UFC 66 is upon us. Honestly, it’s been a long time since I’ve been so excited for a sporting event. I was telling my wife that if this were Superbowl Weekend (and assuming the Titans weren’t in the SB) I would still be excited about the SuperBowl, still watch the SuperBowl, but I’d absolutely be more excited about this event. Craziness.

If you haven’t seen it, check out tonight’s card:
Andrei Arlovski vs. Marcio Cruz
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Carmelo Marrero
Christian Wellisch vs. Anthony Perosh
Michael Bisping vs. Eric Schafer
Yushin Okami vs. Rory Singer
Chris Leben vs. Jason MacDonald
Thiago Alves vs. Tony DeSouza
Forrest Griffin vs. Keith Jardine
Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz

If you aren’t familiar with the fighters, let me recommend you go check out this post on UFCJunkie.com. Performify, a contributor over there, gives a breakdown of each fight. Part of it is the betting line but the rest is a thorough breakdown of each fighter and their history. Reading it got me even more pumped for the fight.

Anyway, I had such a good time blogging the last Fight Night that I’m going to try it again on tonight’s card. It’ll follow the same format – time stamps tied to commentary. The timestamps will represent the approximate time it happens, Central Standard Time. Forgive the misspellings and grammar mistakes. Also, I’ll try to publish, add, publish, etc throughout the night if you are one of the poor folks not able to watch tonight’s proceedings.

Everything tonight focuses on Liddell/Ortiz. However, there are multiple matches that deserve attention. Will Arlovski regain the form that made him look like one of the most unstoppable Heavy Weights in MMA? What is Michael Bisping going to look like in his first big-ticket UFC fight? How are the various TUF fighters maturing as they pursue their UFC aspirations? Maybe I’m following the names too much but I’m pumped about the aformentioned Arlovski and Bisping fights. I’m also paying close attention to the Griffin/Jardine fight. Plus that little Liddell/Ortiz fight.

Let me tell you, being an Ortiz fan is a strange sensastion for me. I hated that dude until TUF 3 where he, quite frankly, invested more of himself into the fighters he coached than Ken Shamrock. Maybe the show personalized him. I guess I’m one of the guys the UFC has in mind when they schedule these things. Oh well – it made me an Ortiz fan and I’m waiting on my Team Punishment shirt to come in the mail.

8:45pm – They’re showing the normal pre-fight highlight reels. Seeing the highlights reminds you just how dominant Tito has been in recent months. 5 straight victories and, as he says everytime they give him a mic, he’s in the best shape of his life. He’s also still a smart mouth and cocky, all the stuff I used to loathe about him. However, I now see the gamesmanship, the entertainer admist the bravado. On the other hand, Chuck Liddell knocks people out. Quick. He always reminds me of Tank Abbot in his demeanor; like he decided “What the heck? I might as well fight or something.” It’s regurgatation but Ortiz is the better athlete, the better all-around artial artist, and all that won’t matter if Liddell catches him on the chin with a night-night shot. I’m going to predict an Ortiz victory because (a) I’m a fan, as stated, and (b) I think Ortiz’s striking is closer to matching Liddell’s than Liddell’s ground-and-pound is to Tito’s.

The element making me nervous about my prediction is the reach differential between the two fighters. I’m convinced reach is the single most important measurement in MMA and, if you remember, the last time Ortiz and Chuck fought it was on an engagement that Liddell’s finger caught Tito’s eye bringing the fight swiftly to an end. They say Tito looks like an ape. Whether or not that’s true Liddell’s arms are ape-like so maybe they have something in common beyond their mutual UFC superstardom.

9:00 – finally the Ortiz/Liddell loop is over (good) and they show Griffin talking about Jardine. He’s one of the most likeable MMA personalities – tough, capable, but suprisingly humble and possessed of an abnormally endearing sense of humor. I hope he takes Jardine out. I also hope that Chris Leben manages to loose his teeth. TUF is great for helping fans get to know the fighters. It works out well in the case of Ortiz, Bisping, Griffin. However, Leben is the anti-Griffin – that show revealed him to be a childish brat and – as with Koscheck and Shonie Carter – killed any hope of me rooting for him.

