History of the UFC 05.19.08: UFC XLI - Onslaught

Posted by Matt McEwen on 05.19.2008

Two big time rematches, two title fights, two big time heavyweight fights.....double pleasure, double your fun with UFC Forty One!

Last time out at Vendetta, the UFC put together their biggest grudge match since Ortiz/Shamrock when they trotted out....Ortiz/Shamrock? Substitute a Frank from the first fight with a Ken in the second, and that makes more sense.

In more pertinent news this week, what we have here is the follow up. UFC XL hit Zuffa-era buyrate records, so you have to imagine that a few of those pay per viewers decided to give UFC XLI a shot four months later on February 28th 2003. Whether or not they liked what they would see on a decidedly less star studded card than last time out was the big question.

On tap for the televised card we have Pedro Rizzo trying to rebound from a disappointing outing against Gan McGee as he takes on former light heavyweight contender Vladimir Matyushenko, a hate fueled rematch between Phil Baroni and Matt Lindland, the vacant lightweight title up for grabs in the tournament final in a rematch between BJ Penn and Caol Uno, the return of Tank Abbott taking on Frank Mir, and a main event featuring Ricco Rodriguez making his first title defense against relative Octagon neophyte Tim Sylvia.

As I list out that card, forget what I said about it not being star studded...this is a pretty stacked card if you ask me.

The unaired prelims went like this - future TUF competitor Rich Clementi (12-6) made an unsuccessful Octagon debut when he was submitted by Yves Edwards (20-7-1, 1-2 UFC) in the third round; Alexandre "Cafe" Dantas (0-1 MMA & UFC) made his second and final losing UFC appearance as he lost by first round TKO to big Gan McGee (11-1, 1-1 UFC); and finally, despite being announced as the winner in the cage, Matt Serra (5-2, 2-2 UFC) lost a decision to fellow future TUF competitor Din Thomas (13-3, 1-2 UFC). Turns out a judge made a boo boo, and the NJSAC reversed the decision to the proper outcome post-fight.

The PPV and UFC 2003 kicks off live from Atlantic City with Mike Goldberg running down the odds for the big fights with USA Today's Danny Sheridan (do they still do these? I don't lower myself to USA Today, but if you do, feel free to let me know). Rodriguez is a 5-1 favourite over the mostly unknown Sylvia, Penn is just a 3-1 favourite over Uno despite knocking him out in about 10 seconds the last time they fought, Mir is an 8-5 favourite over Tank (which is a bit lower than I would expect) and finally, somehow, Lindland and Baroni come in at even odds. Seriously? Maybe it's just hindsight, but I thought Lindland looked good enough at the time (and he won the first fight) to be the favourite coming in.

No Joe Rogan tonight.....you bastards....you give me what I want, then you take it away. Buggers.

In his place tonight, we get Tito Ortiz's personal heavy bad, AKA Ken Shamrock. In all fairness, despite my reservations, Shamrock actually turns out to be a half decent colour man when he sticks to calling the action. He's a bit of a douche when he tries to talk about anything else, but oh well.

And we also get a new backstage/in ring interviewer in random semi-hot blonde chick named Lisa Dergan. Now, she's by no means a stellar addition to the show, but her presence means we get to say bye bye to Jeff Osbourne. Bye Bye Jeff!

Heavyweights

Vladimir Matyushenko
(6', 218lbs, 12-2, 2-1 UFC)

vs

Pedro Rizzo
(6'2, 230lbs, 12-4, 7-4 UFC)

This is kind of an interesting matchup on paper. In Matyushenko we have a strong wrestler who is stepping up to heavyweight for the first time in his UFC career, which already includes a 205lbs title shot. In Rizzo, we have the great enigma of MMA. He's a dynamic and powerful counterpuncher, but is tepid and rather boring if his opponent doesn't push the issue. Coming off a loss to Gan McGee, he's on the verge of becoming irrelevant in the division as he's already lost 3 title fights. It looks like he is taking the situations seriously though, as he comes into the fight in the best shape I've seen him in.

