UFC 59 Reality Check

[LWPD]

Tonight's the big night!

Courtesy of maxfighting.com

UFC 59 Reality Check: Fight by Fight Breakdown

By Sean McClure

Tim Sylvia vs. Andrei Arlovski

The main event of the evening is a rematch between the former Heavyweight Champion Sylvia and the current champ Arlovski. Arlovski finished the first fight in just 47 seconds of the first round by ankle lock. Tim was rocked and Arlovski sunk in the submission forcing Tim to tap. Don’t look for this one to go the ground right away because these two like to throw leather until their opponents are asleep. Look for a definitive finish in this fight.

Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin

Ortiz hasn’t been in a UFC where he hasn’t been the main event since UFC 18 where he faced Jerry Bohlander in the fourth fight of the night. Griffin has never been in a UFC main event, but this has to be considered his biggest test of his career and for him this is his own personal main event. This fight will largely be determined by Tito’s ability to control the pace and as we have seen in the past when he does this, he wins. If Forrest comes out swinging for the fences, he has to be selective in his shots. Tito will take him down if he isn’t careful, but that’s not saying Forrest doesn’t have some submissions up his sleeve. This one could go the distance.

Marcio Cruz vs. Jeff Monson

The winner here will most assuredly get to square off against the winner of Tim Sylvia vs. Andrei Arlovski. Whoever brings their “A” ground game will be victorious here. Look for Monson to shoot and Pe De Pano to try to gain dominant position immediately. This one could also go the distance.

Evan Tanner vs. Justin Levens (replacement for injured Jeremy Horn)

This is great opportunity for Tanner and Levens equally. If Levens wins this one he is locked in for a few more fights and Tanner is certainly out of the UFC. Tanner can secure his spot and a return back to the UFC. Tanner is hungry after losing to Rich Franklin and then losing a fight he was dominating with David Loiseau by doctor stoppage due to cuts. Look for Tanner to try to use his size and power to dominate his quicker opponent in Levens. Levens has finished all of his fights by submission or KO and is coming off a loss to fellow UFC 59 participant Scott Smith, whom we interviewed earlier this week. This one looks like it will have a finish to it instead of a decision.

Nick Diaz vs. Sean Sherk

This is make or break for Diaz. With his recent displays of bad sportsmanship and attitude, it is doubtful that Dan will put up with much more of it and if he loses, you can bet he is out the door. Sherk has at least one more fight on his contract and should be around for a while if he wins the fight against Diaz or at least makes the fight entertaining. If Nick is to win this fight, he will have to get the top position and not be content to lie on the bottom as he did in his loss to Diego Sanchez. Sherk will have to take Diaz down and hold him there unleashing his offense at every opportunity. This one will probably go to the judges, but it’s MMA so anything can happen.

David Terrell vs. Scott Smith
Look for this to start standing and fists to fly until Terrell takes it to the ground. If Scott can stand back up then he has a good shot to win.

Karo Parisyan vs. Nick Thompson
Karo will definitely take Thompson down, but how Thompson reacts to this that will determine the outcome of the fight.

Thiago Alves vs. Derrick Noble
Alves can win by submission or KO he has proven that. Noble can do the same. The winner here will be the one controlling the pace of this fight.

Jason Lambert vs. Terry Martin
Martin is a beast on the ground and will look for the takedown early, but he has to be careful because Lambert is a great technician.

Like Watching Paint Dry (who would go all in on Tito, AA and Tanner...and will pull for Monson and Diaz)

[Knapik]

I really hope Diaz pulls this off and ends his losing streak. Tanner is one of my favorite fighters and I hope he wins in impressive fashion. Ortiz/Griffin will be a great fight despite how tough it will be for Griffin to win.

[Mad Dog]

This should be an interesting show. I think Sylvia, Tanner, Terrell and Diaz are all in must win matches tonight. I think Tanner and Diaz are gone if they lose. This is probably Sylvia's last chance at a title shot though I think the UFC will keep him due to the need for heavyweights.

[habbalah]

Spioler









Don't scroll down.



Wow great show new heavy weight champ. I guess I'm humbeled.

Griffon showed some real heart and talent tonight.