9:06 – Wow. The just showed a graphic detailing how fans are voting (via text messaging) in regards to who will win between Ortiz and Liddell. It’s 65/35 Liddell. Hope their wrong. Basically I have stopped caring about fan votes – check out the NBA all-star voting sometimes. Remember how Grant Hill kept leading the voters even though he wasn’t actually playing games?

9:11 – Sweet. Bisping and Schafer get us started. Bisping comes out to The Clash and slapping hands. Doesn’t he come across as a guy that you’d like to hang out with? Anyway, he’s giving up 2 inches of reach. Rogan thinks Schafer has a better ground game than Bisping, which is suprising to me. Ha. Schafer’s nickname is “Ravishing.” Considering he looks like a disfigured adult Opie Taylor I’m hoping he carries the nick with a sense of irony. Bisping is introduced to a big round of applause.

9:14 – Bisping lands a right, they go to the chain, and then Schaefer takes Bisping down. Bisping was up quick but that was a nice take down. Up against the fence and Bisping looks like he’s in control but I’ve got to say Schaefer is the one pressing. Now Bisping is swinging and – low and behold – he takes Bisping down in the center of the ring.

9:16 – Schafer gets Bisping in a triangle and Bisping gets out. Back to their feet and Schafer piggybacks Bisping. Schafer is dropped on his head and their back up. This Schafer kid looks pretty good. Wonder if Bisping took him seriously enough.

9:17 – Off the fence and Bisping catches Schafer in the face with his shin. Opie is not happy. Schafer gets him back to the ground though and Bisping’s standing over him raining blows. Scafer gets his arm but Bisping shrugs it aside and keeps landing blows from up high. That’s it. Opie is in la-la land and Yamasaki stops the fight.

9:20 – Goldberg, who unveiled the Tysonic “unorthodoxed” terminology at the last Fight Night, just said Bisping’s debut was “hugely successful.” So, since the UFC is making $5011 Million now-a-days couldn’t they afford a play by play guy who knows how to talk. Maybe Brick Tamland is available.

9:21 – The replay of the earlier shin kick looks worse than it did in real time. He’s pretty good with the lower limbs…remember the flying knee to Ross Pointon’s head in their TUF match? Make a note whoever fights him next.

9:25 – They are pubbing the Feb. UFC and aside from the GSP/Serra fight we’re also going to see the debut of both Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic. The voice over guy just called Cro Cop “The Most Feared Mixed Martial Artist” in the world. Really now. He’s bad and they’ve got to hype these guys but “The Most Feared?” Not really. Let’s talk Wanderlei Silva or Fedor Emelianenko when we’re throwing that term around, okay? MMA fans are dumb or anything, okay Mr. Voice Over Guy (and Zuffa, who told him what to say.)

9:29pm – Next up is Andrei Arlovski vs. Marcio Cruz. I guess Cruz is the fight the UFC is giving Arlovski to get him back on track. I still can’t get over how bad he looked against Tim Sylvia. Here’s what I’m hoping: Arlovski comes and and takes care of Cruz, Cro Cop takes Tim Silvia out (please, someone end Tim Sylvia) and then whoever wins between Arlovski and Cro Cop tempts Fedor Emelianenko to come over. See, that scenario makes the UFC’s blah-blah Heavyweight Division into one of the most intriguing. I realize we’re more likely to see Fedor’s brother in the Octagon but a guy can dream, right?

9:34 – Marcio Cruz is 2-1 and looks like he’s been training at CiCi’s Pizza. If Arlovski doesn’t handle this guy quick I’ll be amazed. In fact, if Arlovski doesn’t finish this quick he probably needs to go back to the motherland and train like Rocky Balboa preparing to fight Ivan Drago. Cruz does have an inch reach advantage on AA though. Considering Bisping’s win can I ask if perhaps this UFC has been custom designed to destroy my rule about the reach advantage.

