© Marc Wickert
www.knucklepit.com
All photos copyright 2004 Zuffa LLC
Photography by Joshua Hedges
Coming direct from the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California, is another UFC with two belts on the line – the welterweight and heavyweight titles.
Georges St. Pierre’s second crack at Matt Hughes’s welterweight crown was previously delayed due to St. Pierre suffering a groin injury in training. Tonight he is back, fighting fit, and ready to mount a spirited challenge against Hughes.
And Jeff Monson has a huge following in attendance. He is a superb wrestler with plenty of power and tons of heart. But can he win the David and Goliath battle for the heavyweight challenge?
To add fuel to this thump’n’dump bonfire are not two, but three, sizzling lovelies – Ali, Ann and Arianny.
In earlier matches:
Jake O’Brien defeated Josh Schochman by unanimous decision.
Nick Diaz defeated Gleison Tibau by referee stoppage – 2.27, Round Two.
Antonio Hardonk defeated Sherman Pendergast by TKO – 3.15, Round One.
The Battles
Joe Stevenson (5’7” 155 lb) vs. Dokonjonosuke Mishimi (5’7” 154.5 lb)
– Lightweight
Referee: Mario Yamasaki
D-13 entered the arena wearing a Lucifer mask, carrying a Snoopy doll, and shuffled to the sound of drain-cleaning type music. But for Mishimi it was just another day at the office.
4.54: D-13 threw a left and Joe missed with a left before they clinched.
4.51: Joe kneed to the body. D-13 judo-threw Joe to the floor and dropped into half guard, then fought from Joe’s full guard. Stevenson had Mishimi in a clean guillotine with no arms included in the package.
4.24: Mishimi lifted Stevenson’s body off the mats and thumped him down, but Joe just dug the guillotine in deeper.
4.11: D-13 fought bravely through the choke and amazingly popped his head out whilst still in Joe’s guard.
4.05: He got side control before Joe wrangled him into half guard.
3.46: Joe reapplied the guillotine.
3.50: D-13’s head popped out again as he fought from Joe’s guard. The pair then competed for dominant position.
2.59: Stevenson had a third attempt at the guillotine. Mishimi tried to roll out of the submission, but Stevenson stayed with him and D-13 tapped.
Result: Jon Stevenson by guillotine – 2.07, Round One.
Brandon Vera (6’3” 230.5 lb) vs. Frank Mir (6’3” 254 lb)
– Heavyweight
Referee: Steve Mazzagatti
They touched gloves with Frank in southpaw stance and Brandon in orthodox.
4.56: Brandon unloaded a leg kick and Frank quickly countered with a right and left glove.
4.54: Frank intercepted with another right and left as Brandon threw his jab.
4.51: Vera came in with an overhand right and Mir hit back with a right.
4.49: Vera threw a right front kick and Mir checked it with his right shin as Vera delivered a left and right hook.
4.38: Brandon caught Frank with a left that shook Frank’s head.
4.32: He pounded Frank with a straight right that flew between Frank’s mitts and caught him right on the button. Brandon dispatched a second right and they clinched, with Vera converting his grip into a Thai clinch.
4.29: He hammered Frank with a right knee to the face, and followed it with a left knee, then another right.
4.27: Mir dropped and tried to grab Vera’s legs to pull him to the floor, but Vera sprawled and forced Mir onto his back. He trapped Frank’s right arm, then unloaded a few elbows and finished Frank off with right fists.
Frank looked to be in better shape for this match than he was at UFC 61, and his reflexes were very sharp. But Brandon had Barrett M107s packed in his gloves and outgunned Frank.
Result: Jon Stevenson by TKO – 1.09, Round One.
Drew McFedries (6’0” 202 lb) vs. Alessio Sakara (6’0” 204 lb)
– Light Heavyweight
Referee: Mario Yamasaki
Southpaw Drew brought up a left kick that Alessio absorbed with his gloves. They swapped off-course punches before parting. Despite Alessio being known for his anvil fists, Drew boldly announced before the fight that he was going to stand and bang with him. And he stayed true to his word.
