Rachelle Leah
© Marc Wickert www.knucklepit.com
All photos copyright 2004 Zuffa LLC.
Photography by Joshua Hedges
With the latest Ultimate Fighting Championship being another sellout, UFC officials scrambled for extra chairs to meet the public's overwhelming demand at this rapidly growing event. Since the commencement of Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV, the sport of MMA is growing in popularity like wildfire.
Outshining the bright lights were UFC regular Cindy Crawford, singer Willa Ford, and after-hours grappler, Jenna Jameson.
But perhaps it was the gorgeous UFC ring-card girls, Amber Miller and Rachelle Leah, or delightful interviewer, Kerri Kasem, who forced former NYC bouncer Vin Diesel to don his shades for an evening of 'fast and furious' Octagon action.
And although UFC claims to be As Real As It Gets, another slogan for the competition could be There Are No Preliminary Bouts, with all nine matches being world-class contests.
UFC 51: Super Saturday Results
Nick Diaz (6'0" 170 lb) v Drew Fickett (5'10" 170 lb) – Welterweight
Referee: Big John McCarthy
Nick Diaz vs Drew Fickett
These days, most UFC debutantes are seasoned fighters who have proved themselves on a lesser MMA circuit before stepping into the Octagon. With a 24-2 record, Drew Fickett had the coolness of a veteran when he faced Nick Diaz for his first UFC match. And at just 21 years, it seemed Nick Diaz (9-1) had been with us forever.
Both men came out with fists blazing.
4.05: They were in a clinch before Diaz had Fickett in his guard. Nick had Drew tied up and continued to touch-up Fickett with short jabs from his back.
3.40: Diaz started to maneuver into position for an arm bar. Fickett wriggled his way out and stood over the horizontal Diaz, but caught a kick to the face from the downed Diaz, which knocked his mouth guard out.
3.00: Drew latched a guillotine on Nick as he climbed to his feet. With Nick's right arm also trapped in the guillotine, Drew had Nick in full-guard position. But Diaz was able to slip his head out of the choke and forced Fickett up against the fence. Still in Drew's guard, Nick unloaded sharp blows to Drew's body and head.
2.07: Both men were back to their feet and in a clinch, with Drew against the fence.
1.57: Big John separated the pair and returned Drew's mouth guard. The action resumed with Diaz delivering a leaping, right kick to Fickett's ribs.
1.42: Drew took Nick down with a second guillotine attempt – again with Nick's right arm trapped in the choke. It appeared Drew was using too much steam on holds that Nick was able to escape.
1.18: Diaz administered left hooks to Fickett's body and had his head free from the choke. Diaz resumed punching Fickett's body with lefts and rights. The punching momentum increased and Drew had no answer to the onslaught.
0.20: Big John pulled the bout up.
Result: Nick Diaz by TKO – 4.40, Round One
Karo Parisyan (5'10" 170 lb) v Chris Lytle (5'10" 170 lb) – Welterweight
Referee: Mario Yamasaki
Karo Parisyan (with Gokor Chivichyan to his right) vs Chris Lytle
Round One
The action commenced with a cloud of loose fists flying, and like Rembrandt, both grapplers couldn't wait to get to the canvas.
4.49: They were on the mat with Chris Lytle (27-10-4) fighting from his back.
4.20: They rehearsed dueling leg-locks, before Karo Parisyan (20-3) was striking from the mount and Chris retaliated from his back, as both men looked to dominate play.
2.18: Observing the fan-friendly, perpetual-motion rule, Mario Yamasaki ordered the fighters back to their feet.
Parisyan attempted a takedown and Lytle caught him with a right knee to the midsection. Eventually Karo was successful with the takedown and rained elbows on Chris, while trainer Gokor Chivichyan choreographed instructions from the sideline in Armenian. But Lytle wasn't interested in the makeover and replied with a right, looping fist when Karo raised his head.
Round Two
Parisyan wasn't happy to stand toe-to-toe with Lytle as round two commenced and took Chris down with a judo hip-throw that sat Lytle on the floor – head first. Karo was back on track, and Chris was back on his back.
3.19: Mario separated them again before Karo slipped under Chris's right and returned him to the floor. This time Parisyan was briefly on his back until they worked their way to their feet, only to have Karo slam Chris back down.
