© Marc Wickert
www.knucklepit.com
All photos copyright 2004 Zuffa LLC
Photography by Joshua Hedges
This was another action-packed card that showed off some of the world’s elite fighters. Two bouts that were particularly of interest were Paul Buentello vs Kevin Jordan, and Andrei Arlovski vs Justin Eilers. It was a great opportunity for MMA enthusiasts to compare the abilities of heavy hitters Arlovski and Buentello for their upcoming battle.
And as usual, ring-card girls Amber Miller and Rachelle Leah were stunning knockouts. But now for the action:
UFC 53: Heavy Hitters
Nick Diaz (6’0″ 170 lb) vs Koji Oishi (5’8″ 162 lb)
-Welterweight
Referee: Mario Yamasaki
Oishi came into the bout with a background in pancrase, which left him lacking hand skills – particularly in the guard department. Southpaw Diaz used his superior boxing techniques and height advantage to capitalise on Koji’s lack of defence. Nick probed and teased with his leading right fist while Oishi stood holding his gloves wide and low. This opening was too enticing for Diaz who effortlessly tagged Koji with punches and a knee. Nick landed jabs, loops, uppercuts and straight punches before catching Oishi with a sidekick. Diaz then fired off a combination of swift fists that finished his opponent off.
Result: Nick Diaz by TKO – 1,24, Round One.
David Loiseau (6’0″ 185 lb) v Charles McCarthy (6’0″ 185 lb)
– Middleweight
Referee: Big John McCarthy
Round One
The Canadians are known for their flamboyant approach to Mixed Martial Arts, and Loiseau was no exception in this match, opening the bout with a right, spinning back-kick that caught McCarthy in the mid section at 4.50. Charles clinched and took The Crow down at 4.28. McCarthy worked hard to gain the dominant position and took possession of Loiseau’s back, while trying for a rear naked-choke. A year or two ago, Charles’s efforts would have spelt curtains for an opponent, but the seasoned Crow remained cool.
2.00: Loiseau rolled McCarthy over and escaped out the back door. Now Charles was fighting from his back as Loiseau – the elbow king – went into attack mode. Charles attempted to nullify The Crow’s elbows by holding onto his forearms, but David was still able to pull them free now and again, and landed a few of his signature weapons.
0.35: Big Mac stood the pair up. Loiseau leapt out with a roundhouse that McCarthy ducked under before seizing David’s left leg and taking him back to the mat. But time was up for round one. As the fighters prepared for another session, the house camera switched to the gorgeous Amber and Rachelle, much to the crowd’s delight.
Round 2
McCarthy went for the takedown and Loiseau landed a knee. They were back on the ground at 4.34, with David ground’n’pounding Charles.
4.04: The Crow had McCarthy’s back. Charles rolled and held onto David’s forearms, before Big Mac stood the pair back up at 3.23. The stand-up game was all Loiseau’s, who caught Charles with a vicious flying right knee to the face, and another spinning back-kick to the midsection that winded McCarthy. The Crow rushed in with another leaping knee and was about to unleash fists and elbows before Big Mac pulled the action up.
Result: David Loiseau by TKO – 2.10, Round Two.
Nate Quarry (6’0″ 185 lb) v Shonie Carter (5’9″ 182 lb)
– Middleweight
Referee: Mario Yamasaki
From the moment this fight started, Shonie fought like a wild, unpredictable scrapper. The main thing Nate had to watch out for was getting lumbered by one of Carter’s wild-card shots, such as a weird-angled sidekick, his off-line looping punches, or his spinning back fists. In the street, everyone is at risk of being caught by a lucky punch. And Quarry was also at risk of being tagged by Shonie in the Octagon. Nate countered Carter’s wild-man barrage by remaining cool and using a disciplined guard to avoid any rapid, incoming fire. When it came to clinching, Nate employed sharp and direct elbows and fists.
4.03: Quarry defused Shonie’s ballistic, skud-like strikes by clinching. Carter was still able to score using right knees and fists, but his momentum was pulled up.
