Fresh from Mandalay Bay, we’ve brought you a complete blow-by-blow, round by round description of all the matches that took place tonight at UFC 44: Undisputed – including the phenomenal domination and upset of Tito Ortiz by Randy “The Natural” Couture.ÿ The most complete blow by blow recaps on the Internet.ÿ We’ll have hundreds of photos from the fights posted as well in the coming week.ÿClick below on READ MORE to see all the details.ÿ
UFC 44: Undisputed
September 26, 2003
Mandalay Bay Events Center
Las Vegas, NV
Raw Play by Play (some typos)
Paul Erickson
TXMMA.com
Preliminary Bouts
Lightweight Bout
Caol Uno vs. Hermes Franca.
Round 1: They feel each other out, exchange a few strikes on the feet with
neither gaining advantage, they clinch and Franca gets the takedown, and quickly
goes for a leglock but Uno escapes and gets to standing, refusing to enter
Francas guard but holding a foot and chopping at him with leg kicks and pot
shots at his head. Franca gets back to standing and they clinch against the
fence, Uno takes Franca Down and again refuses to enter his guard but stays
close, controlling a leg and chopping with kicks and punching at Franca’s head
from the side. Franca gets half guard, but Uno lands a good shot to his head as
he has Franca up against the fence. Uno gets back outside Franca’s legs and
chops at him again, then continues to engage and disengage as Franca attempts to
get Uno into guard over and over. Franca succeeds in getting Uno into guard but
the round ends 20 seconds later.
Round 2: They square off, Uno lands two good low kicks, Franca connects with a
good high kick that stuns Uno seemingly and Uno changes levels and shoots,
Franca goes for a leglock but Uno escapes. It is now Uno on the ground with
Franca on top but Uno quickly scrambles back to the feet. They clinch up near
the fence, both infight until Franca takes Uno down with a huge takedown and
starts to land big shots to Uno’s face. Franca passes guard and takes Uno’s
back, Uno looks to be stunned but fighting through it, Uno escapes back to
standing where Franca continues his barrage, Uno plants his feet and starts to
throw back but Franca nails him in the chin with a right and Uno crumples.
Franca wins by KO at 2:46 Round 2.
Fight 2
Welterweight Bout
Jeremy Jackson vs. Nick Diaz
Round 1: They touch gloves. They circle, Diaz shoots, Jackson defends and
escapes, Diaz shoots again and fights and gets the double on Jackson near the
fence, ending In Jacksons guard, Jackson tries to stand, But Diaz bodylocks him
and takes him down again, ending in Jacksons half guard. Jackson has his hand
on the hip desperately trying to get full guard, as Diaz maintains control and
shoulder butts Jackson. Jackson scrambles back to his feet, Diaz goes for the
single and takes Jackson down again, and now begins to work GNP inside Jackson’s
closed guard. Diaz lands a couple of good shots on Jackson, who is unable to
control the range, as Diaz is able to rear up and get space to throw straight
shots. Diaz pulls out of Jacksons guard and throws shots down as Jackson tries
to up kick him. Diaz gets the better of it and enters Jacksons guard again. The
fence keeps Jackson from being able to escape the GNP punishment that Diaz is
dealing. Jackson is able to scramble and get up, taking a good punch from Diaz
in the process, and Diaz shoots again and Jackson sprawls and punches Diaz
repeatedly in the head off the failed shot. Diaz tries to complete the takedown
again but Jackson maintains the sprawl and Diaz has to switch to putting Jackson
in his guard. The round ends shortly thereafter.
Round 2: Diaz tries and misses a high kick, then shoots, Jackson defends as he
throws short punches to Diaz’s head, Diaz redoubles and is able to Take Jackson
down, Jackson tries to keep him in guard but again Diaz is able to pull out,
open the distance, and land shots down to Jackson’s head. Jackson gets him in
guard again where Diaz starts to work strong GNP. Diaz pulls out of guard to
throw down on Jackson again. Jackson continues to try and defend but eventually
Diaz is able to spin and take Jacksons back and go for a rear naked. Jackson
defends and is able to roll and reverse, ending in Diazs guard where he tries
to start working GNP. Jackson is able to pull up and gain distance just like
Diaz and throws two good barrages, landing several shots on Diaz. Diaz starts
working his legs high looking for a sub, working rubber guard seemingly, but
lets it go as Jackson isn’t going for it. Diaz works open guard as Jackson
continues to land sporadic GNP shots to end the round.