2.29: Parisyan ground'n'pounded Lytle and appeared to be dominating these first two rounds.
Round Three
Chris tried to park a swinging left fist on Karo's jaw, but after he'd dispensed a few tentative punches, the action was back on the mat at 4.40. As in the previous rounds, Karo kept busy serving up g'n'p punishment. Lytle was brave and put up a great fight, but he didn't have an answer for Parisyan's perpetual attacking.
Result: Karo Parisyan by unanimous decision.
David Loiseau (6'0" 184 lb) v Gideon Ray (5'9" 180 lb) – Middleweight
Referee: Steve Mazzagatti
David Loiseau vs Gideon Ray
This was the first of two substitute matches, with Gideon Ray (14-1-1) stepping in for the injured Joe Riggs after just four days' notice. "You're going to see a quick, agile, super-conditioned, intelligent, black, beautiful man fighting and knocking his opponent out," was Loiseau's prediction. Unfortunately, David didn't say whether he was talking about himself or Gideon.
An eager Ray jumped at the opportunity to make his first Octagon appearance, commenting: "This fight is going to start out, man. There's going to be no stalling; no waiting. Whatever's going to happen in the fight, I want it to happen in the first round. Whether that's me up or down, I don't care. I just want to get in there and mix it up."
Loiseau and Ray swapped a variety of kicks, knees and fists until 3.53, when they clinched. Despite Ray's TKD background, Loiseau was the fighter trying for high kicks, which had little impact. Gideon landed some stinging knees to David's thighs before Loiseau knocked Ray down with a powerful knee to the face.
3.31: David moved in to take advantage and forced Gideon against the fence for some g'n'p-ing. Ring announcer Bruce Buffer liked what he saw from his front-row seat, whilst Ray attempted to escape Loiseau's side mount by giving up his back. David immediately shot for a rear-naked choke.
2.14: Gideon beat the choke, only to land on his back with Loiseau in full mount.
1.08: Ray escaped yet again, and had Loiseau forced against the cage.
0.50: Both men returned to the horizontal battleground. Gideon's looping punches were out of range, and David caught Ray with damaging Thai-style knees that flattened Ray. Loiseau moved in again and hammered Gideon with his signature right elbows.
At the end of round one, Ray's noggin had gashes deeper than the cuts Loiseau had previously elbow-carved on Jorge Rivera's skull at UFC 44. It was obvious there would be no second round.
Result: David Loiseau by TKO, Round One.
Mike Kyle (6'4" 242 lb) v James Irvin (6'2" 224 lb) – Heavyweight
Referee: Herb Dean
Mike Kyle vs James Irvin
Although Mike Kyle (10-2) was KO'd by Justin Eilers at UFC 49, Mike is still a big, powerful striker, and was too much of a challenge for James Irvin (7-0) to test his wares against. Irvin opened the bout casually with his guard down and tried a tentative right kick. Kyle, an excellent counter-striker, caught the kick with his left hand and simultaneously shot out a snapping right fist. Kyle then overpowered his opponent, pinned him against the cage, and roughed Irvin up with a series of lefts.
This bout was a gift for Mike. And although James caught him with one big right, this just seemed to infuriate Kyle, who couldn't hide his surprise at seeing the huge opening Irvin was creating with his guard continuously down. Kyle ended the mismatch abruptly with a whip-cracking overhand right to Irvin's jaw.
Of James Irvin, Mike told Kerri Kasem after the fight: "He is going to be a good fighter. He's just a little inexperienced, a little out of his weight class…Look forward to seeing him at 205. Keep your head up, man."
Result: Mike Kyle by KO – 1.55, Round One.
Paul Buentello (6'2" 247 lb) v Justin Eilers (6'2" 225 lb) – Heavyweight
Referee: Steve Mazzagatti
Paul Buentello vs Justin Eilers
Paul Buentello (16-7) had been waiting six years for an invitation to compete in the Octagon and was hell-bent on proving himself a worthy guest at this slugfest. Justin Eilers (9-2-1) had won his first match with the quick KO of Mike Kyle at UFC 49, and was dead-set against a downward step on the Octagon ladder.