9:36 – Arlovski is throwing some blows when Cruz shoots. AA sprawls but Cruz gets hin in the guard. Apparently Cruz is a Brazilian Ju-Jitsu World Champion (isn’t everyone?) but AA has him back up, almost in a guilotine against the cage. Cruz goes to his knees and AA lands some big blows to the back of the head.

9:37 – Cruz goes for an ankle lock, AA tries his own, then he’s back up. Cruz takes them back down and Herb Dean chit chats with the fighters – Arlovski kicked Cruz in the face and Herb says “no no.” Herb walks away and AA pops Cruz in the grill w/ a big shot. He pummels away on Cruz’s head while Cruz tries the leg lock. Dang! Cruz is out. I wonder if he wasn’t out while he looked like he was holding on. Good gosh – that kid is stone cold out. I wonder how many blows landed before anyone realized he was unconscious?

9:41 – Arlovski took care of business. I can’t help but imagine that this wasn’t a bit of a cupcake given to him but hey, it’s a fight. AA is now 12-5 and, I’m sure, will be moving back in to challenger status. Fine by me, as long as someone roots Tim Sylvia out of there.

9:47 – The fan vote on Liddell/Ortiz is down to 57/43.

9:48 – Looks like Chris Leben vs. Jason MacDonald is our next match. You know what that means? I get to see highlights of Anderson Silva taking Leben apart. Nice.

9:50 – This MacDonald dude apparently isn’t any joke. He’s the guy who beat Ed Herman and told the crowd he didn’t like playing the stepping stone role very much. I don’t kow much about him but I know I like him, considering he’s fighting Chris Leben. He’s tall – bet he has good reach. Right now my reach theory is 0-2 tonight. It’d be nice to see it get back on track with this fight. Whatever, as long as Leben looses.

9:54 – Yup. MacDonald has 4.5″ of reach on Leben. That’s a significant difference. He’s also 5 years older which isn’t. Leben has apparently been training with Team CiCi’s also. He’s jumping around during intros and appears to be in dire need of a bra.

9:56 – The fighters touch gloves, circle, MacDonald throws a kick, and Leben takes him down. Leben gets up, steps back, then jumps on MacDonald again. MacDonald clinches and the two jocky for position. It’d be nice to see one of these go beyond the first round.

9:57 – They’re up and Leben chases MacDonald around the ring. Now JM has Leben up against the fence but there’s not much happening. The Masagotti moves ‘em back to the center and there is more circling.

9:58 – MacDonald is trying to take Leben down and failing badly. I’m of the opinion he ought to try some stand up, using the jab to keep Leben away and soften him up at the same time. However, MacDonald thinks differently and takes Leben back to the fence.

10:00 – Leben lands some big blows and MacDonald could be in trouble. Leben shortly catches a knee to the chin but he’s responding pretty well. 28 seconds left in the round, maybe he’ll survive. Leben’s back up against the fence and pounding on MacDonald’s back.

10:01 – Right before the round ends Leben gives MacDonald one on the chin. The announcing team seems to think MacDonald is fairing pretty well but trust me, he took a lot of damage that round.

10:02 – Round 2 is one. MacDonald with a high kick wich Leben deflects. He tries two more and the third one Leben grabs to take JM down. However, he catches Leben on the chin with a kick as Leben falls on him. Leben looks alright.

10:03 – MacDonald just went for a Kimora on Leben’s hand and they’re back up. JM lands a nice knee and the fighters swap blows. Leben’s back up against the fence. Does that sound familiar?

10:04 – MacDonald lands another good shot and now he’s on top of Leben. This could be MacDonald’s moment – there is 2:24 left in the second so he’s got time to work.

10:06 – MacDonald has Leben in a well-set choke. Leben’s not getting out of this one. He’s out and the ref stops it. I don’t know if I should be this happy about Leben’s loss but I’m going to enjoy it. It’s like rooting against Duke (kind of) – I don’t care who beats them as long as they get beat.

