The new look Rachelle Leah
© Marc Wickert
www.knucklepit.com
All photos copyright 2004 Zuffa LLC
Photography by Joshua Hedges
This was another memorable UFC with plenty of action and a few surprises. Two highlights were the return of MMA greats Jeremy Horn and Tra Telligman. Another turn up for the cards was the new-look Rachelle Leah. Yet again, Rachelle and Amber Miller brought the spectators' blood to Boiling Point.
Hats off to ring commentators Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan. They did an excellent job of calling the fights live, without the luxury of being able to refer to slow-mo before making their comments – a tough task indeed.
But probably the biggest surprise of this UFC was the reborn Tim Sylvia who prompted knucklepit.com to introduce a special Knucklepit's Outstanding Fighter of the Night Award.
After suffering a defeat against Andrei Arlovski at UFC 51, Tim came back with much improved hand skills, a variety of destructive kicks, more athleticism and flexibility, and above all, more coordination. This was a complete new package from Sylvia.
Tra Telligman is a great fighter, with the scalps of, among others, Igor Vovchanchyn and David Rivera to his credit. And 12 months ago, the match up between Tra and Tim could well have been a different proposition. But for Sylvia to rebuild himself in such remarkable fashion was a true inspiration to anyone looking to turn his life around.
UFC 54: Boiling Point
James Irvin (6'2" 205 lb) vs Terry Martin (5'8" 205 lb)
– Light Heavyweight
Referee: Steve Mazzagatti
Round One
Martin came out for this bout dressed like a hardware store Power-tool Ranger, but with Irvin's three-inch reach advantage, Martin was not going to stand back and be used for target practice. Instead he chose to rush in and take Irvin down. After being tagged with some left-right combinations and a leg kick, Martin moved in at 4.48 and had James pinned against the cage. James tried to resist the takedown, but Terry got his way at 4.31. Martin fought for dominance from the guard while Irvin looked for a way to get things back in the vertical world.
3.02: Irvin climbed back to his feet, though Martin wasn't about to let him cut loose and continued to systematically work Irvin over. Terry attempted some sweeps and James landed a few body shots. Eventually Terry took James back to the floor. From the guard, and then the half guard, James landed left elbows and stinging right fists. Then James got them back on their feet as the hooter sounded.
Round Two
Martin crouched for another takedown at the start of the second round, and Irvin moved in with a flying knee. Terry Martin was out cold.
Result: James Irvin by KO – 0.09, Round Two.
Trevor Prangley (6'1" 184 lb) vs Travis Lutter (5'11" 185 lb)
– Middleweight
Referee: Herb Dean
Round One
Started out with some air boxing before Travis took it down at 4.45. Travis fought from his back with Trevor in his guard. Prangley stood up and pounded Lutter with a right. Both men were then standing and they quickly clinched. Lutter went for the takedown as Prangley resisted by sprawling. They exchanged knees and body punches before Prangley swept Lutter's left leg and landed on him with side control. Travis climbed to his feet but surrendered his back in the process. They separated and Trevor unleashed a series of facials. Back in the clinch, Prangley was taking advantage of the close-quarter combat.
4.48: While up against the fence, Lutter copped a choirboy shot and Herb Dean put the action on hold, giving Travis time to regroup them. The replay had the crowd wincing and Travis looking like a farmhand on an onion plantation.
When the action resumed, ring commentator Mike Goldberg said, "Let's see what Lutter tries to do differently here."
0.35: Low blow and behold, Lutter was back to peeling onions. Prangley walked away shaking his head and Travis rearranged the crop again. Lutter had replaced injured David Terrell for this match, and Terrell was probably glad to have been sidelined at this point.
The fight recommenced and the combatants clinched before Prangley swept Lutter to the mat as the round came to a close.
Round Two
They exchanged fists in a clinch. Now South Africa's Prangley had his ballistic knee-strikes landing in the northern hemisphere and scored with rib-rattling body shots.
3.08: Trevor had success with another sweep. Fighting from Travis's guard, Trevor forced Travis up against the cage. Prangley unloaded short left elbows and right body shots.
2.03: Herb Dean separated the pair. Lutter's left eye appeared bloody. They resumed play on the floor and Prangley attacked from the six o'clock position, as his chest forced down upon Lutter's upper back. Trevor had his left arm around Travis's back and pounded away with right fists.
0.50: Prangley was back in Lutter's guard and continued the g'n'p-ing before the hooter signalled the end of round two. At this stage the fight belonged to Prangley.
Round Three
Travis came out patched up, but copped another serving on the ground. Trevor was still fresh and working hard at his g'n'p game. Travis tried to tie Trevor up, but blocked most of Prangley's fist and elbow strikes with his head. At the end of round three, Lutter's face looked like a hospital floor.