4.48: McFedries moved in firing off a left, right, and right uppercut. Sakara hit back with a left hook, and McFedries threw a right, left, right, and a right uppercut. Sakara ducked under a left hook and went for the clinch, but Drew shoved him away.
4.40: They had a brief skirmish and Drew fell short with a left high kick.
4.31: Alessio avoided a right. He followed with more leather and Drew clinched.
4.20: Alessio kneed Drew to the body and they broke free.
4.07: The pair traded at center ring, with McFedries landing a left, missing with the right uppercut, and scoring with another left.
4.03: Surprisingly, Sakara chose to fight from his back and dropped to the floor. McFedries followed him down, then stood and threw punches as Sakara returned to his feet.
3.41: Alessio came forward, dispatching a right and consecutive jabs.
3.27: He advanced with fists flying, but Drew covered up well and his southpaw stance seemed to be causing Alessio problems.
3.23: They clinched and Alessio had more success now, working over Drew’s body and head with gloves.
3.07: McFedries launched a brief counterattack.
3.02: Sakara had Drew against the fence and was out-banging him.
2.53: He scored with a knee to McFedries’s face, then a left and right hook, and a right to the body. He tried to pull McFedries down, but it didn’t happen.
2.38: Drew slung a jab, then asked for his mouthguard back, which flew out when Alessio delivered that last barrage. Mario Yamasaki called time out and both fighters sucked in some air.
2.26: They were back banging.
2.17: Drew elected to kick low and Alessio countered with a right fist.
2.12: McFedries ripped a left and right into the body and Sakara replied with a right and a series of lefts.
2.07: They clinched.
2.01: McFedries got the takedown and g’n’ped from half guard before standing.
1.42: He unloaded a jab.
1.27: Sakara dispatched two rights.
1.16: He was spraying Drew with leather.
1.10: Drew thumped out a left, right uppercut, and another left.
1.04: Then like some weary commuter on a subway, Alessio didn’t feel like standing anymore, and decided to sit down. This annoyed Drew, who dropped to his knees and mugged Alessio with boxcar fists. Mario tugged the emergency cord.
Result: Drew McFedries by TKO – 4.07, Round One.
James Irvin (6’2” 205.5 lb) vs. Hector Ramirez (6’0” 203 lb)
– Light Heavyweight
Referee: Mario Yamasaki
Round One
4.54: Hector avoided a leg kick and James backed away from a jab.
4.45: James came up short with another leg kick.
4.41: They both scored with leg kicks and Hector was in hot pursuit of James.
4.26: Irvin lashed out at Ramirez’s lead leg.
4.09: He pounded a left kick into Ramirez’s left thigh, but Hector then caught the kick and countered with a right fist. He used the trapped leg to momentarily pull Irvin down before he sprang back to his feet.
4.05: They did the dueling-kick routine and clinched. Hector kneed to the body and James tripped over, before springing back up with Hector clinging to him. He took James’s leg and pulled him to the canvas.
3.36: Hector got side control before scrambling to take James’s back. He sunk the hooks in and delivered punches.
2.01: James rolled onto his right side with Hector stuck on his back, looking for the rear naked choke.
1.43: Irvin was on both knees with Ramirez still in the saddle.
1.21: Irvin exited through the back door and they stood.
1.17: He smacked Ramirez’s lead leg with a kick.
1.14: James lost his balance and fell to the floor whilst delivering a high kick that had Hector scrambling to stay vertical. They traded fists and feet until 1.02, when James fell to the floor after dispatching a further high kick.
1.01: Hector dived into James’s guard while unloading a big right glove. He stood and dropped into side control.
0.19: Hector took James’s back and thumped away. James chalked up another takedown as the round closed.
Round Two
The men shadowboxed until 4.25, when Irvin leg-kicked and Ramirez replied with a right glove. He had Irvin pressed into the fence and unleashed fists to the head and body.
4.13: James pushed Hector back and tagged him with a leg kick.
4.07: Hector jabbed and James leg-kicked.
3.42: Hector’s left leg took another blow.
3.33: He smacked James with a left hook.
3.14: James rifled the lead leg once more.
3.03: He lunged in with a superman punch, then smiled at Hector to let him know it was better to give than receive.
