History of the UFC 03.03.08: UFC XXXIV - High Votlage

Posted by Matt McEwen on 03.03.2008

How do you recover from a major mistake? Well, you put eight present or future World Champions on one card, cap it off with a rematch of your best fight ever, and then make sure it all fits on a PPV. Then you call it High Voltage...

So, last time out, the UFC kind of blew it. Their main event fell apart a week before the event, just about every fight was a fairly unexciting decision and their decision to put three title fights on one show led to running over the allotted PPV time and the show cutting out in the middle of the main event. That’s pretty much the perfect storm of messing up a show, so just a little over a month later, they had their backs to the walls to make things right.

So, it’s November 2nd 2001, we’re in the UFC’s new home of Las Vegas – debuting in the MGM Grand Garden Arena – and Joe Silva, Dana White et al. have put together a card that, on paper, could very well be good enough to take the bad taste out of the fans’ mouths. On tap, we’ve got a card that features eight fighters that are either current or future UFC champions at this point, along with another champ in the announce booth and a former champ in the trainer’s chair. Any show that has 10 champs on it at once is doing something right, but it’s the matchup pairings that make this such an intriguing show.
In the Octagon for this night, we’ve got two title fights, as Matt Hughes returns for the first time in a year to challenge Carlos Newton for the welterweight title, which he incidentally won by beating Hughes’ trainer. The other is a rematch of one of the best main events ever, as Pedro Rizzo gets an immediate rematch for the heavyweight title against the ageless Randy Couture. I’m drooling over that rematch a bit. The undercard is headlined by a number one contender’s fight in the lightweight division, as BJ Penn will take on Caol Uno, and rounded out by Evan Tanner taking on Homer More, Frank Mir making his debut against a returning Roberto Traven, Matt Lindland going head to head with Phil Baroni, Pete Williams fighting Ricco Rodriguez, and a heavyweight tilt between Josh Barnett and Bobby Hoffman. Whew…what a card.
On to the show…

Mike Goldberg is on hand of course, joined by the fairly useless Jeff Osbourne for the second time, and lightweight titleholder Jens Pulver, who is surprisingly insightful and well spoken throughout the night. Actually, with the exception of Osbourne, the announcing is quite good at this point in the UFC as the guest announcers are usually pretty good and Goldberg doesn’t shill that much at this point.

Heavyweight (206lbs to 265lbs)

Josh Barnett
(2-1, 6’3, 245lbs)
vs.
Bobby Hoffman
(0-1-1, 6’2, 254lbs)

This is a rematch of a fight that took place in the SuperBrawl promotion in 1999, when Barnett pulled out a decision victory.
Hoffman is completely done with MFS at this point, and has moved to California. Now, if you noticed is record as 0-1-1, and remember his as having won his last trip into the cage, well, you’re right in being confused. Turns out that following his victory over Mark Robinson at UFC XXX, Mr. Hoffman failed a steroid test and the decision was changed to a NC.

Barnett comes into this fight having dropped 10 pounds from his previous appearance, where he’d already dropped from something like 22% body fat to 12%. All natural, I’m sure…

Round 1
Barnett’s plan is to clinch, and he does it quickly by coming in behind a right hand, but it’s Hoffman that muscles the takedown. Even though he’s on the bottom, Barnett controls well and takes little damage, and is actually probably the more aggressive of the too as he tries a couple of armbars and even a kneebar before getting back to his feet. Once he’s up, Barnett scores the takedown and lands some nice forearms/elbows. Just a note on those, this is the first show with those awkward “some elbows are ok, but not all of them, but no one knows the exact criteria” rules, so most elbows are called forearms. As for this fight, Barnett does more damage in 10 seconds on top than Hoffman did in a full minute. Barnett mounts, but Hoffman reverses out of an ill advised armbar attempt, but runs into a really aggressive guard and a possible thumb to the eye as the round comes to an end.

10-9 round for Barnett as he gives a clinic on how to win from your back.

Round 2
Barnett uppercuts and clinches to open, and uses the ensuing bodylock to score the takedown. He lands some body shots from inside Hoffman’s guard, and is able to pass to side control after about two minutes there. Once he’s in side control, more posted forearms/elbows that open up a pretty good cut. Hoffman eventually has enough and gives up his back and then taps to strikes.

Nice submission win by Barnett as you just don’t see too many tap outs to punches anymore. He looked really good in dominating a fairly dangerous opponent.

Lightweights (146lbs to 155lbs)

BJ Penn
(2-0, 5’9, 154lbs)
vs.
Caol Uno
(1-1, 5’7, 153lbs)

The winner of this one is guaranteed the next shot at the lightweight title, so you know Pulver is watching this one with great interest.

On paper, it looks like a good fight as Uno is a fairly unorthodox, fast fighter and Penn is a destroyer at this point in his career.

Round 1

BJ lands a right/left combo and the fight is over in 12 seconds as he pounds Uno out against the cage.

Goddamn. THAT is how you win a fight. Huge KO win by Pen and he his eyes set on “his” title.