Buentello launched his UFC career with distracting leg kicks and lightning fists. He employed these tools to flick leather in Justin's face, then chewed at Eilers's legs with kicks before Justin could settle into his game plan.
3.33: Justin clinched and pressed Paul against the fence. Buentello would have none of this and broke away from the tie up.
2.47: Eilers had Paul pinned against the cage again and scored with punches and knees. Justin preferred to crowd Paul, whereas Paul preferred the room-to-move scenario.
1.48: Buentello had his way and unloaded rapid, stinging fists. He then lined Eilers up for a left, right combo, and Justin's head shook with the 'KO wobbles', before his feet got the delayed news and left the party.
Buentello showed he was here to stay. The less experienced Eilers will be back, better than ever.
Result: Paul Buentello by KO – 3.34, Round One.
Evan Tanner (6'0" 185 lb) v David Terrell (6'0" 185 lb) – Middleweight Title
Referee: Herb Dean
Evan Tanner vs David Terrell
The only thing questionable about Evan Tanner (32-4) is what hairstyle he'll be sporting coming into the ring. For this UFC, he entered as a chiseled, visiting Viking and left as the Wild Man of Borneo.Due to David Terrell (9-1) having won his previous UFC clash against Evan's former teammate, Matt Lindland, in 24 seconds, punters had David odds-on favorite for his meeting with Evan. In typical Tanner fashion, Evan ignored the experts and focused on his dream: UFC's world middleweight belt.
David launched a snapping kick to Evan's face that was blocked, then shot kicks at Tanner's legs.
4.00: Terrell took Tanner down.
3.56: Evan was back on his feet. David was rampaging Evan with high-kicks, knees and punches, seeking a quick victory.
3.40: Terrell took Tanner back down, but Evan remained composed and appeared more amused than concerned by Terrell's furious attack.
3.31: David had Evan in a guillotine. Ring announcer Joe Rogan commented: "Tanner looks like he's in trouble…It's deep in there too, man. It's deep under the neck. This might be it." No sooner had it been "curtains" for Evan, then David was on the ground and against the fence.
3.00: Tanner was smothering Terrell with fists and elbows. David tried to retaliate, but it appeared he'd invested too much steam in the earlier onslaught, and Herb Dean intervened.
(For David Terrell's comments on the bout see www.knucklepit.com 's NEWS section).
After the bout Kerri Kasem asked Tanner: "I heard your old teammate, Matt Lindland, wants to fight you. What do you say about that?" Evan replied: "That's fine. It's nothing personal. He's one of the top competitors, and I won the top fight in the UFC. So if he's next, I'll fight him."
Result: Evan Tanner by TKO – 4.35, Round One.
Andrei Arlovski (6'3" 238 lb) v Tim Sylvia (6'8" 263 lb) – Heavyweight Interim Title
Referee: Big John McCarthy
Andrei Arlovski vs Tim Sylvia
Set for five rounds, no one expected this match to go the distance. Andrei Arlovski (7-3) knew he would have to shoot in fast, strike and retreat, because, with Tim's five-inch reach advantage, Sylvia (19-1) could still catch Arlovski with a fist when Andrei was attacking Tim with long-range kicks.
As expected, Arlovski did adopt this 'hit-and-run' strategy as he had previously done against Cabbage. Andrei had great respect for Tim's crushing punches and snapped out recoiling punches and leg kicks. Sylvia tried to tag Arlovski with jabs, but Arlovski attacked Sylvia's left leg with his own lead-leg kicks to nullify Tim's jabbing power.
4.30: Andrei countered Tim's jab with a hard right cross that put Tim on his back. Andrei moved in to g'n'p, then used his Sambo experience to grab Tim's right leg and submit him with a foot lock.
Result: Andrei Arlovski by submission – 0.47, Round One.
Pete "Drago" Sell (5'11" 183 lb) v Phil Baroni (5'9" 185 lb) – Middleweight
Referee: Mario Yamasaki
Pete "Drago" Sell vs Phil "New York Bad Ass" Baroni
Pete "Drago" Sell (5-0) took this fight on with just two weeks' notice after Robbie Lawler injured his elbow. For Phil Baroni (6-4) this was a match he really needed to win.
Round One
Pete moved in and clinched before Phil could unleash some of his Bad Ass punches.