2.31: James threw a right fist that hit like a dose of polonium-210.
Result: James Irvin by referee stoppage – 2.36, Round Two.
Tim Sylvia (6’8” 262.5 lb) vs. Jeff Monson (5’9” 237.5 lb)
– Heavyweight Title
Referee: Big John McCarthy
Round One
4.48: Jeff shoots for Tim’s ankles. Tim falls with his stomach on Jeff’s back before climbing to his feet.
4.41: Tim throws a left and right – the left is short of the mark, but the right appears to get through Jeff’s mitts.
4.36: Monson shoots down low and latches onto Sylvia’s left leg. Monson spins on the floor to improve his position, but 262-pound Sylvia turns with him to nullify the maneuver.
3.38: Big John restarts things.
3.26: Sylvia lands a right.
3.21: He follows with a jab.
3.16: Jeff throws a right and Tim answers with a left.
3.04: They exchange rights.
2.58: Tim sends out another right.
2.52: Jeff shoots in and Tim intercepts the dive, pushes him on his back, then stands.
2.41: Tim jabs.
2.36: He throws a right uppercut and Jeff lunges in for the takedown. Tim loosely clinches before flinging Jeff off course.
2.28: Sylvia jabs. He’s using his ten-inch reach advantage to back Monson up.
2.08: He jabs tentatively and Monson smacks him with a hard left.
2.04: Monson fakes a right and turns it into a shoot. But Sylvia sprawls straight on Monson’s back. He stands and Big John orders Monson up.
1.44: Tim pokes out a right.
1.37: He pumps a right into Jeff’s body, then backs out of range.
1.27: Tim jabs.
1.05: Jeff ducks under a right glove.
0.19: Sylvia clips him with a right.
0.09: Monson gets under the radar and pounds Sylvia with a right. Just before the bell, Sylvia’s left foot soars over Monson’s head.
Round Two
Jeff comes out with swelling around his left eye. Tim is jabbing and Jeff has his guard up, defending well.
4.32: He shoots in, but Tim shrugs him away.
4.25: Jeff throws a big right that Tim backs away from.
4.03: Sylvia continues to emit single jabs, then Monson sneaks in a right body punch.
3.54: Sylvia whacks Monson on the forehead with a left.
3.38: He hits Jeff on the jaw with a right. Tim’s MFS camp have come up with a game plan that is frustrating Jeff and taking full advantage of Tim’s height and reach.
3.29: Jeff dives on Tim’s left leg and Tim sprawls on Jeff’s back, in the six o’clock position. Jeff tries to twist under Tim’s bulk, but again Tim moves with him, pinning Jeff and not letting him improve position.
3.17: Sylvia stands and kicks Monson’s feet as he lies on the canvas.
2.49: They’re both standing. Sylvia continues to use his jabs as a force field that Monson finds hard to penetrate.
Round Three
4.45: After some trading, Jeff shoots around Tim’s legs and gets the takedown. He moves into Tim’s guard. But Sylvia has such a long torso and so much power in his thighs that he’s able to push Monson down low in the guard. Sylvia then uses his reach to throw elbows and fists from his back: the result being that Monson’s punches are mainly confined to Sylvia’s body, while Tim is able to strike Jeff’s head.
2.00: Jeff takes side control.
1.49: Tim rolls onto his knees and Jeff scrambles back to side control.
1.08: He moves to assume his favored north-south position, however Tim climbs back onto his knees and resists the submission.
1.03: Jeff attempts a guillotine while he has Tim where he wants him.
0.47: Sylvia rolls and reverses rolls – lining Monson up for his own signature north-south hold, but it doesn’t happen. Sylvia stands and Monson’s right eye is closed up and bloody from an elbow strike. Tim pumps out lefts and rights, prior to putting Jeff down with two right knees as another five minutes click over. Tim’s corner instructs him to take it easy and not be in a hurry to finish the fight.
Round Four
Sylvia recommences picking off Monson with long-range punches until 3.45, when Jeff shoots at Tim’s left leg.
3.37: Tim sprawls and gets side control. With his bodyweight pinning Jeff, he works Monson’s face with elbows. Tim dominates on the ground until 1.13, when Jeff wrangles into Tim’s guard.