Frank Shamrock is actually in BJ’s corner for the fight. Just thought I’d mention in case you cared.

We get a video to hype up the welterweight fight between Newton and Hughes, and it’s a good, basic breakdown of what each ones’ plan should be. Interesting comments from Militech as he feels that Hughes can use his strength and wrestling to control anyone, while Newton’s only chance is his trickiness. I concur.

Top welterweight contenders right now are listed as Hyato Sakurai (still waiting for him to show up in the Octagon), Pat Militech, Hughes and Anderson Silva. Hmm…they mention that he had problems getting into the UFC, but they hope that changes soon. Well, it would take about 5 years, but I’d say he’s made an impact since he’s been around.
Welterweight Title (156lbs to 170lbs)

Carlos Newton
(2-1, 5’9, 169lbs)
vs.
Matt Hughes
(2-1, 5’9, 169lbs)
Title fight = McEwen’s music review.
Hughes comes out to Kid Rock’s “American BadAss.” Not exactly a favourite of mine, but it does make an ok entrance song.

Newton has a Dragon Ball-Z intro and comes out in a black wifebeater and a huge afro wig, along with a hot chick to hold his title belt. The thing that ruins it all is the fact that he comes out to…Bootylicsious? WTF?

As for the fight, Hughes’ power should be too much for Newton to handle, but he will have some chances for submission off his back here.

Round 1

Newton pulls guard the first time they get close enough to touch. I’m no expert – though I do like to pretend – but I’d say pulling guard on Hughes at this point in their careers is akin to jumping in front of a freight train. Proving that I’m not an expert, Newton does a great job of tying Hughes up and actually reverses to mount. Nice. He is able to take his back, but Hughes scrambles to his feet and scores a belly to belly suplex . Nice. He has side control, but Newton reverses again after a little bit. Hughes is able to get up and score another takedown, and this time is able to land a few shots from the top. With 10 seconds left, he flurries to try and ensure the round.

It works, as I’d say 10-9 for Hughes in a great round. Not a lot of striking there, but a lot of really good grappling.

Round 2

They clinch, and Hughes lands a big slam. Slow work in the guard, but Newton throws up a triangle and locks it in tight. Hughes is a beast though, and is able to lift Newton completely off the ground – while still locked in the triangle – and places Newton up against the top of the cage. Then he drops him. HARD. A nice real life power bomb that KO’s Newton and the fight is over.

KO win by Hughes that gives him the title, but the only thing is that on the replay is that Hughes slammed Newton down because he passed out in the triangle.

Absolutely incredible finish, and I’d say we’re guaranteed a quick rematch here. For his part, Newton is a little less than gracious in defeat, but he does kind of have a point that they were both out.

Heavyweights (206lbs to 265lbs)

Pete Williams
(3-3, 6’3, 230lbs)
vs.
Ricco Rodriguez
(1-0, 6’3, 240lbs)

This is Ricco’s PPV debut after winning his first UFC fight over Andrei Arlovski, while Williams takes another shot at getting back into the title picture here.
Side note about the corners for the fight. Ricco is Team Punishment’s heavyweight, so of course Tito Ortiz is in his corner, while Williams is cornered by Ken Shamrock. Possible fireworks there?

Round 1

Rodriguez scores with the early shot and takedown. He tries hard to get a bit of distance and strike, but William’s defensive guard is quite good. They scramble up, but right back down. Rodriguez avoids an armbar attempt and ends up on top. He tries for a kneebar, but doesn’t quite get it, but does score another takedown and mounts as the round comes to an end.

10-9 for Rodriguez as he mauled Williams most of the round, even if he didn’t do a whole lot of damage.

Round 2

Williams lands a right and Rodriguez goes to his back to pull Williams into his guard. Williams mounts and takes his back, but Rodriguez rolls and ends up on top. Lots of short shots and elbows before Williams rolls up to his feet. Rodriguez grabs a front headlock and rides him. They clinch against the fence before Rodriguez bodylocks him down. He takes his back with both hooks in and quickly pound out the win as referee Mario Yamasaki stops the fight.
Big TKO win by Rodriguez as he starts to line himself up for a future title shot. Post fight, Shamrock and Ortiz shake hands. Not much drama there.
Williams suffers his third straight loss and is on the verge of being a complete non-factor.

Video recap of the first Rizzo/Couture fight. Rizzo thinks he won the fight and that Couture knows that. In contrast, Couture doesn’t think Rizzo deserves a quick rematch and that he’ll win this fight easier than the first. From anyone else that would be cocky, but from Couture is just sounds like an assurance.

Heavyweight Title (206lbs to 265lbs)

Randy Couture
(6-0, 6’1, 225lbs)
vs.
Pedro Rizzo
(6-2, 6’1, 235lbs)

Rizzo comes out to his awful “You Can’t Stop the Rock” song, while Couture comes out to some OK techno song that I recognize but can’t name.