Round 1

Matyushenko comes out with a surprising front kick, but then settles into the expected game plan of waiting for his chance to shoot and take the fight down. That doesn't take long, and he obviously the superior wrestler as he controls Rizzo on the ground. Rizzo's guard is purely defensive, as he does nothing at all until he has a chance to scramble up with about two minutes left. They dance around a bit, but Matyushenko takes the fight back down and lands a few light elbows in side control as the round ends.

10-9 for Matyushenko, and if this is Rizzo feeling the "urgency" of his career slipping away, then it's not so good for him. Shamrock makes the genius statement that he is surprised that Matyushenko wanted to take the fight to the ground. Seriously Ken? Did you think the wrestler was really going to trade leather with the kickboxer?

Round 2

Matyushenko opens up by faking a shot and landing a nice overhand right. It doesn't look like it hurt Rizzo, and he doesn't follow up, but damn that looked good. Rizzo's sprawl is better in this round, as he's able to end up in Matyushenko's guard this time around and even slice open the Russian's right eyebrow with an elbow or an uppercut. They get back to their feet and clinch against the fence for a bit, but once they break we get a stoppage to check out the cut.

It's not life threatening, so the fight continues, allowing Matyushenko to score another takedown and get a little non-threatening ground and pound in before another stand up with about 50 seconds left in the round. Matyushenko's shot are starting to get sloppy by this point, but he scores a final takedown right at the bell.

10-9 for Matyushenko again based on that last takedown if nothing else. Rizzo needs a KO in my book if he wants to remain relevant.

Round 3

Both guys are tired in the final round, and their game plans are obvious. Matyushenko wants the fight on the ground, and clinches when he can't. He scores one takedown in the round, but doesn't do enough and gets stood up. The only problem with that is that Rizzo still won't come forward and force the issue, which means he loses the third round in my book too.

10-9 for Matyushenko, giving him the fight 30-27.

On judge sees it my way, the other two say it's 29-28, all for Matyushenko, giving him a unanimous decision. By no means did he look good enough to make me think he could handle the bigger heavyweights, but at least he tried here, which more that can be said for Rizzo. I have a feeling that Dana White and Joe Silva are pulling their hair out (well, at least Silva is) trying to either get out of their contract with Rizzo or figure out a way to make him actually fight.

Middleweights

Matt Lindland
(6', 184lbs, 8-1, 5-1 UFC)

vs

Phil Baroni
(5'9, 184lbs, 5-1, 2-1 UFC)

The first fight at UFC XXXIV was pretty good between these two, as Lindland won a majority decision, thought that's a bit of a misnomer since Lindland was docked a point in the fight and won all three rounds on two out of three judeges' cards. In spite of that, Baroni has been running his mouth and says he's going to "beat the ugly" out of Lindland. Now, I know Baroni hits hard, but he doesn't hit that hard. (Note to Matt Lindland, if you or anyone you know reads this - YOU'RE MY FAVOURITE FIGHTER EVER.)

Round 1

Lindland is willing to eat a few punches in order to get close a get his vaunted bodylock in place, and is rewarded with executing a big slam for his troubles. He tries some knees to the body, but Baroni is able to get to his feet and land some big punches in close. One looks like it buckles Lindland's knees, but he recovers quickly enough to grab hold of Baroni and take him back to the ground. Baroni's been working his jiu jitsu though, and tries a kimura from his back, only to have Lindland avoid and try a guillotine. They're back on their feet and we get some nice dirty boxing from both. Baroni's power advantage is obvious as his punches hurt when they land even a bit, while Lindland could land a flush shot an not hurt Baroni much. Lindland figures that out pretty quickly, and slams Baroni back down. Lindland really dominates the last two or three minutes of the round, as he holds Baroni down on his back and peppers him with (not too damaging) shots.

10-9 for Lindland, but Baroni's corner is pumping him up, with Marc Laimon going so far as to tell him that Lindland "can't do shit".

Round 2

Lindland goes with some more dirty boxing to start, but again gets the worst of it and takes Baroni down into side control. He tires some submissions, but actually starts getting some good shots in from the top, and then is able to take Baroni's back. He misses the choke and gets slammed when Baroni gets up, but reverses right back to top control. He pounds away as Baroni once again can do absolutely nothing from the bottom.

10-9 for Lindland as he is really starting to dominate, but Baroni has the power to end the fight in a hurry.