Round 3: Both look tired, Jackson lands a good punch as Diaz shoots in response,
Diaz gets the takedown and is in Jacksons guard, Jackson turn his hips and
stand up, Again fires at Diaz as Diaz shoots, Jackson sprawls but cant keep Diaz
from finishing the takedown. Diaz Starts to pull out of guard and passes to side
control. Jackson is able to escape and scramble, ending in Diazs guard – where
Diaz armbars him only a few seconds later. Diaz wins by armbar at 2:04 Round 3.
Welterweight Bout
Josh Thompson vs. Gerald Strebendt.
Round 1: Thompson takes Strebendt down as Strebendt ties to strike, There is a
lot of scrambling as Strebendt goes for leg locks, Thompson defends, Strebendt
escapes to standing and immediately Thompson shoots and takes him down with a
double. He ends in Strebendts guard, Strebendt goes for an armbar but Thompson
escapes, He again is in Strebendts guard as Strebendt attempts to use rubber
guard, Strebendt goes for a leglock, Thompson escapes and takes his back
momentarily but in the scramble he ends in Strebendts half guard near the
fence. Again Strebendt goes for a leg lock and as Thompson escapes he seemingly
nails Strebendt with a backhanded hammerfist, Strebendt stands and stumbles
drunkenly, Thompson pounces on him, Strebendt attempts go to guard to regroup
but Thompson is landing shots and takes Strebendts back in the process.
Thompson keeps landing, and Strebendt is stunned, flat on his stomach, and not
defending himself as Thompson lands some more, prompting Larry Landless to stop
the match. Josh Thompson wins by TKO at 2:45 Round 1.
Karo Parisyan vs. Dave Strasser
Round 1: Karo lands a low kick, comes at Strasser with a combo and clinches,
driving Strasser to the fence. They fight for control against the fence,
Strasser tires to change levels for the takedown and Karo sprawls, defending
well, they clinch against the fence, and Karo lands a good knee. Karo then does
a nice throw to take Strasser down and ends in Stressors half guard. Karo
throws strikes down and tries to pass on occasion but Strasser does a good job
keeping him at bay. The occasional shot does get through, however. Karo puts
Strasser against the fence and continues to work GNP. Karo turns to go for a
leglock but Strasser defends and stands against the fence win a clinch. They go
back to center ring and exchange punches, they clinch and Karo takes Strasser
down again with a good throw, keeping the arm for a possible submission but
Strasser defends well, escaping to standing. Karo takes Strasser down with a
throw again and immediately locks out the arm this time with a kimura for the
tap from Strasser. Karo wins at 3:52 Round 1.
PPV Card Bouts
Light Heavyweight Bout
Edwin DeWees vs. Rich Franklin
Round 1: DeWees probes with strikes and they clinch, DeWees throws Franklin to
the mat and is in Franklins half guard. Franklin scrambles and gets his hips
under and DeWees goes for a guillotine that DeWees escapes, they stalemate and
are stood up. The two exchange strikes and clinch again near the fence, both
exchanging some knees in the clinch, Franklin also working body shots and inside
punches. Franklin is more active with the knees to DeWees midsection. Franklin
goes for a high knee and breaks open the clinch, throws some strikes that land
and another high knee that seem to slightly stun DeWees who drops to a knee but
DeWees comes after Franklin, who immediately gains head control and lands
several more good knees and pushes a stunned DeWees to the ground. DeWees gets
up only to take more punishment near the fence, as Franklin drops him again and
proceeds to accurately punish him with punches and hard knees. DeWees defends
weakly as Franklin lands more punches to the head and knee after knee to the
body until ref Larry Landless stops the match. Rich Franklin wins by TKO at 3:35
Round 1.
Middleweight Bout
David Loiseau vs. Jorge Rivera
Round 1: They circle, feeling each other out, Rivera closes to throw a combo and
they clinch both throwing knees and body shots in the clinch. They both
disengage and trade a couple of strikes at center ring again, clinching again
and exchanging knees as Rivera drives Loiseau to the fence again. They disengage
and Loiseau takes head control and fires some good knees, Rivera breaks free and
answers back with some good shots. They disengage and go back to center ring.
They skirmish, with Loiseau getting the better of one brief exchange with a
couple of good knees and Rivera driving him to the fence in the next exchange.
They exchange some shots, disengage, and Landless has a cut on the top of
Riveras head checked. They restart, and again the clinch up, both exchanging
shots in the clinch near the fence. Loiseau gets head control for a second and
lands a couple of knees and a good elbow, Rivera does the same shortly
thereafter, landing a loud couple of knees to Loiseaus midsection. They
disengage, Rivera changes levels to try and clinch or go for a single but
Loiseau defends, they clinch near the fence and the round ends.
