to finalize a rematch between Frank Shamrock and Tito Ortiz (The first fight being 1999's Fight of The Year) for UFC 56 rumors have said Chicago, Las Vegas, or Flordia is the most likely locations for what State the event will be in.

UFC Middleweight Champion: Nate Marquardt (13-1)

Title Defenses: 3 (Next fight Rich Franklin)

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Nate Marquardt has quickly become the greatest Middleweight in the promotion's history being the most active champion on the roaster easily defeating Evan Turner, Murilo Bustamante, and the legendary Royce Gracie all in the 1st round to defend the belt 3 times in 2003. After earning his blackbelt in Jiu-Jitsu that same year and his credentials in kickboxing Marquardt is considered one of the most complete fighters in the entire world and would be up there if there was an MMA pound for pound list. He is now signed to fight Rich Franklin who many consider the best boxer on the entire UFC roster, to counteract Marquardt's world glass grappling Franklin has joined Team Quest to help improve his Greco-Roman wrestling.

Notable Wins: Jose Landi-Jons, Murilo Bustamante, Royce Gracie, Evan Turner

UFC Welterweight Champion: Matt Hughes (21-1)

Title Defenses: 4 (Next Fight TBA)

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With the most title-defenses by any active champion in the UFC Matt Hughes is undoubtedly the greatest Welterweight in the world as with PRIDE lacking a Welterweight division Matt Hughes has become the poster boy for the UFC. After steamrolling his opponents with his wrestling heavy style, not many contenders are left that could give Hughes a run for his money which has left many asking who is Matt Hughes's next opponent gonna be?

Notable Wins: Matt Serra, Frank Trigg, John de Oliveria, Antonio McKee(x2), Carlos Newton

UFC Lightweight Champion: Dim Thomas (14-1)

Title Defenses: 1 (Next Fight Takanori Gomi)

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Dim Thomas would successfully unify the belt against Yves Edwards in a pretty dull fight with not a lot of action the opening two rounds saw Thomas control Edwards with his superior grappling only for Edwards to drop him in the 3rd with a head kick which nearly ended the fight, after two close rounds that mostly consisted of grappling the judges awarded Dim Thomas the decision (48-47x3). Later that year Thomas defend the belt in a one-sided grappling heavy contest against Wander Braga to win via UD (49-46x3) he may not produce the most exciting fights but if it works it works. His next fight will be against Takanori Gomi after Gomi KO'd Yves Edwards within two minutes of the 1st round with a wicked right hook then uppercut combo.

Notable Wins: Yves Edwards, Wander Braga, Jens Pulver, Joe Stevenson, Royler Gracie

What’s Next (Early 2004)?

PRIDE will be hosting PRIDE 36 in February Japan, Kanto in the Saitama Super Arena headlined by Middleweight champion Anderson Silva taking (10-0) on fellow undefeated Brazilian Demian Maia (8-0) on the main card Kazushi Sakuraba (14-2-1-1NC) faced Masakatsu Funaki (41-14-1), also Alastair Overeem (10-3) and Mark Coleman (9-5) were on the card against local Japanese fighters (cans). Like mentioned before the UFC was nearing finalizing contacts for the location, date, and fights of UFC 56 as well as nearing a TV deal with SpikeTV. The WEC was also nearing a TV deal of their own hoping a run of successful shows would secure a TV deal with a reliable network.

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McDojoDelux · June 16, 2020

The Ultimate Fighter (January 2004)

Season 1 - Lightweights

Part 1 of 3

Welcome to The Ultimate Fighter broadcasted to you by SpikeTV on this season of TUF as 16 of the greatest unsigned Lightweight (146-155ibs) mixed martial arts fighters across the country are about to get the opportunity of a lifetime. They will live together, they will train together, they will compete against each other, and they will battle each other in the octagon. The finalist will face off in a live-telecast, at stake? A 3-year six-figure contract to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Who is the Ultimate Fighter? Find out now!

The Contestants:

Josh Thomson (7-2)

(Age: 25) / (Height: 5’10”) / (Style: Kickboxing/Wrestling) / (From San Jose, California, USA)

After starting his career (5-0) in regional Japanese promotions Josh Thomson got his shot in Shooto the oldest MMA organization in the world he won his first 2 fights on his 4 fight contract. However, Thomson would find himself falling on hard times losing his last two fights by knockout, questions about his chin have now been raised and at such a young age with these questions being asked Shooto decided to let him go. It’s now been 6 months since Thomson last professional fight but despite not being busy inside the ring he has been outside it joining the Jackson Wink MMA gym to train under Greg Jackson widely considered the best MMA coach in the world and now finds himself once again with an opportunity of a lifetime.

Charles Bennett (2-5)

(Age: 24) / (Height: 5’7”) / (Style: Brawler) / (From: Gainesville, Florida, USA)

Energetic, hyperactive, moody, crazy, a complete lose canon are just some of the words that most people would use to describe the ‘Krazy Horse’, despite his below five-hundred record and being cut by ICON an Alabama MMA organizations Bennett has gained quite a decent following for his antics outside the cage and his wildly entertaining brawler style. That being said the blueprint on how to beat Benett has already seems to be out there as all his losses come by way of submission or being absolutely dominated via high-pressure tactics and wrestling as he struggles to fight on the backfoot plus is absolutely useless on the ground, it’s clear the UFC has only picked him up to spice up the reality side of the show but can he prove himself to be a fighter as well?

Clay Guida (2-1)

(Age: 22) / (Height: 5’7”) / (Style: Wrestling / (From Round Lake, Illinois, USA)

With only 3 fights on the regional scheme not much is known about Clay Guida which is why he is here, wrestling ever since the age of 5 Cuida is an in your face never-say-die high pressure always coming forward fighter. His cardio is what stands out to most and being raised on the tough streets of Chicago, Illinois he is probably one of the most durable fighters here. That being said, he is very slow and predictable with his takedowns anyone with an idea on how to defend takedowns can keep this on the feet as Guida's striking is a HUGE work in progress.

Joachim Hansen (5-3)

(Age: 24) / (Height: 5’8”) / (Style: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) / (From Oslo, Norway)

One of the four Non-American’s on the show Joachim Hansen is a clean-cut high-level professional fighter who’s only losses come to eventual high-level UFC Lightweight contenders BJ Penn, Joe Stevenson and the eventual champion Dim Thomas. All three fights he was competitive in despite losing meaning he isn’t far off the best Lightweights in the world, being extremely well rounded anywhere and durable not being finished or dropped yet in his MMA career it isn’t outrageous to think Hansen is the clear favorite to win this entire thing.

Duane Ludwig (6-1)

(Age: 25) / (Height: 5’11”) / (Style: Mauy-Thai) / (From Colorado, Denver, USA)

Possibly the heaviest handed individual on the show Duane ‘Bang’ Ludwig lives up to his nickname but is also the most technically gifted striker on the show his work ethic and keen attitude to listen to whatever advice he’s offered means he is now becoming a more well rounded mixed martial artist by the day.

Dave Strasser (13-6-2)

(Age: 34) / (Style: Mixed Martial Arts) / (From Kenosha, Wisconsin)

Once considered one of the greatest Welterweights in the world due to his diverse background in combat sports training in wrestling, boxing, and karate has seen a serious fall from grace with his last win coming in 1999 he is on a mean 4-fight losing streak as Stresser’s all-round skills have seemingly declined rapidly over the years. Now moving to the Lightweight division he has one last chance to prove himself and remind everyone why he was once considered one of the best fighters in the world.

Isaac Vallie-Flagg (0-0)

(Age: 25) / (Style: Mixed Martial Arts) / (From Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA)

Nothing is known about the Albuquerque Mixed Martial Artist he is a complete unknown, no tape of his fights, no previous interviews to know what his personality is like, just nothing this could be seen as the UFC sending a sheep into the wolves den but who knows maybe the UFC has seen something no one else has.

Jason Maxwell (5-4)

(Age: 23) / (Height: 5’8”) / (Style: Mixed Martial Arts) / (From Heirentta, Texas, USA)

Another relatively average fighter who much like Charles Bennett has a personality that will most definitely spice up the slice of life side of the show but his skills as a fighter remains in question. Maxwell has been labeled as mentally weak and is mostly known for his inability to survive in deep waters often clinging onto his opponent's legs for dear life against the cage panic wrestling, but being a decent all-around fighter could prove to be useful against the lesser fighters in the show the question remains how does he stack up against the best?

Jay R. Palmer (13-11)

(Age: 22) / (Height: 5’9”) / (Style: Kickboxing) / (From Hawaii, USA)

Much like Dave Strasser, Jay R. Palmer was once considered a top-tier fighter with a record of (13-2) but hasn’t won a single fight since 1999 going on a massive 9-fight losing streak many except Palmer to be a sheep sent to the wolves much like Isaac Vallie-Flagg but never doubt the one with the most time in the octagon as he very much could just remind all of us why he was once one of the best fighters in the world.

Kazumichi Takada (8-3-1)

(Age: 23) / (Height: 5’7”) / (Style: Catch-Wrestling) / (From Fukushima, Japan)

Despite being notorious for his ‘lay and pray’ tactics Takada is considered to be a current top lightweight fighter defeating the likes of Takanori Gomi, Joe Stevenson, Aaron Riley, and is 1-1 against Sean Sherk. But like you can imagine his lay and pray style has labeled him one of the most boring fighters in the world and seen him become a free agent with no big MMA organization willing to give him a shot until today.

Melvin Guillard (2-1)

(Age: 20) / (Height: 5’9”) / (Style: Boxing/Wrestling) / (From Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA)

Guillard can be described as aggressive and moody but unlike the other explosive personalities named before Melvin is a renowned and respected fighter with a solid wrestling base plus some gift heavy hands he talks the talk and walks the walk which is more than could be said for some of the other fighters on the show.

Luiz Firmino (7-0)

(Age: 19) / (Height: 5’8”) / (Style: Brazilain Jiu-Jitsu) / (From Vitoria da Conquista, Brazil)

An undefeated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert and while he is very skilled at getting plus keeping his opponent on the ground his ability to actually submit people is fairly lackluster compared to his overall grappling ability. This has led to a boring label being a dark cloud over his head, a label which he himself is very bothered with and it stopped him from getting a contract with most major MMA organization.

Phil Johns (15-11)

(Age: 23) / (Height: 5’2”) / (Style: Mixed Martial Art) / (From Canton, Illinois, USA)

A laidback go with the flow type of guy who can best be described as a win some lose fighter but despite his record being fairly average don’t let it fool you Phil Johns is not an easy fight for anyone he’s keen to fight and with an incredible gas tank he might just end up surprising a lot of people.

Diego Sanchez (4-0)

(Age: 22) / (Height: 5’10”) / (Style: Wrestling) / (From Albuquerque, New Mexico)

If there's one word to describe Diego Sanchez it’s spiritual, he definitely is a one of a kind character and that personality translates to how he fights. The self-proclaimed ‘Zen Master’ has the mentality and the ability to not only become the Ultimate Fighter but to be a world champion as well, the question is can he put the pieces together and realize his true potential?

Gilbert Melendez (7-0)

(Age: 21) / (Height: 5’9”) / (Style: Wrestling) / (From Santa Ana, California, USA)

Yet to lose a round in his pro MMA career the wrestler from Santa Ana, California has always enjoyed combat sports but attended San Francisco University in hopes of becoming a teacher but has put his degree on hold to pursue his dream of becoming an MMA fighter. Melendez has won 7 straight fights on the regional circuit in dominant fashion and is finally getting his shot at the big leagues after quitting his current jobs at Fairtex gear shop, and as a waiter to join the show it's not far off to say he is putting his entire life on the line.

Takaharu Murahama (6-8-3)

(Age: 30) / (Height: 5’6’) / (Style: Catch-Wrestling) / (From Kanto, Japan)

A solid anytime anywhere fighter which has led him to have a lot of unnecessary losses he’s taken on short notice. This has seen him on the wrong end of a couple of highlight reels but one must ask how good Murahama really under a full camp?

The Coaches

Now that you’ve seen the constants it's time to introduce the coaches when you think of what makes a good rivalry what comes to mind? The trash talk? The entertaining fights? Whatever in your mind makes a rivalry what is it, there's no denying a great story must be behind that rivalry the two coaches chosen to be one the first season of TUF has one of the most personal rivalries in MMA the feud between these two has such a compelling backstory it would put the most slice of life movies to shame. Introducing this season coaches of TUF Frank and Ken Shamrock,

The two adopted brothers Ken and Frank Shamrock have agreed to coach the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, as kids both Ken and Frank were sent to Shamrock’s Boy Homes for Troubled Youths run by Bob Shamrock. After Frank had multiple run-ins with the law even ending up in jail, Ken helped Frank bottle his emotions into MMA getting his first fight in Pancrase against Bas Rutten after a hard-fought victory Bob officially adopted Frank making both Ken and Frank foster brothers. The adoption gave Frank the father he never really had and for the first time felt genuine love, but also after his first fight, adrift between the two brothers started to shift as Frank gradually started to believe he couldn't be the fighter he wanted to be if he stayed at the Lions Den (the gym ran by Ken Shamrock). While Ken was taking a brief hiatus from MMA to pursue a pro-wrestling career in the WWE he left Frank in charge of the training sessions at the Lions Den but was told to everything the exact same way Ken would do it leaving him no freedom of choice, Frank started to become bored of the same training every single day which led to a fierce confrontation between Ken and Frank.

According to Frank Shamrock’s account his brother Ken told him to ‘stick to what he’s good at running his gym’ and didn’t ‘have what it takes’ to fight the best in the world like Guy Mezger was, in fact, Ken stated multiple times that Guy Mezger is the best fighter in the world and trains at Lions Den so he really questioned Frank’s belief that Lions Den couldn’t take him to the next level essentially saying if we can’t make you into a world-class championship fighter then no one can. With Guy Mezger becoming the PRIDE Light-Heavyweight champion this person feud quickly turned public with MMA reports picking up scoops about the drama that happened at the Lion sDen every day and while Mezger in interviews remained neutral about the topic privately he sided with Ken. When Frank talked to Bob about this he too also sided with Ken saying, ‘If you can’t make-up with Ken we can’t have a relationship’ Frank ultimately felt that he had been betrayed by the only two people that ever showed love and compassion to him in his life which lead to the two parting ways as Frank would not speak to the two in years since the incident. From Ken’s account, he felt that Frank could have left the gym at any time if he really wanted and he would 100% support him but with him prolonging his departure felt he was just prying off of Guy Mezger’s run of success and with Frank turning his back abandoning the family he felt he had just put a dagger into the heart of Bob a man who had given Ken everything. How this feud will play out as Frank and Ken will finally see each other for the first time in years is unknown but it’s for sure much see TV and is available only on SpikeTV.

McDojoDelux · June 19, 2020

The Ultimate Fighter (January - February 2004)

Season 1 - Lightweights

Part 2 of 3

Episode 1 - (So It Begins)

Week 1

The first episode see’s all the contestants enter the UFC’s National Training Center as they are introduced to UFC president Dana White, and the coaches Frank & Ken Shamrock. Many of the contestants remark about the tension in the air as both Frank and Ken aren’t acknowledging each other at all, Charles Bennett remarks how Frank would easily defeat Ken in a profanity-laced sit-down interview. After the first training session is done as the cast is taken to a Las Vegas sweet were they will be staying for the next 12 weeks on the show and trouble brews almost instantly Charles Bennett starts getting into a lot of people's personal space as some type of intimidation tactic and Josh Thomson has some less than nice things to say about him

“I think he does it because he knows he’s outmatched by everyone in this house, there's a reason his record is terrible and he believes by just getting up in people's faces he’s able to prove how much of a man he is? I mean maybe by living in his own little fantasy that thing might work, but once in the octagon the real man will show himself”.

- Josh Thomson

This leads the two having to be separated as Josh and Bennett start shoving each other as well as yelling about how they’ll destroy each other in the octagon. The next 3 days of training and in house antics is fairly standard as the show starts to get into the backstory of why every fighter fights? Clay Cuida talks about how fighting is a way to prove himself as wrestling and combat sports in general saved his life, Diego Sanchez meanwhile starts to show off some of his spiritual yoga and demonstrates his forcefield stance to Guida, Ludwig, and Melvin Guillard which again causes some tension around the house as Guida and Guillard start making fun of Sanchez while trying to corner him Ludwig decides to just stand back and watch as Sanchez is not about to back down as the three all have to be separated. Ludwig describes what happens to everyone about what happens which Sanchez also takes issue with calling Ludwig a ‘coward’ and 'diva', Duane doesn't really care and laughs if off.

By the third day, it's finally time for Frank and Ken to pick their teams, Dana White does a coin toss which Ken wins he is given the choice of either getting the first pick or picking the first fight. Ken ultimately wants to pick the first fight as Frank is given the first pick,

Frank’s Team: (1) Gilbert Melendez, (2) Clay Guida, (3) Joachim Hansen, (4) Luiz Firmino, (5) Duane Ludwig, (6) Kazumichi Takada, (7) Charles Bennett, (8) Isaac Vallie-Flagg

Ken’s Team: (1) Deigo Sanchez, (2) Josh Thomson, (3) Melvin Guillard, (4) Dave Strasser, (5) Jason Maxwell, (6) Phil Johns, (7) Jay R. Palmer, (8) Takaharu Murahama

As Ken is mulling over possible fights he could make Deigo Sanchez comes up demanding a fight between Ludwig or Guida after accessing and scouting out Frank's team Ken grants Sanchez’s wish as the first fight of the show will be Deigo Sanchez versus Clay Guida.

While talking about the fight between Sanchez and Guida both Frank & Ken finally acknowledge each other although only through cage side interviews and not directly towards each other when they gave their thoughts on the match-up as well as each other's teams.

“Frank’s a very selfish guy he doesn't care about any of them he's only here to promote his fight with Tito [Ortiz], which is sadly a disservice to his team he won’t be able to teach them the right things and when the fight gets brought into deep waters his fighters won’t be able to push themselves”.

- Ken Shamrock

“Ken’s team is okay. He's got some great fighters with a lot of promise but at the end of the day, all he is gonna teach him is the things that benefit him. It'll be wrestling, wrestling, some stand up back to wrestling, and finally injecting steroids into their veins. He is gonna try and mold all of them into him rather than train them into the best fighters they want to be, I’ll be teaching my team Boxing, Wrestling, Muay-Thai, Kickboxing, and everything else”.

- Frank Shamrock

THE FIGHT:

(Team Ken) Diego Sanchez vs. (Team Frank) Clay Guida

Tape of the Tape

Age: (22) ------ (22)

Height: (5'10") ------ (5'7")

Record: (4-0) ------ (2-1)

Nickname: (The Nightmare) ------ (The Carpenter)

Style: (Wrestling) ------ (Wrestling)

The Rules:

Only Two Rounds

If the Judge's scorecard has been ruled a Draw then a Sudden Death 3rd will be immediately implemented

The fight is absolute domination by Sanchez who puts on a masterclass from start to finish as he exploits Guida’s slow sloppy boxing and predictable movement as multiple times throughout the fight Sanchez slips all of Guida’s punches then responds with some sharp straight punches and outwrestles Guida whenever they grapple. Sanchez takes an easy victory by decision much to the delight of Ken Shamrock and the disappointment of Frank.

“I knew my striking was a work in progress and I’m grateful for the training I got here but this was a real eye-opener this isn’t the last you’ll hear of me but congrats to Diego, sorry if I offended you in any way and yeah that’s about it”.

- Clay Guida

Episode 2 - (Challenge Time)

Week 2

The 2nd episode picks off right where the previous episode finished as the cast is driven back to the sweet as all members of Team Frank are left shell shocked at how dominant Sanchez. As the next few days pass transitioning from training sessions and in house antics Gilbert Melendez was one of the main focuses of the episode as the producers focused on how someone with such a high degree chose to be an MMA fighter, he also remarked the feud in the house as ‘childish’ and how he was only here to ‘fight not to make friends’. Other standouts from this episode where the insane training regiment Ken Shamrock had his team go through explaining,

“There are no easy days here, we go 100% all the time, I don’t care if you're tired, keep going after you’ve gone through all of this s--t no one can break you in that octagon as you’ve already been broken in here. That’s how we train at the Lion's Den, that's how Guy Mezger became a world champion”.

- Ken Shamrock

This episode would feature a double-elimination as there would both be a challenge and a fight, the challenge was a pretty typically crash course where the first team to get their coach to the other side who they’ll have to carry on a portable chair while they clear the obstacle course which has two stages where the four members of the first stage must pass the coach onto the four members of the 2nd stage team with Team Frank down a member one of the stage 1 fighters will also have to do stage 2 as well. Despite the advantage in numbers Ken’s furious training seemed to have gassed out his fighters as Team Frank wins by a landslide, Ken Shamrock is then asked if he wants to give up the matchmaking advantage for the next two weeks to Frank but Ken coldly replies ‘no’.

Shamrock decides to cut Takaharu Murahama because he ‘isn’t going all out in practice’ Murahama in his interviewing after being cut had some harsh words for Ken while leaving the show,

“His training sessions were terrible. We had no energy for the challenge and I guarantee that everyone else will have no energy for the fights as well. It’s frustrating but what can you do hopefully this isn’t my last chance and thank you to the UFC for this opportunity”.

- Takuraba Murahama

In a plot twist, Dana White reveals the next day Ken Shamrock will have to book a fight overnight stating ‘short notice fights happen all the time here in the UFC, most of the time your biggest opportunity comes from short notice fights’ either fighter will have a day's preparations. Ken Shamrock decides to book Josh Thomson against Joachim Hansen, this causes Frank to burst out laughing wheezing ‘Okay….. Alright, then you dumb---’.

THE FIGHT:

(Team Ken) Josh Thomson vs. (Team Frank) Joachim Hansen

Tape of the Tape

Age: (22) ------ (24)

Height: (5'10") ------ (5'8")

Record: (7-2) ------ (5-3)

Nickname: (The Punk) ------ (N/A)

Style: (Kickboxing/Wrestling) ------ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)

Thomson low on energy wants to counter strike landing some decent leg kicks that lead to some spinning kicks to the body early, Hansen wants to take this to the ground but Thomson shows some great takedown defense but can’t stop Hansen from driving him into the cage landing some decent strikes from the clinch as the round comes to an end. The 2nd round favors Thomson slightly as some brilliant footwork doesn't allow Hansen to clinch up with him at all but Hansen isn’t completely outmatched as whenever Thomson gets close Hansen shows off some nice short-ranged dirty boxing. The decision’s a DRAW we go to the first sudden-death round of the season, Thomson goes back to his leg kicks which leave this fight at a long-range striking exchange which clearly favors him as he picks off Hansen with straights and kicks to the leg as well as body but can’t seem to get off any head kicks. It seems like Team Ken will win yet another bout but Hansen blitzes well and CLIPS Thomson with an elbow on the chin which DROPS HIM with 42 seconds left in the fight ends on the ground as Thomson does well to survive. The decision is in and it's a split decision win for…… Joachim Hansen.

“It was a close fight I think, I should of won of course but no excuses I should have seen that blitz coming but didn’t and congrats to Hansen”.

- Josh Thomson

Episode 3 - (Boiling Point)

Week 3

Melvin Guillard and Jason Maxwell have really bounded this episode as they form a type of bad boys/ bully duo of the house. One of their targets is Isaac Vallie-Flagg mainly because of his inexperience, Flagg tries to laugh it off but Maxwell seems to take offense which leads to a brief shoving match before being broken up, Degio Sanchez calls both of them out for being ‘unprofessional’ which leads to another shoving match that has to be broken up. A small little feud starts happening between Ludwig and Melendez which does not lead to a fight but a small drift between the two the disagreement comes from their training sessions as Ludwig is very vocally critical of seemingly everything Melendez does and while Gilbert acknowledges that Ludwig is trying to help he also tells him to ‘f--- off’.

“I mean Duane comes up constantly just criticizing everything, Duane you're not the coach of the team. I know he’s a world-class striker and I always listen but when it comes to that part of the game but with wrestling, he needs to stay in his lane”.