4.40: Sell had Baroni on his back and tried to get Baroni to burn up energy whilst attacking Phil from his guard.
1.17: Pete fared better on the ground, but Phil got to his feet. Baroni tagged Sell with a leather combo and Sell instantly countered by poking his tongue at Baroni. Phil then counter-countered with a more effective uppercut. The round finished in a clinch: Sell attempting the takedown, Baroni resisting with a sprawl.
Round Two
They exchanged fists. Pete landed a few and smiled at Phil, letting him know he could box too.
4.25: They clinched and the roll reversal continued with Baroni electing to take Sell down.
4.07: Baroni's takedown attempt was successful, and he had Sell against the fence while supplementing Pete's diet with generous rations of leather.
1.52: Mario separated the fighters. Pete was matching Phil's standing game, so Phil took Pete down again. With his head pushed against the cage, Sell kept hold of Baroni's head, thus preventing Baroni from raining down the big punches.
Round Three
As Sell had appeared to take the first round and Baroni seemed to seal the second, Phil needed this final round to go his way. But Sell remained confident, showing little respect for Baroni's strike game.
4.18: Baroni took Sell down again and forced him up against the fence. Sell fought well from underneath.
3.07: Mario stood them up. Baroni shot under Sell's attempted uppercut for a takedown which also failed. But Phil's next takedown did work.
1.40: Pete positioned himself to sink a guillotine from his back. Phil appeared to be suffering a fuel crisis.
0.49: Sell told Mario he thought Baroni was out. When Pete rolled him over, Baroni tapped.
Phil was naturally disappointed with the result, but gave full credit to Pete.
Result: Pete " Drago" Sell by guillotine submission – 4.19, Round Three.
Tito Ortiz (6'2" 204 lb) v Vitor Belfort (6'0" 205 lb) – Light Heavyweight
Referee: Big John McCarthy
Tito Ortiz vs Vitor Belfort
Both warriors enter the bout with MMA records of 12-4-0. Vitor appears much more confident for this clash than he did at his previous UFC appearance against Randy Couture. Tito also enters the Octagon looking poised, after signing autographs at ringside just minutes earlier.
Round One
Both men are looking in superb condition as southpaw Vitor, and orthodox Tito square off in the Octagon center. Tito moves in and Vitor clinches, holding Tito against the cage.
4.38: Tito repositions Vitor against the fence. Ortiz wants to take Belfort down, and administers knees and right fists.
3.50: Vitor breaks away and they're toe-to-toe again in the middle of the Octagon. Belfort shakes Ortiz with rapid-fire fists, but Tito wears it well and catches Vitor with his own left jab that drops Belfort to his right knee.
3.23: They're in a clinch and back against the cage.
2.31: Big John separates them.
2.04: Vitor slips and Tito is determined to keep Vitor down. Belfort fights from his back and blood spills from Ortiz's nose. In Vitor's guard, Tito delivers elbows and massages Vitor's face with his gloves.
Round Two
Both men seem confident. Belfort is not one to initiate the action and waits as Ortiz moves in with fists firing.
4.20: Belfort tries for a guillotine. After being submitted by Guy Mezger at UFC 13, via the guillotine, Tito said he would never be submitted with that choke again, and escapes Vitor's hold.
4.18: Belfort has Ortiz in a side mount against the cage. He attacks Tito with left elbows and fists. Tito covers well, as Vitor continues his attack. Belfort has the dominant position, but lacks the juice.
1.27: Big John intervenes.
1.04: Ortiz takes Belfort down. Ortiz dispatches elbows now, while Belfort tries to cover up and regroup energy supplies whilst on his back. As the bell sounds, Tito walks away with more confidence and steam.
Round Three
Ortiz discharges a kick at Belfort's face, then attempts a takedown. Vitor is on his back and holding on.
4.17: Tito works hard with elbows and forearms. Vitor no longer looks threatening, and waits for Big John to reintroduce the stand-up confrontation.
1.32: Belfort's wish is eventually granted and Tito, the fresh-faced kid, rushes Vitor for another takedown.0.42: Ortiz has Belfort on the canvas and resumes g'n'p-ing Vitor.
Despite one judge seeing it otherwise, this was a victory Tito deserved.
Result: Tito Ortiz by split decision
Amber Miller