3.19: They separated. Shonie fired off a dangerous, looping left and a spinning back-kick. Nate dodged them and came in with solid fists and front kicks that sent Carter down. Quarry g’n’p-ed Shonie out of contention, and Mario blew the whistle. Shonie provided a great battle, but Nate won with poise and precision.
Result: Nate Quarry by TKO – 2.37, Round One.
Paul Buentello (6’2″ 250 lb) v Kevin Jordan (6’4″ 228 lb)
– Heavyweight
Referee: Big John McCarthy
Buentello kicked off this battle with a sortie of lefts, rights and uppercuts. Not all his punches hit the mark, but if one in four does land, that one usually has the power of four normal punches. However, it was Jordan who scored first in this exchange, sending Paul to his knees with a short right. Kevin latched on a front headlock and delivered a few knees, while Paul replied with powerful knuckles to Jordan’s body.
4.35: They clinched against the fence and exchanged knees and close-quarter punches. Kevin unloaded a series of body shots and knees. However Buentello always seemed to be scanning for the big KO, and at 3.28, he sent Kevin to the canvas via a right-fist rattler. Paul quickly swooped on Kevin for a g’n’p assault.
2.52: They returned to their feet, with Buentello offloading his trademark uppercuts.
2.12: The wounded Jordan bulls-eyed with a left and right. Both of these heavy hitters could take a punch. And both wanted to send the other into orbit. They were against the cage and gassed when Jordan grabbed Buentello’s left leg to pull him down. Paul seized Kevin’s neck with a left-arm guillotine. Jordan’s needle was pointing on empty and he tapped out. This match was a true heavyweight broadside between two big-gun destroyers.
Result: Paul Buentello by submission – 4.00, Round One.
Forrest Griffin (6’3″ 204 lb) v Bill Mahood (6’2″ 204 lb)- Light Heavyweight
Referee: Herb Dean
[p[]The Ultimate Fighter’s Light Heavyweight Champion, Forrest Griffin, made his UFC debut here against Mahood. Neither fighter wanted to delay getting this bout underway. Mahood went in with a right leg kick that Griffin caught and used to take the bout to the ground. From the half guard, Forrest attacked Bill’s ribs and face with short punches. Bill attempted nullifying the attack by wrapping his left arm around Forrest’s neck and holding his head down. Griffin was going for the mount, but at 4.01, Bill got full guard. Forrest continued to work hard, g’n’p-ing his opponent.
3.39: Forrest had manoeuvred Bill across the canvas and had his head forced against the cage.
3.29: Forrest climbed to his feet, moving in to take Bill’s back. From here Griffin worked to slap on a rear-naked choke. Mahood tapped.
Result: Forrest Griffin by submission – 2.18, Round One.
Rich Franklin (6’1″ 185 lb) v Evan Tanner (6’0″ 185 lb) – Middleweight Title
Referee: Herb Dean
Round One
Both athletes enter the Octagon for this middleweight title bout in superb shape. Rich was said to be the better toe-to-toe combatant, but then Evan had shown his boxing skills were rapidly improving. Tanner moves in quickly, wanting to get the show on the road. He fires off a few rights before they clinch. Rich reaches for Evan’s right thigh, looking for the takedown.
4.48: They break free. Franklin slings up a left high kick to Evan’s head.
4.21: Rich connects with looping fists, then slips to the mat while attempting another left, high kick. Southpaw Franklin looks intimidating with his powerful right jabs, which he follows up with more left high kicks, upsetting Evan’s rhythm. Tanner is launching good rights, but Franklin still appears to have the edge in the stand-up game.
3.13: Evan hangs tough and scores with a front kick to Rich’s right leg. Rich replies with a volley of fists, punctuated by a right knee. When Evan moves in to retaliate, Rich lashes out his left high kicks and attacks Evan’s front left leg.