- Gilbert Melendez

Duane apologizes but seems to be faking it which Melendez also picks up on but doesn't make a scene about it. But all of that is over now as it’s time for the fight as Frank books Isaac Vallie-Flagg to face Jay R. Palmer. While not the fight a lot of people were expecting Frank explained how Isaac had constantly been asking for a match-p against Guillard or Maxwell, Frank would book him a fight but would match him up with Palmer as he thought Palmer to be the weakest on Ken’s team with his long losing streak as he wanted to build Isaac’s confidence and skill level before going after either Guillard or Maxwell.

THE FIGHT:

(Team Frank) Isaac Vallie-Flagg vs. (Team Ken) Jay R. Palmer

Tape of the Tape

Age: (25) ------ (22)

Height: (5'8") ------ (5'9")

Record: (0-0) ------ (13-11)

Nickname: (N/A) ------ (N/A)

Style: (Mixed Martail Arts) ------ (Kickboxing)

Palmer dominated Flagg from start to finish dropping bombs on Flagg with his much more refined stand-up ending the fight with 2 minutes left in the first as a head kick opens a huge cut over Flagg’s head and the doctor calls for the fight to be waived off which he does as Jay R. Palmer defeats Isaac Vallie-Flagg via a cut in the first round.

“I was just outmatched and that’s it I should have trained more with Frank before demanding a fight but what can you do I It my pride take over me”.

- Isaac Valle-Flagg

Episode 4 - (Fire & Fury)

Week 4

The boiling feuds from the last episode are finally starting to turn hot as Jason Maxwell and Melvin Guillard’s antics are starting to get on some of the cast members nerves at first it was nothing really major outside of schoolyard bullying calling people names and a few pranks but the two for some reason take issue with Gilbert Melendez, as a slightly tipsy Jason Maxwell asks Melendez why he’s so distant from everyone asking Melendez ‘do you think you're too good for us?’ which leads to Maxwell throwing some beer onto Melendez's face. Gilbert throws a punch which leads to a huge brawl between Guillard, Maxwell, and Melendez which lasts a solid 30 seconds lucky no one gets hurt but not before Melendez goes on a tirade mainly saying ‘I don’t think you know who you're messing with here’ Jason Maxwell demands a fight with Gilbert and while Ken is hesitant the UFC president Dana White says ‘the only way to settle this issue is with a fight’ and Ken ultimately caves in booking the fight between the two.

THE FIGHT:

(Team Ken) Jason Maxwell vs. (Team Frank) Gilbert Melendez

Tape of the Tape

Age: (23) ------ (21)

Height: (5'8") ------ (5'9")

Record: (5-4) ------ (7-0)

Nickname: (N/A) ------ (El Nino)

Style: (Mixed Martail Arts) ------ (Wrestling)

You can feel the tension in the air as they stare each other down before the fight starts. Maxwell opens with a THUNDEROUS right hook only to miss badly and be taken down and grounded out in 46 seconds as its an easy victory for Gilbert Melendez. All of Team Ken Shamrock is stunned by how Melendez just walked right through Maxwell.

Jason Maxwell meanwhile is FURIOUS he is demanding a redo as he believes it was an early stoppage but Dana White isn’t having it saying ‘you're dazed right now, it’s all over’

“It was an early stoppage. I was bleeding and taking a few shots but I wasn’t but I was still in there fighting back clearly. It's outrageous but whatever? Some refs just think people pay money to see them instead of the fighters”.

- Jason Maxwell

Episode 5 - (Intensity)

Week 5

A fired-up Charles Bennett is starting to express some extreme confidence after a very hard day of training, he has become somewhat of a mascot for Team Frank with his extremely unique personality. Bennet starts to develop many friendships with many members of Team Frank and many enemies on Team Ken while talking to Gilbert Melendez during training he expresses how his dominant victory has ‘motivated’ him to train even harder and promises ‘fireworks’ as he demands to be in this episodes fight. Frank Shamrock who has seemingly built up a friendship with Bennett himself of course grants him his wish and announces the next fight will be between Charles Bennett and Phil Johns. While Frank and his team are nothing but smiles the same can’t be said for Ken’s team who has doubled the intensity of his training sessions incorporating weight lifting and full 25-minute sparring instead of the 15 minutes they were doing beforehand. When produces asked Frank what he thought of Ken’s intense training regiment he said,

“Ken’s always been a me first person, you have to do it how I would do it, my way or the highway type stuff but he fails to realize his way work for everyone just because it worked for him. He brags to Dana how he’ll turn this all around how he’s doubling everything in training from here on out, he calls me the selfish one when all he wants from this show is a paycheck. Once it’s all over he’ll never talk to anyone here ever again when I consider some of these guys I’ve met here actual friends”.

- Frank Shamrock

THE FIGHT:

(Team Frank) Charles Bennett vs. (Team Ken) Phil Johns

Tape of the Tape

Age: (24) ------ (23)

Height: (5'7") ------ (5'7")

Record: (2-5) ------ (15-11)

Nickname: (Krazy Horse) ------ (N/A)

Style: (Brawler) ------ (Mixed Martail Arts)

By far the best fight of the season so far Phil Johns starts off strong showcasing some nice kickboxing which leaves Bennett on the receiving end of Johns's combinations. Bennett catches a stroke of luck as with a minute left in the round John has seemingly gassed out after many hard sparring sessions which turns the fight into an all-out brawl which favors Bennett as he seems to pack more power in his hands DROPPING Johns in the last few seconds of the round. The next round is yet another brawl on the feet as they are just swinging overhands and hooks toward each other, but yet again Bennett's power is the difference maker as Johns starts to just cover up while on the backfoot with a minute left before the fight ends. A great fight with a clear winner as Bennett takes home the decision.

“I’m sorry to everyone I let down from Ken [shamrock] to my family watching back home, I was beaten the better fighter and congrats to him….. But…. I’m not done, this isn’t the end for me I will be back you will be hearing the name Phil Johns in the near future just not today”.

- Phil Johns

Episode 6 - (Mental Warfare)

Week 6

With Ken Shamrock’s team members being eliminated seemingly one by one as the weeks go by both Deigo Sanchez and Melvin Guillard form a mutual respect for each other but definitely don’t consider each other friends. Guillard and Sanchez have a conversation about how Ken’s training eliminates ‘the weak’ and ‘the strong’ can survive it as they brag to each other how mentally strong they are while bashing their former teammates for being weak. Bennett meanwhile starts taunting both Guillard and Sanchez handing them both throwing two suitcases filled with all their stuff from the bedrooms at them as a prank which of course starts an argument between the three as Guillard and Sanchez take offense to Bennett touching their personal belongings while Bennett taunts the two saying he did them a ‘ favor ’ as they won’t last long with the roll Frank's Team has been one, signaling Guillard out in particular who will be fighting Brazil Jiu-Jitsu fighter Luiz Firmino in this week's episode. When asked why he did this Charles Bennett explained,

“They were having this long conversation about mental warfare and I’m just sitting there like bro shut the f--- up with that nonsense! So I went upstairs and grabbed everything I could find in the bedroom and wanted to see what happened, I mean they claim to be mentally strong but they don’t seem like it to me so those two can keep yapping about mental warfare but I know that's just one big pile of s-”.

- Charles Bennett

While you could agree or disagree with what Bennett was talking about he was indeed right that this week's fight would be between Luiz Firmino and Mevlin Guillard a fight which Ken had been anticipating every since picking the teams,

“Frank’s strategy of putting a Jiu-Jitsu guy against a boxer is the most predictable move in the history of mixed martial arts. I mean anyone would've guessed that. I just hope they are ready as I and Mevlin have been training for weeks for this fight and they're gonna be in for a shock”.

- Ken Shamrock

For weeks Ken had personally trained with Guillard in both submission defense from the bottom and takedown defense as he had always believed this fight would be booked and now the time has come to see if that weeks of training had finally paid off.

THE FIGHT:

(Team Frank) Luiz Firmino vs. (Team Ken) Melvin Guillard

Tape of the Tape

Age: (19) ------ (20)

Height: (5'8") ------ (5'9")

Record: (7-0) ------ (2-1)

Nickname: (N/A) ------ (The Young Assassin)

Style: (Brazilain Jiu-Jitsu) ------ (Boxing/Wrestling)

Guillard’s training pays off early, stuffing a takedown within the first 30 seconds only the DROP Firmino with a right hook as he backs off, Guillard senses victory and pounces on Firmino landing bombs from the top but can’t finish him. Guillard is stuck now in guard as he can’t get up despite the demands of his coaches to do so, while Melvin had all that training with defense from the bottom figuring out ways to escape the ground off his back he had no training with defense from the top and how to get up while on top of Firmino. Luiz Firmino seneses Guillard’s inexperience and gets him into an armbar off his back which has no idea how to get out of and taps.

Ken Shamrock is FURIOUS he simply can’t believe what he just saw constantly yelling at Melvin ‘why didn’t you get up?’ with Guillard responding ‘you never taught me how to from the top’.

“I’m f----n pissed this is b------t man! All that special training and that's it? These grapplers are ruining the sport with that boring style they should be ashamed of themselves”.

- Melvin Guillard

McDojoDelux · July 3, 2020

The Ultimate Fighter (February - March 2004)

Season 1 - Lightweights

Part 3 of 3

Episode 7 - (Insufferable)

Week 7

Episode seven gets off to a fairly boring start as all the fighters seem to just be relaxing and the tension that the previous episodes had seemed to have boiled over, that being said there were still some noteworthy moments as Duane Ludwig and Gilbert Melendez are once again at odds with each other as Ludwig has become openly critical of Melendez as a fighter and person calling him ‘one dimensional & selfish’. Melendez maintains him ‘I’m not here to make friends’ attitude while also telling Ludwig to ‘focus’ on himself and not be a ‘jealous ---hole’. On top of that this episode would see the departure of Kazumchi Takada as he suffered a fractured right knee needing a year to heal, he would be pulled from the show immediately and instead of being replaced Dana White decided to save a bit of money just eliminated his spot on the show entirely. This episode fight would be between Duane Ludwig from Team Frank and from Team Ken would be Dave Strasser

THE FIGHT:

(Team Frank) Duane Ludwig vs. (Team Ken) Dave Strasser

Tape of the Tape

Age: (25) ------ (34)

Height: (5'11") ------ (5'9")

Record: (6-1) ------ (13-6-2)

Nickname: (Bang) ------ (N/A)

Style: (Muay-Thai) ------ (Mixed Martial Arts)

It’s a quick 20-second fight as Ludwig leaves everyone in shock of both his raw punching power and technique landing a beautiful one-two, uppercut then finishing the combination with a spinning back fist to knock out Dave Strasser much to the anger of Ken Shamrock who can’t believe the losing streak his team is on.

“It was so fast and never saw it coming, I don’t remember the fight at all but congrats to Duane [Ludwig] I wish him nothing but the best. I’ll be back just gotta regroup figure some stuff out within my personal life and rebound from this”

- Dave Strasser

Episode 8 - (A Family Matter)

Week 8

An irate Ken Shamrock is pushing his team to their limits with a lot of powerlifting as well as hard sparring being the main focus of their sessions as the only two remaining members of Ken’s in Jay R. Palmer and Deigo Sanchez are leaving it all in the gym the question still remains how good their cardio will be inside the octagon tho. In a sitdown interview, Ken Shamrock said

“Maybe I made a few wrong picks, not everyone can be a great fighter and what my training sessions are meant to do is make great fighters. I just think with a win from both we’ll get back on track”.

- Ken Shamrock

For the first time in the show, Ken and Frank would have their first conversation and the last conversation with each other as Ken feeling the pressure starts talking some trash at Frank while Frank and Dana are having a one-on-one talk with each other. The conversation between the two turned from relatively tame name-calling to a full out raging argument which could be heard around the UFC National Training Center, Ken criticized Frank for turning his back on his family breaking their adopted father's heart while Frank maintained that they were never really a family as both Ken and there adopted father Bob Shamrock always looked down upon Frank seeing him as a lesser to the both of them never really had his back or confidence in him to do his own thing. Dana White of all people had to play the peacemaker separating the two by threatening to cut them both if they had an actual fight between them brake out,

“Ken comes into my office while I’m talking to Frank about his upcoming fight with Tito [Ortiz] and the two go at it most vicious s--t slinging contest I’ve ever seen in my life, I mean holy s--t”

- Dana White

THE FIGHT:

(Team Frank) Luiz Firmino vs. (Team Ken) Jay R. Palmer

Tape of the Tape

Age: (19) ------ (22)

Height: (5'8") ------ (5'9")

Record: (7-0) ------ (13-11)

Nickname: (N/A) ------ (N/A)

Style: (Brazilain Jiu-Jitsu) ------ (Kickboxing)

With Jay R. Palmer having less than stellar grappling Frank decided to put the Brazil Jiu-Jitsu black belt against the striker and once again Team Frank dominated another fight as Luiz controlled Palmer on the ground for 3 minutes until he sunk in a rear-naked choke to get the win as Palmer was completely dominated only landing a total of 2 strikes.

“This isn’t how I wanted it to go, of course, I think we should have focused more on an all-round game instead of weight lifting and stuff looking back I think all I did was body build”.

- Jay R. Palmer

Episode 9 - (Still Standing)

Week 9

With Deigo Sanchez being the last member of Team Ken he starts referring to himself as the ‘chosen one’ who was ‘destined’ to great things inside the UFC while the other fighters inside the house make fun of him for his outlandish thoughts Sanchez had a very motivating interview,

“What makes mixed martial artists is the ability to take all of life's downs thrown right at them, when life is starting to get you down you gotta start fighting back and make your claim to what is rightfully yours! I am the ultimate fighter, I am the greatest fighter in the world, I am going to win this entire show, and you all watch will forever remember the name, Deigo Sanchez”.

- Deigo Sanchez

THE FIGHT:

(Team Frank) Gilbert Melendez vs. (Team Ken) Deigo Sanchez

Tape of the Tape

Age: (21) ------ (22)

Height: (5'9") ------ (5'10")

Record: (7-0) ------ (4-0)

Nickname: (El Nino) ------ (The Nightmare)

Style: (Wrestling) ------ (Wrestling)

Frank, knowing that Sanchez being Ken’s best fighter decided to match him up against who he believed was his best fighter in Gilbert Melendez. The fight started off fast as Sanchez was swinging some serious haymakers early but Gilbert calmly slipped past most of them however he did occasionally get hit by some of Diego's wild overhangs but Melendez made sure to lean back to lift some of the power off of Sanchez’s punches. Melendez starts going to the legs to stifle Sanchez’s aggressive movement, Melendez is showing off some high fight iq by repeatedly using some stellar head movement and leg kicks even getting a nice head kick while slipping a right hook. Diego finally starts to find some luck by hitting a SMASHING uppercut which lands clean but Melendez staying calm gets a suplex takedown after driving Sanchez to the fence before getting him to the ground as the round ends. While the first round was competitive the 2nd is a total wrestling clinic as Melendez's strategy has left Sanchez completely gassed as round two is a complete mauling with Melendez nearly finishing the fight via ground and pound multiple times throughout the fight but survives to see the end of the fight. Gilbert Melendez gets the nod on the scorecards meaning all of Ken Shamrock’s team is eliminated.

Dana White asks Ken to leave the UFC National Training Center and the show immediately but also offers Ken and Frank an opportunity to talk things over before Ken leaves. Both of them refuse the offer as it’s clear this feud between them is still ongoing; one can only question when or if it will ever end and the two brothers will find peace with each other?

“I really wanted the knockout to send a message, I saw Ludwig’s brutal ko and wanted to do the same myself but things happen I’ll be back”.

- Deigo Sanchez

Episode 10 - (Professionalism)

Week 10

The inhouse antics and training sessions have become quite boring as the only noteworthy stuff happening in the episode highlighting Charles Bennett's crazy personality as he celebrates Team Ken’s demise. The show has now become focused solely on the fights now as there is no real tension in the house besides Gilbert Melendez and Duane Ludwig being at odds with each other but instead of confronting each other about it, they decide to just avoid each other. With Ken’s team being eliminated altogether the matchmaking has been handed over to Dana White, Frank will continue to train everyone on his team but will not be cornering any of them opting to remain neutral.

THE FIGHT:

(Team Frank) Charles Bennett vs. (Team Frank) Joachim Hansen

Tape of the Tape

Age: (24) ------ (24)

Height: (5'7") ------ (5'8")

Record: (2-5) ------ (5-3)

Nickname: (Krazy Horse) ------ (N/A)

Style: (Brawler) ------ (Mixed Martail Arts)

Bennett times a well-placed knee while Hansen shoots for the takedown and just like that Charles Bennett knockouts out Joachim Hansen within 10 seconds.

No post-fight interview for Hansen as he has been rushed straight to the hospital.

Episode 11 - (Under Pressure)

Week 11

THE FIGHT:

(Team Frank) Gilbert Melendez vs. (Team Frank) Luiz Firimno

Tape of the Tape

Age: (21) ------ (19)

Height: (5'9") ------ (5'8")

Record: (7-0) ------ (7-0)

Nickname: (El Nino) ------ (N/A)

Style: (Wrestling) ------ (Brazilain Jiu-Jitsu)

Gilbert Melendez puts on yet another masterclass dominating the fight from start to finish pressuring Firmino for the entire fight using some nice dirty boxing from the clinch while never allowing the fight to get to the ground as most of the fight is with Melendez pushing Firmino against the cage while peppering him with some short sharp shots it may not be the most exciting but if it works it works as Melendez takes the decision.

“Not my best showing but I feel happy how the show went for me. I want to thank Dana White and Frank Shamrock for believing in me and I will one day fight in the UFC”.

- Luiz Firmino

Episode 12 - (The Finale)

Week 12

The finale episode of The Ultimate Fighter will see Duane Ludwig up against Charles Bennett to see who will fight Gilbert Melendez, a small rivalry starts to develop between Ludwig and Bennett as the two are showing extreme confidence while they address each other in the house.

THE FIGHT:

(Team Frank) Duane Ludwig vs. (Team Frank) Charles Bennett

Tape of the Tape

Age: (25) ------ (24)

Height: (5'11") ------ (5'7")

Record: (6-1) ------ (2-5)

Nickname: (Bang) ------ (Krazy Horse)

Style: (Muay-Thai) ------ (Brawler)

Bennett draws blood immediately by breaking Luwig’s nose with a nice looping left hook which NEARLY floors Ludwig as he staggers back to the cage Bennett closes in swinging wildly looking for the kill but Ludwig stays clam slipping most of the punches before circling out then hitting a flush roundhouse kick to the body followed by a one-two then an uppercut. Bennett responds with a BRUTAL KNEE to the body which lowers Ludwig’s guard as his poker face fails him as he shows that knee has him in some serious pain this is BAD as Bennett gets Ludwig into the Thai-clinch and is GOING WILD with knees to the body landing a total of four before Ludwig gets out and lands A FLUSH SPINNING HEEL KICK RIGHT ON THE FOREHEAD OF BENNETT WHILE BACKING OFF. DOWN GOES BENNETT!!!! GROUND AND POUND BY LUDWIG FINISHES THIS FIGHT.

A round of applause is given to both fighters as Dana White is praising the two for putting on the ‘best’ fight of the show and one of the ‘greatest’ knockouts he’s ever seen, the episode and season end with Ludwig, Melendez, Frank Shamrock, and Dana White all in a dimly lit UFC National Training center where he congratulates both fighters and announces their fight will be held later in the year most likely between September or December only on SpikeTV.

McDojoDelux · July 5, 2020

UFC 56: The Rematch

Tito Ortiz vs. Frank Shamrock II

March 2004 (Week 3)

Build-Up:

The UFC looks to get its Light-Heavyweight division back on track by sanctioning the weight classes' first championship fight in a year and a half ever since the former champion Chuck Liddell was stripped of his title after failing his post-fight drug test. After a lengthy hearing with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, the UFC finally stripped Liddell in late 2003 and now the vacant title is up for grabs at the Mandalay Bay Center Arena (Las Vegas, Nevada). Fighting for it would be the former champion and opponent of Lidell, Tito Ortiz (10-2-1NC) fighting for the first time since losing to Liddell via a 2nd round knockout at ‘UFC 47: Riot Act’ which has since been overturned to a no-contest. Ever since the loss ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ has moved base to San Jose, California joining the American Kickboxing Academy after becoming good friends with Javier Mendes when asked about Ortiz joining the team Javier said,

“Me and Tito met after his loss to Chuck [Liddell], I went to his afterparty on the night he lost mainly to wish him well but we started talking and it seemed to me like he really needed some proper coaches I offered him a spot at AKA and it's been smooth sailing ever since-”.

“One thing that really surprised me was his [Ortiz] lack of knowledge when it came to overall striking like kicks, elbows, the Muay-Thai clinch. Wrestling has of course been our the main focus for this camp but we also have been working on his kickboxing, we’ve brought over multiple kickboxing champions and I’m really happy how training is going I for one can’t wait to see that success transfer over to the octagon”.

- Javier Mendes

Frank Shamrock (22-7-2) would be Ortiz’s opponent after singing a five-fight deal to return to the promotion ever since defending the Light-Heavyweight title a record 4 going undefeated (5-0) in the UFC the last time Shamrock fought for the UFC was at ‘UFC 22: Only One Can Be Champion’ where he defeated a young Tito Ortiz in 1999’s Fight Of The Year. The bout is often referred to as MMA’s rope-a-dope as Ortiz would batter the champion in the early rounds of the fight only for Shamrock to come roaring back finishing a gassed Tito in the 4th via TKO, Shamrock in the led up told reporters while he expects a better Ortiz he also made sure to remind everyone how he lineage wise is still the UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion.

“He’s [Ortiz] is a completely different fighter from when I fought him in 1999 he’s improved vastly in all areas of his game but so have I, if he comes in thinking I’m the same fighter I was five years ago then I’ll probably finish him earlier this time around-”.

“I’ve defended the belt the most in the division's history, I’ve been undefeated for years now and when you think about it I never lost my title so lineage wise I’m still the champion. People ask me where Chuck [Liddell] or Tito [Ortiz] ever legitimate champions no they weren't they were paper champions no one has beaten me and no one will”.

- Frank Shamrock

The co-headliner would see the return of former UFC Heavyweight Champion Kevin Randleman (12-5) making his return after a brief hiatus from the sport after back to back brutal knockout losses to Randy Couture and Josh Barnett. His opponent the rising prospect Frank Mir (7-0) who has put the entire division on notice by showcasing an ever-improving stand-up game knocking-out Garry Goodridge and Pete Williams as well as showing his elite-level wrestling plus jiu-jitsu by submitting both fan favorites, Tank Abbot and Ian Freeman. Dana White had publicly promised Mir that with a win over the former champion he would receive a title-shot but as for Randleman himself, he said a win would prove he is still one of the best Heavyweights in the world and also expressed some fear of being cut if he were to go on a 3 fight skid.

“I train like a champion, I feel like a champion, all I need is to get that belt back. I’ve taken some time off to reflect on both losses and I know what needs to be done. I was winning both fights but got caught with my hands down coming forward. A win over him [Mir] not only proves I’m still able to compete at the highest level but also probably saves me from being cut, a 3 fight losing streak doesn't look good and it’ll be hard to climb back to employment if I fail to get it done”.

- Kevin Randleman

More noteworthy fights taking place on the card would be the return of a fellow former UFC champion making his way back to the octagon in Vitor Belfort (13-5) who’d take on Light-Heavyweight main staple Jerry Horn (42-8-5). Belfort found his way back to the UFC after he felt that PRIDE ‘low balled’ him in his renegotiation process and in the end decided to sign a 6-fight deal with the UFC, rounding out the card was a pair of Welterweight bouts as two prospects (Mike Swick & Mike Pyle) would take on two middle of the pack contenders (Brad Backburn & Jason Black) which rounds out the main PPV card.

