Amber Miller
© Marc Wickert
www.knucklepit.com
All photos copyright 2004 Zuffa LLC
Photography by Joshua Hedges
What an incredible introduction to MMA for Californian fans! Held at Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, this eighteen-thousand seater sold out in hours, and definitely delivered the goods. True to UFC form, there were no preliminaries as every bout was loaded to the gills.
And when the devilishly delicious Amber Miller and the sizzlingly seductive Rachelle Leah circled the Octagon, novice UFC fans could be forgiven for thinking the cage was erected to protect fighters from these delightful ring-card girls. Hmmm…
Thiago Alves (5'9" 171 lb) vs Derrick Noble (5'9" 170 lb)
– Welterweight
Referee: Mario Yamasaki
Former marine Derrick Noble accepted this match in the eleventh hour after Drew Fickett pulled out due to injury. Noble, a southpaw, threw a left and Thiago Alves came back with a right inner-leg kick. Alves repeated the kick and Noble moved in with fists, before the pair clinched. Knees and hands were traded.
4.10: Derrick smacked Thiago with a kick and Thiago countered with his right fist. Derrick delivered close-quarter body punches, forcing Thiago up against the cage, but Thiago scored from the clinch with a knee to the midsection. Derrick was working short, sharp punches from there until they broke free at 3.43.
3.34: Alves unloaded a barrage of fists and shot up a left high-kick that flew over Noble's noggin. Noble came back with his own left high-kick which Alves absorbed mainly with his guard.
3.06: Noble closed in, discharging a combination of punches, only to have Alves pull him up with a right hand. The toe-to-toe exchange was pretty even as both men tried to gain the upper hand.
2.32: Derrick landed a solid kick to the midsection and attempted another kick, before moving in for the kill with a rapid series of punches. Thiago buckled to his knees against the fence, then stood while trying to cover up.
2.16: Thiago shoved Derrick away.
2.16: Thiago threw one right fist at Derrick's chin. It was a bullseye, and Derrick went down. Thiago dived on him for some ground'n'pounding. Mario Yamasaki pulled the pin.
Result: Thiago Alves by TKO – 2.54, Round One.
Jason Lambert (5'10" 204 lb) vs Terry Martin (5'9" 205 lb)
– Light Heavyweight
Referee: Big John McCarthy
Round One
Hulk-like Martin moved in pursuit of his opponent as Lambert circled out of range. They exchanged with little impact on either party. Martin ducked under Lambert's looping left and they clinched. Terry forced Jason's back against the cage, before Jason reversed positions and commenced banging Terry's ribs with ripping rights.
4.16: Martin spun Terry back into the fence and hammered his body with leather. Jason tried to flee the scene, but Terry latched on and Jason slipped to his knees, stood back up, and delivered a right knee to Terry's body. They spiralled along the fence and continued to compare knees.
1.56: Big Mac restarted the fight.
1.47: Lambert fired off a ballistic left kick that was off target. They clinched and fell to the ground – Martin in Lambert's half- then full-guard.
0.44: Lambert failed with a shoulder lock as Martin pile-drove knees into Lambert's butt. Both men worked hard on the floor leading up to the bell.
Round Two
Jason offered to take Terry down, but Terry declined the offer, so they adjourned to the fence in a clinch.
3.37: Big John separated them. More toe-to-toe followed, and this time Terry went for the takedown. Eventually he got a single leg, but appeared gassed. Jason spun around and took Terry's back. With Terry lying on his stomach, Jason mounted him and got the hooks in. He then buffed Terry's head with leather, until Big John blew the whistle.
Result: Jason Lambert by TKO – 2.37, Round Two.
David Terrell (6'0" 184 lb) vs Scott Smith (6'0" 186 lb)
– Middleweight
Referee: Marco Lopez
The fighters went straight to the floor with Terrell on his back. Smith pushed him up against the fence. Terrell latched on to Smith's right wrist for an arm bar. Smith stood and shook his way out. With Smith in his guard, Terrell pulled him against his body.
3.31: They stood. Southpaw Terrell moved in for a takedown and Smith sprawled. Terrell grabbed Smith from behind and kneed the back of Smith's thighs.