10:10 – Note to self: Pay attention to this Jason MacDonald dude. Wins over Ed Herman and Chris Leben are nothing to laugh at. He feels it, asking for a title shot. Chris Leben shows his class again, telling the fans to quit booing. Is that two losses in a row? One more and I might not have to worry about Leben anymore. I’m crossing my fingers for a third loss.

10:11 – The Liddell/Ortiz fan vote is down to 53/47. Not sure if you or I care but they keep putting it up so I’m gonna mention it. (Okay, it’s a time killer. Let’s just be honest here.)

10:20 – We’re going through a UFC interim right now as the producers of the show try to align the events with the time track. Plenty of highlights, plenty of fawning over Quinton Jackson and Cro Cop. I’m excited about the Jackson era in UFC – that dude is crazy.

10:21 – Forrest Griffin vs. Keith Jardine. Jardine out first to bagpipes. Love it. If I ever get to walk out to some important event I’m having bag pipes played. You know, I like Griffin but it’s going to be hard to root against Jardine.

10:23 – Should be time for Griffin. I’m guessing he comes out to “Insane in the Membrane.” Nope. “Let’s Go” by Lil’ John or one of those guys. Griffin actually looks real serious. Smart dude – Jardine won’t be an easy out. Couture said that Griffin works harder than he did. That’s a pretty big statement and makes me feel even better about rooting for Griffin.

10:26 – For some reason it takes Griffin forever to get past the guy at the entrance of the ring. Something about his ears. They do eventually let him enter and the graphic says he has an inch of reach. Come on Forrest, time to get my theory back to .500. Big J-Mac is the ref.

10:28 – Fights on. Circling, circling. Griffin offers a shin kick and Jardine swings. Limited engagement and back to circling. Maybe Forrest should just cut his own eye to get going; that’s usually what it takes for him. These guys are apparently content to stand up and swap blows. Makes for good viewing.

10:30 – Rogan says Griffin is taking Jardine’s stand up apart. I’m not sure if I agree yet. They’re both running in, giving and taking shots, and getting out. Jardine did just land a nice kick, however. The crowd is chanting “Forrest” right now.

10:31 – I’m still wondering why in fights like this where neither fighter is really able to get a piece of the other one of the two doesn’t start working on a thigh over and over to build some cumulative damage. No one fights well with a faulty pillar. Just my .02.

10:32 – 38 seconds and Jardine starts landing some big shots. Griffin goes down and Forrest is in trouble. J-Mac stops it with 20 seconds left. That was brutal and it seemed to come out of no where.

10:33 – Griffin is in a corner bawling his eyes out. Replay. An uppercut and a left hook wobbled Forrest and, as Rogan said, “Jardine wades in with punches.” That was pretty startling to this blogger. It’s a cliche but it’s true: You can never count a striker out.

10:37 – Griffin cuts his post-fight interview with Rogan short. Joe actually looks miffed. Anyway, Griff says he’ll be back and heads to the locker room. That kid’s heart is broken.

10:40 – Thiago Alves vs. Tony DeSouza is our next fight. I hope DeSouza shaved that beard. I don’t see how you fight in one of those man. Alves is a tough dude, the “Pitbull” nickname fits him well. Anyway, nope – DeSouza still rocks the lumberjack beard. It does look like he trimmed that mess back but it’s still there. Tony DeSouza: The UFC’s Hank Williams, Jr. Quality Roganism about DeSouza: “Straight otu of Peru, baby!”

10:45 – Alves makes me think of the Carolina Panther’s Steve Smith: little dude that you do not want to mess with. Dang! Alvez is 5’9″, Desouza 6’1″. However, Alvez’s reach is 77″ compared to DeSouza’s 70.5. That’s not something you see every day.

10:46 – Fight’s on, circling commences. A few exploratory punches that hit oxygen and DeSouza shoots. Nice sprawl by Alvez and the their still upright. More circling, DeSouza shoots, and Alvez sprawls again. Good job by Alvez.

10:48 – The fans are getting testy. DeSouza shoots again and fails again. He tries a new tack, coming in swinging and Alvez cracks him on the chin with a right. However, Alvez pursues and DeSouza goes in to the guard which might have been worth the shot for DeSouza.