Result: Trevor Prangley by decision.
Matt Lindland (6'0" 185 lb) vs Joe Doerksen (6'0" 185 lb)
– Middleweight
Referee: Mario Yamasaki
Round One
Like Karo Parisyan, Matt Lindland lets any opponent know they better be prepared to go the distance at full throttle.
To kick things off, southpaw Lindland landed a left. They clinched and went to the ground. Joe fought from his back with Matt in his guard.
3.28: Mario separated them. Matt scored with a left fist and knee. Joe took Matt down and went for his back, but Lindland evaded the attempt and the combatants returned to their feet.
3.11: Doerksen landed a right fist and Lindland replied with a left knee. They clinched and return to the canvas – Joe on his back and Matt in his guard.
2.04: Lindland raised up for more striking leverage, so Doerksen used Matt's elevation against him to flip him over. They then climbed back up and clinched against the fence.
1.50: Joe took Matt down and gained the mount. Lindland rolled and surrendered his back. They rolled and Doerksen went for an arm bar at 1.00. Lindland escaped the hold and commenced g'n'p-ing from the guard. He stood for more elevation again before Joe kicked him away. They got back up with Doerksen scoring a left knee and right elbow. The bell sounded.
Round Two
Joe shot out a front leg-kick. They decided to resume play on the ground, with Matt fastening on a guillotine. Joe evaded the submission attempt and had Matt back in his guard. Lindland elected to stand again and rain down strikes, but this time Doerksen was more accurate with his defence strikes and delivered two mule kicks to Matt's jaw. Matt fell back into Joe's guard. The rest of the round followed the same pattern, with Doerksen fighting from his back and Lindland working his g'n'p game. Mario separated them again and Matt had another go at the guillotine.
Round Three
This was pretty much a duplication of rounds one and two, except Lindland dictated more of the play as the fight progressed. Joe wouldn't be submitted, but Matt was the more dominant fighter.
Result: Matt Lindland by decision.
Georges St. Pierre (5'10" 170 lb) vs Frank Trigg (5'9" 170 lb)
-Welterweight
Referee: Big John McCarthy
They touched gloves.
4.51: Southpaw Trigg moved in and fired off a left knee and landed a left fist that backed St. Pierre up against the cage.
4.41: Georges tried for a jab, then dispatched a right high-kick, but Frank blocked it with his forearm.
4.38: Trigg unloaded another left knee that St. Pierre countered before rocking Trigg with a powerful jab. Frank went for the takedown. Georges resisted with a sprawl, then turned Frank on his back.
4.25: St. Pierre took side control and shut down the southpaw's left arm.
4.19: Georges got the mount. He said earlier (see Georges St. Pierre Part 6 article at knucklepit.com) his game plan was to test Frank while on his back. St. Pierre connected with gloves and elbows.
3.50: Frank rolled and Georges took his back.
3.40: Frank returned to his back with Georges returning to the mount.
3.16: Trigg climbed to his feet, but couldn't shed St. Pierre. They fell down and Georges blasted Frank with more elbows. Frank tried rolling again with Georges latched on like a turtle's shell, and unloaded strikes to Frank's head as Frank covered up as best he could.
2.10: Trigg continued to roll but couldn't shake the Canadian who pounded away from the mount.
1.39: Frank fought to stand up with Georges getting a piggyback ride a la Trigg vs Hughes 1 and 2. Frank collapsed and wore more g'n'p-ing.
1.01: From the rear, Georges rolled back and took Frank with him. He tried on a rear naked choke. Frank attempted his last roll, but couldn't escape and tapped.
Result: Georges St. Pierre by rear naked choke – 4.09, Round One.
Diego Sanchez (5'11" 170 lb) vs Brian Gassaway (6'1" 170 lb)
-Welterweight
Referee: Steve Mazzagatti
Round One
Ultimate Fighter star Diego gave away a reach advantage of 3.5 inches, but compensated by delivering a kit full of ill will.
Brian moved straight into centre ring in hot pursuit of Diego. As Gassaway closed in Sanchez went for the shoot and Gassaway sprawled, then turned Sanchez against the cage. Brian delivered a knee and broke the clinch at 4.28. Diego tried to connect with fists, though Brian easily moved out of range.
4.08: Gassaway elected to strike only to have Sanchez shoot in and successfully take Gassaway to the floor. Diego was struggling for the mount, then opted for a guillotine at 3.56. The pace was furious. Sanchez attempted side control and pounded away as Gassaway used his long legs to push away from being pinned up against the cage.
2.59: Diego achieved side control. He was working Brian over with elbows and forearms as Brian tried to cover up.