2.21: David was trying for a suplex that didn't quite come off, as Scott half-heartedly defended the throw while looking at the ref in bewilderment.
2.17: As in the previous bout, David had his opponent's back with hooks in place, and started g'n'p-ing. He then fitted Scott with a rear naked choke, and got the tap.
Smith climbed to his feet and shook hands with Terrell, but clearly, Smith was not happy.
On the replay it appeared the ref started to break them up at 2.21 – both physically and verbally – then changed his mind, letting the action continue.
This was unfortunate for both fighters.
Result: David Terrell by rear naked choke – 3.08, Round One.
Karo Parisyan (5'10" 170 lb) vs Nick Thompson (6'1" 171 lb)
– Welterweight
Referee: Mario Yamasaki
With Randy Couture in his corner, Parisyan came out with a wild looping right, hoping to catch Thompson off guard. Thompson ducked under the punch and pretended to be a matador, as Conquistador Parisyan beckoned him forward. Thompson responded with a kick to Parisyan's left leg.
4.42: They clinched and Karo swept Nick to the floor, before fighting from Nick's half guard.
4.11: Nick had Karo in full guard. Karo worked his g'n'p, then stood before pouncing down with a heavy fist as Nick fought from his back. They scrambled about – Karo busy pounding and Nick trying to cover up and tie Karo down. Karo kept climbing and pouncing – Joe Riggs style – connecting with strong fists and elbows.
2.01: Thompson reversed positions, then they stood in a clinch. Parisyan loosely swept Thompson, forcing him against the cage. Thompson kicked up at Parisyan when he stood, but Karo was too evasive and lunged down with another right before assuming side control.
0.47: Nick attempted wriggling free, only to have Karo mount him. Karo then unleashed savage elbows and fists, forcing Nick to tap.
Result: Karo Parisyan by tap out – 4.44, Round One.
Jeff Monson (5'9" 234 lb) vs Marcio "Pe De Pano" Cruz (6'4" 230 lb)
– Heavyweight
Referee: Big John McCarthy
Round One
From the start, Cruz was busy keeping Monson at bay with jabs and with kicks to Monson's lead leg. When the shorter Monson vied to close the gap and box, Cruz retreated out of harm's way.
3.03: Marcio kicked and Jeff clinched before they untangled at 2.52.
2.40: Jeff landed jabs and an overhand right.
2.28: Jeff put Marcio on his butt with a powerful jab, but Marcio quickly climbed back up. They clinched, flipped to the floor, and scrambled to their feet.
1.44: The show returned to the ground, Monson moving back and forth from guard to half-guard while working on Cruz's body with right fists.
0.44: Big Mac stood them up. It seemed out of character in this fight for Monson to be standing back and favoring Cruz's reach-advantage, rather than closing in and bulldozing his opponent.
Round Two
This was a continuation of the previous round, until 4.32, when Jeff seized Marcio's legs and took him down. But at 4.20 they were back on their feet.
4.00: Monson landed a thumping right and was looking more dangerous with his hands. Cruz didn't like the turning tide in this fist war, and went for the takedown at 3.40. But Monson caught Cruz with a knee and sprawled over his attacker, before delivering more knees and body-punches.
3.08: Jeff climbed back up and McCarthy ordered Marcio to do likewise. Jeff finished the bracket well, connecting with solid punches. However, Marcio had been punishing Jeff's left leg with kicks and Monson was beginning to walk like Bo Diddley.
Round Three
Surprisingly, Cruz elected to take Monson down a number of times rather than continuing to attack Jeff's left thigh. Both men were gassing, but Monson seemed to be working harder. It soon became apparent this bout was going to be served to the judges.
Result: Jeff Monson by split decision.
Evan Tanner (6'0" 186 lb) vs Justin Levens (5'10" 186 lb)
– Middleweight
Referee: Herb Dean
Southpaw Levens kicked out at Tanner's leg and Tanner caught the kick and clinched, roughing up Levens against the cage.
4.00: They separated. Evan kept his guard up, while Justin's hands were low.
3.39: Evan delivered Thai-style knees from a clinch, before Justin broke free. Evan delivered a leg kick and clinched again.
3.16: Tanner took Levens down and commenced pounding from the half-guard.