PPV Fight Card:

Main-Event

Light-Heavyweight: Tito Ortiz (10-2-1NC) vs. Frank Shamrock (22-7-2)

For The Vacant UFC Light-Heavyweight

Co-Main

Heavyweight: Frank Mir (7-0) vs. Kevin Randleman (12-5)

Main-Card

Light-Heavyweight: Vitor Belfort (13-5) vs. Jeremy Horn (42-8-5)

Welterweight: Mike Swick (7-3) vs. Brad Backburn (4-1)

Welterweight: Mike Pyle (4-2) vs. Jason Black (6-3)

Smahrock Looks To Win Back "Title I Never Lost" While Ortiz Looks To Bring AKA’s First Championship Belt

All Fighters Successfully Make Weight

(MMAFighting.com)

Fight Play-By-Plays:

UFC Rules:

Title-Fights are 5rdsx5mins

Non-Title-Fights are 3rdsx5mins

Non-Title-Fight Main-Events are 3rdsx5mins

Rounds are Scored on a 10-Point Must System

All forms of Soccer Kicks are Forbidden

Knees to the Head of a Downed Opponent are illegal

Stomps to the Head of a Downed Opponent are illegal

All forms of Elbows are Legal

Vitor Belfort vs. Jeremy Horn

Tale Of The Tape

Age: (25) ------ (29)

Height: (6'1") ------ (6'0")

Record: (13-5) ------ (42-8-5)

Nickname: (The Phenom) ------ (Gumby)

Style: (Muay-Thai) ------ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)

Betting Odds: (-210) ------ (+160)

Round 1

Belfort comes out quick landing a nice leg kick then doges a counter right hook by Horn resounding with two quick hooks to the body before circling away as ‘Gumby’ is backing Belfort to the cage trying to clinch but Vitor’s slick movement doesn't allow it as ‘The Phenom’ is now starting to jab relentlessly at Horn who is continuously coming forward trying to trap Belfort. ‘The Phenom’ fakes the head kick and quickly gets Horn in a body lock then uses a trip to take him down, HORN QUICKLY GRABS THE QUOTIENT AS THEY HIT THE MAT BELFORT CAN’T GET OUT OF IT!!! HERB DEAN STEPS AS BELFORT REFUSES TO TAP!!!

A frustrated Vitor Belfort is left devastated lying on the floor of the octagon as he continually punches the mat in anger while shouting ‘I f---ed up’ before he is comforted by his cornermen in the octagon.

Official Result: Jeremy Horn def. Vitor Belfort via SUB (Q-Choke) R1 (1:25)

Kevin Randleman vs. Frank Mir

Tale Of The Tape

Age: (32) ------ (23)

Height: (5'10") ------ (6'3")

Record: (12-5) ------ (7-0)

Nickname: (The Monster) ------ (N/A)

Style: (Wrestling) ------ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)

Betting Odds: (+110) ------ (-130)

Round 1

The first 30 seconds of the fight is a game of feints as they two are staying relatively flatfooted in the center of the octagon the crowd is becoming a bit quiet due to the lack of action but that silence is broken as Randleman SNAPS Frank Mir’s HEAD BACK with a nice straight, Mir stumbles backward he COULD BE HURT but a sloppy Kevin Randleman misses two BIG SWINGING HOOKS this allows Mir to get ‘The Monster’ into a brief Muay-Thai clinch landing two knees to the body before separating. As they separate Randleman brings his left elbow down to his waist then swings a WILD ELBOW which lands FLUSH on Frank Mir’s CHIN!!! FRANK MIR FALLS HARD HE’S OUT COLD!!!

“That is it, is it all over! Kevin Randleman knockouts Frank Mir a little over a minute into the first… WOW!!!”

- Mike Goldberg

Official Result: Kevin Randleman def. Frank Mir via KO (Elbow) R1 (1:09)

Tito Ortiz vs. Frank Shamrock

UFC Light-Heavyweight Championship Bout

Tale Of The Tape

Age: (28) ------ (31)

Height: (6'2") ------ (5'10")

Record: (10-2-1NC) ------ (22-7-2)

Nickname: (The Huntington Beach Bad Boy) ------ (N/A)

Style: (Wrestling) ------ (Mixed Martial Arts)

Betting Odds: (+140) ------ (-180)

"Ladies and Gentlemen!!! THIS IS THE MAAAAAAAIIIIN EVENT OF THE EVENING!!! Sanctioned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, chairman John Bailey the three judges scoring this contest our Stanley Dale, Vincent Brook, Tim Peck, and when the action begins our referee in charge is ‘Big’ John McCarthy!!!

ANNNNNNNNNNNND NOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!

For those in attendance and UFC fans watching AROUND THE WOOOORLD!!!! This is the MOMENT you’ve ALL been WAITING FOOOOR, LIIIIIVE from the sold-out Mandalay Bay Center in LAS VEGAS, NEVEDAAAAAAA!!!!

IIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTSSSSSS TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIME!!!!

FIVE ROUNDS for the VACANT UFC Light-Heavyweight Championship of the WORLD!!!!

INTRODUCING FIRST FIGHTING!!! Out of the blue corner, this man is a Mixed Martial Artists holding a professional record of 22 wins, 7 loses, 2 draws he stands 5ft10 inches tall weighing at 205 pounds FIGHTING out of San Jose, California. He is the former UFC and Pancrase Light-Heavyweight Champion of the wooooorld!! FFFFFFRRRRRRAAAANNNK SHAMROOOOOOOOOCK!!!

AND NOW INTRODUCING HIS OPPONENT FIGHTING!!!! Out of the red corner, this man is a wrestler holding a professional record of 10 wins, 2 losses, 1 no-contest he stands 6ft2 inches tall weighing in at 205 pounds FIGHTING out of Huntington Beach, California. He is also the former UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion!!! ‘THE HUNTINGTON BEACH BAD BOY’ TITOOOOOOO OOOOORTIIIIIIIZZZZZ!!!!!"

- Bruce Buffer

Round 1

After a length introduction by Bruce Buffer the two combatants meet in the middle of the octagon as John McCarthy lays down the rules of the fight and to no one's surprise neither offers to touch gloves the noise in the Mandalay Bay Center seems to be as loud as it’s ever been.

“Tito Ortiz and Frank Shamrock, five rounds to determine the new UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion and get this Joe all four fights on the main card have all ended with a FIRST round FINISH will we see yet another? AND HERE WE GO!!!”.

- Mike Golberg

Tito jumps out the gates like a RAGING BULL charging straight at Shamrock trying to get the single leg but some great takedown defense see’s Ortiz settling to just driving Frank against the cage he tries to get off some dirty boxing in the clinch but Shamrock is again showcasing excellent defense as most strikes either miss or hit the shoulder as Shamrock escapes circling to the center of the octagon. Shamrock hits a hard one-two and lands a HEAD KICK to the right side of DOME of Ortiz he may have been a little bit staggered but Tito is able to duck the right hook of Shamrock then responding with a VENOMOUS LEFT HOOK which lands cleaning on the left side of Shamrock’s chin then hits a STINGING lead leg kick the IMPACT of that kick could be heard around the arena. Ortiz is able to get the fight into the Thai-Clinch and utilizes his right leg to get an AMAZING judo throw as he sweeps the legs on Shamrock. ORTIZ IS IN MOUNT THIS IS TROUBLE!!! Some BIG elbows cut open Frank on the top of his right eyelid as well as bloodening up his nose, it seems Shamrock is content with just surviving the early rounds much like the last time they fought. The next minute is spent in the mount with Ortiz raining down some PUNISHMENT referee John McCarthy nearly stopping the fight on multiple occasions but decides to keep it going. Shamrock is able to escape but is trapped in side-control for the remaining minute and twenty seconds of the round as Ortiz is unloading with some heavy knees to the body until the round ends.

While in his corner you can see the damage more clearly on Frank Shamrock's face the cut over his right eye is worsening and not only that the right eye is nearly shut as it’s swelling badly. He also is showcasing some bruises around his entire face and seemingly has a broken nose.

Unofficial Judges Scorecards:

Sherdog.com: 10-9 Ortiz

Eddie Bravo: 10-9 Ortiz

Random Guy (Me): 10-8 Ortiz

Round 2

Ortiz comes out looking fresh charging straight at Shamrock yet again getting immediately into the Muay-Thai clinch, Tito unloads with four straight knees to the body before getting back to work on the ground by LIFTING Frank into the air for a HARD SLAM. Shamrock GIVE UP HIS BACK but does well to prevent Tito from getting any hooks in but this leaves Ortiz kneeing Shamrock to the body as Frank’s body is almost exclusively red now. After a minute of inactivity ‘Big’ John stands both fighters up Ortiz drives a straight into Shamrock’s face then hits a nice leg kick before finishing his combination with a dirt boxing uppercut, despite being battered Shamrock starts taunting Ortiz by making some silly face at him while taunting Ortiz to hit him as Frank leaves his chin wide open in the air. Ortiz falls for Shamrock’s trap as a straight then right hook combination is ducked by Frank allowing him to land a JAW SHATTERING OVERHAND RIGHT!!! ORTIZ KNEE’S BUCKLE AS HE SPINS AROUND IN CIRCLES DAZED!!! Unfortunately with little time left Frank isn’t able to get off anything else significant to finish the job but does land a nice roundhouse kick before the bell rings.

Upon further inspection it is confirmed that Tito Ortiz indeed has a BROKEN JAW as that last shot seems too have left Ortiz on autopilot mode as he doesn't seem to be listening to Javier Mendes instructions in the corner asking for more dirty boxing and wrestling based game plan.

Unofficial Judges Scorecards:

Sherdog.com: 19-19

Eddie Bravo: 20-18 Ortiz

Random Guy (Me): 20-17 Ortiz

Round 3

The fight has taken a turn for the worst for Ortiz as he seems unable to close any type of distance as the fight is left at a long rage kickboxing match as despite holding the reach advantage Shamrock is peppering Tito with some straight punches as it seems Frank has broken Ortiz’s nose as blood is sweeping out. A minute passes as Tito is yet to throw a strike much to the displeasure of his cornermen a SPINNING BACK KICK TO THE BODY by Shamrock goes gotten Tito’s attention as his guard goes down allowing Shamrock to go upstairs with a CRUNCHING HEAD KICK!!! ORTIZ HAS BEEN FLOORED!!! Shamrock rains down some punches but Ortiz but does a great job defending in fact Shamrock can’t seem to get anything significant off on top as the referee after a minute of uneventful grappling stands them up. While standing up a hard jab lands right on the jaw on Ortiz but a misplaced head kick misses badly as Ortiz is able to get the body lock and scoop up Shamrock for a SLAM Tito gets some decent ground and pound but nothing serious as the horn rings signaling the end of an electric round the fans are on their feet here in the Mandalay Bay Center Arena.

While in his corner head coach Javier Mendes offers a battered and tired Ortiz some great advice

“You were way too top-heavy that round. Let's look for that body, I want clean effective body kicks lower his guard it’ll make it easier to grab ahold of him. We can’t make this exclusively a kickboxing match I want you to use effective roundhouse kicks when you're stuck at that long-ranged distance you're letting him push you back don’t let him push you back. He is only winning when he has you backing up. I know you're hurt and tired but so is he. Look at that cut he’s got he’s way more hurt than you! Go out there and get your belt”

-Javier Mendes

Unofficial Scorecards:

Sherdog.com: 28-29 Shamrock

Eddie Bravo: 29-28 Ortiz

Random Guy (Me): 29-27 Ortiz

Round 4

Ortiz comes out looking to push the pace with him cutting off the ring getting in Shamrock’s face Frank seemingly can’t get enough power behind his punches to get him to back up. Shamrock settles for moving around the octagon continuously feinting and kicking, at a minute into the round Ortiz checks a kick and hits a DEFLATING body kick. Tito pounces on Shamrock grabbing a hold of him then utilizing his superior strength to get a double-leg takedown against the cage. Ortiz fires off some ground & pound to the head of Shamrock but is all blocked so instead Ortiz elects to go into side-control repeatedly kneeing him in the body but doesn't do enough work to prevent John McCarthy from once again standing them up much to the displeasure of Ortiz and his corner. Shamrock is taking some deep breaths, he looks gassed and is struggling to breathe, nice roundhouse kick lands from Ortiz!!! Shamrock tries to answer back with an overhand but is CLIPPED by a one-two by Tito then gets ahold of Frank landing three straight uppercuts from the clinch before separating but while they separate Ortiz hits another nice kick to the body. Ortiz makes sure not to make this a long-ranged striking affair as he grabs a single-leg and drives Shamrock into the cage but Ortiz is also showing signs of how tried he is as Frank is able to reverse the position as the last 30 seconds of the round shows Shamrock mixing up some punches to the head, body, while also hitting a SHARP elbow which OPENS A CUT on the top of the forehead of Ortiz.

Unofficial Scorecards:

Sherdog.com: 38-38

Eddie Bravo: 39-37 Ortiz

Random Guy (Me): 39-36 Ortiz

Round 5

“Fifth and final round of what has been a bloody war so far here, who will leave with the title? Will it be Ortiz or Shamrock?”

- Mike Golberg

A tried Ortiz wants to wrestle but can’t muster the strength to get the takedown while going for a single-leg he is once again forced to drive Shamrock into the cage where he is reversed, despite the bodywork by Ortiz it seems Shamrock still has more to give here in the finale round. Frank goes for and gets a single-leg takedown with little resistance by Ortiz, FRANK SHAMROCK HAS FULL MOUNT!!! BIG PUNCHES FROM THE TOP BY SHAMROCK!!!! Ortiz is in some serious trouble he is doing enough to not have the fight called off but can’t escape FULL MOUNT!!! MORE BRUTAL GROUND AND POUND pursues before Shamrock LOCKS IN AN ARMBAR!!! IT’S DEEP very, very DEEP!!! But Ortiz REFUSES to tap and luckily for him he finds a way to escape and end up on TOP of Shamrock. Ortiz doesn't do much though as he seems content with just staying in half-guard throwing punches to the body, Shamrock attempts to hold Ortiz down to get the ref to stand up the fight which he does with only a minute left in the bout. Shamrock lands a clean five punch combination starting with a straight which leads to a cross then two hooks and a roundhouse kick to the body, Ortiz is able to fire back with a sloppy overhand which lands behind the right ear of Shamrock!!! Finale 10 seconds of the fight consists of the two throwings heat at the wind as the horn sounds signaling the end of what has been a fantastic fight.

Unofficial Scorecards:

Sherdog.com: 48-47 Shamrock

Eddie Bravo: 48-47 Ortiz

Random Guy (Me): 48-46 Ortiz

“Wooooooooooow!!! What an amazing fight, that third and fifth rounds are some of the greatest rounds of Mixed Martial Arts you will ever see”.

- Joe Rogan

“I agree with you on that Joe, these two warriors left it all inside the octagon in what has been another fantastic display of Mixed Martial Arts. But the decision is in and here is Bruce Buffer!”

- Mike Golberg

“Ladies and Gentlemen!!! After FIVE rounds we go to the judge's scorecards for a decision,

ALL THREE JUDGES SCORE THIS CONTEST 48-47!!!

To the winner by Unanimous Decision and NOOOOOOW, the NEW Undisputed UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion OOOOOOOF the WOOOOOORRRLD!!!

“The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” TITOOOOO ORRRRRTIIIIIIIIZZZZZZZ!!!!"

- Bruce Buffer

Main-Card Result:

Main-Event

Tito Ortiz def. Frank Shamrock via UD (48-47x3)

Ortiz Wins Vacant UFC Light-Heavyweight Title

Co-Main

Kevin Randleman def. Frank Mir via KO (Elbow) (R1 - 1:09)

Main-Card

Jeremy Horn def. Vitor Belfort via SUB (Q-Choke) (R1 - 1:25)

Mike Swick def. Brad Blackburn via TKO (R1 - 4:57)

Mike Pyle def. Jason Black via SUB (RNC) (R1 - 3:09)

Ortiz Regains Championship In Another Instant Classic Against Frank Shamrock

(Blurcat.com)

Post-Fight Press Conference:

Ortiz is quick to call out Chuck Liddell during his interview with Joe Rogan inside the octagon shouting out ‘he can’t beat me’ calling him a ‘dirty cheater’, a sentiment he maintained throughout his post-fight press conference but also remained open to a possible third fight with Frank Shamrock wanting to prove once and for all who the ‘best Light-Heavyweight in the world is’ as he wanted a more 'definitive victory'.

Shamrock remained respectful throughout his interview with Joe Rogan but also lamented how he was in ‘disbelief’ as he thought he ‘for sure won that fight’ but he congratulated Ortiz for the victory but finished his interview with ‘see you in the trilogy, you mouthy mother-----’. UFC president Dana White agreed with Shamrock and was stunned Tito Ortiz got the nod tonight,

“I thought Shamrock clearly won rounds two, three, and five! You see the amount of damage he did during those rounds? Fighting is about who can hurt and damage the other the most and that's what Frank Shamrock did, but I’ve said it many times before NEVER leave it in the hands of the judges-”.

- Dana White

When asked about a third fight to complete the trilogy White seemed ‘open’ to the idea but also announced the return of former Champion Chuck Liddell at the post-fight presser,

“I’m open to a trilogy it makes sense but we gotta see how everything plays out first, I do have a big announcement though and that is Chuck Liddell will make his return to the octagon against former Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture the bout has been verbally signed it will be at Light-Heavyweight and the date plus locations are yet to be determined”.

- Dana White

Despite the headlines focusing on White, Ortiz, and Shamrock most of the fans attention turned to Kevin Randleman as he gave a very emotional presser discussing fear and overcoming adversity,

"I didn't want to admit this but I was so scared coming out there tonight.... I was so scared this would be my last fight and I'd be left behind with nothing, I've given this sport everything I have and I knew a loss tonight would mean the end..... I could barley move backstage, I didn't warm up I was just so shell shocked I couldn't do anything. But my coaches..... They told me they believed in me, all my family friends come out here to support me tonight..... I'm just blessed.... I just wanna thank all of them and of course god for helping me through tonight..... I wanna dedicate this victory to everyone struggling to overcome their own fears trying to overcome their own adversity, I just wanna say your not alone were all here for you.... We all love you.... Just don't give up..... Thank you guys for coming out tonight...."

- Kevin Randleman

"Frank Shamrock won that fight", "Were Defiantly Open To A trilogy" - Dana White

(Sherdog.com)

McDojoDelux · July 6, 2020

<div style="text-align:center;">A WEC Story: Chael Sonnen

How To Be A Bad Guy 101

Timeline: March-December (2004)

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Origins:

(The Making Of The Bad Guy)

Chael Sonnen often referred by his nickname ‘The American Gangster’ was one of the first MMA personalities within the sport this came after watching WEC shows continuously bomb putting the promotion on the brink of bankruptcy with the promoter Weed Harris describing the early WEC years as ‘dreadful’,

“We were losing money every night, we barely could sell out an area meant for 100 people it was embarrassing quite frankly and on top of that a lot of the fights we put on were boring”.

- Weed Harris

Sonnen was amongst an array of WEC fighters who had their jobs at risk as the WEC had recently cut it’s Featherweight and Batmanweight division leaving only Lightweight and Middleweight left. By the year 2004 rolled around Chael Sonnen looked at the overall landscape of MMA and thought to himself about what it lacked which he came to the conclusion that the MMA world needed a good ‘heel’ or ‘bad guy’ as he’s often dubbed as. From that point onwards Sonnen dubbed a very pro-wrestling personality often compared to wrestlers like Ric Flair and other flashy big mouth wrestlers which were a stark contrast to his relatively quiet and respectful demeanor.

Having a Greco-Roman base background competing in NCAA Division 1 Wrestling (Greco-Roman) Sonnen first found out about martial arts through old VHS tapes when he bought an old tape of ‘UFC 1: The Beginning’, Sonnen instantly fell in love with the sport and started training at Team Quest alongside fellow teammates such as Dan Henderson and Matt Lindland making his professional debut in 1997 now in the year 2004 Chael holds a record of (8-3) with his only notable fight being his 2nd ever bout against Rich ‘Ace’ Franklin which he lost in 35 seconds via TKO in a regional promotion. Sonnen would take that brutal loss and run with it on his goal to eventually become a world Champion in a reconsigned MMA promotion stating his main motivation being his father,

“When my dad died the last thing I ever said to him, I said to him I’m going to beat Tito Ortiz and Imma win a world championship”.

- Chael Sonnen

(via an exclusive Blurcat interview)

The Rise of The Bad Guy

WEC 16

March 2004 (Week 4)

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Chael's first fight in 2004 would be against the very respected Denis Khang (6-1) skilled in every aspect of Martial Arts as well as training at the very respected Tristar Gym the betting odds had Kang at a (-500) favorite and Sonnen as the (+350) underdog. The headliner for WEC 16 would be a Lightweight Championship bout with Champion Blake ‘The Snake’ Fredrickson (5-2) one of the first Canadian Champions in a nationally recognized MMA promotion (Fredrickson like Khang also trained at Tristar Gym) his opponent would be the Bart Palaszewski (5-3) both had kickboxing backgrounds plus were also very skilled around. Sonnen's fight against Kang was originally the first fight on the main-card but after an array of fighters pulled out due to injury Chael’s fight was moved to the co-main which prompted Sonnen to up the anti and for the first time showed off his pro-wrestling persona. While a little rough around the edges at times Sonnen let an array of verbal insults fly mainly keeping it lighthearted talking about how ‘ugly’ he is as well as saying he ‘sucks’ and is ‘boring’ while it seemed Sonnen’s trash talk seemed to be nothing more than schoolyard name-calling a particular line by Chael seemed to have struck a nerve as when reporters asked Sonnen what he made of Kang’s comments when Dennis said ‘Chael is only using his mouth because he knows he can’t cash any checks because of his skill as a fighter’ at a WEC press conference a week before the fight he said.

“Kang keeps on saying I’m using my mouth to make my money. The only person I’ve ever known who uses their mouth to make their money is his wife”.

- Chael Sonnen

That line right their immediately angered Khang who wanted to fight Sonnen right then and there as a brawl nearly started on stage as both fighters were dragged away from each other and more security was added which was never really required at a WEC event before but the California Athletic State Commission saw a real threat of a fight breaking out before both fighters even got inside the octagon. The event took place at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino (Lemoore, California) the last show the WEC held there got 109 people in attendance this time around over 1000 people were in attendance for tonight's show as the event saw a spike in tickets ever since the near fight on stage was picked up by multiple sports talk shows. While most pundits bashed the foul taste of Sonnen’s comments with some saying this proves the MMA is nothing more than ‘human c--- fighting’ the publicity helped immensely as many were eager to see if Sonnen could back up his words as before leaving the stage Chael yelled out the location and date of the fight before leaving.

As for how the fight itself went it was a pretty typical Chael performance constantly coming forward dictating the pace of the fight looking to pressure grapple with his opponent either hitting them with some dirty boxing on the feet or mash them up on the ground. Khang made the mistake of constantly coming forward himself and throwing everything into every strike looking to take Chael’s head off and while he did clip Chael a few times he eventually gassed out halfway through the first, that’s when Sonnen took him down then rained down some brutal ground and pound to finish the fight in the 1st round (4:51).

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Who? What? When? Where? And Why?:

(Perfecting the Persona)

Over the next few months, Chael became the talk of the MMA world as he perfected his craft as his verbal jabs started to become more well crafted, thought out, and even funny at times which was what most of his early attempts lacked. Due to his spike in popularity, Sonnen would find himself headlining every single WEC show he was on and for good reason as quite simply who better to promote than the bad guy? Sonnen would headline WEC 18 (August), as well as WEC 19 on short notice (September) winning both bouts against in dominating wrestling clinics his performance in the main event against the former WEC Champion Ivan Salaverry (6-2-1NC) at WEC 19, was very noteworthy as Salaverry was in the first WEC show becoming the first WEC Middleweight Champion in the division's history.

The fight with Salaverry would end with a 5th round submission (RNC) earning himself a title shot against the current WEC Middleweight Champion Young Choi (5-7), in his post-fight interview Sonnen kept up his persona with an array on insults.

“Young Choi, you're 6ft tall and before I met you I never knew they could pile crap that high! If you were standing in front of me right now I’d throw my boot at your big forehead, and you better have it polished when you bring it back to me. You really think you're the best Middleweight in the world? Well, I got some advice for you stop eating hard-boiled eggs and doing push-ups because it’s affecting your realm of reality. If I beat you you'll leave the WEC forever, you beat me? And I will leave Mixed Martial Arts forever”.

- Chael Sonnen

(Via a Post-Fight Interview)

That post-fight interview would inspire a lot of pro-wrestling type promos that captured as the interview gained the attention of fans around the world as many were eager to see if Sonnen was serious about a possible retirement if he lost. While many wanted nothing more than to see Sonnen pay for his words many were also curious to see with a win if he’d eventually sign with a bigger promotion like PRIDE or the UFC? As he had 2-fights left on his exclusive contract with the WEC.