Round 3

Baroni looks absolutely exhausted coming out for the round, as he's breathing heavy and throwing wild haymakers. He recovers enough to land a couple of nice straight right hands, which makes Lindland realize he should stop letting that happen and takes the fight back to the ground. He's able to open up a cut over Baroni's eye, but doesn't do much else and we get a restart.

Baroni is trying hard, but Lindland is smart and closes the distance and clinch. They dirty box a bit and the end of the round degenerates into a pretty good brawl. Lindland again thinks better of that and tries a double leg, but Baroni sprawls. Lindland ends up on his knees, with his head between Baroni's legs (it's not as dirty as it sounds). Baroni starts to tee off with shots, and you can actually see Lindland's liver quiver as the round ends.

10-9 round for Lindland in spite of the less than inspiring finish, so I say 30-27 Lindland.

The judges all say 29-28, for the winner by unanimous decision, Matt Lindland.. Easily the fight of the night, and I would have no problem if these guys hooked up a third time. Since both are free right now, someone should put that together. Lindland would kill him even worse now, but it'd still be fun.

Lightweight Title

BJ Penn
(5'9, 152lbs, 5-1)

vs.

Caol Uno
(5'7, 155lbs, 14-6-2, 3-2 UFC)

So, this is both men's second shot at the 155lb title, as both lost decisions to Jens Pulver during his reign. They have met before, when Penn scored an 11 second KO. He may not have learned much about Uno's style in that fight, but that has to be in the Japanese fighter's head coming into this one. It could very well be given Penn a bit of overconfidence as well.

Round 1

Penn doesn't touch gloves coming out, but just by Uno putting his glove up he avoids getting blitzed like he did last time. He actually scores the opening takedown, which is surprising, but Penn bounces right back up, which isn't. He responds with a takedown of his own into Uno's 1/2 guard. He easily passes, then takes his back. He gives up that position when Uno gets up to his feet. Uno wants to shoot himself, but he eats some knees. Penn shoots in with a double leg behind a right hand and rides out the round in side & back control, but can't quite finish Uno off.

10-9 for Penn, and I'd almost go to 10-8 if Uno hadn't scored that early takedown.

Round 2

Penn opens up with a big right hand, and they end up clinched against the fence. Penn dips for a double, but Uno reverses off the fence and scores the takedown, but Penn pops right back up. Uno starts to use leg kicks - they are good, hard kicks and Penn doesn't look to block them at all. That's not a good thing. He does land a nice right hand again and ties up no against the fence, where Uno reverses and scores another takedown. He lands a few punches in Penn's 1/2 guard, but Penn pops back up, only for Uno to take him back down again. I've never seen Penn taken down three times in one round. He's able to get up again with about 30 seconds left, and lands one nice right hand as the round ends.

3 takedowns beats out 3 nice rights, so it's 10-9 for Uno and 19-19 overall.

Round 3

Penn decides to open up with front kicks, but Uno keeps moving around nicely to stay out of range. They clinch and Uno uses the body lock for the takedown. Penn pops right back up into the clinch, and this time he scores the takedown. He takes Uno's back, but slides up too high and Uno rolls over to top control. He lands a few punches to end the round.

10-9 for Uno as Penn is looking oddly passive as the fight goes deeper. 29-28 Uno heading into the championship rounds.

Round 4

Uno goes back to his leg kicks to start, and they look like they are really stating to hurt at this point. About a minute into the round, Penn gets close enough to clinch, and from there he sweeps Uno to the ground. He takes his back yet again and you can see Uno bleeding over his left eye. Uno's choke defense is quite good, and once again he's able to roll over into Penn's guard. Penn doesn't like it there though, so he stands up. If anyone in MMA makes it look that easy, I've never seen him fight. This time up, Penn sweeps Uno down again, only this time it's a very nasty fall for Uno. He takes his back one more time, but this time it's Uno who he pops back up. The action picks back up near the end, as Penn scores a takedown right at the end of the round.

Have to go 10-9 Penn, and it actually would have been 10-8 if not for the opening minute of leg kicks by Uno. we're all tied up, 38-38 going into the final round.