Karo and Tanner both gave there all tonight. I'm proud there on the winning track right now.

[LWPD]

Solid show from top to bottom. Here are some quick thoughts:

I had Ortiz winning Round 1 10-8. He took him down, controlled the ground, busted him open, dictated the pace from start to finish and was clearly the aggressor for the entire round. Forest took the second 10-9 by default as Tito just allowed him to throw punches that he would block after the double leg stopped working. No real damage was done by FG. Looking back it was clear that Tito's injured knee hampered his strategy as he lacked the mobility to set up his shots. Tito basically decided to concede the round and conserve for the final round. I'd score Round 3 10-9 as it was a stand off on their feet with Tito's take down making the difference.

Forest showed heart and Tito survived while fighting with an injured ACL that took away from his game. Good fight for both men with Tito pulling out a gutsy victory. Tito is out for a MINIMUM of 3 months which puts the Shamrock rematch in jeopardy.

Sylvia pulled off a shocker and I give him credit for getting up after taking a wicked shot...but I question the early stoppage. It seemed like a fluke and 9 times out of 10 Arlovski wins. With Monson/Sylvia I'd have to go with the challenger. Tanner looked great and Sherk took out Diaz

Courtesy of Sherdog

UFC 59 Results

1 Thiago Alves over Derrick Noble TKO (Strikes) 1 2:54
2 Jason Lambert over Terry Martin TKO (Strikes) 2 2:37
3 David Terrell over Scott Smith Submission (Rear Naked Choke) 1 3:08
4 Karo Parisyan over Nick Thompson Submission (Strikes) 1 4:44
5 Jeff Monson over Marcio Cruz Decision (Split) 3 5:00
6 Evan Tanner over Justin Levens Submision (Triangle Choke) 1 3:14
7 Tito Ortiz over Forrest Griffin Decision (Split) 3 5:00
8 Sean Sherk over Nick Diaz Decision (Unaminous) 3 5:00
9 Tim Sylvia over Andrei Arlovski KO (Punch) 1 2:43

Like Watching Paint Dry (Joe Rogan said Tito's take down attempts in the third round looked 'telegraphed'...well that's what happens when you can't set up your shots and your and ACL is torn when trying to shoot)

Tito Ortiz Post Fight Interview

tinyurl.com/o8nne

[BrianU]

LWPD thanks for the review. I can't say I am shocked by Rogan, that is what happens when the color guy talks out of his butt.

[Mad Dog]

I can't believe how the AA/Sylvia fight went. My jaw almost hit the floor.

[Darth Turkish]

I heard Karo hit Thomson with a nice "Judo Throw".

Anybody know which one?

[habbalah]

QUOTE=Irongland]

heh suprised?

[Darth Turkish]

That short right hand does not even look that hard.

He must have hit right on the button

[LWPD]

UFC 59 Post Fight Interviews

Forrest Griffin Post Fight

Tim Sylvia Post Fight

Andrei Arlovski Post Fight

Like Watching Paint Dry (both Forrest and AA are class acts...but I could definitely live without seeing Tim Sylvia as a front man for the sport)

[habbalah]

Like watching paint thin

Oh boy oh boy could i go with out every other guy online trying to down play Tim.

Yes I know Tim's a (censored word of your choice).

But commen.. it's all us ufc fan's have. He's our boy so love it or Lump it

Yes new champions should be seen as breaths of fresh air.. and Tim's kinda like breathing in exhaust fumes.

But let's look at the best part of this situation.

This is going to be a wonderful new path for good ole uncle Dana.

1 The ufc finally get to have a ufc champion who speeks english well enough to coach at the heavy weight level for ultimate fighter 4.

2 Team militech gets one more champion. (Again I relize he's not everyone's first pick.. but he's from a credable camp).

3 90 percent of online posters hate Tim's guts. That means die hard mma fans will tune in to see sub part fighters fighting Tim Silvia for two reaons.
They have no faith in Tim.. And they really want to see him lose. I smell money.

Why Am i making the stink? If Nick Diaz had been on a winning streak. gone on to fight Matt Hughes and won the belt.. no one would make the same level of mumbeling and groaning that fallows around Tim S.

