First off I have to thank everyone here at Ironlife because if it wasn't for you all I wouldn't be where I am today. I am just a huge fan of MMA...

My first event ever was UFC 32 "Showdown in the Meadowlands" and I also went to 41,45,50,51, & now 53. My pictures at UFC 45 showed most at Ironlife.com that I have a knowledge of the sport, meeting up with all the fighters from the past and present and also that for some odd reason I pointed at every fighter in every picture. From that event on I became "The Pointing Guy" and "The IronLife Mascot". I also just became a part of the staff here and let me say thank you so much! This really means alot to me. Now.. Let me start on my article on UFC 53:Heavy Hitters. Me and my friend Marianna Avetisian, Mike Madden, & Adam Piccininni left at 12am and arrived at Atlantic City around 3:30pm. Checked into the Tropicana and hung out and got ready for the big night. This was the first time I ever had a Press Pass and I was super psyched. Got to the Arena at the Boardwalk Hall and got my Pass and came back out front to meet with my friends and we layed out a plan.. "That didn't work" by the way not much of it did. I was supposed to meet up with fellow Ironlife members Smitty & BigRhys. But there was so much going on that none of it happened and I will like to say to both of them from the bottom of my heart; I am truly sorry. You two don't know me in real life but I am just like I am on the forums. I'm a very nice guy and I feel horrible not meeting up with you guys and not going over the details the way I should have. I hope I can make it up to you guys.
So anyway, I get my seat and god was I in shock! The media Pass was 2nd row side of the octagon, middle seat and I couldn't have asked for better. So first fight came on and it was Showtime!


Nick Diaz was pitted against PANCRASEism Koji Oishi.. This fight.. well.. it shocked me. Koji came out very unorthodox standing with arms out and kind of like an old boxers stance from 1925.. Nick didn't hold anything back and let it all hang out and also play with Koji a bit.. Landed one real nice side kick... kept landing nice clean blows at will 'till it was over.. at the end with Koji on the octagon floor with not knowing what happend.. and the fans saying... "who is Koji?"... Will fans of MMA remember this guy? Did he make an impact? Yeah he for sure did.. He was one of the first UFC tomato cans to make a fighter look better... and Nick did shine.

Diaz by knockout in the 1st round at 1:24 minute mark.

On a side note.. I did not get a chance to meet with Koji.. But I did with Nick Diaz.. He will have a bright future in the sport but I for one am not a fan Of Nick. He is very let's say Cocky and not big with fans. As you can see in my pic with Nick Diaz he really don't have much personality.. But then again this is the fight game.. But he should show more with fans.. just my two cents that's all..

David Loiseau vs. Charles McCarthy. I might have to say this was the fight of the night. Loiseau aka The Crow put on a amazing fight... Spinning kicks.. great stand up.. Not letting McCarthy get that submission that he so desired. Charles had a great showing for his first UFC bout and even Dana himself at the press confrence pointed out Charles and said "he put on a great fight and most fighters would have just given up after that kick", but Charles tried to shrug it off but the damage was done and Crow then jumped in with a flying knee and then started throwing down 'till the ref stopped it. Loiseau should never be on the undercard ever again. He is a fighter that should be marketed on any main card of the UFC that he is able to attend. I feel he wanted to show the world just who the Crow is and this night he took flight and got the TKO with a flying spinning back kick. The Crow is here to stay and create some noise in the UFC.

Loiseau by technical knockout (spinning back kick) at 2:10 in the 2nd round.

Nathan Quarry vs. Shonie Carter. I was waiting for this fight and so was everyone around me.. Everyone wanted to see if Quarry is who we 'the fans' thought he was. A class-act top fighter with the skills to show he should have won "The Ultimate fighter" and he impressed all! Quarry came out and the cheers were insane! He took that all in and loved it. Just as much as us fans loved to see him. He was so happy to hear us cheer him on.. Shonie was a great sport and tried to keep the fight standing and thought he could take Nate out. He even tried his now famous spinning back fist but the veteran made a mistake standing with Quarry...that was a bad idea. Quarry rocked Mr. International with a fury of punches. After the dust was cleared Shonie was walking on stiff legs. Quarry just fell to the octagon floor in joy.