Round 5

Uno comes out of the block looking to take the fight down, but his desperate shot goes nowhere. Penn is looking to clinch, and does few times. They look pretty sloppy for the opening couple of minutes, but Uno is at least the aggressor. Penn scores the the takedown and takes hi back with 1:40 left to go. He figure fours the body, but Uno is still able to spin, but Penn scoots back up. Weird ground skills for these guys...Uno can reverse out of giving up his back like no one's business, but Penn only stays on the ground as long as he wants to. Goldberg and Shamrock spend the last minute or so of the fight talking about how Penn is almost certainly the winner of the fight and how he'll make a good champ.

I give the final round 10-9 to Penn, giving him the fight three round to two, 48-47.

The judges see it this way - 48-47 Uno (seriously?), 48-46 Penn (I can see the first round being 10-8) and then 48-48. So the fight is a draw. I call BS on that, as how the hell do you score a fight 48-48? Are you even allowed to score 10-10 rounds? Either way, a draw in the finals of the lightweight tournament pretty much wipes out the 155lb division until 2006, which is the next time there is a title fight. There are still some fights in the weight class over the next few shows, but the division is in total disarray right now.

Heavyweights

Frank Mir
(6'3, 250lbs, 4-1, 2-1)

vs.

Tank Abbott
(6', 248lbs, 8-7)

Wow...this is smart matchmaking. If Mir wins, you get your top young heavyweight prospect back on track with a win over one of the most (in)famous names in the business after suffering his first loss. If Abbott wins, said (in)famous fighter just beat the top young prospect and proves he's not done yet. How can you go wrong either way?

In his pre-fight video piece, Mir says the following: "I don't train to make you tap, I train to break your limb." I love it, because that's how we train in my style of jiu jitsu, which I've been told Mir also studied before he entered the Octagon.

Quick note about Tank...this is his first fight in 4 1/2 years. He left the MMA world after being KO'd by Pedro Rizzo and ventured off into the messed up world of World Championship Wrestling. Now, the original bad boy is back, and for the record, in the best shape I've ever seen him in...

Round 1

Abbott rushes right at the start, but Mir shoots and pulls guard when Abbott sprawls. He looks for an armbar or a triangle, but Abbott spins away from those, When he spins though, he leaves a foot where Mir can grab it, which he does and quickly cranks in a toe hold. He figure fours his legs around Abbott's arm at the same time, which gives Abbott no chance to roll through, and he taps out in 45 seconds.

< b>Huge submission win by Mir and a disappointing return for Abbott. He's still got 2 more fights on his contract though.

Before we get to the main event, we get a quick sit down interview with Chuck Liddell. He calls out Tito Ortiz and said that since he's been the #1 contender for almost two years, he deserves a title shot. Since he feels Ortiz is ducking him, he's annoyed, and stops just short of calling him a pussy.

Heavyweight Title

Ricco Rodriguez
(6'3, 258lbs, 10-1, 5-0 UFC)

vs.

Tim Sylvia
(6'8, 252lbs, 16-0, 1-0 UFC)

Shamrock thinks that Rodriguez should be able to win the fight just based off of his conditioning, which is something I can almost guarantee you'll never hear again. And since he has a 6lb weight advantage over a guy 5 inches taller, I've got to wonder about that even now.

Round 1

Sylvia lands a jab to open up, and immediately he has Rodriguez's attention. He tries to shoot, but Sylvia easily throws him off. He didn't sprawl, he just threw the man. He shoots again, but this time Sylvia ends up on top instead of just throwing him, but would rather stand up, so he let's Rodriguez back up. Rodriguez shoots again, and again Sylvia ends up on top. He tried a double armbar, but it's a no go. He tries a more traditional armbar but this time Sylvia lifts him clean off the mat and drops him on his head. Jeesh. Back up and a big right hand by Sylvia drops the champ, and three jack hammer rights on the ground later finishes off th fight and Rodriguez's short title reign.

Huge KO win by Sylvia. Man...hard to believe it, but at one point Big Tim was a pretty damned exciting big man.

The 411: Well, that's how you follow up your biggest show in ages. One really good fight, one good technical fight, a quick submission, a big knockout and a new champion crowned. With the exception of Rizzo/Matyushenko and the championship brawl debacle, this was a really good show. Beyond that, I like that they are building to future shows as much as they can.

Final Score:  8.0   [ Very Good ]