And Diaz is easily as poor a sports man and an embersement (most likely more so) then Tim is.

I'm still reminded of Diaz's interveiw where he blasted Karo's performance, talked like he was better than Sherk and whined about the decision.

Now I relize that Diaz is in deeper waters than Tim (the W.W. divison is probrably ufc's best feature).

And my biggest complaint about Tim is.. I love to stick up for the UFC. It's my favorite brand. It's familiar to me. And my loyalty remains, it's my roots to the sport of mma.

Everytime (sherdog frustration spilling over)
some one goes on about tim being second rate fighter.. with no class ability and talent... It would be so tempting to simply agree. I've looked past Tim's flaws (kinda wish I hadn't) and deep down inside it really would be easier to call him a lucky goof. But he's a two time champion. And I beleive that should count for something. Especially when everyone wrote you off.

I clapped when he won.. Even though i said he wouldn't. I was impressed. He gutted it out and took the belt back.

Hay.. at least he didn't thumb Arlvoski.

[Darth Turkish]

Hey Tim may not be the best around, but he worked very hard to prepare for this fight. Looked like he dropped some weight, too.

Arlovski hit him with a solid right hand and he weathered the storm to get off his back and get back to his feet, back to where he is most comfortable.

He certainly did gut it out.

I really think Arlovski's game plan was flawed. I think it was kinda dumb to stand and trade with Tim, especially when Tim's ground game is suspect. It is obviously his weakness, and Arlvoski fought against Tim's strength.

And Andrei paid for it.

And I admit that I was wrong about Tim Sylvia.

[habbalah]

turkish said:

Hey Tim may not be the best around, but he worked very hard to prepare for this fight. Looked like he dropped some weight, too.

Arlovski hit him with a solid right hand and he weathered the storm to get off his back and get back to his feet, back to where he is most comfortable.

He certainly did gut it out.

I really think Arlovski's game plan was flawed. I think it was kinda dumb to stand and trade with Tim, especially when Tim's ground game is suspect. It is obviously his weakness, and Arlvoski fought against Tim's strength.

And Andrei paid for it.

And I admit that I was wrong about Tim Sylvia.

I don't really blame Arlvoski for standing. Hell Cro Cop made the same mistake with Mark hunt. Some people get stubborn.

I noticed the weight loss and pondered if Tim's back on the stuff again. (he looks like he "use to").
If you get my hint.

[Darth Turkish]

Well I think CroCop is a bad example because he has no real ground game either.

But Arlovski is a former junior sambo champ and even defeated Sylvia before with groundwork.

Why not go back to the well again?

[Mad Dog]

He just got caught. He hit a KO calibur shot on Sylvia, thought he could go in for the kill and got caught. Though credit to Sylvia he survived and then managed to get a KO.

[Knapik]

habbalah said:

Like watching paint thin

Oh boy oh boy could i go with out every other guy online trying to down play Tim.

Yes I know Tim's a (censored word of your choice).

But commen.. it's all us ufc fan's have. He's our boy so love it or Lump it

We have Arlovski too! And Jeff Monson now. And Pe de Pano is going to be great. Brandon Vera at LHW. Tim Sylvia is certainly not all we have

1 The ufc finally get to have a ufc champion who speeks english well enough to coach at the heavy weight level for ultimate fighter 4.

Aw, I don't want Sylvia as coach! I can think of 20 guys I'd pick before him, including Arlovski (who's English is improving haha)

3 90 percent of online posters hate Tim's guts. That means die hard mma fans will tune in to see sub part fighters fighting Tim Silvia for two reaons.
They have no faith in Tim.. And they really want to see him lose. I smell money.

I think people will watch regardless, but I think more people would tune out because of their hatred for Sylvia rather than tune in.

And Diaz is easily as poor a sports man and an embersement (most likely more so) then Tim is.

I think there is something more to like about Diaz, though. Not saying Sylvia isn't skilled (he's looking more and more lethal, as is Buentello) but Diaz's jiu-jitsu makes him seem more skilled. Diaz is an entertaining personality as well, and I dont think Sylvia is.

And I clapped when Sylvia won too