Quarry by technical knockout at 2:37 in the 1st round.

As again another side note. I spoke with both fighters and Shonie was one funny Pimp! He didn't mind the loss. He was walking around talking to all and just having a great time at a great event! And without a doubt Nate was the same. At the press conference Nate had a speech that actually choked me up. Saying he is so happy to be here and considered all his fans as family and that he is so happy to be part of a sport he loves. It was a very emotional speech. Quarry is a class-act and a true sportsman who loves this sport .. You can't not like this man.

Paul Buentello vs. Kevin Jordan. It was heavyweight time and also time for the UFC to go live on PPV! Everyone was ready and waiting to see Paul KO the unknown fighter. Well Kevin right off the bat knocks down Paul and shows he is no unknown fighter and he wants that win. Punches were flying and the crowd was loving every part of it. Then came something I will never forget.. Paul landed a shot that echoed through out the whole boardwalk hall.. If I can explain this sound I would say it sounded like the guy next to me was shirtless with a wet back.. and a gorilla came and smacked his back with all the power in its body.. Kevin took this shot! I was in awe that anyone could take that shot. So from me I will tell you Kevin is no tomato can. But that shot did hurt the big man and Paul jumped on top of it and went in for the choke.

Buentello submission (one armed Guillotine Choke) at 4:00 in the 1st

and winning the tap out award for the best submission of the night. Who would have thought Buentello would get the submission of the night. If anything this says something about Jordan because Paul could not get the KO and Kevin made him work and change game But Paul gets the submission to get the win.

Forrest Griffin vs. Bill Mahood. Now this fight seemed to be the one everyone was waiting for. Forrest Griffin of "The Ultimate Fighter" fame and winner of the contract at 2005 got the loudest crowd cheer of the night. This just shows that TV helps and also what was a shock to me and also Forrest was at the press confrence. Dana introduced and spoke about him right before Andrei Arlovski. Forrest thought Dana forgot about him. Mahood was ready and the fight went to the octagon floor. Forrest wanted another brawl like his now epic battle with Stephon Bonnar.. Mahood threw a kick, Forrest grabbed it, brought him down, worked for position and got it. Locked in a choke and it was over.

Griffin by submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:18 in the first round.

I also met up with both guys.. Both in great spirits. Forrest is a joker.. great guy.. Seemed to me that during the whole event he didn't wear any shoes or sneakers.. even after the event walking outside he had nothing on his feet.. I was like "dude... this is NJ watch out, floor isn't that clean..". We laughed it off and he said I should go buy some flip-flops. =)

Rich Franklin vs. Evan Tanner. Personally I thought this fight should have been the main event. Two guys who deserve the spotlight more then Andrei Arlovski & Justin Eilers. Both guys came in ready and willing to stand. First round Franklin was winning most of the standing war 'till late in the round he got tagged with a right punch that knocked him right down to the floor. The crowd was shocked and a "Holy Sh*t" in unison was heard out loud. Then after that Franklin just took it to Tanner.. Making his face really look like chopmeat. I must say I have never been on the Tanner BandWagon and I never thought too highly of him.. But to take what he did and never quit was a beautiful thing to see live. I mean this man was just getting punch after punch and just stood there taking more. Tanner impressed me and you want to know something? I am now respecting Tanner that much more even knowing he walked away with the loss. But this speaks volumes for Rich who now with this win will be on the next season of "T.U.F" as a coach. Tanner could not make the press conference as we all know why.. but Franklin did and was a great guy giving praise to Tanner and everyone there and showing why now he is the new Middlewieght Champion of the world.. All I can say is "ACE" is no joke!

Franklin by technical knockout (doctors stoppage) at 3:25 in the 4th round.