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WEC Signs Exclusive TV-Deal With MTV

September 2004 (Week 2)

(MMAFighting.com)

Due to their rise in popularity in recent months, the WEC will now have their shows exclusively broadcasted on MTV. Mainly credited Sonnen for the WEC securing a reconsigned TV-Deal as out of a four shows the WEC had run-up to September ‘The Bad Guy’ had headlined two of them including a back to back headliner, the deal with MTV would mainly see WEC shows broadcasted on their 2nd channel MTV2 but with the most recent show being headlined by Sonnen fighting against Young Choi for the WEC Middleweight strap at WEC 20 it would be broadcasted on their main channel.

The promotion exclusively centered around Sonnen making it pretty clear who the WEC and MTV executives wanted to win. But still, the question remained who is Young Choi?

Young Choi born out of Kansai, South Korea has a background in Shooto but only used it to defend against other forms of wrestling, preferring to stand and trade with his opponents than wrestle. Always coming forward like a zombie, one of Choi’s most underrated aspects of his game is his accuracy while not packing the most power behind his punches. Choi is a very calculated striker with both his hands and feet, but despite his Shooto wrestling background, he struggles with any elite wrestlers who have wrestling based background credentials, something Sonnen had wrestling in Division 1 Greco-Roman. Also like mentioned before while he is an accurate striker he doesn't really have much if any power in his hands with only one finish in his career, those in the know like Joe Rogan, Bas Rutten, and many others knew Choi wasn’t a pushover but Sonnen still had the style to beat him nonetheless. On top of that, the WEC Middleweight belt has never been defended in the history of the division as the belt ever since it’s a creation has been a hot potato jumping from differing fighter to fighter.

WEC 20: Choi vs Sonnen

2004 November (Week 1)

WEC Rules:

Title-Fights are 5rdsx5mins

Non-Title-Fights are 3rdsx5mins

Non-Title-Fight Main-Events are 5rdsx5mins

Rounds are Scored on a 10-Point Must System

All forms of Soccer Kicks are Forbidden

Knees to the Head of a Downed Opponent are illegal

Stomps to the Head of a Downed Opponent are illegal

All forms of Elbows are Legal

(CHAMP) Young Choi vs. Chael Sonnen

WEC Middleweight Championship Bout

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Tale Of The Tape

Age: (27) ------ (27)

Height: (6'0") ------ (6'1")

Record: (5-7) ------ (11-3)

Nickname: (N/A) ------ (The American Gangster)

Style: (Shooto) ------ (Greco-Roman)

Betting Odds: (+430) ------ (-550)

Round 1

Choi starts the fight off with a jab then straight finishing his combination with a leg kick SONNEN LEG BUCKLES A LITTLE that leg kick seemed to have done more damage than intended as Choi comes in for the FINISH. An overhand that lands on the right dome of Sonnen’s head forcing ‘The Bad Guy’ to go on the RETREAT!!! Choi hits three leg kicks before going upstairs with a right hook then uppercut, which is flowed by a spinning kick to the body. The first two minutes have been a disaster for Sonnen as he is getting brutalized on the feet as he is uncharacteristically on the backfoot only offering a few flick jabs while backing off which often have no real power behind them. Sonnen finally starts coming forward, meeting Choi in the center of the octagon Choi misses a straight then goes for a roundhouse kick BUT SONNEN GRABS THE LEG!!! Chael easily takes Choi down to the ground for his first successful takedown of the fight. Sonnen starts getting to work with his high-level constant ground and pound throwing punches whenever and wherever he can, Choi is able to get to the cage and make his way back to his feet but Sonnen simply gets the body lock and easily SLAMS Choi back to the ground. Some short hammer fists by Sonnen open a cut under Choi’s left eye as Sonnen keeps Choi on the ground for the remaining minute of the ground after a very close round.

Unofficial Scorecards:

Sherdog: 10-9 Sonnen

MMAFighting: 10-9 Sonnen

Random Guy (Me): 10-9 Choi

Round 2

Sonnen seems to have regained his confidence after finishing the first round strong, constantly coming forward grabbing hold of Choi a couple of times getting some dirty boxing from the clinch off. Choi, not to be outdone, is still constantly landing an array of leg kicks which are really starting to bother Sonnen but it doesn't don’t stop him from coming forward constantly. Choi on the backfoot is able to hit a nice double jab than an uppercut but Sonnen responds with a straight that hits Choi DIRECTLY in the nose and it starts BLEEDING BADLY it could very well be BROKEN. This allows Sonnen to trap Choi against the cage as he can’t circle out as Sonnen finally is able to grab and drive Choi to the cage landing two knees before getting a double-leg takedown. The rest of the round is spent with Sonnen on top as some serious bruising under Choi’s left eye is starting to develop as it’s nearly completely shut after some more short hammer fists from Sonnen.

Unofficial Scorecard:

Sherdog: 20-18 Sonnen

MMAFighting: 20-18 Sonnen

Random Guy (Me) 19-19

Round 3

Choi fakes the leg kick going upstairs with QUESTION MARK KICK which catches Sonnen RIGHT BEHIND THE EAR!! SONNEN GOES DOWN BUT CATCHES HIMSELF WITH HIS HANDS, Sonnen quickly pops up but is met with a CLEAN STRAIGHT!!! SONNEN IS DOWN AGAIN, now it's Choi launching HAMMER FISTS from the top trying to FINISH SONNEN. After 10 seconds of Sonnen taking a beating referee Steve Mazzagatti STEPS IN ITS OVER!!!!

And just like that Young Choi becomes the first WEC Middleweight Champion to have a successful title defense, the two fighters embrace each other inside the octagon as it seems the two have squashed this little beef between them which is a beautiful thing to see.

Official Result: Young Choi def. Chael Sonnen via TKO (Kick & Punches) (R3 - 0:39)

Choi retains WEC Middleweight Championship

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Despite the loss, Sonnen took it straight on the chin giving respect to Choi but also not apologizing for any he said, even with the loss and Sonnen’s stock taking a hit ‘The American Gangsters’ 2004 was not yet over as he would also headline WEC 21 in a rematch against Dennis Khang in December (Week 4) on short notice Sonnen would win yet again winning all five rounds dominating the fight with ruthless ground and pound on his way to a unanimous decision (50-45x3). With his contract, Sonnen and promoter Reed Harris met backstage to discuss contract renovation but instead Sonnen was told some devastating news,

“We’ll be closing our Middleweight division”.

- Reed Harris

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WEC Cut Middleweight Division, Reintroduction Featherweight, and Batmanweight

December 2004 (Week 4)

(Blurcat.com)

In some shocking news, the WEC has decided that Cheal Sonnen’s rematch against Dennis Kang at WEC 21 would be the last Middleweight fight that’ll ever be sanctioned under the promotion's banner cutting 38 fighters on their roster much to the surprise of the MMA world. Reed Harris post-fight gave the announcement saying,

“I feel the Middleweight division has run its course here, we’ve had many memories with many fighters and I’m thankful for every Middleweight that fought here but it’s time for something new. I’ve got big plans for the future of the WEC and can’t wait to announce them in the near future”

- Reed Harris

(Post-Fight Interview)

With 38 news Middleweights looking for a new employer most migrated over to the UFC, PRIDE, or some smaller organization. Harris also announced the return of the Featherweight and Batmanweight as it seems the WEC is going to be more focused on the lighter-weight classes for the future. As for what happened to Chael Sonnen he signed with the UFC on December 2004 (Week 4) he would make his debut at UFC 74 in the near future as for who was opponent and we got to that date it’ll be another tale for another time but for those wondering how Chael Sonnen felt about WEC closing the Middleweight division he gave a very insightful interview with a relatively unknown reporter called Ariel Helwani,

“It felt like a knife to the heart it really did, I felt I did so much to keep that division afloat, and quite frankly if it weren't for me would they have really got that TV-Deal with MTV? But I understand why Reed [Harris] did it, he told me ‘Chael I know you're either going to PRIDE of the UFC and with you gone the entire division is basically gone too’. I understood that and trust me I probably was gonna leave for a bigger promotion but to cut 38 men out of their jobs it was….. Sad to see it really is”.

- Chael Sonnen

(Via a one-on-one interview w/ Ariel Helwani)

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Sonnen Signs 6-Fight Deal With The UFC, "I'm Happy To Be Apart Of The Greatest MMA Promotion In The World"

December 2004 (Week 4)

(UFC.com)</div>

McDojoDelux · July 16, 2020

MMA Rivalries

Pedro Rizzo vs. Josh Barnett

Timeline: (June 2002 Week 1 - June 2004 Week 3)

Backstory:

One of the first great trilogies in the history of MMA started on the evening of June 2002 in Denver, Colorado ‘UFC 42: The Fierce’ as the co-main event would see Josh Barnett and Pedro Rizzo in a title-eliminator. Barnett at the time held a record of (9-1) his only loss being to former-champion Kevin Randleman, but is recently coming off a 2nd round submission win (kimura) against Maurice Smith. Training both Judo and Kickboxing since highschool ‘The Babyface Assassin’ is one of the first well rounded Heavyweights able to compete wherever the fight goes with respectable stand-up having skills with both his hands and feet as well as an accomplished background in wrestling but his best weapon however, would undoubtedly be his Muay-Thai clinch holding 4 brutal knockouts via knees from the clinch in his pro-career. Meanwhile the Brazilain Pedro Rizzo (10-2) was in his own right also well-rounded Heavyweight known for throwing everything with fight-ending intentions Rizzo is mostly feared for his stinging leg kicks that have left many opponents hobbled. Pedro is also very diffcult to get to the mat plus being a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu he might just tap out anyone who takes him to the ground in the first place that being said Rizzo has struggled immensely within the clinch as many have found success by following a game plan centerd around dirty boxing. As for weaknesses from Barnett’s side, it’s hard to say with him being skilled everywhere as well as having an iron chin but if the Randleman fight showed anything is that Barnett’s struggles on the backfoot but does Rizzo have the gas tank to back down Barnett? It was no surprise when the betting lines where released it was a pick em at (-110) each.

UFC 42: ‘The Fierce’

Josh Barnett vs. Pedro Rizzo I

2002 June Week 1

co-main event

UFC Rules:

Title-Fights are 5rdsx5mins

Non-Title-Fights are 3rdsx5mins

Non-Title-Fight Main-Events are 3rdsx5mins

Rounds are Scored on a 10-Point Must System

All forms of Soccer Kicks are Forbidden

Knees to the Head of a Downed Opponent are illegal

Stomps to the Head of a Downed Opponent are illegal

All forms of Elbows are Legal

Tale Of The Tape

Age: (23) ------ (28)

Height: (6'3") ------ (6'1")

Record: (9-1) ------ (10-2)

Nickname: (The Baby Faced Assassin) ------ (N/A)

Style: (Catch-Wrestling) ------ (Muay-Thai)

Betting Odds: (-110) ------ (-110)

Round 1

Rizzo wants to establish leg kicks early on but all of his attempts are getting checked but by the 3rd attempted kick which is again checked Barnett is able to connect with a straight right which is followed by a one-two then hook to the body. Rizzo tries a roundhouse kick but IT’S CAUGHT this leads to a BIG SLAM as Barnett easily gets Rizzo to the mat, the next two minutes of the fight see’s Barnett getting off some decent ground and pound but Rizzo is able to get to the cage using it to try and get up but the remainder of the round see’s Rizzo stuck against the cage as 'The Baby Faced Assasin' hits some nice knees to the body and a SHARP elbow which opens a SMALL CUT above the right eye of Pedro Rizzo.

Round 2

Pedro Rizzo starts the round by using some INTENSE blitzing rushing in to try and clip Barnett with a fight ending hook, this change in strategy is working so far as Rizzo lands a one-two then straight followed by a roundhouse kick. Now worried about the blitzing Barnett is keeping his hands up high focusing on the punches more than anything allowing the Brazlain to start unloading some leg kicks one BUCKLES and nearly causes Barnett TO FALL but he is still standing barley. Another blitzes see’s two looping hooks land CLEAN on the chin of Barnett but 'The Baby Faced Assasin' is able to drag Rizzo into the clinch where Barnett lands a BIG KNEE to the head which makes Rizzo cut go from a small one to a BIG one as the cut now reaches his nose. This causes Rizzo to up the aninty looking to finish this fight before the round ends fearing a possible doctor's stoppage, putting EVERYTHING into every punch Barnett is able to slip away from 3 punches before launching a counter straight right but Pedro ducks and CLOCKS Barnett with a HUGE HOOK!!! BARNETT IS ON SOME RUBBERY LEGS!!!! Rizzo TRAPS Barnett against the cage unleashing an array of hooks and knees after 20 seconds of Barnett just covering up against the cage absorbing every strike referee John McCarthy STOPS THE FIGHT!!!!

Official Result: Pedro Rizzo TKOs. Josh Barnett (R2 - 3:19)

Despite Rizzo being 1-2 in his last 3 fights only being on a 1 fight win streak with such a shallow Heavyweight division Pedro Rizzo was granted a title-shot against Randy Couture in which he won a dominate unanimous decision as well as getting a title defense under his belt against Dutch Kickboxer Semmy Schilt with a 2nd round submission (rear-naked choke) victory. Barnett meanwhile rebounded with a fight of the night win against Kevin Randleman via a unanimous decision, the two would meet again at ‘UFC 53: On The Edge’ both took the fight on short notice after both the main and co-main event for the event were caned due to injuries, in a scramble to keep the event alive the UFC decided to throw a ton of money towards the UFC Heavyweight Champion and the only Heavyweight contender willing to take the fight Josh Barnett.

UFC 53: 'On The Edge'

(CHAMP) Pedro Rizzo vs. Josh Barnett II

2003 October Week 3

Main-Event

Tale Of The Tape

Age: (29) ------ (24)

Height: (6'1") ------ (6'3")

Record: (12-2) ------ (10-2)

Nickname: (N/A) ------ (The Baby Faced Assassin)

Style: (Muay-Thai) ------ (Catch-Wrestling)

Betting Odds: (-200) ------ (+180)[/img]

Round 1

Rizzo is moving around the octagon with the agility of a Middleweight as he continuously circles around Barnett who is looking to mostly just pot shot with single jabs and straights but he can’t land anything clean as Rizzo slips away. Pedro once again uses heavy blitzes practically running at Barnett this time using dynamic angles which help generate more power behind his punches this is evident as the first blitz combination PUTS BARNETT DOWN!! Rizzo fails to follow up with ground strikes however, as Barnett successfully defends himself before Rizzo decides to disengage getting the fight back to its feet. The rest of the round follows the same exact formula with Barnett looking to just pot shot landing straight punches while Rizzo uses A LOT of energy wanting to finish this fight following up with some nice blitz combinations and feints.

Round 2

Rizzo is COMPLETELY GASSED as his strategy of bulldozing over Barnett has failed him which leads to a ROUGHT 2nd round as his big swings are hitting nothing but air as Barnett single pot shots are starting to STING now!!! A one-two STAGGERS THE CHAMPION which is followed with a quick knee to the body before Barnett launches a right hook which CLIPS Rizzo behind the ear which causes Rizzo to FALL!!! While Barnett can’t finish the fight immediately with ground and pound he eventually gets side control then unloads with some VICIOUS ELBOWS before the fight is called off!!!

Official Result: Josh Barnett TKOs. Pedro Rizzo (R2 - 2:26)

Josh Barnett Wins UFC Heavyweight Championship

During the post-fight presser Barnett admitted to taking it slow wanting to only unload with heavy shots and clinch up in the later rounds as with such a short notice camp didn’t want to gass out early. Rizzo on the other hand admitted to wanting a quick finish but remained respectful while also campaigning for a third fight, which UFC president Dana White happily granted thinking it was only ‘fair’ to set-up the third fight as both took to bout on short notice. This would be the first ever trilogy in UFC history but that would be the only real piece of promotional material going into the bout as the two remained respectful towards each electing to focus on training more than the promotion build-up.

UFC 59: 'Heavyweight Trilogy'

(CHAMP) Josh Barnett vs. Pedro Rizzo III

June 2004 Week 3

Main-Event

Tale Of The Tape

Age: (25) ------ (30)

Height: (6'3") ------ (6'1")

Record: (11-2) ------ (12-3)

Nickname: (The Baby Faced Assassin) ------ (N/A)

Style: (Catch-Wrestling) ------ (Muay-Thai)

Betting Odds: (-230) ------ (+180)

Round 1

Referee Mario Yamaskai signals the start of the fight as the two meet in the middle as Rizzo begins to feint bobbing and weaving looking to find an opening Barnett looks to replicate the same performance he gave in the 2nd fight wanting to pot shot early and explode later on. Rizzo establishes some solid leg kicks which were largely absent the last time they fought with Rizzo starting to gain momentum it opens up some opportunities for some decent punches to be landed but most of them that are thrown by the former-champion are partially blocked negating some of the power behind them. Barnett meanwhile keeps jabbing away causing some redness around the nose of Rizzo but doesn't want to commit too early in fear of leaving himself exposed. A minute is left in the round as Rizzo lands 3 consecutive leg kicks before launching an overhand which misses some awkward footing by Rizzo while launching that punch is just the opening that Barnett was looking for as he gets a hold then drives him against the cage unloading some nasty dirty boxing before the round ends.

Round 2

Barnett is sensing Rizzo is starting to slow down throwing his first hook of the fight which lands cleanly but Rizzo responds with his own hook then follows up with a THUDDING one-two which is finished with a leg kick. Rizzo then goes to the body with a hook then upstairs with an uppercut which misses allowing Barnett to counter with a straight, Barnett gets a hold of the left leg of Rizzo looking for the TAKEDOWN but fails. Settling to just driving Rizzo against the cage Barnett gets to work with his highly respected Muay-Thai clinch with 3 solid knees to the body, Rizzo tries to POWER out of it but is stuck this is really BAD. Some short uppercuts are WOBBLING RIZZO!!! HE NEARLY FALLS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS!!! BIG KNEE TO THE FACE TURNS RIZZO LIGHTS OUT THAT IS IT!!!!

Official Result: Josh Barnett KOs. Pedro Rizzo (R2 - 3:55)

Josh Barnett Retains UFC Heavyweight Championship

Despite losing the trilogy and his path back to the title being harder than it ever was before Pedro Rizzo was surprisingly upbeat about the loss taking it as a true Mixed Martial Artists should,

“It was an honor to be a part of a trilogy of fights with him [Josh Barnett], when people look back at the history of MMA my name will be alongside him for eternity which is incredible to me. I'm happy just to be here and of course I'm disappointed but I'm not gonna let that get me down congrats to [Josh] Barnett, I'll just get back on the horse and I'll see what happens”.

- Pedro Rizzo

As for Josh Barnett, he was aiming for another trilogy fight this time against Kevin Randleman saying he was ‘impressed’ by Randleman's knockout win over Frank Mir as for where this trilogy of fights will stack up against the ones in the future is yet to be seen but what is certain is the names Pedro Rizzo and Josh Barnett will forever be ingrained in the history of the UFC’s Heavyweight division.

McDojoDelux · July 18, 2020

PRIDE 38:

Guy Mezger vs. Wanderlei Silva II

June 2004 (Week 4)

Build-Up:

It had been two years since Guy Mezger (30-10-2) defeated Wandleri Silva (15-4) via TKO in the 1st round at PRIDE 19: Mezger vs. Silva (December 2001) the event has since gone down as one of the all-time greatest moments in the history of the sport. But to say Wanderlei didn’t take the loss very well would be a gigantic understatement. After his defeat at the hands of Mezger, Wanderlei Silva has called the PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Champion every name and swear word under the sun but in all fairness, Mezger wasn’t exactly humble after his victory over Silva despite being relatively tame during the post-fight press conference Mezger has seemingly started to buy into his own hype as the ‘greatest’ fighter in the world in the eyes of the fans.

“I’m not scared of him [Wanderlei Silva], I’ve beaten him by stoppage before in the first round it wasn’t a challenge at all he didn’t have any technique or power so its a very favorable match-up for me. If people thought my first victory over him was impressive they better strap in this time around, when [Nobuyuki] Sakakibara asked me who do you want to fight next? I said I wanted the easiest fight in the entire PRIDE roster I want Wandleri Silva”.

- Guy Mezger

‘The Axe Murder’ would of course respond with fire and fury calling his TKO loss to Mezger a ‘punch from the gods’ in other terms saying it was a ‘fluke’. Looking past the nuclear level of animosity between the two both have looked unbeatable for the past two years as Silva has started to utilize more feints and his deadly Muay-Thai clinch as before Silva’s style could best be described as a raging bull looking to just swing caution to the wind with no thought of defense whatsoever. Mezger meanwhile has been adding multiple legendary names to the list of opponents he’s beaten adding ‘The Gracie Hunter’ Kazushi Sakuraba, Masakatsi Funaki (x2), Tito Ortiz, Royce and Renzo Gracie as well as the previously named Wanderlei Silva.

The co-main would see the PRIDE Heavyweight champion Antonio Nogueira (12-0) fighting against a notorious lay and pray wrestler Ricco Rodriguez (18-2) who due to his extremely boring style had been blacklisted by many MMA organizations most notably the UFC. Reports surfaced that Rodriguez was starting to become ‘frustrated’ by being consistently snubbed in title-fights due to his style as less deserving but more entertaining fighters were given title-shots over him but after a split decision win over Viktor Belfort in a boring wrestling clinch fight he simply couldn’t be passed over anymore. The rest of the main-card was rounded out with Heavyweight bouts as Dutch Mauy-Thai expert and former RINGS Heavyweight Champion Gilbert Yvel (23-7) is taking on American ground and pounder wrestler Tom Erikson (13-3-1). Fellow loudmouth American wrestler Jeff Monson known for his vicious slams and constant in your face pace fights hometown Japanese kickboxing hero Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (21-14-1). The opening bout of the main-card would see a rising star with a background in sambo wrestling who also had a surprising amount of power behind his hands the Russian Sergei Kharitonov (7-2) set to take on the veteran Valentijn Overeem (14-9) older borther to Alistair Overeem.

Main-Card Fights:

Main-Event

Light-Heavyweight: (CHAMP) Guy Mezger (30-10-2) vs. Wanderlei Silva (15-4)

PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Championship Bout

Guy Mezger’s 3rd Attempted Defense

Co-Main

Heavyweight: (CHAMP) Antonio Nogueira (12-0) vs. Ricco Rodriguez (18-2)

PRIDE Heavyweight Championship Bout

Nogueira’s 2nd Attempted Defense

Main-Card

Heavyweight: Gilbert Yvel (23-7) vs. Tom Erikson (13-3-1)

Heavyweight: Jeff Monson (11-3) vs. Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (21-14-1)

Heavyweight: Sergei Kharitonov (7-2) vs. Valentijn Overeem (14-9).

Wanderlei Looks To ‘End’ The ‘Disgraceful’ Title Reign Of Guy Mezger

(Blurcat.com) + All Fighters Successfully Make Weight

Fight Play-By-Plays:

Pride Rules:

RD 1 (10 Mins) / RD 2 (5 Mins then decision)

All Types of Soccer Kicks Allowed

Elbows & Footstomps are Illegal

(CHAMP) Antonio Nogueira vs. Ricco Rodriguez

PRIDE Heavyweight Championship Bout

Tape Of The Tape

Age: (28) ------ (26)

Height: (6'3") ------ (6'3")

Record: (12-0) ------ (18-2)

Nickname: ('Big Nog') ------ ('Suave')

Style: (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu+Kickboxing) ------ (Wrestler)

Betting Odds: (-400) ------ (+350)

Round 1

Rodriguez was angling to grapple but ‘Big Nog’ takes the initiative coming in fast with with three quick punches starting with a straight then hook before ending it with an uppercut, Nogueira isn’t done yet as he is showing some excellent kickboxing landing a one-two then a glancing head kick. It is clear to see Nogueira has been working on his kickboxing this camp wanting to exploit Ricco Rodriguez amateurish stand up as once again ‘Big Nog’ drives a right straight straight into the face of Rodriguez then rips the body with a hook and roundhouse kick. Despite outstriking Rodriguez BADLY, Nogueira is constantly on the back foot not wanting to get too close so Ricco can grapple a move which is encouraged by his corner wanting Nogueira to finish him on the feet. Rodriguez is like a zombie taking these shots constantly coming forward only occasionally jabbing mostly looking to clinch, a nice jab clips Nogueira then Rodgriuez dives and grabs the left leg of 'Big Nog' but an excellent scramble by Nogueira separates the two. Rodgriuez hits another jab and again dives for the takedown it's stuffed he is then countered with a jab then hook, Noguiera is really feeling himself on the feet landing a roundhouse kick then WOWS the crowd with a back fists which OPENS UP a huge cut near the hairline on the right side of Rodriguez's head. The blood is POURING out like a WATERFALL things only get WORSE for Rodriguez as Noguiera is putting in some punches in bunches with an array of straights and hooks while also getting in a good few kicks in as well now Rodriguez is on the RETREAT for the first time this fight HE’S UP AGAINST THE ROPES. A jab hits home for Nogueira then four more punches find Rodriguez chin this leave ‘Big Nogs’ guard by the side of his waist as Rodriguez THROWS EVERYTHING into a left overhand which lands DIRECTLY on the CHIN of Nogueira, HE STUMBLES while backing off he is still standing BUT is on some RUBBERY LEGS. Nogueira tries to responds with a hook which is ducked and its a DOUBLE-LEG TAKEDOWN for Rodriguez.