10:49 – Fighters back up and circling. DeSouza has a bit of a nose bleed which his beard absorbs like a sponge.

10:50 – Alvez is pressed against the wire. Both fighters try to lock legs and they fall, mutually, on their heads. Alvez gets on top and absolutely hammers DeSouza over and over. DeSouza is in trouble but he’s not out. John Mac is on top of it but he’s living for the bell. He makes it and DeSouza stays prone too long for his corner to be comfortable. I’m really suprised John let that go so long. Rogan says its a mark of a mature ref and DeSouza was trying to defend himself. However, I wonder if Alvez isn’t thinking this fight should already be over.

10:53 – Round 2 is on and DeSouza is in full “stay away” mode. He shoots and Alvez throws him across the ring. Hey – DeSouza tried a flying kick and then shoots.

10:54 – Alvez greets DeSouza’s chin with and knee. 2 hammer punches and it’s over.

10:55 – Time for the big show. The fan vote, if anyone cares, is at 51/49 in Liddell’s favor. Honestly, can this fight live up to the hype at all? I mean, this thing has been the only topic of discussion in UFC circles for months. Did you know that Liddell and Ortiz used to train together? Somehow I missed it but that’s why we have Goldberg people.

10:59 – Ortiz is out first with the flag and the Eminem. He takes his times and I think to myself that I want to be one of the dudes in the suits who walks along with the fighter’s entourage. Tito is still walking into the ring a minute later. Herb Dean lets him in to the ring and he raises the flag. Like that, the American Flag & Californian. That’s another thing I didn’t know when I disliked him so badly – what a patriot he was and how much time he spends with the troops.

11:01 – Not sure if this is prophetic or not but Couture is talking about how Liddell lands blows from odd angles when he’s backing up. Hopefully Tito’s got that documented and defended as well.

11:02 – Here comes the Iceman. Sounds like the Undertaker’s music when he comes out. Kid looks relaxed, suprise suprise. He’s also got a pretty good gut going on (which means he’s in better shape than I’ve ever been.)

11:05 – Tito is on the short (literally) end of the reach scenario to the tune of 2.5 inches.

11:06: Bruce Buffer: “Wah wah wah wah wah!”

11:07 – Sounds like a lot of boos for Tito. Liddell, not so much. Gotta admit, the k.o.s are nice. Folks like ‘em. On a seperate note, I think Buffer just took 5 full minutes to say Chuck’s name.

11:09 – It’s on. Hands bump. Circling. Kicks exchanged. Circling. Kick from Tito. Circling.

11:10 – Tito shoots, misses, and covers well. He’s up and swings at Chuck. Swings again.

11:11 – Tito isn’t going in to Chuck at all yet. Offers a kick, catches Chuck on the chin with a right.

11:11 – One note: Goldberg just said that “Tito takes a book out of Liddell’s chapter there.” Coture laughed at him.

11:12 – Chuck lands a right and Tito is opened up. They’re still circling but Tito’s backed up against the fense. A big uppercut is swung but misses. Tito is looking for some way out but Chuck is keeping him pinned up. 1:15 left in the 1st.

11:13 – And Tito is down. He’s covering and defending but Chuck is raining blows down. Tito’s head is pink and he’s up but wobbly. 30 seconds left. Circling. Liddell drops his hands, Tito comes in, and Chuck catches him with an uppercut. Much blood from the Huntington Beach Badboy.

11:14 – Replay. I’m not sure which of Liddell’s blow dropped Tito. The two immediately preceeding the fall didn’t look like they landed square but the did fall. He offered some words to Chuck and a smile after the round.

11:15 – Round 2. Tito swings, kicks, and shoots. Chuck sprawls and they’re up circling.

11:16 – The fans start chanting “Chuck.” Tito kicks to the side but Liddell is just looking for an opening.