Karo Parisyan vs. Matt Serra. I expected a ground war.. And guess what this battle was? Correct! A ground war! Serra came in ready and looking to bang right off the bat. Parisyan always seemed a bit lack luster in the start of some fights and near the end was just always trying to stay in there very tired. But this was not the case this night. Serra landed a HUGE right hand blow that would have knocked out almost anyone in this wieghtclass but Karo was able to take it and show why they call him "The Heat". This was a pretty much back and forth war but Karo scored more points with strikes take downs and submission attempts. Seemed like the crowd was pulling for the New Yorker but Serra just couldn't stand the Heat. But he did stay in there to the end and impressed alot even knowing he walked away with the loss. He had to move up weight to fight a steady fighter at this class.. but he just couldn't get it done. Karo improved his skills and seemed to be a big force in his weight class and wants the belt as soon as he can now because he is ready, and this fight showed it.

Sorry no Karo pic..lol
Parisyan wins by unanimous decision at 5:00 minutes and 3 rounds of action.

Andrei Arlovski vs. Justin Eilers. So there is still one fight left on the card. The two big boys step in the octagon to show what they got and why they are the main event. Arlovski is becoming the heavyweight poster boy with the UFC and this, many think is just a tune up fight to keep him active for a super fight in the future against champion Frank Mir. But don't let Eilers fool you. He is no tomato can. There were alot of questions about this fight on why it was made; if he had a chance and also if he should have been there. Well if you asked me this before the fight I would have said.. Yes.. But after all.. I now have to say NO on this. Both stood there and Justin was taking alot of damage from the Big Pitbull from Belarus. The crowd was electric with every punch hearing "OHHH" and "AWEEE" as the two hit and missed with monster shots. But then something happened where no one knew what just took place. Eilers jumps back and just falls grabbing his knee. His right leg dislocated very badly and he just went right down as we all sat and watched the big screen for the replay. Once he went down, Arlovski just jumped on him and landed some hammer blows 'till McCarthy jumped in and stopped the fight.

Arlovski wins (Injury) at 4:10 in the 1st round.

Now in closing. This was a great event and I for one was so happy to be there and see all this action happen up close. The fans were respectful and the fighters all came out and greeted the fans. I've been so far to 5 events and this was by far the BEST one because of the action and well of course my seat and to report on this event is a big pleasure. I can't believe how everything unfolded right in front of my eyes. Hearing each punch and seeing these athletes laying it all down was a great thing. After their fights they all walked around took pics and signed autographs. One of the reasons why I love this sport so much is because the fighters show how much they really care about their fans. As you now know I met many fighters and spoke with them all at this event. Alot of things stuck out especially me speaking to some of the fighters. I spoke with Matt Hughes about Horn vs. Liddel. Just like me, he believes that Horn will get the win again. He also said he hopes Horn is the underdog. As do most of you who know the game and bets on fights. He also said Trigg hits extremely hard when he has top position yet again he feels that St.Pierre will win by KO because has way to many skills over Trigg. I also met up with Danial Puder of WWE fame and also known for the infamous Kurt Angle incident. This is one big dude with a MMA record of 1-0. He said he had been in talks with Dana White and maybe in the future he might just be on The Ultimate Fighter on spike TV. I think that is a great idea because he is a true nice guy and I would love to see him have a great MMA future but he said that WWE pays him too much lol. Kenny Florian was all over the place. I saw him before the event, during, after and at about 4am on the Boardwalk.. He was also funny and just living up the great event that we all experienced. Going around talking and pointing at fighters is what makes me one Happy Guy. Being there to support the sport and the site I love is an unforgettable and great experience. If you've never been to an event, you must go to one and experience it yourself. Overall I had a great time and I know that alot more events are to come. Thank you Ironlife and all my friends here. In the end I guess all I can say is "just get to the Point" and thank you all for this experience and I for one will never forget this event and the people who made this possible for me. Plus a thanks to The Ultimate Fighting Championship for a great match making and putting on a great event in my hometown. Thank you everyone this is MattyFreeze... OUT!