2.19: Levens tried a leg lock, but Tanner quickly escaped the hold.
2.10: Justin went to pull Evan down as Evan snapped on a triangle. When Justin worked to break free, Evan secured Justin's right leg with his left hand, and arm-barred Justin's left arm.
After his coming in as a late replacement, this was a hard Octagon initiation for Justin Levens.
Result: Evan Tanner by triangle arm bar – 3.14, Round One.
Tito Ortiz (6'2" 204 lb) vs Forrest Griffin (6'3" 203 lb)
– Light Heavyweight
Referee: Big John McCarthy
Throughout the evening, before this much-anticipated fight commenced, the overhead screen had shown glimpses of these two gladiators in their change rooms. Tito looked excited and ready to deliver the full Tito Ortiz dynamic package-deal that had made him such a popular fighter. By contrast, Forrest lay on the floor of his room with a towel under his head like a stranger waiting for a train. Perhaps he was in transit from the Andy Griffith Show.
Forrest strolled out to the Octagon first. He could easily have been wandering down to Golden Pond. The crowd went berserk. Big John approached Forrest, and from the body language, they appeared to be chatting about trout fishing, as the house lights dimmed.
The place then lit up with a bright circular flame. Tito trudged out like he was closing in on Everest's peak and looking for a place to plant his flags. The crowd went berserk. Tito looked up at Forrest: "What are you doing on my mountain?" Then Tito proceeded to do his Leaping Kong routine. With his back to the ring, Forrest looked over his shoulder, shrugged in disinterest, and checked his fishing line.
Round One
They move in quickly – Ortiz with his left knee strapped.
4.54: Ortiz hits Griffin with a powerful jab that shakes him in his tracks.
4.45: After they exchange gloves, Ortiz kicks Griffin's lead leg. Tito is slick and shoots out jabs.
4.37: Forrest kicks Tito's lead leg.
4.35: Tito shoots in, grabs Forrest's legs and rolls into his guard, then starts g'n'p-ing.
3.53: He has Forrest against the fence and is unloading fists and elbows. Forrest has some blood above his left eye and gets warned by Big John to let go of the fence as he tries to push himself out of the corner.
1.49: John then tells Tito to "watch the face" as Tito tries to rub Forrest's face with the palm of his glove.
1.27: Griffin breaks free and the pair scramble to their feet. Griffin has survived the initial onslaught. He fires off a volley of fists to let Ortiz know he's still in the game.
1.14: Griffin parks a nice right on Ortiz's jaw.
1.00: Tito goes for the takedown. Forrest sprawls, but Tito latches on to Forrest's leg and won't let go, and falls into Forrest's guard. He g'n'ps Forrest before the hooter sounds.
Round Two
Before the round starts, Forrest calls across to Tito, to let him know he's ready for more. Tito is puffing as he looks back at Forrest. They come out swapping jabs.
4.44: Griffin sends out a tentative leg kick and Ortiz shoots for it.
4.42: Griffin evades the takedown and they're back up.
4.20: Ortiz attempts a right high-kick. Griffin is cut but remains confident. Ortiz pounds out powerful jabs.
3.17: Forrest lands a big kick. Tito continues to mainly jab, but it's more of a defensive mechanism, as he appears to be pacing himself. Forrest is attacking with his own jabs and combinations.
3.08: Tito fires a few fists and attempts a takedown, but Forrest dodges it easily.
2.40: Tito goes another takedown. Forrest sprawls out of it and shakes his head at Tito. He cracks off a left, right and left-hook package that Tito acknowledges.
1.55: Ortiz tries the takedown again and Griffin evades well.
1.30: Griffin is now outgunning Ortiz in the stand-up war.
1.19: Ortiz shoots and Griffin sprawls. The hooter sounds, and as they part, Griffin has more to say to Ortiz. Ken Shamrock smiles from the audience. He seems happy with what he's seeing.
Round Three
Forrest comes out cocky and slinging fists, but there's not much connecting.
4.40: Tito goes for the takedown. Forrest sprawls and they're back standing.
4.27: Another takedown attempt from Tito, but he's too slow. He follows up with a left and a big right. More leather is traded. Forrest is throwing more fists, but a lot are short of the mark.