“This is what he wanted to do since the start but with only two minutes left in the round can he do enough to win the round or possibly end the fight here that cut could end the fight so Rodriguez has to act fast here”.

- Bas Rutten

Some wise words from color-commentator Bas Rutten as Rodgriuez is way more aggressive with his ground and pound this fight more often than he usually is as he is taking risks trying to finish Nogueira via ground and pound knowing full well the doctors could stop this fight with such a bad cut. Rodriguez is able to land some NICE punches from the top in full guard Noguiera's left eye is starting to close as some bruises start to emerge as well as a small cut opening up near the bruising he GIVES UP HIS BACK!!! But a beautiful scramble allows Nogueira to grab a GUILLOTINE it looks LOCKED UP this forces Noguiera to put on some more SQUEEZE on the choke. Rodriguez seems content to ride out the rest of the round like this however, as it seems the choke wasn’t applied correctly.

Bell sounds singallying the end of the round and the fans on their feet that was a very action packed round, props to both gentlemen. Rodriguez corner is rapidly attending to the cut near his hairline. The doctors take a look and.... singals that Rodgriuez is okay to continue.

Round 2

Noguiera starts off the round with a jab then hits three consecutive left hooks that would put down any other Heavyweight on the night but Ricco Rodriguez is showing some serious heart and one hell of a chin. Rodriguez is able to connect on a few jabs while backing down Nogueira but while moving in trying clinch Noguiera hits a leg kick which causes Ricco to fall briefly but gets right back up, Nogueira goes upstair with a head kick but is blocked while retracting his leg Rodriguez is able to get a firm hold of his leg driving Noguiera into the bottom left corner of the ring. Rodriguez shows off some SERIOUS STRENGTH by getting a hold of both legs then LIFTING Nogueira into the air as he VIOLENTLY SLAMS HIM. Rodriguez is once again in full guard content with throwing some strikes from the top, Noguiera tries for a few armbars from the bottom but can’t seem to get a hold of the arm correctly. Whenever he goes for the armbar he leaves himself open to more ground and pound so Nogueira gives up his back again looking to use the same scramble that got him the quotient at the end of round one. IT DOESN'T WORK in fact now Rodgriuez has BOTH HOOKS IN, Rogriuez attempts a rear-naked choke but can’t get it under the chin so instead, he throws a few punches before LOCKING IN a body triangle Noguiera tries to roll…. BUT HE CAN’T DO IT!!! Rodriguez FLATTENS HIM OUT!! Nogueira REFUSES TO TAP OUT so the referee steps in!!

“Ricco ‘Suave’ Rodriguez defeats Antonio Noguiera here in the Ariake Coliseum he wins the PRIDE Heavyweight Championship and becomes not only the first fighter defeat Nogueira but submit him. A Brazilian black belt submitted! Unbelievable”.

- Mauro Ranallo

Official Result: Ricco Rodriguez SUBS (Body-Triangle) Antonio Nogueira (R2 - 4:40)

Ricco Rodriguez Wins PRIDE Heavyweight Championship

(CHAMP) Guy Mezger vs. Wanderlei Silva

Tape Of The Tape

Age: (36) ------ (28)

Height: (6'1") ------ (5'11")

Record: (30-10-2) ------ (15-4)

Nickname: ('The Sandman') ------ ('The Axe Murder')

Style: (Mixed Martail Arts) ------ (Muay-Thai)

Betting Odds: (-110) ------ (-110)

Round 1

Both fighters corners can clearly been seen talking some shack to each other as they are yelling to each other form the side of the ring, Ken Shamrock is swearing like a sailor out there as the Lions Den team looks like they might start a fight between corners rather than the actual fighters in the ring, in fact, the referee needs to calm the two corners down before action can officially begin and to no ones surprise, Guy Mezger flips the bird to Silva who slaps his it out of his face as they go to their corners for the fight to start.

Silva opens up with a five punch combination but Mezger’s guard remains strong leading to ‘The Axe Murder’ launching a VENMOUS OVERHAND which is again blocked but the impact still causes Mezger to slightly wobble. Silva taunts Mezger thinking he’s wobbled trying to force the Muay-Thai clinch but Mezger circles away and hits a lead leg kick followed by a straight which barely misses. Wanderlei counters that missed punch with a BRUTAL KNEE to the body followed by a looping hook which does not find the mark. Mezger parries a jab from Silva launching an overhand which lands CLEAN but Silva smiles while hitting his own chin as Wanderlei is once again taunting his opponent, Mezger launches another overhand but this time is slipped by Silva who responds with a three punch combination all three punches land causing Mezger to back off. The two were previously meeting each other in the middle of the ring but now Silva is pressing the issue, he really wants to get Mezger into the Muay-Thai clinch to land a devastating knee but whenever they briefly clinch Mezger shows excellent defense and is able to circle away. Mezger shoots off a single-leg but is stuffed as Wanderlei pushes Mezger head down as his leg escapes as Mezger gets back up Silva CLOCKS him with a CLEAN RIGHT HOOK!!! MEZGER IS WOBBLED!!! Silva is calm and calculated with his striking landing a SWFIT one-two before FLOORING Mezger with a POWERFUL OVERHAND!! MEZGER IS OUT COLD!!!

Official Result: Wanderlei Silva KOS (Punch) Guy Mezger (R1 - 3:10)

Wanderlei Silva Wins PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Championship

Main-Card Results:

Main Event

Wanderlei Silva def. Guy Mezger via KO (Punch) (R1 - 3:10)

Silva Wins PRIDE Light-Heavyweight Title

Co-Main

Ricco Rodriguez def. Antonio Noguiera via SUB (Body-Triangle) (R2 - 4:40)

Ricco Rodriguez Wins PRIDE Heavyweight Title

Main-Card

Gilbert Yvel def. Tom Erikson via TKO (R1 - 0:24)

Tsuyoshi Kohsaka def. Jeff Monson via UD

Sergei Kharitonov def. Valentijn Overeem SUB (Leglock) (R1 - 6:27)

Wanderlei Silva And Ricco Rodriguez Shake The MMA World With Impressive Victories

(MMAFighting.com)

Post-Fight Press Conference/Interview:

An over the moon Wanderlei Silva told a packed Ariake Coliseum what he wants next, calling out Kazushi Sakuraba and Quinton Jackson ranting about how he would ‘end’ them much like how he ‘ended’ Guy Mezger tonight.

“Kazushi Sakuraba and Quinton Jackson! You have both disrespected me, my family, friends, and the entire country of Brazil! You both talk too much and you both bring nothing but dirt to the beautiful sport that is mixed martial arts and I promise to end you both like Mezger was just ended tonight”.

- Wanderlei Silva

Silva also made sure to comfort fellow Brazilain Antonio Noguiera calling him ‘one of my best friends’ saying ‘he will be back’ after such a devastating loss to Ricco Rodriguez. Rodriguez had a fairly standard press conference remaining respectful explaining how he was ‘proud to present the United States of America’ tonight calling this ‘the greatest day of his life’ and vowed to be a respectful champion much like Mark Coleman and Antonio Noguiera was before him.

Antonio Nogueira meanwhile gave a very inspiring post-fight interview firstly congratulating Ricco Rodriguez on his triumph victory before explaining how he would take the loss as an ‘obstacle’ referring how he would overcame it like he overcame being run over by a truck when he was 10 years old that left him in a four day coma causing Nogueira to lose a rib and the lower part of his liver.

“Life constantly throws obstacles at us to test us to see what we're made of, this is yet another obstacle I have to face. When I was run over and stuck in the hospital for all that time I was tested but I conquered that obstacle. It made me into who I am today and now I’ve been given yet another obstacle to overcome. I just want to thank everyone who supported me tonight and will continue to support me, I promise I’m not going anywhere, I'll be back”.

- Antonio Nogueira

Antonio Noguiera Gives Inspirsing Post-Fight Interview Vows To 'Overcome Newest Obstacle'

(Sherdog.com)

McDojoDelux · July 29, 2020

ICON Sports: Outrageous

Leonard Garcia vs. Miguel Angel Torres II

September 2004 (Week 1)

Build-Up:

What is ICON Sports? And who are Leonard Garcia and Miguel Angel Torres? The Alabama mixed martial arts promotion has finally gotten a big break by signing an exclusive tv-deal with Yahoo Sports in late August this year. While Yahoo’s sports broadcasting network may not have the same name recognition as Fox, NBC, ESPN, or even the lower tv channels that broadcast MMA plus other sports like HBO, Fuel TV, and many others what Yahoo does offer is worldwide availability as Yahoo is broadcasted in every continent. This makes ICON Sports the first MMA promotion in the US to have international broadcasting around the entire world as people from Australia, Russia, Brazil, England, and other countries can tune in live.

As for the fighters under the ICON Sports banner they have done the promotion has doen extremely well creating homegrown fighters who have stayed loyal to the organization despite being offered contracts with the big league organizations in PRIDE and the UFC. President of ICON Sports John Perretti says the reason for their success comes from ‘respecting‘ their fighters and how he ‘can not stand’ the ‘bullies’ of the MMA world calling PRIDE and the UFC ‘bad business'. In some ways he was right, John Perretti had a keen eye for talent and also was ahead of his time by offering exclusive contracts to every fighter on their roster as standard contracts were still the norm for most fighter contracts (standard meaning the fighter can have multiple fight contracts between each organization so one fighter could have 3 fights on their UFC contract as well as 3 fighters on their PRIDE contract, this meant that given fighter can fight for both organizations) as only the top fighters (mostly champions) got exclusive deals.

One of their most popular fighters Leonard Garcia (13-5) is an infamous brawler his fan-friendly style has created a very dedicated fanbase, his zombie like style of fighting has caused him to be in some fantastic fights but recently Garcia has been getting dropped A LOT with him hitting the canvas last seven fights consecutively causing some to wonder if the iron chin of Garcia is beginning to crack and while Garcia is yet to suffer a KO or TKO loss in his MMA career fans feels inevitable that someone might eventually crack him in the near future. One of Garcia's five losses comes to Miguel Angel Torres (12-2) a well rounded mixed martial artist mostly skilled in his acrobatic plus dynamic kicks with Torres lacking power in his hands he tends to rely on his kicks to do the majority of the damage. Torres is also at his best while pushing the pace being the aggressor but is a surprising below average counter striker as when Torres is being backed up he tends to panic leading to a lot of openings for his opponents and with no power to fear to come from his hands this means a pressure fighter could potentially give Torres A LOT of problems.

In the co-main event up Welterweight prospect Nick Diaz (6-2) already a fan-favorite for his slick boxing and grappling along with an iron chin on fights Jeremy Bennett (5-2) a fellow tough durable fighter with some lethal dirty boxing and a black belt in jiu-jitsu. The main card is rounded out with a Bantamweight bout as Manny Gamburyan (12-3) a black belt in both judo and karate Gamburygan is the true definition as a “tough night out” who can easily become the next ICON Bantamweight but often underperforms in the most important fights is going up against Deividas Taurosevicuius (4-1) from Lithuania training out of New York Deividas is one of the greatest grapples to come out of Europe and has refined his world-class grappling since moving base to America. While the fight between the two doesn't exactly promise to be a barnburner many hardcore fans are interested to see what happens when this fight hits the mat? One of the last notable names on the main-card was one of Canada’s most promising prospect since UFC Welterweight George St-Pierre in Mark Hominick (5-2) his kickboxing game has been described as ‘world-class’ by many pundits and has been working on the rest of his game at Tristar Gym, his opponent a journeyman in Hideo Tokoro (6-5).

Main-Card Fights:

Main-Event

Featherweight: Leonard Garica (13-5) vs. Miguel Angel Torres (12-2)

Co-Main

Welterweight: Nick Diaz (6-2) vs. Jeremy Bennett (5-2)

Main-Card

Bantamweight: Manny Gamburyan (12-3) vs. Deividas Taurosevičius (4-1)

Featherweight: Mark Hominick (5-2) vs. Hideo Tokoro (6-5)

Welterweight: Genki Sudo (14-3) vs. Mishuhiro Ishida (10-1)

ICON Sports Looks To Impress New Broadcasting Partners With A Bang

(Blurcat.com) + All Fighters Successfully Make Weight

Fight Play-By-Plays:

ICON Rules:

Title-Fights are 5rdsx3mins

Non-Title-Fights are 3rdsx3mins

Non-Title-Fight Main-Events are 5rdsx3mins

Rounds are Scored on a 10-Point Must System

All forms of Soccer Kicks are Forbidden

Knees to the Head of a Downed Opponent are illegal

Alls forms of Stomps are illegal

All forms of Elbows are Legal

Nick Diaz vs. Jeremy Bennett

Tape Of The Tape

Age: (20) ------ (27)

Height: (6'0") ------ (5'10")

Record: (6-2) ------ (5-2)

Nickname: ('N/A') ------ ('N/A')

Style: (Boxing+BJJ) ------ (Wrestler)

Betting Odds: (-750) ------ (+600)

Round 1

Nick Diaz starts the fight off by showing some excellent boxing keeping Jeremny from getting in close by jabbing then moving occasionally going to the body multiple times causing Bennet to start mixing it up a little in an attempt to get in close, Jeremy rushes in trying to catch Diaz but Nick shows off some slick head movement dodging a five punch combination before landing a one-two counterpunch followed by a hook to the body. Diaz seems content to be on the backfoot wanting to counter strike this leaves Bennett at long range struggling to get inside to land strikes as Jeremy Bennett is only able to land a total of three punches compared to Diaz’s twenty-seven.

Round 2

Bennett is encouraged by his corner to start using more kicks. The first leg kick Jeremy throws is countered by a HUGE right hook by Diaz which WOBBLES JEREMY BENNETT!!! Diaz goes on the attack hitting a FIVE PUNCH COMBINATION before getting the fight into the clinch landing THREE BIG KNEES to the BODY. Jeremy tries to start out wrestle Diaz but a fantastic trip takedown by Nick see's him on top then lands THREE HARD HAMMERFISTS before Bennett is barely able to cover up on the ground. The last minute of the round is spent with Diaz in mount landing some LETHAL shots from the top but Bennett survives to see the end of the round.

Round 3

Diaz comes out aggressive as in between rounds he told his cornermen repeadley ‘he’s done’ landing a five punch combination that starts with a straight then two hooks to the body then FLOORS BENNET with an uppercut then hook which lands. Daiz immediately gets the ARMBAR but before LOCKING IT IN Bennett TAPS!!!

Official Result: Nick Diaz SUB (Armbar) Jeremy Bennett (R3 - 0:52)

Leonard Garcia vs. Miguel Angel Torres

Tape Of The Tape

Age: (25) ------ (23)

Height: (5'9") ------ (5'9")

Record: (13-5) ------ (12-2)

Nickname: ('Bad Boy') ------ ('N/A')

Style: (Brawler) ------ (Mixed Martail Arts)

Betting Odds: (+200) ------ (-250)

Round 1

Garcia is off to the races early swinging with a THUNDEROUS overhand which is ducked by Torres as he counters Garcia’s overhand with a deep single-leg. It’s a struggle as Garcia hops around on one foot but be successfully defends to takedown but can’t stop being driven to the cage the fight turns into a standstill for a while as referee Herb Dean keeps warninging Torres to ‘work’, Torres seems content with just keeping Garcia against the cage occasionally hitting him with a few punches and elbows from the clinch. Some boos starts pouring down after a pretty boring round of fighting.

Round 2

Garcia’s spirit seems to still be intact as he is once again aggressively coming after Torres a five punch combination hits nothing but air thanks to some slick head movement by Miguel but a leg kick sees Garcia hit his first strike of the fight. This seems to give Garcia confidence as he launches another overhand is blocked by Torres who counters with a STIFF head kick which lands right on the temple of Garcia. Torres hits a superman jab before deflating Garcia with a spinning back kick, Torres is starting to piece up Garcia who is running low on energy but Garcia is not done yet still constantly coming forward swinging some sloppy looping punches looking to land that one shot home run punch. Only two are able to land but Torres head movement allows him to be hit while his head is going back negating the power behind both of them.

Round 3

Torres is wanting to grapple willing to take anything Garcia throws at him as long as he is able to get a hold of his opponent. For the first time Garcia is on the backfoot looking DEAD TIRED as Torres gets a hold of him with little resistance, some BRUTAL uppercuts from the clinch start BLOODING UP Garcia as a cut opens around the right temple of Garcia’s head. Torres grabs a single-leg and takedown Garcia with some serious POWER behind it, Torres gets MOUNTED immediately GROUND AND POUND puts him in SOME SERIOUS TROUBLE. Garcia rolls giving up his back this allows Torres to SINK IN the REAR NAKED CHOKE as GARCIA TAPS!!!

Official Result: Miguel Angel Torres SUBS (RNC) Leonard Garcia (R3 - 2:21)

Main-Card Results:

Main-Event

Miguel Angel Torres def. Leonard Garica via SUB (RNC) (R3 - 2:21)

Co-Main

Nick Diaz def. Jeremy Bennett via SUB (Armbar) (R3 - 0:52)

Main-Card

Manny Gamburyan def. Deividas Taurosevičius via UD (30-27x3)

Mark Hominick def. Hideo Tokoro via TKO (Corner Stoppage) (R1 - 3:00)

Mitsuhiro Ishida def. Genki Sudo via UD (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

‘Where you at [Paul] Daley?’ - Nick Diaz Calls Out Daley In Profanity-Laced Interview

(Sherdog.com)

Post-Fight Press Conference/Interview:

After a dominant victory in the co-main event Nick Diaz immediately called out English kickboxer Paul Daley (4-0) who was on a red hot winstreak with a string of four straight knockout victoires in the 1st round. Apparently Daley who was in attendance tonight and looked to make the winner of the co-main event his next opponent talking smack towards Diaz the entire fight as he easily defeated Jeremy Bennett. While Diaz started to address Daley during his post-fight interview Paul seemed to have lost interest as soon as the microphone was handed to Daiz taunting him by yawning before turning his back proceeding to leave the arena entirely.

“Paul Daley needs his mouth shut and I’ll happily offer him my fist right to his f----n mouth! You wouldn’t stop talking the entire time I was fighting so what's up? Now that I’m addressing you now you've got nothing to say now? Hey why are you leaving? Where are you going? Where you at Daley? Common…”

- Nick Diaz

Daiz wasn’t the only one calling out opponents for his next fight as after defeating Leonard Garcia soundly a second time Miguel Angel Torres said it would make ‘no sense whatsoever’ if he wasn’t granted a title-shot demanding a fight against ICON Featherweight champion (15-1-1) Alexander Nogueira jui-jitsu black belt with some of the most dangerous submissions in the history of MMA. Noguiera recently has been rolling with some of the greatest BBJ artists in the world recently training in the Renzo Jiu-Jitsu academy and has rolled with John Danaher in the past.

Torres Demands Title-Shot After Dominate Win Over Garica

(MMAFighting.com)

McDojoDelux · August 6, 2020

UFC The Ultimate Fighter Finale:

Tito Ortiz vs. Frank Shamrock III

(+Gilbert Melendez vs. Duane Ludwig)

September 2004 (Week 4)

Build-Up:

The first season of The Ultimate Fighter is about to come to an end as finalists Gilbert Melendez (7-0) and Duane Ludwig (6-1) will fight each other to see who is the Ultimate Fighter? Melendez during his tenure on the show had an all-business attitude not wanting to make any friends preferring to keep to himself deciding to focus more on the fighting. This lead to a few scuffles in the house as many of the contestants on the show confronted Melendez as at times Gilbert seemed to frame himself as 'above' everyone on the show one of those fights was Ludwig himself as in training Duane ‘Bang’ Ludwig often gave advice to everyone in the teams training sessions something that rubbed Melendez the wrong way wanting Duane to ‘stay in his lane’ rather than continuously bite his ear off with criticism. While the two don’t necessarily have a deep hatred for each other the same can’t be said for the main event of tonight's card as the trilogy fight between the reigning UFC Light-Heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz (11-2-1NC) taking on bitter rival plus former champion himself Frank Shamrock (22-8-2).

Ortiz’s feud with the Shamrock family is well documented, his infamous ‘shamc--k’ taunts and post-fight press conference run-ins plus a fight with the older adopted brother Ken (which Ortiz won) his rivalry with Frank has captured the attention of the masses mainly due to the two fantastic wars they have had in the past. The first fight saw Shamrock pick up a 4th round TKO in which Ortiz battered Shamrock for the first three rounds only to gas out and be finished later on during the fight, the 2nd fight saw Ortiz win a somewhat controversial unanimous decision (48-47x3) the fight saw Ortiz dominate the early rounds as he did before only for Shamrock to come roaring back once again as at the end of the 2nd round he landed an EARTH SHATTERING right hook which nearly downed Ortiz at the end. The two swapped rounds with Shamrock winning the 3rd, then Ortiz winning the 4th, as Shamrock won the 5th at least on all three judges scorecards. The round in question of course is the 2nd with many feeling the right hook which nearly downed Ortiz was enough to secure Frank the round but it should be worth mentioning Ortiz did dominate the round for about four straight minutes before getting caught.

When Dana White was asked by the trilogy fight would be on free tv instead of a PPV card White told reporters

“This is our first show on cable tv and we want to offer the fans the best possible fights, so when I went and asked the guys about the trilogy fight between Tito [Ortiz] and Frank [shamrock] we were all in agreement. It just makes sense-”

- Dana White

Frank maintained the same mindset calling himself the ‘rightful UFC Light-Heavyweight champion’ at least lineage wise claiming the 2nd fight to be a ‘robbery’,

“When the president of the UFC thinks you won the fight you know who the true winner is. I'm still the undisputed UFC Light-Heavyweight champion who hasn't lost in years and I’m not planning to start losing now. It was a clear robbery and Saturday night I won’t leave it the hands of those judges ever again-”

- Frank Shamrock

Meanwhile, Ortiz was his ever outspoken self repeatedly addressing Frank Shamrock as ‘Franck Shamc--k’ offering some pretty cheesy and borderline cringeworthy trash talk saying how he will ‘crush Shamrock just like a juice box’ as he showed the media in attendance a juice box which he crushed in his right hand. It's unclear if Tito was accusing Shamrock of being a steriod user or not with the juice box comparison but for everyones sake lets hope the fight is better than trash talk.

The rest of the main-card plus the prelims would be a whos who of the rest of The Ultimate Fighter cast as bitter rivals Charles Bennett (2-5) and Josh Thompson (7-1) would face off to settle their differences inside the octagon, Deigo Sanchez (4-0) meets Melvin Guillard (2-1) as both are also looking to end their feud as well to open up the main-card.

