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UFC 46 Results
January 31, 2004 Mandalay Bay Events Center Las Vegas, Nevada
Jason Martinez here, bringing my ringside report from UFC 46: Supernatural in Las Vegas, Nevada. This UFC definitely put the electric charge back in the air - compared to the disastrous events to unfold at UFC 45 last November. I must admit, there were a few upsets (for the hardcore fan) that will definitely make 2004 a year to remember (as these changes will affect what happens these next eleven months).
The standout upset for me was to see Belfort receive the belt on a doctor's stoppage in twenty seconds of the first round. I caught up with Dan Henderson, one of Randy Couture's stablemates out of Team Quest, and this is what he had to say:
"When he (Randy) shot in, Vitor caught him with the seam of the glove, which is sewn together weird."
Unfortunately, this cost Randy a loss that he does not deserve. If Tim Sylvia is allowed to immediately challenge for his belt (against Andrei Arlovski at the upcoming UFC 47) after losing it to a steroid charge, then I would see no problem to have Randy rightfully retain his belt at UFC 48.
The next upset was seeing Carlos "The Ronin" Newton, lose every aspect of the fight game against Renato Verissimo, just after having an excellent win over Renzo Gracie at PRIDE FC: Bushido. Both threw testing shots and eventually clinch, each attempting a throw, before Carlos gets underhooks and the hip toss landing in Renato's guard. Carlos is on the defense as Renato tries for submission, finally securing an arm. Carlos of course escapes, but Renato capitalizes and reverses for mount. Renato lands several elbows and forearms before Carlos gives his back, then turtles. Renato gets his hooks in and is able to pancake Carlos and continue to land strikes till the bell.
Second round looks the same as the first, as Carlos attempts a hip toss. Renato is able to reverse momentum to land in the half-guard of Carlos. Renato lands several good strikes and does gain side mount. Carlos is quick to get his full guard but the ref soon stands the fighters back up. Renato misses a high kick, and goes into a clinch where he lands a right knee to Carlos' head. They land in Newton's half guard. Renato again mounts and strikes till the bell with Carlos giving his back in the process.
Final round, Carlos knows he needs to work this round but Renato starts off heated, landing two right hands that have Newton pulling half guard. Newton works for full guard, then ref Larry Landless puts them on their feet. Renato lands a direct knee that stuns Carlos. Renato follows with a left jab as Newton clinches, then gets side position with a semi hip toss. Newton moving to North/South position, allows Renato to stand back up. Before the round ends, Renato is able to get the takedown into half guard punching to end the round. Renato wins by unanimous decision.
Down the line, BJ "The Prodigy" Penn's total domination over Matt Hughes. When my friend and I broke down this card, I told him that BJ had a better chance of beating Hughes than Vitor had of beating Randy. This was proved as BJ out stood, out grappled, and tapped out one of thee best pound for pound fighters in the world - that being Matt Hughes. Matt Hughes called this fight right as he said:
"The only way I will be beat, is if I beat myself !"
And that is exactly what he did. He thought that there was no way that BJ could move up a weight class and dominate him - quoted from Matt's mouth on the big screen.
To me, it's not about weight, it is about skill, heart, perseverance! This is one thing I miss from the old UFC tournament days - No weight classes, man against man, skill against skill!!! This is one example of beating yourself, having no fear!!! BJ gets the takedown, attempts to pass Matt's half guard, as Matt looks for a kneebar. BJ lands a thumping right in Matt's guard that has the champ give his back. At 4:39 of the first round, BJ applies a rear naked choke, Matt has no choice but to tap as he knows there is no escape. BJ, in the state of pandemonium, goes for his finishing move... THE KISS OF DEATH!!! as he plants one on the lips of the still light headed Hughes, kneeling in the middle of the octagon!!! This is no joke but still made me laugh as I watched the replay - no disrespect to either man as it was a very emotional moment for BJ and I understand how he felt.
Defiantly not an upset but the biggest surprise for me was Frank Mir's performance against Wes Sims. Wes coming in with Hammer House stablemates Mark Coleman, Kevin Randelman, and Bill Goldberg. There was also a slimming Ricco Rodriguez in his corner. Mir almost immediately shoots for a double leg, into side mount, then to mount. Mir lands several strikes before attempting an arm bar. Not getting the submission, Mir finds his way back to full mount quickly. Wes gives his back trying to escape out the back but it is Mir who is able to pancake and Wes finally pulls guard. Mir quickly transitions for a body/arm smother. Wes looks like he will tap but at the last minute, shoots his arm up (like Hulk Hogan), Flips a bird, and points to Mir who soon after releases the choke. Mir does land a forearm that splits the brow of Wes before the bell.
Round two starts with trading of strikes where Wes slips on the mat. Mir takes the opportunity to single leg into a nice scoop slam. With no action, the ref stands up our fighters. Mir, looking gassed, takes a few knees in a clinch, then attempts to shoot. Wes sprawls effortlessly and they end in a North/South position. Looking like Wes has turned this fight around, Mir reverses into Wes's guard. Another stand up and at 4:21 of the second round, Mir is able to land two devastating knees followed by a right/left punch combo to floor Wes for the TKO win.