3.25: Tito misses again with a takedown.
3.01: Tito scores with a solid right hand that gets a response from the crowd, but none from Forrest.
2.41: Griffin catches Ortiz with a left leg-kick which buckles Ortiz's stance, and Ortiz tries to convert it into a shoot on Griffin. The shoot fails. Griffin lands another leg kick and Ortiz counterpunches.
1.38: Tito shoots and manages to cling on. He then throws punches from Forrest's guard and Forrest responds with elbow shots from the floor.
0.28: Forrest uses his feet to shove Tito's hips back, and breaks free. They stand. Forrest finishes strongly in the toe-to-toe battle. This has been a classic fight. Eddie Bravo scores the match 29 – 28 in Forrest's favor.
Result: Tito Ortiz by split decision.
Sean Sherk (5'6" 171 lb) vs Nick Diaz (6'0" 171 lb)
– Welterweight
Referee: Marco Lopez
Sean 'The Muscle Shark' Sherk powered from the word go, and kept the pressure on. Despite having a four-inch height advantage, Diaz adopted a crouched stance and seemed to lead with his jaw, rather than picking Sherk off with the jab.
At times, southpaw Diaz held out his left hand, seemingly to distract Sherk so as to land a suckerpunch. But Sherk was all business, and kept delivering the goods.
Nick displayed a great takedown defense, however that didn't discourage Sean, who kept coming with combinations and just wouldn't stop his perpetual-motion game that he is known for.
After three rounds, Eddie Bravo and all three judges had the fight 30-27 in The Muscle Shark's favor.
Result: Sean Sherk by unanimous decision.
Tim Sylvia (6'8" 256 lb) vs Andrei Arlovski (6'3" 236 lb)
– Heavyweight Title
Referee: Herb Dean
Nobody expected this bout to last five 5-minute rounds when they knew every shot fired would be nuclear tipped.
Sylvia waddled out slowly like his old self, but since his last outing with Andrei, Tim has been a much quicker and more agile athlete in the ring.
At the other side of the Octagon, Arlovski bounced like a big New Orleans dancing voodoo doll. For a moment, these two tall terrors resembled characters from Land of the Giants.
4.47: The action starts. Andrei lands a jab and Tim snaps back with a left hook.
4.47: Andrei moves in with consecutive jabs and Tim answers with a right and a left.
4.30: Andrei persists with the sniper attack, pounding at Tim's body and moving out of range.
4.20: Arlovski fires off a left and a right fist to Sylvia's midsection, dropping to his right knee in the process. Sylvia is keeping his guard up and remaining patient. Arlovski continues to aim for the body to entice Sylvia to drop his hands and expose his jaw.
4.13: Arlovski changes his attack and targets Sylvia's head.
4.04: Arlovski then follows with a right to the body.
3.43: They exchange fists and Sylvia finishes the trade-off with a glove above Arlovski's right ear. Andrei has been bobbing and weaving, trying to use his speed to pick Tim off with more sniper shots.
3.07: Tim is now growing in confidence and steps up to center stage, with Andrei moving around the Octagon's apron.
2.57: Andrei slings a right fist that's fuelled with bad intention, and Tim ducks his jaw back out of harm's way.
2.46: Andrei smacks Tim's lead leg with a kick.
2.36: Andrei extends his stance, and shoots out a jab-and-right combo that puts Tim on his butt. Andrei rushes in and Tim defensively lashes out with kicks.
2.28: Tim wears some punishing blows in order to climb back to his feet.
2.24: Andrei launches a killer right. But somehow Tim avoids it and catches Andrei with a short, sharp, right uppercut. Andrei goes down to his knees. Tim seizes the opportunity to force Andrei onto his stomach, and pounds the right side of Andrei's head. Andrei puts a glove up to cover himself, but is otherwise not moving at all. Herb Dean waves the flag when Andrei fails to fight back.
Result: Tim Sylvia by TKO – 2.43, Round One.
Knucklepit's Fighter of the Night
Tim Sylvia for defying the odds and stopping 'the unstoppable.'
Sylvia vs Arlovski III should be a corker!
For more on UFC: www.ufc.tv.
Rachelle Leah