Main-Card Fights:

Main-Event

Light-Heavyweight: (CHAMP) Tito Ortiz (11-2-1NC) vs. Frank Shamrock (22-8-2)

UFC Light-Heavyweight Championship Bout

Ortiz’s 1st Attempted Title Defense

Co-Main

Lightweight: Gilbert Melendez (7-0) vs. Duane Ludwig (6-1)

The Ultimate Fighter Finale

Main-Card

Lightweight: Charles Bennett (2-5) vs. Josh Thompson (7-2)

Lightweight: Clay Guida (2-1) vs. Jay R. Palmer (13-11)

Lightweight: Melvin Guillard (2-1) vs. Diego Sanchez (4-0)

‘I Will End The Shamc--k Family Name’ Ortiz Vows To End Trilogy In Dominate Fashion

(Blurcat.com) + All Fighters Successfully Make Weight

Fight Play-By-Plays:

UFC Rules:

Title-Fights are 5rdsx5mins

Non-Title-Fights are 3rdsx5mins

Non-Title-Fight Main-Events are 3rdsx5mins

Rounds are Scored on a 10-Point Must System

All forms of Soccer Kicks are Forbidden

Knees to the Head of a Downed Opponent are illegal

Stomps to the Head of a Downed Opponent are illegal

All forms of Elbows are Legal (except the 12-6 elbow)

Melvin Guillard vs. Deigo Sanchez

Tape Of The Tape

Age: (21) ------ (23)

Height: (5'9") ------ (5'10")

Record: (2-1) ------ (4-0)

Nickname: ('The Young Assassin') ------ ('The Nightmare')

Style: (Wrestler+Boxing) ------ (Wrestling)

Betting Odds: (+250) ------ (-300)

Round 1

Sanchez comes out looking to push Guillard against the cage coming out mostly feinting and faking multiple takedown attempts but Guillard isn’t going anywhere as to when Sanchez fakes the takedown Guillard times a BEAUTIFUL FLYING KNEE!!! ‘The Nightmare’ goes down FACE FIRST HARD!!! Guillard rains down an avalanche of hammerfist but Deigo does well to survive by grabbing a hold of the right leg of Guillard looking for a single-leg takedown. Guillard defends the takedown as Diego drives him against the fence, ‘The Young Assassin’ rains down some SHARP ELBOWS which causes Diego to disengage as he backs off a HUGE cut on the forehead of Sanchez is revealed!!! Referee Herb Dean wants to check the cut, the doctor comes in and rules that Deigo can no longer continue!!

Official Result: Melvin Guillard TKOS (Doctors Stoppage) Deigo Sanchez (R1 - 1:15)

Gilbert Melendez vs. Duane Ludwig

The Ultimate Fighter Finale Bout

Tape Of The Tape

Age: (22) ------ (26)

Height: (5'9") ------ (5'10")

Record: (7-0) ------ (6-1)

Nickname: ('El Nino') ------ ('Bang')

Style: (Wrestler) ------ (Mauy-Thai)

Betting Odds: (-500) ------ (+700)

Round 1

Melendez opens the fight with a solid one-two which slices through Duane Ludwig’s guard it looked like he was also looking to shoot for a takedown after the one-two but Ludwig shows the same counter that Guillard showed Sanchez in the previous fight as he throws up the knee which causes Melendez to back off. ‘Bang’ Ludwig is showcasing some excellent foot movement keeping the fight at long range as Melendez footwork simply isn’t good enough to trap Ludwig and get the takedown. A flurry of three hooks by Ludwig BATTERS Melendez then lands a switch roundhouse kick, Melendez fires back after another flurry of hooks all hits ‘El Nino’ responding with an overhand that lands on the forehead of Ludwig. It looks like Melendez is looking to take a hit to give one back Ludwig figures his strategy out after Melendez eats a straight right and uppercut then responds with a hook to the body than a quick lead leg kick. Duane is now implementing leg kicks of his own to stop Melendez from countering any of his punches as for the rest of the round Ludwig only offers jabs and leg kicks at long-range leaving Melendez without any way to fireback as the technical striking of Ludwig is yet to make a mistake.

Round 2

Melendez is very wobbly barely able to stand Duane tries his luck by unleashing a five punch combination with all five punches landing as Ludwig gets in close Melendez tries to charge straight in absorbing all of Ludwig’s punches to throw some of his own but due to the leg kicks slowing him down Duane is able to circle away before Melendez can respond. This is a HUGE boost of confidence for Ludwig who is starting to THROW some SERIOUS LEATHER as every strike looks to END THIS FIGHT!!! A one-two then straight which is followed by a flush JAW SHATTERING uppercut which nearly causes Melendez's right eye to COMPLETELY CLOSE!!! Another one-two by Ludwig leads to a right cross as he continues to light up ‘El Nino’ on the feet. Duane is starting to take some DEEP breaths and his face also shows some concern as ‘Bang’ is in disbelief that Melendez has not gone down yet as despite taking a beating Gilbert will not stop marching forward. Ludwig bites on a feint by ‘El Nino’ which causes Melendez to land his best punches of the fight going upstairs with a HARD one-two before the round ends.

Round 3

Ludwig is slow to get off the stool despite clearly being up two rounds coming into the third he seems very reluctant to get the third round started.

Ludwig throws a VERY slow four-punch combination as he only lands one flick jab, with his guard down Melendez, gets a hold of his opponent briefly getting off two uppercuts from the clinch before ‘Bang’ Duane Ludwig is able to escape. Leg kick by Ludwig is CAUGHT and a trip sees Ludwig hit the mat hard as Melendez QUICKLY gets FULL MOUNT!!! BIG GROUND & POUND BY MELENDEZ!!! Ludwig gives up his back trying to survive Melendez launches THREE KNEES TO THE BODY!!! LUDWIG TAPS TO STRIKES!!!

“Gilbert Melendez! Is the ultimate fighter he defeats Duane Ludwig in an epic comeback”.

- Mike Goldberg

Official Result: Gilbert Melendez TKOS Duane Ludwig (R3 - 2:06)

Gilbert Melendez Wins Season One Of The Ultimate Fighter

(CHAMP) Tito Ortiz vs. Frank Shamrock

UFC Light-Heavyweight Championship Bout

Tape Of The Tape

Age: (29) ------ (32)

Height: (6'2") ------ (5'10")

Record: (11-2-1NC) ------ (22-8-2)

Nickname: ('The Hungtington Beach Bad Boy') ------ ('N/A')

Style: (Wrestler) ------ (Mixed Martail Arts)

Betting Odds: (-110) ------ (-110)

Round 1

Ortiz comes out landing a roundhouse kick but eats three straight jabs in return Shamrock comes blitzing right in driving a right cross straight on the button before hitting his own roundhouse kick. Both are meeting each other with some real FORCE as Tito grabs a hold of Shamrock briefly landing three uppercuts then a knee to the body as they separate Shamrock goes upstairs with a SWIFT head kick. Ortiz fires back with a one-two then Shamrock responds with a front kick then a one-two of his own the two are coming out with an AMAZING FAST PACE!!! Javier Mendes calls for a level-change which Ortiz does as he gets a HUGE double-leg SLAM takedown. Shamrock shows some great defense from the bottom as Ortiz can’t get past half-guard leaving Tito to only fire off a few body shots from the ground as the round ends.

Round 2

Ortiz comes out literally shoving Shamrock against the cage as he grabs a hold of him. Frank tries to reverse the position but Ortiz showcases some superior strength keeping Shamrock against the cage occasionally throwing a body shot while clinched up. It seems Ortiz is taking some time to rest as the first two minutes of the round is spent with Ortiz slowing down the pace of the fight, referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy separates the two as Tito’s occasional body shots weren't enough to his displeasure. Frank blows Ortiz a kiss as McCarthy gets the action back underway this leads to Shamrock faking a left hook to the body going upstairs with a looping right hook that CRACKS Tito on the chin then VENOMOUS OVERHAND lands right on the cheek. Shamrock goes for a double-leg takedown BUT ORTIZ COUNTERS and DROPS Frank with a PERFECTLY TIMED KNEE!!! Ortiz rains down an array of strikes from the top but Shamrock defends the ground and pound as once again Ortiz offensive is rendered useless as Shamrock excellently uses his superior jiu-jitsu to keep the fight to a standstill on the mat as the round ends.

Round 3

Ortiz charges at Shamrock trying to get Shamrock against the cage again but it's REVERSED as Frank slicks open a cut under the right eye of Ortiz with a sharp elbow. Shamrock goes for the single-leg and despite some resistance from the champ eventually, the takedown is completed but the strength advantage is just TOO MUCH as Tito easily shifts his way to the fence of the octagon using it to get back up and eventually push off Shamrock before he could get off some more slicking elbows. Shamrock lands a roundhouse kick then just about hits a jab before Ortiz briefly clinches getting off a bus driver uppercut which BRUTALLY BREAKS the nose of Shamrock. Shamrock is able to get the fight into a long-range kickboxing contest after a spinning back kick briefly STUNS Tito despite Shamrock being the better striker the champion isn’t getting outworked completely showing the clear improvement in his stand-up since moving to AKA. ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ has developed a consistent jab as he continuously peppers Shamrock while Frank uses his superior athleticism and kick techniques to batter the leg of Ortiz.

Round 4

Shamrock presses forward throwing the one-two but Ortiz evades responding with a hook to the body he tries to throw a jab but a leg kicks counter by Frank BUCKLES the champion a little as he stumbles a little. Ortiz feints an overhand then drive another bus driver uppercut by briefly getting into the clinch before letting go as he hits the uppercut causing Shamrock's broken nose to start RAPIDLY BLEEDING again. Frank wants to use his kicks to keep the fight at a distance so Ortiz can’t grab a hold of him but this strategy backfires as Tito catches a leg kick that allows him to violently SLAM Shamrock HEAD FIRST into the mat. Ortiz grabs side control but can’t get anywhere leaving him only able to throw a few knees to the body a well-timed sprawl sees Shamrock get to his feet but Ortiz still has a hold of him yet again SLAMMING HIM to the mat after Shamrock spent A LOT of energy getting to his feet. Despite Shamrock taking some deep breaths, his defense on the bottom prevents Ortiz from getting off any significant shots from the top as the fifth and final round is about to be upon us.

Round 5

Tito Ortiz is absolutely SPENT while sitting on the stool as head coach Javier Mendes calls for lay and pray around saying he's ‘4-0’ up ‘take this round off just survive you’ve got this champ and still’.

- Javier Mendes

‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ comes out practically dives at Shamrock with a clean jab that's met with a lead hook then backs away with a leg kick. Ortiz looks to grapple willing to take anything that Shamrock offers him he gets into the clinch but is too tired to push Frank to the cage instead the two start THROWING LEATHER at each other while clinched whenever Ortiz hits an uppercut Shamrock respond with a sharp elbow which opens up even MORE CUTS around the eyes of Ortiz. The champ starts blasting some knees to the body but leaves himself open for Shamrock to get the body-lock and a double-leg takedown. A SERIOUS ARMBAR submission is made by Shamrock IT LOOKS GOOD for a couple of seconds but it's clear he couldn’t lock it in as Ortiz is able to slip out of it and get back to his feet. Ortiz looks to stick then move offering single shots before circling away but due to the heavy amounts of leg kicks, he’s taken Shamrock is able to hit him with combinations as he backs off. Only 30 seconds is left in the fight and this trilogy Shamrock parries the jab coming over the top with a CRUNCHING hook Ortiz responds with a knee to the body then catches him behind the ear with a hook of his own the two then throw some looping punches at each other until the fight comes to an end.

“Another great fight to cap off this trilogy, yet another close fight that's in the hands of the judges who will get the nod? Bruce Buffer has the official decision”.

- Mike Goldberg

“Ladies and Gentle after FIVE ROUNDS we go the judge's scorecards for the decision

ALL THREE JUDGES score this CONTEST

49-46

To the WINNER by UNANIMOUS DECISION ANNNNNNNNNNNNND

STILL!!!! The UNDISPUTED UFC Light-Heavyweight CHAMPION of the WOOOOORLD!!!

‘The Huntington Beach Bad’ TITOOOOOO OORRRRTIIIIIIIIIZZZZZZZZZZ"

- Bruce Buffer

Official Result: Tito Ortiz def. Frank Shamrock via Unanimous Decision

Ortiz Defends Light-Heavyweight Championship

Main-Card Results:

Main Event

Tito Ortiz def. Frank Shamrock via UD (49-46x3)

Ortiz Defends UFC Light-Heavyweight Title

Co-Main

Gilbert Melendez def. Duane Ludwig via TKO (Strikes) (R3 - 2:06)

Melendez Wins The Ultimate Fighter Season One

Main-Card

Charles Bennet def. Josh Thompson via KO (Punch) (R1 - 0:18)

Clay Guida def. Jay R. Palmer via UD (30-27x3)

Melvin Guillard def. Deigo Sanchez via TKO (Doctors Stoppage) (R1 - 1:15)

“Championship Is Next” Melendez Takes Six-Figure UFC Contract After Fantastic Card

(Blurcat.com)

Post-Fight Press Conference/Interview:

Despite a rough start to the card the Ultimate Fighter Finale turned out to be one of the better shows in the company's history much to the delight of the UFC executives. After a spectacular one-punch knockout by Charles Bennet after he countered a leg kick by Thompson with a BRUTAL superman punch the co-main and the main-event were also two fantastic fights to round out the card. Melendez during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan thanked the crowd for coming out when asked about the amazing comeback win after being battered early was

“It shows what you can do when you believe in yourself its the most powerful tool in my arsenal self-belief it tops any physical attribute I have and you all saw that tonight. My mindset is what will help me become a champion. I will be the champion. I just know it”.

- Gilbert Melendez

Meanwhile, Duane Ludwig gave a very respectful interview thanking Melendez for the fight as well as thanking the UFC for this opportunity stating he will be back when pressed further on the loss by Joe Rogan he said

“You know it sucks of course but at the end of the day I’m going home to my beautiful wife and my friends who’ll always have my back win or lose I may have lost tonight but there's more to my life than fighting and I’m grateful to every single one of them for that”.

- Duane Ludwig

The two hugged each other in the middle of the octagon signaling the end of this little beef during the Ultimate Fighter. The same type of respect the two had for each other could not be said for Tito Ortiz, Frank Shamrock, Charles Bennett, and Melvin Guillard the two former Ultimate Fighter contest plus UFC Champion did not hold back rubbing salt in the wound much to the displeasure of the Mandalay Bay Center (Las Vegas, Nevada) bashing in their victories. Shamrock just couldn’t accept his two decision losses to Ortiz during the press conference he continued to tell the media in attendance that he ‘did not lose’,

“It’s crazy I can’t believe it I’ve won twice but these judges can’t use their eyes apparently. Listen if I lost I would be congratulating Tito BUT I DID NOT LOSE!!!”

- Frank Shamrock

Ortiz found himself in hot water with the fans after insulting the dad of both Ken and Frank Shamrock in Bob Shamrock talking about how he defeated both his sons and wants to fight him next. The distasteful comments were criticized by practically everyone but it seemed the quote got its attention of getting Ortiz’s name out there as he doesn't seem to care about the hate he’s getting only the publicity.

When asked about a possible 4th fight UFC president Dana White shot it down completely saying ‘the division needs to move on’ and while he also thought that Shamrock won both contests he called them both ‘really close fighters they both could have gone either way’. Dana White took the time to call this the ‘best trilogy in combat sports’.

“All three of their fights are all-time classics you see in some trilogies one guy dominates the first fight then the second fight the other wins a speculator fight leading to a lackluster third that didn’t happen here. Every single round was entertaining every single second was amazing I’m grateful to both it's simply amazing”.

- Dana White

UFC Puts On Arguably The Greatest Show In The Promotions History With First Nationally Televised Event

(MMAFighting.com)

McDojoDelux · August 17, 2020

ICON Sports: Shellshocked

Jake Shields vs. Luis Santos

November 2004 (Week 2)

Build-Up:

The ICON Sports Welterweight Champion Jake Shields (16-0) is widely considered the greatest pound-for-pound Welterweight in the world as many MMA media websites like Blurcat and Sherdog have him ranked as the number one Welterweight in the world, dethroning the previous perceived number one in the UFC’s Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes (21-1). Shields world-class grappling plus victories over high-level opponents such as Roman Mitichyan (6-3) a Judo black belt in a fight he completely out grappled him in, two similar grappling clinch victories over Chris Lytle and Jason Von Flue both are top UFC Welterweight contenders, former Shooto Lightweight champion now turned Welterweight Tetsuji Kato a top tier Mixed Martial Artist with a record of (19-4). Shields is hot of a trilogy fight with the native Japanese mixed martial artist ending the series a perfect 3-0. Two legitimate criticisms of Shields's legendary career is his lack of finishes with only one TKO and one submission (rear-naked choke) plus the fact that he has never faced an elite stand up fighter all of his opponents were either grapplers or decent mixed martial artists who preferred to grapple.

Luis Santos (9-3) despite being a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu prefers to keep the fight standing opting to use his high-level Kickboxing and Muay-Thai coming off three straight first-round knockouts in which he knocked out every opponent in under a minute Santos presents a style of fighting Shields has surprisingly never faced before. The two were relatively respectful towards one another as both praised each other's style while also remaining confident that they will be the one to get their hand raised and leave with the ICON strap.

The co-main event, on the other hand, will see two of the most nuclear rivals in Nick Diaz (10-2) and Paul Daley (4-0) face off the rivalry started back in September when Diaz defeated Jeremy Bennett via a 3rd round submission Daley was in attendance talking A TON of trash to both fighters looking to fight the winner. After Daiz was victorious he took the mic to call out Daley who to the shock of many started to leave the arena looking disinterested this led to a legendary line by Diaz yelling ‘Where are you going? Where you at Daley?’. The line has since become an inside joke inside the MMA community Diaz would release a clothing line with ‘Where you at Daley?’ being posted on a simple black t-shirt. When asked why he left Daley said,

“As soon as he [Nick Diaz] took the mic, he started talking and he was putting me to sleep. I can barely understand a word he says, he's only twenty right? F--k he already been hit that hard he ain’t gonna last long with me. He’s flat-footed with subpar boxing easily hittable. I'll knock him out in the first easy”.

- Paul Daley

The rest of the main card remains fairly lackluster but there is a very intriguing Welterweight match-up between two former opponents of Shields in Tetsuji Kato taking on Roman Mitichyan the winner getting another possible crack at the winner of tonight's main event as the president of ICON Sports John Perretti thought both Paul Daley and Nick Diaz needed a bit more experience dubbing them ‘not ready’ for a title fight ‘yet’.

Main-Card Fights:

Main-Event

Welterweight: (CHAMP) Jake Shields (16-0) vs. Luis Santos (9-3)

ICON Sports: Welterweight Championship Bout

Shields 7th Attempted Title Defense

Co-Main

Welterweight: Nick Diaz (7-2) vs. Paul Daley (4-0)

Main-Card

Welterweight: Tetsuji Kato (19-4) vs. Roman Mitichyan (6-3)

Featherweight: Noboru Asahi (24-7-5) vs. Koji Takeuchi (5-5-1)

Welterweight: Takuya Wada (4-6) vs. Brad Jones (5-2)

Shields Tops Welterweight Pound-For-Pound Rankings On Blurcat & Sherdog

(Sherdog.com) + All Fighters Successfully Make Weight

Fight Play-By-Plays:

ICON Rules:

Title-Fights are 5rdsx3mins

Non-Title-Fights are 3rdsx3mins

Non-Title-Fight Main-Events are 5rdsx3mins

Rounds are Scored on a 10-Point Must System

All forms of Soccer Kicks are Forbidden

Knees to the Head of a Downed Opponent are illegal

Alls forms of Stomps are illegal

All forms of Elbows are Legal

Tetsuji Kato vs. Roman Mitichyan

Tape Of The Tape

Age: (26) ------ (27)

Height: (5'7") ------ (5'10")

Record: (19-4) ------ (6-3)

Nickname: ('N/A') ------ ('The Emperor')

Style: (Mixed Martail Arts) ------ (Judo)

Betting Odds: (-350) ------ (+270)

Round 1

Roman starts the contest by diving for a double-leg takedown Tetsuji Kato does well to stuff the takedown but after thirty seconds Kato is driven to the cage allowing Mitichyan to get into a more dominant position allowing Roman to EASILY lift and SLAM Kato to the mat. Roman TAKES HIS BACK both are hooks are LOCKED IN he NEARLY gets the neck crank but Kato is able to get out but after spending A LOT of energy to get out Tetsuji is barely able to offer any defense allowing Roman to ground and pound Kato with little to NO DEFENSE!!! Referee Herb Dean got in there a little late Kato definitely took a few too many shots to the head before the fight was called off.

Official Result: Roman Mitichyan TKOS Tetsuji Kato (R1 - 2:11)

Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley

Tape Of The Tape

Age: (20) ------ (21)

Height: (6'0") ------ (5'9")

Record: (7-2) ------ (4-0)

Nickname: ('N/A') ------ ('Semtex')

Style: (Boxing+BBJ) ------ (Kickboxing)

Betting Odds: (+110) ------ (-150)

Round 1

Nick Diaz offers a REAL MEAN MUG he doesn't stop staring down Daley during the twos introductions before referee Steve Mazzagatti can single the fight to begin Daley flips Diaz the bird before the fight starts.

Diaz comes out practically running in offering Daley two birds in response right up in his face before circling away the crowd is chanting ‘Daiz’ their really into this fight now. Diaz is pressuring Daley making this a phonebooth fight as neither fighter is able to get enough pop on their shots to generate enough power, Daley hits a short left hook on the temple of Diaz's head before going to the body with two more hooks. Diaz pressuring Daley trapped against the cage a flurry of eight punches by Daiz is OVERWHELMING DALEY six of the eight punches land an UPPERCUT NEARLY TAKE HIM OFF HIS FEET!!! Daley dives for a single-leg takedown Diaz looks to defend but changes his mind midway LOCKING IN THE ARMBAR WHILE ON HIS BACK!!! DALEY TAPS OUT!!!

Official Result: Nick Diaz SUBS Paul Daley (R1 - 2:23)

(CHAMP) Jake Shields vs. Luis Santos

ICON Welterweight Championship

Tape Of The Tape

Age: (25) ------ (24)

Height: (6'0") ------ (6'1")

Record: (16-0) ------ (9-3)

Nickname: ('N/A') ------ ('Sapo')

Style: (BBJ) ------ (Muay-Thai)

Betting Odds: (-700) ------ (+500)

Round 1

The bout starts off relatively slow as the first thirty seconds are spent with the two circling around the center of the cage Shields is looking to dive in for a takedown off a Santos miss while Luis is looking to land a BIG shot early. The first strike is finally thrown when Santos fakes a hook to the body to come upstairs with a JAW SHATTERING head kick!!! SHIELDS IS DAZED BARELY ABLE TO STAND UP AS HE STAGGERS BACK TO THE FENCE OF THE CAGE!!! Santos UNLOADS looking for the finish a jab lands flush followed by a flurry of seven hooks all of them land with three to the head and four to the body. ANOTHER HEAD KICK LANDS!!! Shields is wobbly but is still firing back and offering some defense as he hits two front kicks to the body but it STILL TRAPPED against the cage. A straight CRACKS SHIELDS AGAIN!!! Two jabs find home followed by a BIG right hand Santos grabs a hold of Shields looking to UNLOAD with some knees. He lands only one before finding himself being OUT GRAPPLED by Shields who gets the single-leg takedown quickly grabbing side-control. Shields looks for a kimura but Santos doesn't allow it to get applied as the round comes to an end.

Round 2

Santos rolls with a Shields jab before CRACKING HIM AGAIN WITH AN OVERHAND!!! AN UPPERCUT FINALLY PUTS SHIELDS DOWN!!! BIG GROUND & POUND but Shields does well to hold on but he gives up full mount with leads to some HUGE SLICING ELBOWS FROM LUIS SANTOS!!! Shields is showing some real heart barely surviving a BRUTAL onslaught from the challenger. The rest of the round is spent with Santos on top continuously landing some HARD shots from the top mixing it up with elbows and punches.

After two rounds the damage seen on Jake Shields's face is absolutely BRUTAL a cut over the right eye is bleeding like a damn waterfall as well as some obvious facial fractures. It looks like a possible broken orbital on the same right eye as well as some swelling around both his cheeks, one of the ICON commentators is in awe of the POWER coming from Santos.

Round 3

Santos comes out with another head kick which slightly hits the head of the champion but some sloppy technique on the end of Santos leaves him exposed to a STRONG double-leg takedown attempt by Shields. After being driven to the fence Jake extends his leg to sweep him onto the ground Santos grabs the cage out of desperation!!! But referee Mario Yamasaki didn’t see it!!! Shields still has a hold of Santos but can only offer some shoulder strikes as well as a few short punches to the body. Santos escapes and circles away with thirty seconds left he lands a lead left hook then a SHARP leg kick, Shields responds with two jabs on the backfoot to end the round.