Round 2: They circle each other in center ring, Rivera lands two good low kicks,
Loiseau lands one, Rivera answers back with one more good low kick. Rivera
closes the distance and clinches, driving Loiseau to the fence. Loiseau lands a
good elbow in the clinch; they disengage and go back to standing in center ring
and skirmishing. Rivera has Loiseau on the defensive, clinches up and they go to
t fence again. Rivera lands a good elbow in the clinch, Loiseau backs out and
they go back to center ring. Mostly a striking battle so far. They clinch again,
Loiseau firing some good knees, Rivera landing inside body shots, they
disengage. They skirmish repeatedly, Rivera again lands and has Loiseau on the
defensive, driving him back to the fence and clinching. Loiseau disengages and
again Rivera drives him to the fence with strikes and clinches again. They
infight in the clinch, Loiseau disengages, Rivera dries him back again, and
seems to be getting the better of the infighting within the clinch, landing
several good knees and body shoots. Loiseau breaks the clinch with a few hard
shots that drive Rivera out of the clinch, and the round ends. The video screens
show a close-up of Fernando Vargas whos attending the event and the crowd boos
vigorously.
Round 3: Loiseau scores with a slow low kick, they are at center ring but Rivera
again enters with strikes and drives Loiseau to the fence, Clinching up and
landing about 8 or 9 unanswered inside body shots. Loiseau drives the clinch
away from the fence and Rivera lands a couple of knees to Loiseaus leg. They
disengage and now continue to circle and skirmish, with Rivera again driving
Loiseau to the fence and throwing inside body shots and knees that mostly go
unanswered. Loiseau fights back with some hard shots that break the clinch, they
go back to stalking each other on the feet, again Rivera enters with hard shots
that land, driving Loiseau back to the fence again, Landing a knee to the body
and more good shots to the head, Loiseau clinches, Rivera lands with inside
uppercuts, Loiseau starts to stumble back and cover up, Rivera turns it up and
keeps landing repeatedly but Loiseau gets away from the fence and circles the
ring, unbelievable after all the punishment, the crowds goes nuts, Loiseau is
noticeably tired though. They clinch up and Rivera drives him to the fence,
again throwing knees but Loiseau breaks the clinch with a good forearm shot.
They go back to center ring, exchange a few shots, clinch up, both land a few
shots inside, They disengage and as the final 10 second knock occurs, Rivera
closes again and drops Loiseau in the exchange to end the round, with Loiseau
seemingly saved by the bell. Unanimous decision for Jorge Rivera.
Heavyweight Championship
Tim Sylvia vs. Gan McGee
Round 1: The two feel each other with probing strikes, both using the jab, McGee
seems to be giving ground to Sylvia though. Neither fighter landing solidly yet.
They close near the fence, and out of nowhere Sylvia nails McGee with a strong
left hand that hurts him, followed by a crushing right to the chin and McGee
crumples. Sylvia opens up as McGee drops to the ground, McGee is turtled and not
able to defend against Sylvias barrage and McCarthy stops the match. Tim Sylvia
wins by TKO at 1:54 of Round 1. In the postfight Sylvia issues a challenge –
“bring on the best heavyweight, no matter who it is.”
Heavyweight Bout
Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Andrei Arlovski
Round 1: Vlady hits Arlovski with a strong combo off the bat, goes for a double
leg takedown which Arlovski defends, Vlady shoots again and Arlovski sprawls and
defends well once more. Arlovski lands once or twice but Vlady shoots again,
Arlovski sprawls. As Vlady gets up Arlovski drives him back with a good shot,
Vlady falls; Arlovski pounces on him but is unable to capitalize before Vlady
gets back up. They skirmish again, Vlady catches Arlovski with a good knee,
Arlovski falls and it looks like Vlady is going to pounce on him but the ref
calls Vlady for illegal contact due to Arlovski having three points down when
the knee landed. They restart, and Arlovski nails Vlady with an uppercut off a
front kick from Vlady that he parried. Vlady drops like a stone flat on his back
and Arlovski nails him with a chopping punch/hammerfist to the face right as the
ref steps in to stop the fight. Arlovski wins by KO at 2:14 Round 1. A very fast
paced back and forth match, both fighters came out strong.
In the intermission Ricco Rodriguez (with woman du jour) clowned it up for Fox
Sports Net right next to the press section with Chris Wee Man Acuna from
Jackass, even doing a hilarious face-off like they were going to box.
Light Heavyweight Championship
Tito Ortiz vs. Randy Couture
The crowd is deafening for this match as the fighters are announced, especially
Tito – theres no mistaking.