1.44: Sanchez mounted Gassaway, and Brian turned onto his stomach before returning to his back while Sanchez kept pounding. Gassaway was copping a hammering, but fought his way back up at 0.50. Gassaway was gasless and Diego fought like a mako, taking Brian down at 0.25. Diego tried for a kimura, before deciding to serve up some more g'n'p-ing. He then slapped an arm bar on Brian that wasn't a real threat, before the hooter pulled them up.
Round Two
Sanchez was quick to put Gassaway on his back and stood, pounding his opponent – Joe Riggs style.
4.12: Sanchez mounted Gassaway. Gassaway took elbows, fists and forearms before doing the wise thing and tapping.
Result: Diego Sanchez by tap out – 1.56, Round Two.
Randy Couture (6'2" 205 lb) vs Mike Van Arsdale (6'2" 205 lb)
– Light Heavyweight
Referee: Herb Dean
Round One
Last time Randy fought in the Octagon he was up against Chuck Liddell – a man best known for his kickboxing skills. For this bout, Randy was facing a fellow wrestler – Mike Van Arsdale.
They came out as boxers until 4.38, when Mike went for the shoot and Randy came in over the top, falling onto the floor in the six o'clock position. Couture delivered a right knee and elbow. He manoeuvred around to Van Arsdale's right side and they stood back up. Couture seized Van Arsdale's right wrist from behind and secured Mike's waist with his left arm. But Mike broke free. They scrambled for dominant position.
3.34: Van Arsdale had Couture's back, looking to take him down. Randy turned and they were again in the clinch with Randy up against the fence.
3.09: Mike delivered a body shot before unloading a series of blows to Randy's head. Randy clinched and sent in some knees.
2.44: Van Arsdale hip-threw Couture from the clinch and landed across Couture's mid section.
2.29: It was another mad scramble and Randy took Mike's back. Mike climbed to his feet but Randy pulled him back down at 2.01.
1.43: They were again in the six o'clock position with Randy's chest pinned on Mike's back. Couture delivered right knees to Van Arsdale's left shoulder.
1.00: Randy was latched on and going for the death roll, but Mike knelt on his right knee and stretched out his left leg for stability, preventing Randy from rolling him. Couture returned to the six o'clock position and struck Van Arsdale with right fists.
0.17: They stood in a clinch – Mike's back to the cage, while they swapped gloves and clinched again before the round ended.
Round Two
Mike jabbed away at Randy, then caught him with a left leg-kick. Randy closed in. They exchanged fists before returning to the six o'clock position – Randy on top. He dispatched punches and right knees to Mike's shoulder.
4.04: Couture tried his luck at the death roll again. Van Arsdale had a strong foundation with knees apart and held off Couture's manoeuvre once more. So Randy elected to soften Mike up with another serving of gloves and knees.
3.06: They went toe-to-toe.
3.02: They went back down.
2.46: They returned to their feet and Mike took hold of Randy's right leg in a takedown attempt, before they went toe-to-toe again and repeated all of the above. Herb Dean separated them at 0.32. Van Arsdale had a cut high above his right ear, and he looked to be struggling for gas.
Round Three
Randy seemed fresher when they resumed play. Mike threw some bombs, but Couture was able to move out of their flight path. He then agreed to wear a couple of Mike's fists in order to get the takedown, then the six o'clock once more.
4.18: Couture had another go at the death roll and this time he was able to sink in the hold with added leverage. Randy proved to the exhausted Van Arsdale that The Natural gas was superior to depleted gas.
Result: Randy Couture by tapout – 0.52, Round Three.
Tim Sylvia (6'8" 264 lb) vs Tra Telligman (6'2" 229 lb)
– Heavyweight
Referee: Mario Yamasaki
Tim Sylvia did a slow shuffle into the Octagon and looked his usual slow self. When Mario announced. "Let's go," the old Sylvia left the cage and the new model Sylvia sprang into action, looking more coordinated and agile than ever.
4.49: Tim struck with a shin kick to Tra's left leg, then he dodged back out of range when Tra moved in to counter with fists.
3.58: Tim caught Tra with a strong, right uppercut as Tra moved in with a left. Sylvia looked sluggish against Andrei Arlovski at UFC 51: Super Saturday, and Tra Telligman is definitely not a sleeper – preferring to turn it on and mix it up. But this was a new model Sylvia in action tonight.
3.57: They clinched, then separated. Telligman was still in pursuit of Sylvia. He caught Tim's lead leg with a shin kick then wore Sylvia's counter right-cross.
3.06: Tra tried the shin kick again but caught another right in the process.
2.53: Tim tagged Tra with the same kick. Now Sylvia was in pursuit of Telligman.
2.50: Tra is roughly the same height as Arlovski, but each time he moved in to strike Sylvia he paid the price.
2.07: Tim delivered a front, then rear kick to Tra's left leg.
1.53: Sylvia caught Telligman with a left knee.