1.00: Franklin is now dominating the stand-up game and appears to be picking off Tanner, using his right jabs with pinpoint accuracy.
0.38: Tanner catches Franklin with a stealth right glove and drops him. He rushes in to take Franklin’s back, but Rich clasps Evan’s right ankle and flops Tanner onto his back. Tanner goes for the arm bar then a triangle choke. Franklin is too elusive and starts to pound Evan when the hooter sounds the end of round one.
Round Two
Evan comes out appearing confident again, knowing that he decked Rich just a moment ago. He throws a series of punches and kicks.
4.42: Rich counter kicks Tanner’s second kick, then sends in some rapid fists.
4.39: He fires off another right kick that Evan catches and uses to take Franklin down. Rich is on his back, but Evan is unable to capitalise.
4.01: They’re standing again. Tanner tries to line Franklin up for another right pulveriser, however Rich is spitting out the jabs and catches Evan with a high left kick. They’re both missing with a lot of punches. There’s a cut on Evan’s forehead, but it’s not a drama at this stage.
1.53: Franklin ducks under a right from Tanner, then he walks straight into the next one. But Rich already showed in round one that he can take a punch, and he bats on.
1.46: Franklin latches onto Tanner’s neck, Thai-style, and drives up a right and left knee. Herb Dean’s attention is focused on Evan’s face, which is pretty bloody now. It resembles a half moon, with the right side still white and the left side glowing red.
0.58: Rich is on a shark-feeding frenzy. He fires off a leaping knee attack before following with right and left fists. Evan’s cuts receive attention at the end of round two.
Round Three
Both men still look in superb shape as they come out for the third round. The MMA fighters at this level are truly the fittest athletes in the world.
4.16: Rich seizes Evan’s neck again and fires off three right knees. The first one scores, but Tanner blocks the second and third attempts.
3.39: Tanner does a tentative left sidekick, which is not a good idea against Franklin, and acts as a calling card. Rich swoops in. He misses with a flurry of punches and a knee, but he has Tanner on the run.
3.22: Both Evan’s eyes are puffy, but he has the heart of a lion and pursues Rich.
3.15: Franklin tags Tanner with a right.
2.50: Franklin tags Tanner with a left. He moves in and sprawls over Evan and goes for a guillotine. Evan showed against David Terrell that he can beat guillotines and grabs onto Rich’s left leg, then turns his head out of the choke.
1.56: They’re back on their feet, but even Rich seems disappointed to see the mess Evan’s face is in. Had it not been a title fight, Herb probably would have pulled the pin on this bout by now. Both men are weary, but Rich still has that powerful jab and the sharp snapping left that he uses to pick Evan apart at will.
Round Four
Franklin stands and puts his mouthpiece back in. His corner man tries to assure him that it’s the third round coming up. Rich looks at him in disbelief as the sizzling Amber Miller wiggles her body for the crowd and displays a ring card showing the number four. Unfortunately Evan comes back out. Herb Dean has proven himself to be a referee with loads of discretion – particularly when he pulled up the Mir vs Sylvia fight. However, he probably could have shut this one down at the end of the last round. Rich Franklin appears uncomfortable hitting Tanner, and with a pro record of 33-4, everyone knows Tanner already has a warrior’s size heart. Eventually the battle is terminated.
Result: Rich Franklin by stoppage – 3.25, Round Four.
Karo Parisyan (5’10” 169 lb) v Matt Serra(5’6″ 170 lb)
– Welterweight
Referee: Mario Yamasaki
With an MMA record of 21-3 for Parisyan, the scariest thing about these credentials is the realisation that Karo is only 22 years old. The fighters moved in and were sizing each other up when Matt caught Karo with a thumping straight right at 4.49. Parisyan went down and Serra punched Karo’s noggin with rights and hammer fists. But the strikes weren’t loaded. Parisyan latched onto Serra’s left leg, attempting to pull him down. Matt sprawled and continued to strike Karo while forcing him up against the fence. If Matt had been delivering more powerful punches, Karo could have been in real trouble here.