11:17 – Liddell lands a few blows and then steps back. Tito’s looking to land a right hook. He gets in another body blow and Tito does a good job of defending. 2:31 left, Tito moves in and there’s nothing. If he could just get Liddell to the ground…

11:18 – Tito lands a nice right and a nice kick. He shoots but no dice. 1:47 left in the 2nd.

11:19 – Tito covers with one hand and lands a nice shot. He tries a high kick and misses. Circling. 45 seconds and Tito has Chuck’s back, now face to face. Tito has him in the clench, lands a knee and an Chuck hits him with an elbow. 19 seconds left.

11:20 – Round 2 is over and I’m on the edge. That’s a Liddell fight for you.

11:21 – Eddie Bravo has it scored Round 1 to Liddell, Round 2 to Tito (both 10/9). Just an FYI.

11:22 – Round 3. Tito offers a high kick and Chuck looks like he’s squatting down. The fans chant “Tito.” Ortiz shoots, Liddell sprawls, and lands a punch on the way up. Nice sprawl by Liddell.

11:23 – Liddell is slowing, he has a big knot on his leg. He lands a nice kick on Ortiz. Some more circling and Ortiz lands a kick before Liddell lands three punches to the body.

11:24 – Tito shoots, in a bad situation in the middle of the ring. He’s opened up again and both fighters are up.

11:25 – They swap some blows, 1:55 left in the 3rd. Liddell lands a jab and a right. Tito’s up against he fence and they exchange blows. Liddell is on top, Tito is covered up. Liddell is raining blows but Tito is taking them in his arms.

11:26 – Macarthey stops the fight. Liddell wins.

11:27 – Replay. By my count after the exchange Liddell landed 7 unaswered punches. Camera zooms in on Tito’s back and he’s wearing a shirt that says “Thanks U.S. Troops for fighting for our country!”

11:29 – Interview. Liddell pubs his sponsors. Rogan re-asks his question. Liddell says this is the most satisfying victory of his career. Rogan asks about Quinton Jackson (with Jackson on the front row) and Liddell says he can’t wait for that rematch.

11:31 – Interview with Tito. He says he’s disgusted with himself for letting his fans down. “Chuck’s the best fighter pound for pound in the world.” “I brought my A game.” “Liddell’s an amazing fighter.” “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the troops.”

Final Thoughts: My stomach hurts…I really hoped Tito would come away with this one but he lost a good fight to a good fighter. When I was typing during the match my hands were sweating, waiting to see if Liddell would land a match-ender. I don’t know if any other fighter brings that level of anticipation to his fights. Really, I don’t know what it will take to beat Liddell. He looks unbeatable. For my money Tito is the most well-rounded fighter in the UFC and he lasted until the middle of the third round. That reach, those hands – it might be up to Chuck to decide when he wants to loose.

I’m going to watch the undercard. If anything of interest or importance takes (took) place I’ll let you know.

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Carmelo Marrero is the first undercard fight. This is important not necessarily because of the people involved but because it represents talent fighting in the Heavyweight Division. The UFC is apparently out recruiting hard but they also need to develop some unknowns to get the division to the point it should be.

(Time stamps will be in-round)

4:20 – Gonzaga brings some good ground and pound. He’s scrored a good takedown on Marrero (who doesn’t look like he’s going to last long) and works him over from the top of the guard. I’m not used to seeing that kind of ground game from the UFC heavies.

3:30 – Gonzaga has a nice arm bar locked in but Marrera escapes. He’s still under Gonzaga and taking some damage from Gonzaga at the 2:00 mark.

1:39 – Marrero submits to a good looking arm bar from Gonzaga. I know I’ve already said it but the BJJ (I hate that abreviation btw) from Gonzaga looks good. Marrero has his first lost. In a rare moment of lucidity, Rogan says of Gonzaga “There’s a heavyweight threat.”

I’ve just got to mention this: The “TapOut Submission of the Night” was MacDonald choking Leben out. Beautiful. Keep checking YouTube until it’s up – it’s a thing of beauty.

Have a good night. Thanks for reading. This was fun.

Tags: UFC, Ultimate Fighting, MMA, UFC 66