1.35: Telligman landed a solid left fist to Sylvia's mid section. They exchanged fists and Tim dispatched another Thai-style knee.
0.46: Tra scored with a leg kick and Tim replied with a front kick.
0.38: Tra fired out a nice left hook.
0.32: Sylvia was jabbing away and appeared to be lining something up. He closed in on Tra.
0.18: Telligman landed with a jab.
0.12: Sylvia landed with a jab.
0.01: Sylvia fired off a crushing, left high-kick that turned Telligman's light out on the bell.
After the fight, Tim Sylvia said the extra conditioning and flexibility he possessed was all courtesy of Bill Rush.
Result: Tim Sylvia by KO – 4.59, Round One.
Chuck Liddell (6'2" 204 lb) vs Jeremy Horn (6'2" 203 lb)
– Light Heavyweight
Referee: John McCarthy
Round One
Chuck and Jeremy touch gloves and square off. Both have long stances. Chuck is the champ, but Jeremy is at centre ring and Chuck circles. Liddell keeps his hands low, while Horn has his guard up, knowing Chuck possesses the KO fists.
4.38: Jeremy kicks Chuck's front leg with his.
4.24: Chuck sends out a jab and a leg kick. Jeremy covers up as Chuck activates more fists.
3.56: Horn fires off a high kick and moves out of range.
3.05: Horn lands a stinging shin-kick to Liddell's lead leg. Jeremy is still standing with Chuck and using his guard well against him.
3.00: Chuck sends in two left hooks to get around the back of Jeremy's guard.
2.28: Liddell catches Horn with a solid inside leg-kick, but Horn continues to pursue.
1.57: Chuck throws out a jab, a cross, and a further right-hook that puts Jeremy on his back. Liddell moves in and thumps Horn who covers up as best he can. Chuck then stands and calls Jeremy back up.
1.36: Liddell moves back in with blazing fists. Horn shoots and Liddell sprawls, dishes out more blows, then stands back up. Liddell said before the fight he wanted to be the first person to knock Jeremy Horn out, and it's apparent Chuck doesn't want to end the match by g'n'p-ing his opponent. He calls Jeremy back up to slug it out.
1.15: Horn shoots again. Liddell pounds away before standing.
1.00: Chuck swings out a left hook that is partly blocked by Jeremy, who hits Chuck with a clean jab. By now Chuck has used a fair amount of energy whilst rattling Jeremy and he is puffing as he settles for counter punching Horn.
0.30: Jeremy fires off a big right that Chuck takes on his left triceps. Jeremy follows with a high kick which Chuck avoids. Liddell then throws looping bombs, but they don't quite hit the mark.
0.15: Horn attempts a shoot and wears a right from Liddell for his trouble.
0.10: Big John calls Jeremy back up. Chuck tests Jeremy with a spinning kick, but it's caught by Horn who tries to take Liddell down once more. Chuck falls on top of Jeremy. The hooter sounds.
Round Two
Horn is back in centre ring with Liddell circling.
4.47: He catches Liddell with a jab.
4.40: He then scores with a bigger right on Liddell and attempts the takedown, which Chuck defends against by sprawling. Big John calls Jeremy back up.
4.16: Horn goes for a right; Liddell tries to counter with a left; Horn goes for a left high-kick; and Liddell tries for a left hook. None of the strikes are clean.
3.56: John McCarthy says, "Come on guys, go to work."
3.36: Jeremy tries the high kick – Chuck counters with a cross.
3.30: Jeremy rips out a leg kick. In the knuckle exchanges, Jeremy is still faring well against Chuck except that he doesn't possess the same KO power in his strikes.
2.48: Horn lands another stinging front leg-kick. Liddell tags Horn with a combination of strikes that send Horn to the canvas. He continues to strike Jeremy at will on the ground, then backs away. Chuck really wants Jeremy's scalp via the knockout. Jeremy keeps trying for the takedown but Chuck is too strong and skilled at avoiding shoots.
1.59: Horn bats on in pursuit of Liddell.
0.28: He lands a jab smack in Liddell's face, however, again it lacks the necessary power to do the trick. Chuck is just circling now and looking for the opportunity to unload the big one.
Round Three
This round is more of the same: Jeremy couldn't take Chuck down or knock him out, and Chuck wouldn't settle for anything less than a KO win.
Round Four
Liddell is now at centre ring looking to move in on Horn. Jeremy is wiping his right eye, but bats on.
2.27: Chuck sores with a left – right combination. Jeremy goes down. Big John asks Jeremy if he's okay and Jeremy replies that he can't see. Big John pulls it up.
Result: Chuck Liddell by KO – 2.46, Round 4.
Knucklepit's Outstanding Fighter for UFC 54: Tim Sylvia.
Amber Miller