4.32: The pair returned to their feet.
4.22: Serra got Parisyan with a left knee to the midsection and Karo was unsuccessful with his hip-throw attempt. They stood toe-to-toe and both men landed fists. Karo took Matt down but they were straight back up.
3.01: Matt caught Karo with a solid inner-leg kick. When he tried for a repeat dosage, Karo replied with a right glove.
1.17: Parisyan scored with a series of punches then landed with a left high kick that upset Serra’s momentum.
1.03: Matt went for a right front kick that Karo caught and used to take the action to the ground. Karo initiated some g’n’p-ing, before Serra climbed back up, only to have Parisyan take him down again before time ran out.
Round Two
Matt landed with a right leg kick and fist.
4.05: Karo body-slammed Matt. They climbed back up and Karo tried two high kicks that were blocked by Matt. But it was apparent that Parisyan was gaining confidence in the standing battle, and anyone who takes on Karo knows it’s going to be a perpetual-motion war from start to finish.
0.59: Parisyan had Serra on his back and was pounding away with fists, elbows and forearms. With each fight, Karo becomes a more competent striker.
Round Three
During the break, Randy Couture was in Parisyan’s corner feeding him information. At the start of round three, Karo swept Matt’s leg and took him to the floor. Karo worked on an arm bar, but the experienced Serra spun out of the hold and took Karo’s leg. Matt was running on empty and Karo continued to pound while Matt continued to cover up. Karo went for a choke at 0.30, before Matt rolled Parisyan and initiated some g’n’p-ing from the guard just seconds before the match ended.
Result: Karo Parisyan by decision.
Andrei Arlovski (6’3″ 241 lb) v Justin Eilers (6’2″ 228 lb)
– Heavyweight Interim Title
Referee: Big John McCarthy
Prior to the bout, some questioned why Justin Eilers got this shot at the title. But while other fighters were busy dodging and weaving the opportunity to take on Arlovski, Justin stood up like a true gladiator and said count me in, boys.
As they face off, it seems hard to believe Andrei is only one inch taller than Eilers.
4.44: Andrei attacks Justin’s left inner leg with a front leg kick and Justin counters with a powerful left hook to Arlovski’s head.
4.28: Andrei catches Justin with a strong right kick to Justin’s left thigh, and Eilers counters with a solid right hook. Arlovski then counters the counter with another left leg kick.
4.13: Justin ducks under Andrei’s left and right fists before clinching. Eilers had said before the match that he wanted to take Arlovski for a test run on the ground, but Andrei shows he isn’t easily manhandled, and resists the takedown.
3.59: They separate. Andrei continues to use his front left kicks to prevent Justin from closing in, then he tags Eilers with rattling punches.
3.24: Andrei employs his immense power to bulldoze Justin against the fence.
3.19: Eilers breaks away and Arlovski is in hot pursuit. During the knuckle exchange, Andrei is out-gunning Justin and looks like he’s about to cut loose with a barrel of fury. To his credit, Justin’s face is now bloodied, but he’s plugging away and still believes he can upset Arlovski.
2.08: Justin now tries to steal Andrei’s thunder and kicks his inner leg. But Andrei counters with a jab, followed by a cracker of a thigh kick.
1.55: Justin throws a left hook and Andrei returns the favour.
1.51: Arlovski dispatches a crisp jab to test Eilers’s jaw for glass content. Justin passes the test and soldiers on. Arlovski is scoring with more fists, but Eilers has a ton of heart and fights back, until 0.55, when his right knee unexpectedly buckles and Eilers is down. Andrei swoops in; Big Mac however is quick to pull it up.
Although it was Justin’s knee giving out that ended the fight, it appeared Andrei had Eilers’s measure. The announcement of Andrei Arlovski vs Paul Buentello for UFC’s undisputed heavyweight title at UFC 55 will certainly be an interesting match up.
Result: Andrei Arlovski by TKO – 4.10, Round One.