Now comes our noise makers of 2003. Some will enter the octagon for the first time (coming from different organizations) showing that fighters come from all walks of life. Some will re-enter the octagon, having great performances in past UFC's that have led to this nights fight opportunity.
Jorge Rivera made his return to the octagon, after a bloody war with David Loiseau that went to a decision at UFC 44 (Rivera won), Jorge earned his spot back in the UFC. Lee Murray made his debut coming from England where he recently defeated Jose Landi-Jons. There was no real test on the feet as Jorge clinched and then belly to belly suplexed Lee into guard. Jorge jumping in and out of Lee's guard trying to land shots. Lee catches Jorge in an arm bar which he quickly transitions into a triangle/arm bar for the win at 1:24 of the first round. We see Lee has ground skills as well! Lee then calls out Tito Ortiz who is in attendance. There was a bar fight after UFC 38 in England, where it is rumored that Tito took a lickin' from a certain Englander!?!?! This was confirmed by Lee as he squashed the rumor aspect of my last statement.
Karo Parisyan displayed excellent Judo skills when he bested Dave Strasser at UFC 44 with a spinning kimura. Across the ring was one of Canada's top talents in George St. Pierre. Pete Spratt was St. Pierre's latest victim in Canada's top promotion TKO (formally UCC were Duane Ludwig beat Jens Pulver last year). It was Spratt that held the spot to fight Parisyan but decided to fight before his next UFC appearance, which led to St. Pierre winning his spot. This fight was pretty one sided as George St. Pierre proved that he can go the distance with a well based fighter. First round was all George - from the time Parisyan pulls guard. George stays busy enough with forearms and elbows to take it to the bell.
George lands a good left jab and immediately shoots for the double leg to start the second round. George content to ground and pound - Karo starts working for submissions. Karo, not able to catch the Canadian, pays as George lands another forearm gashing the bridge of Karo's nose and possibly fracturing it.
Final round, Karo is visibly gassed but still is able to apply his spinning Kimura which looks to have George in trouble! Not giving up, George makes an incredible escape, putting himself into Karo's guard. There is only one ref stand up in the entire fight - It comes with 1:24 left in the third. Karo makes a wild charge, which allows George to land a right upper cut followed with a few hooks before the end of the fight. George St. Pierre is awarded with a unanimous decision.
Hermes Franca was sporting an 8-0-0 record, three of those wins being in the UFC. Josh Thomson had one win in the UFC out of his 9-0-0 record. This fight was back and forth action from beginning to end. Josh landing leg kicks, catching Hermes with an unintentional low blow. Hermes took a minute but seemed unfazed by the shot. Josh attempts a high kick and slips to the ground. Hermes coming in for the clinch. Hermes lands knees and a overhand right on the breakaway. Josh comes in with a left over hand followed with a spinning back fist. Josh continues with looping rights and finally gets a double leg into Hermes guard. Hermes is able to stand after attempting an arm bar, and evens the takedowns with a double of his own.
Second round, Hermes shoots for the single but gets caught with a few knees before Josh pulls guard. Hermes is standing and diving into Josh's guard landing heavy strikes. Josh is able to get a reverse and land some hard shots before Hermes turns into an ankle submission attempt. Josh is able to escape the hold by striking Hermes with a few well placed back fists breaking the lock before time expires.
Final round, both men trade but nothing solid. Hermes explodes from Josh's guard almost having Larry Landless stop it but Josh is able to weather the storm and pull guard. Josh straps on a nice triangle but Hermes is able to shrug it off, which allows Josh to stand back up. Josh then does a right spinning back fist, followed immediately by a left spinning back fist that cracks through the Event Center. Josh finally gets a double leg to end the round. Josh Thomson wins by unanimous decision.
I did not see this first bout between Matt Serra and Jeff Curran. I did see the last round and heard the fight was about the same throughout. Serra imposed takedowns on Curran and was able to gain side control at will. However, Jeff stayed game with submission attempts when possible but this was not enough to take a decision over Serra.
All in all, this show put a lot on the table and makes for some interesting going ons in the year to come.
Will the UFC get rid of the lightweight division? Is this in the sports best interest - no.
There is a challenge out from Yves Edwards to Josh Thomson - Hermes will still make waves, and of course, Matt Serra is still a prospect. And we will hope too see PRIDE FC send over an up-and-coming lightweight, maybe off their Bushido show.
Will we see Lawler battle St. Pierre to see who is next to fight BJ Penn for the Welterweight belt?
Lee Murray will step up to light heavyweight (like he needs to) to take on Tito Ortiz but first Chuck Liddell will battle Tito. Until that time, there will be plenty of competition at the middleweight level for Lee Murray to stay busy and maybe get some gold.
The Tim Sylvia/Andrei Arlovski fight scheduled for UFC 47 is a bunch of BS!!! That match should at least be to see who will challenge Frank Mir for the belt but such is politics my friends. Lets hope they will give Randy a chance to be back where he belongs - as his fight was a fluke at best. Of course, Ortiz/Liddell will be the next - after Randy gets his just deserts!!!
Questions, comments, corrections, E-mail me at jason4mma@yahoo.com
- From Jason Martinez with a little editing from us (highlights, etc...)
TheFightGame.tv would like to thank Jason Martinez for his great work!
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