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UFC 50 - The War of ‘04
by Rhys Hora, Mod @ www.IronLife.com
It’s about 7:00 pm on Friday, October 22nd and I’m racing down the Atlantic City expressway a full hour later than I had planned. I finally find a parking spot near Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey and walk on over to the boardwalk. I notice the massive lines out front and smile as I make my way through the side door. Of course this door, like many others, did not lead me to the press credential distribution room, and it took me like a half hour to figure out what I was doing.
Eventually I got it all sorted out and found the media room, which was pretty empty except a few journalists loading cameras, and Dana White talking to someone at a table. I browse the folders they put out for us, trying to look like I’ve done it 100 times. After a while I walk around, and as I turn a corner I almost run into some guy with a cane who turns out to be Frank Mir. My apology quickly dies in my mouth as I sit there star struck, but Mir walks away with a few people, who seemed to be prepping him for his commentary later on.
I followed them to the arena and Bam, there it was, the octagon. I just slowly walked around it taking it all in. It was weird to be at ground zero, so to speak. After spending FOREVER talking to security and staff I finally discovered that my seat was not one of the octagon side tables or seats, but way up at the top seats, in a box called “Loggia level press box 02.” With a sigh of sadness I take my seat way up in the press box and wait for the event to start.
- Travis Lutter vs. Marvin Eastman
I was really expecting Marvin to come out with something to prove on this one, after the Ray Sefo fiasco, but it was not to be. The entire first round was spent circling and dancing, save for one takedown attempt by Lutter which was easily defended by Eastman. Eastman throws his hands up as if to say I’m worry to the crowd, who had been booing pretty bad. The second round starts and after a few exchanges, Eastman throws the leg kick that cost him the fight as Lutter countered with a weird right cross that I still have trouble figuring out just how it connected.
Travis Lutter by KO in round 2.
- Tony Fryklund vs. Ivan Salaverry
The two come at each other and the crowd gets into what looks like it will be an exciting fight. Salaverry is doing very well in the stand up, and goes for some takedowns that Fryklund does a good job of defending. Fryklund catches a kick thrown by Salaverry and tries to take him down but can’t. Then Salaverry lands a 4 punch combo that drops Fryklund and the crowd goes wild. Salaverry follows Fryklund down, can’t get the rear naked choke and goes for a back crank, which Tony verbally submits to.
Ivan Salaverry by submission in round 1.
- Evan Tanner vs. Robbie Lawler
The crowd is definitely pumped up for this one. Lawler and Tanner circle for a while and exchange some strikes, Lawler looking to counter strike it seems and looks pretty sharp. Tanner clinches and Lawler defends the takedown and to the crowd’s delight, slams Tanner. Tanner doesn’t hesitate and slaps a triangle on quick for the tap out.
Evan Tanner by submission in round 1.
- Frank Trigg vs. Renato Verissimo
The two exchange brief blows and clinch, and it’s a struggle for the takedown. Trigg takes the fight to the ground after eating a right hand and Renato “Charuto” slaps on a triangle that Trigg powers out of. Charuto is going for several submissions but Trigg defends well, peppering the face of Charuto throughout. Charuto slaps another triangle and its on deep. Things look really bad for Trigg until Trigg throws Charuto down and yanks his head out. Great escape by Trigg. The round ends and Trigg looks exhausted. Round 2 starts with Charuto going for a takedown that is defended. The two trade strikes, Charuto is hurt and goes for the takedown which Trigg stuffs and pounds until referee Herb Dean calls it.
Frank Trigg by TKO in round 2.
- Matt Hughes vs. Georges St. Pierre
The round starts with “Rush” St. Pierre landing a stiff jab. Rush then surprises everyone and goes for the single leg on Hughes, and gets it. Hughes gets back to his feet and goes for the takedown himself, slamming Rush. Rush goes for a kimura and looks annoyed as Hughes punches at his body. Rush gets up and nails Hughes with a great spinning back kick to the body. Hughes is shoved into the cage and misses the takedown off the rebound. Rush lands another stiff jab only to be taken down. Rush goes for another kimura, but Hughes reverses into a spinning armbar for the victory.
Matt Hughes by submission in round 1.
- Rich Franklin vs. Jorge Rivera
Rich “Ace” Franklin recovers from an unintentional knee to the groin to take Rivera down. The fight goes back to the feet and the fighters clinch and exchange good body and head shots, a tactic they would both use throughout the 3 round contest. Rivera gets Franklin on the run and it seems like Franklin is hurt, but Franklin stands his ground and throws a right, dropping Rivera. Rivera weathers the storm and makes it to round 2. The two spend more time brawling in the clinch, with Franklin showing very good head movement. Franklin takes Rivera down in the third, secures mount, and gets the armbar.
Rich “Ace” Franklin by submission in round 3.
- Tito Ortiz vs. Patrick Cote
The two exchange brief blows and Cote lands a good right, sending Ortiz to a knee. Ortiz gets up and signals for Cote to come on and Cote comes in with a right which Ortiz slips and gets the take down. The next three rounds would be spent with Ortiz on top of Cote, peppering his face with punches and elbows en route to a decision win.
Tito Ortiz by unanimous decision.
Overall I thought the event was pretty good, though the main event was a little boring. I’m glad Zuffa decided to go to Atlantic City and that I was able to attend, but I don’t think the UFC should ever come back. The crowd for the most part was awful, as was attendance. There were so many empty seats. Much of the crowd seemed to be ignorant drunk men who knew nothing about the ground game that all of their “TapouT” shirts signified. Many people left before the last round of Ortiz vs. Cote was even finished. I think the UFC should stay in Vegas where they can get sell out crowds, instead of the measly 9,000 or so that entered Boardwalk Hall that night. But overall yes, it was a good event with only 1 of the 7 fights going the distance.
The next event, UFC 51 will be held at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rummored fight card includes, Tito Ortiz vs. Vitor Belfort, David Terrell vs. Evan Tanner, Nick Diaz vs. Drew Fickett, Ken Shamrock vs. Tank Abbott plus Tim Sylvia , Joe Riggs and many more. For full up to date fight card please, click here.
* Article by Rhys Hora, Mod @ www.IronLife.com.
* Back to This Issue's Frontpage
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