0.31: Sylvia tries to submit Monson with a triangle.
0.18: Jeff works through it and is fighting from Tim’s guard.
Round Five
Jeff’s right eye is completely closed and his left eye isn’t much better. He’s all but fighting blind and running purely on heart. Most of this fight is now shadow boxing.
2.24: Big John steps in and tells both men he wants more action. But Tim knows the bout is his, and he doesn’t really need to inflict more punishment. Jeff is not a man who needs to prove his courage. It would have been appropriate to pull this fight up at the end of round four.
Result: Tim Sylvia by unanimous decision.
Georges St. Pierre (5’10” 170 lb) vs. Matt Hughes (5’9” 169 lb)
– Welterweight Title
Referee: Big John McCarthy
Round One
They’re testing the water with probing jabs.
4.36: Matt blocks a kick from GSP.
4.25: Georges kicks Matt’s inner left leg.
4.05: Matt Jabs and Georges replies with a right.
4.01: St. Pierre unleashes a left, and a cross and jab combo that forces a smile on Hughes’s dial.
3.59: Hughes blocks a left high kick.
3.56: St. Pierre kicks Hughes’s outer lead leg.
3.54: St. Pierre jabs.
3.47: Hughes lunges forward with a left that has GSP retreating.
3.39: Georges kicks the inner thigh.
3.36: He catches Matt with a right and left.
3.23: Matt lands a left.
3.18: Georges tags Matt with a spinning back kick.
3.09: Matt surges in for a takedown that Georges avoids.
2.51: St. Pierre kicks Hughes’s inner leg.
2.45: Hughes jabs and St. Pierre counters with a harder jab.
2.41: Matt jabs, then drops to his knees when Georges’s foot catches him in the bearings. Big John calls time out.
2.29: They briefly recommence. Matt jabs and Georges kicks to the inner thigh. But his toes curl up in the process and Matt’s magnetic bearings cop another serve. Georges holds his hands out and appeals to Big John. But it’s not clear whether St. Pierre is saying it was the other one this time, or that it will help Matt’s singing career.
2.20: Play resumes.
2.15: Georges jabs.
2.10: He collars Matt’s neck with a high kick.
2.06: They exchange jabs.
2.00: GSP is pressing the pace and unloading a variety of combinations, whereas Matt is mainly dispensing one strike at a time.
1.45: St. Pierre delivers a left and right, and a left body shot.
1.25: Hughes kicks the left thigh, however St. Pierre catches the leg and throws a right that Hughes avoids.
1.21: Matt tries the leg kick again, and Georges catches it again – this time Georges lands with the right fist, dropping Matt and falling into his guard. GSP is as crisp as a cracker.
1.04: He gets half guard. They stand and Georges knees Matt’s body before they separate. Matt knees to the body and Georges lands a right – causing Matt to smile.
0.08: GSP kicks Hughes’s lead leg. He parks a superman punch on Hughes before delivering a flurry of fists. Matt goes down and Georges starts to g’n’p when the hooter sounds.
St. Pierre is living up to the ‘Rush’ nickname and has the fight going at rapid-fire pace. He’s perpetual motion throughout the opening five minutes.
Round Two
4.52: Matt fires off a left and right.
4.48: Georges kicks Matt’s lead leg.
4.42: Matt jabs and Georges counters.
4.36: Hughes ducks under GSP’s jab and seizes his body for the takedown. Georges sprawls and Matt knees twice to the body before they break free.
4.18: St. Pierre kicks Hughes’s inner leg.
4.15: He kicks to Hughes’s outer thigh, but Matt checks the kick.
4.14: Hughes attempts to check St. Pierre’s next kick with his left leg, but the kick goes under Matt’s left foot and sweeps his right leg. He falls to the floor and bounces right back up. GSP continues to pick Matt off with fast fists.
3.55: Georges nails Matt with a jab. They trade some more.
3.44: Georges collars Matt with a huge left shin. Matt goes down. Georges drops on him and unloads an assortment of heavy fists and left elbows. Big John calls it a day.
Result: Georges St. Pierre by TKO – 1.25, Round Two.