Round 4

Santos starts the round unable to land a few set-up strikes as well as missing the jab then lead leg kick a HUGE GASP for air shows Luis is low on energy. Santos simply has to answer for a slick single-leg takedown that leads to side-control from Shields he again goes for the kimura but the black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu Luis Santos excellently defends it. But he can’t defend against Shields taking his BACK this could be trouble!!! But Santos does well to prevent Shields from getting any hooks in as the rear-naked choke attempt fails as the champion can’t get it under the chin. Seeing this Shields instead tries for a possible neck-crank submission but again Santos calmly deals with whatever submission attempt Shields throws his way.

Round 5

Santos comes out with a fast flurry of punches throwing a one-two then straight followed by a heel kick none of them land however due to in part to some real exhaustion from Santos and some decent head movement from Shields. Despite this Santos has once again trapped Shields against the cage. What follows is some phone booth fighting as Santos nails a one-two then a lead knee to the body coming in, Shields knowing he doesn't have the power to fight at this distance desperately tries to get into the clinch. He is successful in grabbing into a dominant position in the Muay-Thai clinch what follows is three straight knees to the body then a footstomp. Santos tries to get free but Shields has a firm grip on him as he pushes Santos to the fence of the cage as the fight comes to an end.

After five hard-fought rounds, the ICON Sports broadcasting crew are informed that announcer Joe Martinez has the official scorecards here he is now.

“Ladies and gentleman after five rounds we go to the judge's scorecards the totals are

49-46 scored for Luis Santos

47-47 and another 47-47

The official decision is considered a MAJORITY DRAW!!!”

- Joe Martinez

Official Decision: Jake Shields DRAWS with Luis Santos

Shields Defends ICON Welterweight Championship

Main-Card Results:

Main Event

Jake Shields DRAWS. Luis Santos (46-49, 47-47x2)

Shields Retains ICON Welterweight Championship

Co-Main

Nick Diaz def. Paul Daley via SUB (Armbar) (R1 - 2:23)

Main-Card

Roman Mitichyan def. Tetsuji Kato via TKO (ground-&-pound) (R1 - 2:11)

Noboru Asahi def. Koji Takeuchi via SD (27-30, 29-28x2)

Takuya Wada def. Brad Jones via UD (29-28x3)

Post-Fight Press Conference/Interview:

ICON's last show of the year definitely had its share of controversy mainly due to the draw in the main event. The question of ICON’s judging criteria and how to judge an MMA fight was the main center of talk around the event. In terms of a round by round system Shields definitely won at least three rounds but never put Santos in any type of danger as no submission attempts were close to submitting his opponent. In terms of damage, Santos dominated that area of the fight as Shields looked like his face had been through a woodchipper while Santos had no scratches on him as round one and two were both clearly his. The question of what is a 10-8 round was the main takeaway as the general feeling was the first two rounds where both a 10-8 for Santos while the last three were probably won by Shields the 49-46 score for Santos also raised many eyebrows but what's done is done and while it may not be a victory Shields has successfully defended his belt for the 7th time the most defenses by a champion in an nationally reconsigned MMA organization.

As for post-fight interviews, Jake Shields was rushed straight to the hospital were it was revealed he suffered a broken jaw, nose and right orbital bone the talk of a rematch was quick to emerge as a possible candidate for Shields and Santos next fight by ICON president John Perretti saying he’ll 'definitely look into it’. While the disappointment was clear on Santos' face he told media members he understood why the result was a draw but said he felt like he ‘won’ the fight due to the first two rounds which is a very fair point.

One very vocal critic of tonight's ICON Welterweight Championship fight is UFC president Dana White who in the UFC 64 pre-fight press conference told reporters,

“This is the guy [Jake Shields] the media says is the number one welterweight in the world…. Yeah, he definitely looked like the best welterweight in the world f--kin dreadful! He could barely throw a jab, has no high-level submissions, no strength, no one-punch knockout power he has nothing. When people now ask why he isn’t in the UFC, that performance right there is why he isn’t good enough the level here is much higher than the regional circuit“.

- Dana White

Dana White Not Impressed With Shields 'F--kin Dreadful' Performance

(Blurcat.com)

Munit · August 18, 2020

Shields drew with him?? Whaaaa??? I guess part of me beleives this because shields did fold in certain fights we thought he would win. He was such an elite world beater imo at one point tho. He's still worth a shot

McDojoDelux · August 22, 2020

UFC 64: Leave No Doubt

Josh Barnett vs. Kevin Randleman II

December 2004 (Week 3)

Build-Up + Breakdown:

The UFC would host the final MMA event of 2004 with the UFC Heavyweight champion Josh Barnett (12-2) taking on another former UFC Heavyweight champion himself Kevin Randleman (13-5). Barnett is hot off a trilogy fight with Pedro Rizzo in which he won the trilogy (2-1) at UFC 59 with a 2nd round Knockout, Randleman himself has most recently ended the Frank Mir hype train with by Knocking him out in a minute and nine seconds. Despite being 1-2 in his last 3 fights the fact that Randleman one already has a victory over Barnett and two the UFC Heavyweight division being so shallow ‘The Monster’ was awarded the title shot. When discussing the first fight leading up to their second Barnett chalked the loss up to a ‘lack of experience’ a fair comment as Barnett has improved in all areas of fighting from his stand-up to his grappling. The only real weakness is his lack of checking leg kicks and body shots preferring to keep his guard high Barnett was also recently given his black belt in Brazilain jiu-jitsu but he does show a tendency to struggle when put on his back but his excellent takedown defense often prevents this but with a strong wrestler like Randleman who was able to take him down three times in their last bout the possibility is there.

In the end Barnett told reporters he thought Randleman had already ‘hit his peak’ as a fighter and wasn’t ‘getting any better’ just staying the same fighter he was in years past ‘time doesn't go back and history always favors the younger fighter’. Kevin Randleman of course disagreed with the champ's assessment calling out Barnetts ‘tunnel vision’.

“He doesn't know a thing about my training camps, the fact that he thinks I’m just doing the same thing over and over again. It’s tunnel vision only focusing on himself and that's what's gonna cost him again this time around he clearly isn’t studying his opponent properly”.

- Kevin Randleman

UFC Welterweight champion Matt Hughes (21-1) would take on surging contender Mike Swick (10-3) in the co-main event. Every MMA fan around the world practically knows how Hughes fights at this point a strong countryside wrestler infamous for his double-leg takedown slams with some very good dirty boxing, rear naked chokes, plus some serviceable jab and straight punches. Hughes particularly likes to favor the jab to the head then body combination which he often uses as set-up strikes to get the double-leg take down or at least grab a hold of them so he can drive them to the cage while some have wisened up to Hughes tactics the long-reigning UFC champion strength often proves to be too much plus he has also started to incorporate more feints into his game after moving camps to Greg Jackson’s MMA. Swick on the other hand is a high-level kickboxer his educated feet could prove to be the deciding factor as the past five years Hughes has been battling multiple leg and body injuries which has limited Hughes to mostly fighting once, sometimes twice during the last five years. Mike is also very skilled at escaping the clinch as well as the ground being a very slippery fighter to keep down which might force this fight on its feet longer than Hughes could possibly like.

Only four fights would be on the main-card as many fights throughout the card were scrapped due to injury as only eight fights would be done on the night. Former PRIDE Middleweight Lee Murray (11-3) makes his UFC debut a strong striker who likes to throw punches in bunches but typically underutilizes his kicks with some real concerns being raised about his chin after the Silva loss as his defensive skills as a fighter has deteriorated considerably. Opening the main-card are two Heavyweight prospects in Tim Sylvia (5-2) versus Antoine Jaoude (1-2).

Main-Card Fights:

Main-Event

Heavyweight: (CHAMP) Josh Barnett (12-2) vs. Kevin Randleman (13-5)

UFC Heavyweight Championship Bout

Barnett’s 2nd Attempted Title Defense

Co-Main

Welterweight: (CHAMP) Matt Hughes (21-1) vs. Mike Swick (10-3)

UFC Welterweight Championship Bout

Hughes 4th Attempted Title Defense

Main-Card

Middleweight: Lee Murray (11-3) vs. Jorge Rivera (7-2)

Heavyweight: Tim Syliva (5-2) vs. Antoine Jaoude (1-2)

UFC Look To Cap Off Stellar Year With Another Great Show In The Mandalay Bay Center

(Sherdog.com) + All Fighters Successfully Make Weight

Fight Play-By-Plays:

UFC Rules:

Title-Fights are 5rdsx5mins

Non-Title-Fights are 3rdsx5mins

Non-Title-Fight Main-Events are 3rdsx5mins

Rounds are Scored on a 10-Point Must System

All forms of Soccer Kicks are Forbidden

Knees to the Head of a Downed Opponent are illegal

Stomps to the Head of a Downed Opponent are illegal

All forms of Elbows are Legal

(CHAMP) Matt Hughes vs. Mike Swick

UFC Welterweight Championship Fight

Tale Of The Tape

Age: (31) ------ (25)

Height: (5'9") ------ (6'1")

Record: (21-1) ------ (10-3)

Nickname: ('N/A') ------ ('Quick')

Style: (Wrestling) ------ (Kickboxing)

Betting Odds: (-200) ------ (+270)

Round 1

Swick lands a quick left hand but eats a one-two after failing to get off an uppercut immediately head coach Greg Jackson calls for a level change Hughes fakes going for another one-two before diving for a double-leg takedown Swick does well to defend before being driven to the fence as Matt Hughes is able to get both hooks in to get Swick to the ground. Matt smothers him but Swick does well to prevent Hughes from passing his guard into full mount even landing some decent shots off his back, Hughes slightly disengages getting into a stacked guard raining down punches to the body. Swick uses his legs to push off Hughes and get back to his feet a stiff jab SNAPS the champs head back this leads a four-punch combination with a double jab that leads to a hook then a leg kick all strikes but the leg kick misses.

Round 2

Right hook NEARLY DROPS HUGHES!!! Mike Swick goes in for the kill practically LEAPING at Hughes with a superman jab!!! BAD DECISION by Swick as Hughes easily grabs a hold of him to scoop him up for the SLAM!!! Hughes grabs side-control starting to unload with some knees to the body, Hughes grabs full mount but Swick sprawls well but ends up back in side-control. The rest of the round is spent with Hughes transitioning from side-control and full mount.

Round 3

A double jab then straight lands for Hughes he uses this combination to grab a hold and drives Swick to the cage. Hughes traps Swick to the cage for the next two minutes getting the double underhooks, Hughes drives multiple knees to the body during that time plus a few elbows which bruise Swick’s face a little but eventually Swick slips away. While backing off Swick launches a head kick that's blocked leading to a single-leg attempt by Matt Hughes!!! But some nicely aimed elbows while clinching from Swick force Hughes to back off. Swick starts darting in and out of range really well, starting to use his length more as a flurry of four hooks all land three to the head and one to the body, Hughes looks to grapple but Swick backs away. Hughes feints to try and traps him against the cage but eats a HARD straight for his efforts then another right hook. Leg kick from Swick is slightly CAUGHT by Hughes but he can only grab him into the Muay-Thai clinch landing four knees to the body the horn signals the end of a GREAT round.

Round 4

Hughes peppers 'Quick' with an array of jabs to start the round before putting everything into a straight that misses but he keeps charging at Swick looking for the takedown but a BIG KNEE by Mike ‘Quick’ Swick CRACKS Hughes he doesn't fall but is wobbling BADLY quick three-punch flurry to the body lands before ahead kicks NEARLY DOWNS HUGHES AGAN!!! Hughes, despite being rocked, looks to grapple no matter what the cost is, Hughes, ducks the hook and grabs the hips driving Swick once again to the cage. Although he has a dominant position in the clinch Hughes appears to be resting commentator Joe Rogan theorizes that the amount of shots Hughes has absorbed still has him dazed. Referee Mario Yamasaki separates the two for inactivity Swick backs the champion down as now he has him trapped against the cage, again the in and out movement is done beautifully by Mike Swick coming in with a five punch flurry before slipping away before Hughes can respond. Hard straight by Swick is followed left then right an uppercut HUGHES ISN’T RESPONDING!!!! He looks OUT ON HIS FEET!!! Another RIGHT HOOK ROCKS HIM followed by another left then right hand Hughes shows the heart of the champion surviving the round.

Round 5

Two quick leg kicks by Swick starts the finale round Hughes jabs but another leg kick BUCKLES HIM!!! HUGHES CHARGES AT SWICK!!! Showing off his strength advantage by trapping him against the cage and fires off a few knees as well as uppercuts. Hughes is REALLY pushing himself to his limits being urged by his corner to stay active so the referee does not separate them. Hughes does well to keep Swick against the cage but eventually ‘Quick’ is able to slip away but only has a minute left in the fight. Swick goes up top with a jab the uppercut then lanches a leg kick, SWICK WOBBLES A LITTLE!!! HE’S HAVING TROUBLE PLANTING HIS RIGHT LEG THAT KICK HE LAUNCHED MAY HAVE BACKFIRED!!! Hughes dives and easily gets the takedown as the horn sounds signaling the end of the fight.

The replay shows Swick’s right leg hyperextended while he kicks Matt Hughes in the leg he needs to be held up by his corner as he can’t stand or walk as the decision is being finalized.

“An unfortunate end to the fight for Swick. We hope he’s okay and has a speedy recovery whatever his injury is. But the official decision is in here is Bruce Buffer”.

- Mike Goldberg

“Ladies and gentlemen after fire rounds we go to the judges' scorecards for the decision.

The judges score this contest

48-47 Hughes

48-47 Swick

And 48-47 to the winner by SPLIT DECISION

ANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNND NEEEEEEEEEEEEW

Undisputed UFC Welterweight Champion of the World

Miiiiiiiiike ‘Quick’ Swiiiiiiiiiick”.

- Bruce Buffer

Official Result: Mike Swick def. Matt Hughes SD (47-48, 48-47x2)

Mike Swick wins the UFC Welterweight Championship

(CHAMP) Josh Barnett vs. Kevin Randleman

UFC Heavyweight Championship Fight

Tale Of The Tape

Age: (25) ------ (32)

Height: (6'3") ------ (5'10")

Record: (12-2) ------ (13-5)

Nickname: ('The Baby Faced Assassin') ------ ('The Monster')

Style: (Catch-Wrestling) ------ (Wrestling)

Betting Odds: (-150) ------ (+110)

Round 1

Barnett comes out with a mummy guard which is mainly used to stop Randelman to use any straight punches like jabs but leaves his body open, however, with Barnett being the longer plus bigger man it also makes it harder for Randleman to get in and wrestle as whenever he tries Barnett threatens to pull him into the Muay-Thai clinch by grabbing a hold of his head. This makes the first three minutes of the fight fairly inactive as the only notable strikes are some jabs from Barnett a frustrated Randleman is exclusively head hunting looking for the knockout. An overhand by Ramdnelamn misses for his efforts Barnett lands a lead knee to the body allowing him to get the Muay-Thai clinch!!! DEVASTATING KNEE’S TO THE BODY SLIGHT WOBBLES RANDLEMAN!!! Randelam escapes but eats a PERFECTLY TIMED ELBOW HE’S DOWN!!! HAMMER FISTS that then leads to FULL MOUNT which then leads to some SLICKING EBLOWS OPENING UP CUTS AROUND BOTH EYES OF RANDLEMAN!!! But he survives to see the second round.

Round 2

A jab is parried by Barnett countering with one-two then straight then hits a roundhouse kick this opening allows Randleman to score his best strike of the fight so far with a HARD hook as the roundhouse kicked open the champs guard too much. Randleman looks to pick up the pace and gain some momentum a flurry of five punches is thrown with all but one decent left hook missing another two punch combination by Randleman is blocked. Now Barnett is turning it out sensing that ‘The Monster’ might have spent a little too much energy!!! A one-two backs up Randleman then after missing a jab FLOORS HIM WITH A POWERFUL RIGHT HOOK!!! RANDLEMAN GOES DOWN HARD!!! But the horn sounds saving him from a most likely finish.

Round 3

Barnett starts off the round with a roundhouse kick with his guard again open Randleman throws EVERYTHING into an overhand but comes up short breathing heavily. Randleman runs in and lands his first straight punch of the fight but also rushes into a FLUSH STRAIGHT OF BARNETT’S ANOTHER KNOCKDOWN THAT’S BARNETT’S THIRD!!! Randle looks DONE he doesn't even cover up as Barnett hits him with some SICKENING shots to the face as ‘Big’ John McCarthy stops the fight.

Official Decision: Josh Barnett TKO’s Kevin Randleman (R3 - 1:18)

Josh Barnett Defends UFC Heavyweight Championship

Main-Card Results:

Main Event

Josh Barnett def. Kevin Randleman via TKO (punches) (R3 - 1:18)

Barnett Retains UFC Heavyweight Championship

Co-Main

Mike Swick def. Matt Hughes via SD (47-48, 48-47x2)

Swick Wins UFC Welterweight Championship

Main-Card

Lee Murray def. Jorge Rivera via TKO (punches) (R1 - 2:11)

Tim Sylvia def. Antoine Jaoude via KO (punch) (R1 - 3:00)

Post-Fight Press Conference/Interview:

"Hey everyone, of course the question on everyone's mind is how is Mike Swick? Well we had him checked out with the doctors in the back he's currently in the hospital right now and.... It looks really bad. What we can say is he'll be out a year he completely blew out his ACL and even slightly tore his MCL as well. Of course, this is devastating news we wish him a speedy recovery".

- Dana White

After a dominant display by Josh Barnett many wonders who could potentially challenge the now (13-2) champion? Despite the UFC’s Heavyweight division being relatively shallow for the past few years, the promotion has recently been scouting around the world signing a new crop of Heavyweight fighters to add to their roster some of these new signings where former PRIDE fighter and RINGS Heavyweight champion Dutch Muay-Thai/Kickboxer Gilbert Yvel (25-7) who after a falling out in PRIDE signed with the UFC. Undefeated Brazilian (16-0) Renato Sobral coming off an excellent year submitting fan-favorite Tank Abbott and getting a surprising TKO victory against Heavyweight prospect Ben Rothwell (6-2) with 2 minutes inside the first round. The company also made sure to round up the division with a slew of prospects in the previously mentioned Ben Rothwell, Tim Syliva, and Frank Mir UFC president Dana White said he expected a ‘golden age’ to start within the division.

But the big question on everyone's mind was what to do in the Welterweight division? With Swick out for a year, an interim title is a no-brainer but who would fight for interim gold? With Hughes being a longtime champion along with it being such a close fight it was only fair to give Hughes another chance to possibly get his belt back. As for who he should fight Dana White announced a mini Welterweight tournament as Chris Lytle (13-2-3) would take on Matt Serra (9-2) in the first-ever UFC Fight Night card. Lytle is currently hiding a 10 fight win streak and in terms of being a Mixed Martial Artist Chris ‘Lights Out’ Lytle could very well be the best Welterweight in the world skilled in all areas of MMA with no clear weakness to his game Lytle may very well be holding interim then soon undisputed gold by 2006. Matt Serra on the other hand already holds a victory over Mike Swick being Swick’s only loss in the UFC with power in his hands plus being the first American blackbelt under Renzo Gracie, the first time Serra challenged for UFC gold was against Matt Hughes at UFC: 57 despite all three judges scoring the fight 50-45 Matt definitely had his moments in the fight. Serra hurt Hughes on many occasions in the first, four, and fifth-round as well as also getting a quotient submission in the fifth as well, now that Serra has moved camps to AKA under Javier Mendez the former title challenger could possibly take his striking to a whole new level.

The other match-up would be two rising prospects within the division in BJJ specialist who recently received his blackbelt under Eddie Bravo Nick Serra (9-1) vs GSP (7-0) ‘Rush’ has finished six out of seven opponents coming off two knockout wins the Karate base now turned into a Taekwondo fighter under Duke Roufus. The winner of each fight would then go on to face off with each then would proceed to face Matt Hughes for the interim title before getting a crack at Swick for the undisputed Welterweight championship. Who will emerge as Swick’s next opponent and will the newly crowned champion ever be the same after such a devastating leg injury?

'I Wish Him A Speedy Recovery May God Bless Him And His Family' Matt Hughes All Class In Defeat

(MMAFighting.com)

McDojoDelux · September 5, 2020

Quick Update:

Hey everyone been a while hope you're all doing well just wanted to announce I'll be returning to posting on this dynasty very soon but in the meantime I recently acquired photoshop and have been experimenting with it for a while now. Here's a sneak peek at some of the images I've created to use in some of the upcoming posts, I'm still very new to photoshop so sorry if it's rough on the eyes but I hope you all enjoy and see you then .

*contender

McDojoDelux · September 11, 2020

End of Year Recap (2004)

The sport of MMA had really started to grow within the United States with solid regional organizations like the WEC and ICON Sports transitioning to nationally recognized MMA organizations with the UFC arguably having the best year in the companies history in terms of financial income. The Ortiz and Frank Shamrock trilogy along with the Heavyweight trilogy between Josh Barnett and Pedro Rizzo had rapidly increased the companies popularity as well help establish a solid dedicated fan base of fight fans. PRIDE meanwhile had seemed to have come to halt due to the fumbling of many match-ups as Quinton Jackson had become publicly displeased by the companies blatant ‘freak-show’ match-ups. While some freakshow match-ups can be quite fun Jackson claimed PRIDE did it to ‘protect’ their Light-Heavyweight champion Wanderlei Silva who's next bout would be against Mario Sperry (12-3) famous for being on the wrong end of a 22-second walk-off KO by Chuck Liddell l as well as being flatlined by Alistair Overeem in less than a minute as well. Sperry after winning his debut for the organization got a title-shot while Jackson and other top Light-Heavyweights like Kazushi Sakuraba (15-2-1NC), Dan Henderson (10-2), Forrest Griffin (5-2) were passed upon for what many perceive to be a stepping stone to help hype up Wanderlei even more with a vicious knock-out. Jackson himself was booked to fight Overeem on the same exact as Silva card acting as the co-main event so a possible win for each fighter could finally see the nuclear rivalry between Jackson and Wanderlei Silva’s entire camp finally come to blows in the ring.

"Let's f--kin go already! After I beat Overeem and he [Wanderlei Silva] crushes another can he has to fight me, Wanderlei can't run forever evenutally the golden gouse will have to fight me. No more bull---- it's time".

- Quinton Jackson

The nuclear rivarly that has developed between Quinton Jackson and Wanderlei Silva's entire team has been well docuamtned many rember the backstage brawl between Anderson Silva and Jackon at PRIDE 31 but to go into further detail would require another post for when the fight hopefully happens.

Robbery of The Decade

Chuck Liddell vs. Randy Couture (UFC 59)

UFC 59: ‘Heavyweight Trilogy’ cemented itself in the history of MMA mainly for being the first trilogy fight in a major organization as Josh Barnett and Pedro Rizzo battled for the 3rd time for the Heavyweight championship. But the event also became notorious for what many consider to be the greatest robbery in the history of the sport as the co-main event saw Chuck Liddell return after a one-year PED suspension layoff to face former Heavyweight champion, Randy Couture, making his Light Heavyweight debut for the promotion. Couture came into the bout off a one a one-sided beatdown to Pedro Rizzo losing his championship belt via a huge unanimous decision loss (50-44x3) despite the two having a victory over each other a trilogy fight was shot down with just how dominantly Pedro dispatched of ‘The Natural’. Two weeks after the fight Couture announced the move to Light Heavyweight,

“I come into fights 220-230 pounds? I was about 226 for my last fight while Pedro was around 240 to the 265-pound limit. Frankly, I’m tired of fighting guys with a huge weight advantage over me and most Light Heavyweights walk around the same weight I do so I think it’ll be a perfect fit. I’m not ruling out a return to Heavyweight hell I might go right back up if things don’t as I want them to but I just need this break”.

- Randy Couture

A win for Liddell means he can wash away the taste of his drug violation and best case scenario add another brutal knockout to his highlight reel. A win for Randy then he can lay claim to challenge for the Light Heavyweight championship, while Dana White denied the bout as a title-eliminator it was more than likely the winner would get a crack at Ortiz as the other top contenders like Vitor Belfort and Jeremy Horn were both on two-fight skids.