Round 1: The two meet at center ring, Tito goes for the bodylock seemingly
looking for a slam but randy negates and breaks the clinch, they clinch up again
near the fence, Randys back to the fence, Tito attempting to take randy down
with a double, then a single, Couture defending well, throwing strikes to Titos
head while Tito is fighting to convert the takedown. They are still against the
fence with Tito in on one leg, witching from single to double and back again,
and Couture sprawls and defends well. Couture fights back up to standing and
drives Tito to the fence, both exchanging knees in the clinch. Tito appears to
take a rest from the energy he burned trying to get Randy down. They are still
clinched and trading occasional knees in the clinch. Randy executes a Greco
throws to take Tito down and takes his back, goes for the rear naked, Tito has
his chin protected and gets back to his knees, Randy tries to roll to take the
choke again but Tito turns out and has Randy against the fence, he is unable to
capitalize as Randy Gets back to standing and they are clinched against the
fence. They break clinch and trade some punches, neither landing solidly. They
clinch up again with Randys back to the fence and both throwing knees. Randy
gets double underhooks, bodylocks, and throws Tito again. Randy lands in side
control. Randy throws a knee or two but really is unable to open up offensively
from side control. Tito fights his way to half guard and then tries to get his
hips under as the round ends
Sound 2: Tito scores with a jab and goes for a low kick, Randy tries to clinch
to avoid punches, he is able to take Tito down again with a bodylock and inside
trip, landing in Titos guard, he throws some punches down and the crowd goes
nuts. Tito is covering up and defending, does not seem to be hurt. Randy has
Tito against the fence and is maintaining pressure on the face with forearms and
short blows trying to open Tito up. Tito still seems to be defending well. Randy
is getting a few shots through but can not consistently score. Tito does not
seem to be able to gat away from the fence or improve position. Randy passes one
leg to Titos half guard. Randy continues to keep Tito against the fence, Tito
seems to get his hips under him for a second but Couture is able to hit him with
a good shot and he gests back to within Titos guard Tito continues to have
trouble getting out of there, as Couture finishes the round in Titos guard
still working GNP.
Round 3: They trade in center ring, Randy looking to shoot under Titos punches,
he drives Tito to the fence, goes for the single, fights for it, Tito defends
but Randy is able to convert and take Tito down against the fence. Tito is able
to hook a leg between Randys legs and has Randy across his back. Randy is
throwing short shots but Tito is able to reverse, escape, and get top position
on Randy near the fence. Tito tries a few knees but Randy is then able to
reverse and get top position on Tito again against the fence, in Titos guard.
Randy tries to open up a little, throwing blows down to the encouragement of the
crowd. A few get through but Tito is largely unhurt. Tito is still unable to
solve the riddle of the fence, unable to improve position as Randy passes to
Titos half guard. Randy takes mount momentarily but is bucked off by Tito.
Randy then goes to side mount and tries to work GNP from there as the round
ends. Randy looks more winded than Tito right now.
Round 4: Couture throws a huge punch, misses, and continues with the momentum
and drives into Tito, driving him to the fence and taking him down. He drives
Tito toward the fence while in Titos half guard. still working GNP. Tito gives
Randy his back willingly, seemingly trying to bait him. Randy goes for the rear
naked and Tito rolls, Randy does not have the choke they roll and Randy takes
mount. Randy opens up throwing a flurry and Tito covers up moving left and right
with the blows, the majority of Coutures blows land on his arms. Tito
eventually is able to close the range and tie up Randys arms. Tito escapes
momentarily and goes for Randys legs but Randy is able to defend and get back
to top position in Titos half guard. From here Randy continues to work GNP on
Tito against the fence, landing several good forearms. Tito is still defending
intelligently but unable to really do much against Randy as the round ends.
Round 5: The two square off in center ring again. Randy again ducks under Titos
punches, clinches up, Tito is able to escape the clinch, Randy goes for another
single and clinches again and drives Tito to the fence. Randy scores with
several good knees to the body and legs in the clinch. Tito goes for a whizzer
but Randy defends. Randy drops down to take a leg and succeeds, taking Tito down
again. Randy begins to work on GNP again in Titos half guard against the fence.
Tito still can do little more except defend. Tito works back to the feet but
Randy still has arms around his upper body, Randy takes him down again. Randy is
in Titos half guard, he drives Tito to the fence, continues to work punches and
forearms. Tito goes for a kneebar but Randy defends, catching Tito in the
transition and keeping him stuck. Randy starts to spank Tito on the ass with
large and small pats while hes stuck underneath Randy. As the round ends Randy
pulls out of the kneebar and takes mount, throwing blows at Titos head as the
buzzer sounds and the crowd goes wild. Unbelievable. Randy Couture wins by
unanimous decision.
ÿ