Round 1

Couture opens up with leg kicks, which would have to be just about the least likely way you would expect him to. Gotta love Randy. About a minute in, Couture clinches and starts in with the classic dirty boxing. Rizzo is able to free himself up, but Couture shoots and scores the takedown. He ends up in Rizzo’s guard and doesn’t do much damage as the round comes to an end.

10-9 for Couture as he controlled the fight and did a little bit of damage. He paced himself much better than the first fight, when he punched himself out at the end of the first round.

Round 2

Rizzo throws a leg kick, which should really be his bread and butter. Unfortunately, that kick is the only thing thrown in the opening minute of the round. Eventually, Couture clinches again and scores the takedown about two minutes into the round. He’s in Rizzo’s guard and lands lots of short shots and shoulder shrugs. Elbow/forearms to Rizzo’s face opens up a cut on his face and they stop the fight to take a look at it. They let it go and restart the fight with 10 seconds left in the round.

Another 10-9 round for Couture as he dominated the last 3 minutes.

Round 3

Another slow opening minute and the crowd gets a bit restless. Couture shoots but Rizzo finally stuffs a takedown and they’re back on their feet. Not a lot going on at the three minute mark when Couture lands a left, scores a takedown and then drags Rizzo against the cage and pounds away, forcing McCarthy to step in and stop the fight.

No controversy there as Couture scores a big TKO. He was right – the second fight was easier. Rizzo, walks away from the cage before the decision is even announced. Not classy.

Now, probably in answer to running over last time, they have a lot of time to kill, so we get two of the earlier prelims and highlights of the third.

Middleweights (171lbs to 185lbs)

Matt Lindland
(2-0, 6’, 184lbs)
vs.
Phil Baroni
(1-0, 5’9, 184lbs)

This could be fun. Quite a contrast in styles here for sure.

Round 1

Lindland flies in and clinches up against the cage. Baroni is able to turn it around, but he’s grabbing the fence a lot and gets a warning. Lindland grabs a single leg but Baroni grabs a guillotine. It’s not tight though, and Lindland drives from his knees and scores the takedown into ½ guard. They get up fairly quickly and Lindland lands big knees using a front headlock. They separate for about half a second and Baroni lands some nice punches before Lindland clinches again and starts dirty boxing. They come off the cage and Baroni drops Lindland with a big left. He pounces into side control but Lindland survives the end of the round.

That round could really go either way, but I’d say 10-9 Lindland on the takedowns, but the knock down could make it go the other way.

Round 2

Lindland tries to clinch, but he eats a couple of punches before he scores a big double leg slam into side control. Good defense by Baroni as he regains guard and avoids serious damage. Then Lindland mounts. Unfortunately for him, he does very little damage before Baroni pushes off the cage and gets the reversal. Baroni lets him up with about 35 seconds left and lands some huge punches that stagger Lindland, but then Lindland recovers and scores a big takedown as the round ends.

That takedown probably secured the round for Lindland in spite of the punches.

Round 3

Lindland comes in behind a punch and grabs a body lock. He takes Baroni’s back and gets both hooks in, but Baroni is able to roll to his back, so we end up with Lindland fully mounted. Short punches and a forearm to the throat is most of Lindland’s offense as Baroni tries hard to keep the distance closed between the two men. Lindland ends up taking his back again, but has his back against the fence and Baronis is able to reverse and ends up taking Lindland’s back. A reversal the other way, but Lindland gets called for an illegal knee to the head and has a point deducted.

They restart, and Baroni starts landing big right hands – six, as a matter of fact – but Lindland turns a desperation grab at a single leg into another takedown right at the end of the round.

9-9 with the point deduction, so 29-27 for Lindland in my book.

They announce the decision as 29-28 Lindland (which is virtually impossible as that would make it 30-28 before the deduction, meaning there was a 10-10 round), 29-27 Lindland and then 28-28. For some reason, they announce the draw score last, which takes the suspense out of it all. Oh well. Baroni is very displeased. I’d like to see a rematch of this one.

Next up, we get highlights of Evan Tanner (3-1) returning to the cage and get a second round submission over Homer More (0-0).

And last, but not least…

Heavyweight (206lbs to 265lbs)

Frank Mir
(0-0, 6’1, 247lbs)
vs.
Roberto Traven
(1-0, 6’2, 214lbs)

This is Mir’s debut and he looks young and facially skinny. Of course, he’s only 22 here, so that’s kind of expected. Traven actually made his MMA debut at UFC XI way back when, and is a very decorated BJJ player.
I love grappling, so this should be fun, but Mir has a huge size advantage.

Round 1

Traven immediately pulls guard. I don’t think that’s ever a really good idea in MMA. He gets up, but Mir drops him with a right, mounts, spins to an armbar and gets the tap out win.

That is how you make a debut. Big submission victory by Mir over not only a BJJ black belt, but a world champion to boot.

The 411: Well, it's a vast improvement over the last show, that's for sure. Couture/Rizzo II didn't live up to the first fight, but there's not a bad fight on the show. Great submissions, action filled fights and a couple of highlight reel KO's make this a must see show, and a return to form for ZUFFA produced shows.

Final Score:  8.5   [ Very Good ]