It turned out to be a decent fight

(simplifed verison of the fights play-by-play)

Round 1

Couture is constantly moving forward dictating the pace with Liddell primarily being a counter puncher himself he allows this but is put into a short boxing range with Randy’s constant aggression meaning ‘The Ice-Man’ can’t get enough pop behind his punches to seriously hurt Couture and those that do get enough swing are to predictable as Randy easily doges them. Liddell isn’t making his intentions a big secret he is head hunting trying to snipe Couture with one big shot but is getting badly outstruck to the shock of many onlookers for the first three minutes of the round. A successful feint by Liddell allows him to land a hard straight on the chin of Couture but Randy shoots for the takedown and while he can’t get it he does trap Liddell against the cage using an array of elbows, shoulder strokes, plus some knees to end the round.

Round 2

Randy comes out fast again briefly clinching with Liddell getting off an elbow while they separate while Liddell gets off a quick overhand which just knicks the side of Couture’s head. Liddell’s corner demanded more set-up strikes before he goes all out with a fight-ending blow but while going a three punch set-up strike with two jabs then a check right hook before going all out with a THUNDEROUS uppercut!!! In which all attempted punches aren’t even close Randy counters able to CRACK Liddell with a hard one-two ‘The Ice-Man’ WOBBLES on ONE LEG before getting some UNSTABLE footing under him his knees are shaking as he backs up to the cage of the octagon. PERFECTLY PLACES FLYING KNEE KNOCKDOWNS LIDDEL AGAINST THE CAGE!!! Couture opens up some BRUTAL GROUND AND POUND against the cage but Liddell survives only for minutes later while on the ground to see Couture in full mount unloading with some BRUTAL ELBOWS!!! Chuck’s left eye is nearly shut and a cut on the edge of his forehead has his face dripped in blood but he lives to see the end of the round.

Round 3

A pretty boring and initiative round neither got any decent shots off only punches barely hitting their opponents, Couture shot for three takedowns but Liddell showed off some excellent takedown defense much improved from his last few fights. Couture was again the aggressor throwing a lot missing a lot but is pushing the pace Liddell’s sniper-like mentality left him only throwing 19 punches in the last round landing 5 of them. Despite this Couture landed more punches while pushing the pace which probably secured him the round as a lackluster round with a lot of feints and sloppy short-ranged boxing came to an end.

After a pretty dominant display from Couture proving he can even stand-up with the most feared striker in the division, his efforts were met with a UD loss as all three judges scored the fight 29-28 in favor of Liddell. A somewhat confused Liddell tried to win back the booing fans in attendance by thanking them for coming but it was all in vain, Couture wasn’t bitter about the loss saying that judging is a part of the sport but also said the judging was flat out wrong as he thought he won every single round with a possible 10-8 for the 2nd round. When asked about the decision Dana White had some choice words,

“None of us are judges, it doesn't matter at the end of the day. Is it unfair maybe but it’s a part of what you sign up for, it's what you sign the contract for you knew if you don't finish a fight this could happen you should have finished him but you can’t so that's what happens. Our opinion doesn't matter; the three professionally trained opinions do”.

- Dana White

Many saw this as White protecting the golden goose of the Light Heavyweight division as Liddell and Dana’s friendship with White being the former manager of Liddel before becoming the president of the UFC is well documented. White wouldn’t reveal who he thought won the fight but made it clear what's next for Liddell

“The rematch between Tito [Ortiz] and Chuck [Liddell] is next. It makes sense Liddell won against a former Heavyweight champion tonight, showed improved takedown defense but also some ring rust in terms of his striking so who knows what happens. Fights like these are fights everyone drops to watch. It'll make a tone of money and will go down in the history books as one of the greatest fights of all time”.

- Dana White

Most of the fans and media pundits had it 30-27 or 30-26 for Couture, this fight along with the equally controversial Jake Shields vs. Luiz Santos' fight had really put into motion about what the scoring criteria for MMA should be and if the 10-point-must system is fit for MMA for not. One thing for certain though the rules and judging for MMA are about to change drastically over the next couple of years.

Champions

(Nationally Recognised Organisations)

What’s Next? (Early 2005)

A serious dislocated leg injury has left the UFC Middleweight champion Nate Marquardt (13-1) on the sidelines he returns in the UFC's first PPV of the year against ‘Ace’ Rich Franklin who had cleared out the Middleweight division in the champs absence defeating the likes of former champions Murilo Bustamante, Jose Landi-Jons by first-round knockouts, then pitching a shutout (30-27x3) decision victory over fellow rising prospect Paulo Filho before ending the year with another first-round knockout against Evan Turner who was riding a 3 fight winning streak himself. The UFC has also signed multiple Middleweight like the trash-talking pro-Chael Sonnen (10-5), Lee Murray (12-3), and Murilo Rua (9-0) older brother to Mauricio Rua to add to their Middleweight division, Rua who comes into the UFC with a lot of praise from his teammates in Wanderlei Silva and Anderson Silva.

“He’s [Murlio Rua] the best fighter in our camp, he's just a natural in MMA. I’ve seen naturally great football players, basketball players but never MMA no matter what aspect the game throws at him he is elite at. He’s going to dominate”.

- Wanderlei Silva

“Great teammate and friend but an even better fighter. His knowledge of the game is what makes him so great. He's always helping me and everyone else during training as well as in our fights he’s like the co-leader behind Wanderlei”.

- Anderson Silva

But before UFC 65 the first show of the year would be the debut of UFC Fight Night on Spike TV headlined by Matt Serra and Chris Lytle in a possible title-eliminator match. This would also mark the first time the UFC has held multiple events in one month as for other nationally recognized organizations like PRIDE and the WEC they would take a brief haitus from booking any shows. Icon meanwhile also had a show booked for early February as Jake Shields would rematch against Luiz Santos in a surprisingly quick turn around as the Alabama athletic commission handed out a short 2-week medical suspension to Shields and only 6 days to Santos. When asked about the quick turnaround Shields explained how the last fight put a ‘bad taste’ in his mouth and wanted to get right back in the cage with Santos.

“I respect [Luiz] Santos but I feel I should have dominated him, no dig at all but I want to prove I’m still the greatest Welterweight in the world and I feel great despite the injuries I wanna get right back in there”.

- Jake Shields

To give a brief recap on how the fight went down Santos battered Shields in the first two rounds breaking multiple bones in his face as well as causing multiple cuts it was a miracle the doctors didn’t stop the fight. Most consider both rounds one and two as 10-8 rounds for Santos with Shields winning rounds four and five with a competitive round three that could of gone etheir way. How will Shields's chin hold with such a quick turnaround? Will Santos be able to finish Shields this time around and if not can he conserve his energy for the later rounds as Luiz promised a more ‘patience’ style of fighting this round? Only time will tell.

To finish off the year Dana White had some pretty harsh words for some of the rival MMA promotions around the world, commenting on how PRIDE and the WEC were taking a brief hiatus.

“We don’t stop where a machine guys sign to fight and we give them that, we aim for a minimum of a card per month and look to make it two then three then possibly four every month with a few short terms breaks maybe a week or two in between not these month-long breaks leaving the fans high and dry. There's a reason PRIDE is losing fans they barely put on shows as it is and their ‘supershows’ are supers--t most of them are mismatches”.

- Dana White

Dannyboyzero20 · September 12, 2020

Keep up the good work!

McDojoDelux · September 14, 2020

UFC Fight Night 1:

Matt Serra vs. Chris Lytle

January Week 2 (2005)

Build-Up:

After the success of The Ultimate Fighter reality TV series, SpikeTV would sign a 3-year broadcasting deal to produce two more seasons of the reality tv show the contact also included terms that the UFC would broadcast the prelim fights of their pay-per-views exclusively on their network and where to also start up a new exclusive show called the UFC Fight Night. Fight Night would just like any other UFC event instead of being on PPV it would be on free cable TV, the first-ever UFC Fight Night would be headlined by a highly anticipated Welterweight match-up with HUGE title implications between Matt Serra (9-2) and Chris Lytle (11-2-3). With the newly crowned champion, Mike Swick sidelined for a year with a torn ACL the UFC has set up an unofficial Welterweight tournament as the winner of tonight's main event will face the winner of Georges St-Pierre and Nick Serra at UFC 65 with the victory eventually facing former champion Matt Hughes for the interim championship. Matt Serra who isn’t much usually much of a talker has been making some big statements in the media recently, while it’s not necessarily trash talk as some would put it Serra hasn’t been shy about his plans heading into 2005.

“I want to knock him out or choke him out. It doesn't matter to me, I’m gonna win this fight no doubt about it. I know he’s a great boxer and wrestler but I have more power in my hands eventually I’ll land and it’ll be all over. If he takes me to the ground I’m a black belt under Renzo Gracie he’ll get choked out unless he just lays and prays but the ref will eventually stand it up. No question I’m gonna win this fight. The only question is how long can Chris last? That’s the only thing I’m wondering about heading into this”.

- Matt Serra

Lytle whenever asked about Serra’s comments seemed genuinely amused claiming Serra to only be a ‘gatekeeper’ who got ‘lucky’ because Matt Serra currency holds a 56 second knockout over the newly crowned champion Mike Swick.

“It’s funny really, Matt’s a funny guy. You know this fight was booked to happen before Swick won the title before that he [Matt Serra] didn’t have s--t to say now he seems to think he’s the next big thing. I can outclass him wherever this fight goes I will not lose a second of this fight. I have a 13-1-1 boxing record and have never been knocked down or out in both sports. I’ve been wrestling since highschool and I got my blackbelt a year ago so join the f--kin club you have a blackbelt only belt he’ll have since he’s never gonna touch the actual belt. He’s a gatekeeper who got lucky that fight [against Swick] was 2-3 years ago they fight right now Swick kicks his a-- all over the octagon!”.

- Chris Lytle

With the UFC holding their 65th PPV event the very next week the entire card of fights was kinda lackluster in terms of promotional value but there were a lot of competitive fights that the hardcore fans could enjoy as the co-main event would see the debut of one of the most hyped prospects to come out of Brazil Murilo Rua (9-0) the younger brother to Mauricio Rua, Murilo has been dubbed the next ‘great Middleweight’ fighter by his team which includes the likes of Anderson and Wanderlei Silva with Wanderlei calling him the ‘greatest’ fighter in the world. He’d face the twin brother of former Welterweight champion Matt Hughes in Mark (5-3) while the betting odds have Murlio as a HUGE favorite Hughes has strung up a 4-fight win streak recently coming off a big upset win over Matt Lindland as a (-700) underdog Lindland via a 3rd round RNC Lindland was on a five-fight win streak himself and was likely on his way to a title shot. The UFC had always viewed Mark as a gatekeeper but with a win of a legitimate contender, he is now knocking on the door of an actual shot at the Middleweight title. Evan Tanner (22-5) would also be making his return getting back on the horse after a brutal loss to Rich Franklin under a brand new camp joining The Pit to train alongside Chuck ‘The Ice-Man’ Liddell he would fight former PRIDE Middleweight mainstay on a 5 five-winning streak being 3-0 in the UFC so far Tyrone Roberts (16-2-1), the final noteworthy fight comes in the main card opening bout with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira twin brother to former PRIDE Heavyweight champion Rodrigo Nogueira (3-2) makes his UFC debut along with his fellow training partner Murilo to the states, when asked about why both he and Murlio left PRIDE in favor of the UFC Nogueira said,

“Anderson [silva] has concurred Middleweight, Wanderlei [silva] Light-Heavyweight and my brother will conquer Heavyweight again. We all plan to be champions for a really long time and none of us want to fight each other, plus if we have champions in both the number one and two promotions in the world it’ll help inspire more and more young Brazilians to take up martial arts hopefully at our gym”.

- Antonio Rodrigo Nogeira

Also making his broadcasting debut for the promotion would be Bas Rutten joining Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan the three would be the official commentary for the next few years to come for the UFC. Rutten was recently fired by PRIDE citing ‘person interest’ and ‘creative disagreements about the commentary’ while many are sad to see the legendary color commentator go; he was quickly picked up by the UFC looking to hire a former fighter with a lot of personality and deep analysis. As for who would replace Rutten for PRIDE’s english dub commentators that is unclear but will soon be announced.

Main-Card Fights:

Main-Event

Welterweight: Matt Serra (9-2) vs. Chris Lylte (11-2-3)

Co-Main

Middleweight: Murilo Rua (9-0) vs. Mark Hughes (5-3)

Main-Card

Middleweight: Evan Tanner (22-5) vs. Tyrone Roberts (16-2-3)

Welterweight: John Lewis (5-3-3) vs. Brain Gassaway (15-13-1)

Light-Heavyweight: Antonio Rodrigo Nogeira (5-2) vs. Aaron Brink (7-6)

Bas Rutten’s + Joe Rogan’s Fight Analysis:

Serra vs. Lytle

“Ever since his loss to Matt Hughes for the Welterweight championship Matt Serra has vowed to become the best striker in the Welterweight division if he has really improved his boxing like he said he has with the power in his hand this could spell danger for Chris Lytle”.

- Bas Rutten

“Couldn't agree more Bas the keys to victory for Lytle has to be a dynamic game-plan. Mix it up between striking and grappling if he stays on the feet too long he runs the risk of getting knocked out by in my opinion the heaviest hitter in the 170-pound division keep him at range with long straight punches maybe a few kicks in there then take him down as Serra takedown is a real weakness”.

- Joe Rogan

“Correct! Has Serra been focusing on to much on his boxing and not his takedown defense as Matt Hughes was a perfect 8 for 8 in takedowns plus while Serra is definitely a black-belt on top but on his back he isn’t really that much of a threat as he gets easily smothered. BUT! Lets not forget Lytle has had his condition checked as a weak spot if he gets too tired to takedown Matt Serra he could be forced to stand and while he is a fantastic boxer with smaller gloves it makes it harder to cover-up”.

- Bas Rutten

Rua vs. Hughes

“Moving to the co-main Mark Hughes is quite possibly the strongest 185-pound fighter in the world no one has ever had to deal with this type of strength before, it makes it hard to clinch and take him down but that being said he isn’t really skilled in any area of fighting”.

- Joe Rogan

“Yes and that's not a dig at Hughes but it's simply true his style of fighting is to act as a human punching bag once he gasses out his opponents he explodes for the takedown to get the RNC. In all his five wins he was losing until he won via a last round RUNC submission because his opponents were too tired. He has already taken so much damage you have to wonder with a complete mixed martial artist like Murilo Rua who has devastating leg kicks, a deadly mauy-thai clinch, he’s a venomous striker and if you manage to take him down he might just make you tap truely a next generational fighter”.

- Bas Rutten

Tanner vs. Roberts

“I love this fight its a key bout for the Middleweight division because it’s the most creative striker versus the greatest defensive fighter in the division. Evan Tanner has lethal elbows he’s a pioneer in MMA with his elbows strikes which are simply amazing”.

- Joe Rogan

“Like fighting a swarm of razor blades Joe, ever since moving to The Pit training with monsters like Chuck Liddell he has better knowledge of striking and all-rounded movement, his fients are excellently timed he’s even starting to incorporate kicks with more spinning attacks”.

- Bas Rutten

“Yet he’s a fighting a defensive wizard in Tyrone Roberts who excels at covering up even with small gloves, parrying jabs, with top notch submission and takedown defense. Surprisingly fast hands for his size plus a solid wrestling background base”.

- Joe Rogan

“Let’s not forget Tanner is an excellent submission grappler but let's stop beating around the bush. The big question is how will Tanner’s chin hold up? He’s 3-3 in his last six fights all three loses coming by DEADLY knockouts is his chin shot? Can he really take a punch? What happens when Roberts connects? A lot of questions for Tanner coming in and we’ll get those questions answered right now”.

- Bas Rutten

Fight Play-By-Plays

UFC Rules:

Title-Fights are 5rdsx5mins

Non-Title-Fights are 3rdsx5mins

Non-Title-Fight Main-Events are 3rdsx5mins

Rounds are Scored on a 10-Point Must System

All forms of Soccer Kicks are Forbidden

Knees to the Head of a Downed Opponent are illegal

Stomps to the Head of a Downed Opponent are illegal

All forms of Elbows are Legal

Evan Tanner vs. Tyrone Roberts

Round 1

Tanner connects on a spinning wheel kick to the body to start the fight which sets the tone for the first minute of the fight as Tanner looks extremely loose, quick, much slimmer than he was in past fights as he circles away after connecting on the wheel kick quick throws a lead uppercut then goes to the body with another flashy kick this time hitting a spinning hook kick. Tyrone tries to grab a hold of Tanner but buys on a feint while backing him down leading to a Tanner connecting on a right hook turned into an elbow at the last minute right landing DIRECTLY on the chin. Tanner is constantly moving around feinting with his hips while some of them may not be big movements he keeps Roberts guessing not wanting him to close the distance to clinch. A jab lands for Tanner followed by a one-two which fails to connect Roberts tries to rush in to clinch but is met with a fast leg kick which slightly BUCKLES Tyrone. Tanner jabs then hit a solid overhand followed by a right hook to the body, moving in and out Tanner hits two back to back leg kicks but while going for a third gets CLIPPED by a fast straight followed by a series of RAPID punches by Roberts a clean right hook lands before he finally gets a hold of Tanner backing him up to the cage. Roberts gets some solid short punches in before disengaging while backing off he masks a BEAUTIFUL overhand CLIPPING Tanner behind the ear!!! TANNER FALLS!!! Roberts gets a top of Tanner but can’t land any finishing shots on the ground but while on the canvas the clear difference in weight shows itself as Tanner is getting smothered his deadly submission grappling is being completely nullified by the weight plus position ability of Tyrone Roberts. A relatively uneventful minute passes before Roberts nearly gets the mount but instead settles for side control getting a few solid shots to the body as the round comes to an end.

Round 2

Tanner comes out spinning again despite being down he’s recovered well a spinning back kick to the body lands to the body as well as a follow-up leg kick. Tanner uses feints with his hip to suggest he’s about to throw another spinning kick to the body he goes to block it lowering his hands but instead Tanner goes upstairs with a SPINNING BACK ELBOW!!! CONNECTION RIGHT ON THE BUTTON!!! Roberts falls face-first he’s STIFF!!! DOWN AND OUT!!!

“IT IS ALL OVEEEER! Evan Tanner by a spectacular knockout here in round two WOW. And if my facts are indeed correct Bas, Joe, that is the first spinning elbow knockout in UFC history absolutely incredible”.

- Mike Goldberg

Official Result: Evan Tanner KO’s (Elbow) Tyrone Robert (R2 - 0:34)

Murlio Rua vs. Mark Hughes

Round 1

SAVAGE leg kicks by Rua buckle Hughes early on after three lands he can barely walk Murilo ‘Ninja’ Rua fakes then goes up high with a head kick twice both Mark eats it continuing to come forward as best he can on a limp. A DEFLATING body kick seems to have stunned Hughes for a brief moment as he grapes his body allowing Rua to land clean hooks to the head of Hughes seeming unfazed. Hughes quickly grabs Rua who lends in a little to much and landing a solid single fast bus driver uppercut he finds Murlio is quickly able to out grapple him getting a dominant position in the Muay-Thai unleashing three straight knees to the body followed by an elbow to the forehead before two more knees to the body. Hughes gives up his back in the Muay-Thai clinch as Rua gets both hooks in he attempts a rear-naked choke!!! Hughes looks to power his way out of it purposely falling back first jumping into the air in a kind of back slam to the canvas!!! IT DOESN'T WORK!!! AS RUA MAINTAINS THE RNC!!! Seeing no way out Hughes taps.

Official Result: Murilo Rua SUBS (RNC) Mark Hughes (R1 - 3:53)

Matt Serra vs. Chris Lytle

Round 1

No touching of the gloves as ref Steve Mazzagatti tells them to “hook 'em up” while there might not have been any visible bad blood it's clear the talk has somewhat gotten to the both of them.

The two engage with some looping strikes but nothing significant lands Serra continues to fling shots while Lytle backs off and ends up backing Lytle to the cage but runs straight into a single-leg takedown attempt which Lytle gets with very little resistance. ‘Lights Out’ Lytle throws a few shots to the body while on top in guard before trying to transition to mount Serra scrambles but ends up giving his back in the process, nothing comes off it tho as Serra does well to defend and get Lytle back into half-guard. Lytle again tries for the mount but Serra scrambles yet again but can’t escape the ground as Chris grabs side control some short elbows SLICE open a cut under the right eye of Serra but besides that nothing really significant lands as the round ends.

Round 2

Serra is pumping that jab out more, it looks crisp, and fast as he lands a few to open the round Serra hits another jab then a beautiful straight Lylte comes back with a lead right hook plus a leg kick. Serra throws a HUGE overhand but it's duck by Lyte who lands a hook to the body than another leg kick, Matt Serra is starting to take some deep breathes he might be starting to tire a bit. Lytle pumps up a jab then a right hook Serra WOBBLES backing up against the cage, Lylte peppers Serra with a three punch combination with two punches to the body then uppercut to the head. Lytle successfully gets a double-leg takedown but Serra does well to keep Chris Lytle into a stick-guard as he excellently uses his legs to push Lytle away and get back to the feet. Serra misses the superman jab in the center of the octagon allowing Lytle to get another single-leg takedown, MOUNT for Lytle HUGE ELBOWS!!! BIG GROUND AND POUND!!! Serra just holding on looking to survive it’s a rough 45 seconds but a bloody Serra holds on to see the third round.

Round 3

Ray Longo is irate yelling about how this was ‘not the game plan’ pleading with Serra to go all out to ‘punch a hole in his f--kin chest’. Serra doesn't have any huge cuts but has an array of small opens all over his face, his most notable being three cuts under his left eye and one on the top of his nose.

Lytle throws a vicious one-two then cracks Serra with a flurry of four hooks followed by a straight but runs into a HUGE right hook by Serra causing him to back off and settle for a few jabs plus leg kicks for a while trying to shake off the cobwebs. Serra looks to capitalize he might of serious hurt Lytle but the leg kicks plus being gassed can’t get him to close the distance, a leg kick KNOCKDOWN but Lytle can only offer a few punches to the body from the stick-gaurd before disengaging letting Serra back to his feet. Lyte drives two hooks to the body then briefly grabs Serra to get off a bus driver uppercut, Serra throws a sloppy overhand which is easily ducked by Lylte who commits to a double-leg which pushes Matt Serra to the cage. An excellent trip of the legs leads to a HUGE judo throw slam the last minute and a half of the fight is spent with Lyte slicing up Serra further with elbows and punches to cap off a dominant mauling.

“Ladies and gentlemen after three rounds we go to the judges scorecards for the decision the judges score this contest.

30-27, 30-26, and 30-26.

To the winner by UNANIMOUS DECISION

CHHHHHHRRRRRIIIS ‘LIGHTS OOOOOOUT’ LYTLE”

- Bruce Buffer

Main-Card Results:

Main-Event

Chris Lytle def. Matt Serra via UD (30-27,30-26x2)

Co-Main

Murilo Rua def. Mark Hughes via SUB (RNC) (R1 - 3:53)

Main-Card

Evan Tanner def. Tyrone Roberts via KO (Elbow) (R2 - 0:34)

Brian Gassaway def. John Lewis via UD (30-27x3)

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira def. Aaron Bink via UD (30-27x2, 29-28)

Post-Fight Press Conference/ Interview:

Chris Lytle wasted no time in calling out Matt Hughes who was in attendance even entering the octagon the two had a brief face-off before Hughes was given a mic.

“You put on a great performance tonight. I want to regain my championship and to do that I need to fight the best Welterweights in the world for the interim title. I think you're one of them. I'd love to fight you let's get to it”.

- Matt Hughes

Murilo Rua challenged Rich Franklin to a fight in a very respectful call out praising Franklin hoping he brings a ‘war’ like wants. But outside of that nothing really noteworthy happened, Evan Tanner gave a pretty generic thank you to the fans and 'I’ll fight whoever they give me'. Matt Serra was hospitalized after a brutal beatdown in his first interview since losing the fight he summed up the experience pretty well in a very short soundbite

“He wiped my a-- for fifteen straight minutes nothing else to say”.

- Matt Serra

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