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UFC 66 promises to be the biggest pay-per-view of the year for the UFC and it rose above and beyond all expectations last night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas when Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell earned an exciting third round TKO over long-time nemesis Tito Ortiz.
Liddell, who scored a second round KO over Ortiz in April of 2004, appeared to be the more confident fighter as the two top light heavyweights in the world faced off. Ortiz, showing great courage, used good footwork and nicely placed shots to get the champion’s attention early. Sensing the opportunity for a takedown, Ortiz shot in, only to be stuffed with ease. After a nice feint to the takedown, Ortiz blasted Liddell with a right hand that excited the arena.
Not to be outdone, “The Iceman” waited for his chance to land a big shot of his own—and he did just that, blasting Ortiz with a hard left that tore open a gash above the left eye. Sensing weakness, Liddell began to pressure his man and landed a crushing left that floored Tito. With Ortiz lying prone on the floor, referee Mario Yamasaki watched closely as Liddell rained punches down. Doing just enough to survive Ortiz fended off the hungry champion as the round came to a close.
The second round proved to be the best of the night for Ortiz, and he landed several hard body shots and appeared unphased by the previous round. Liddell, who kept his distance and waited for his chance to counter, was beaten to the punch with many rarely used but extremely effective body shots. The question of the night was answered as Ortiz shot for a takedown and successfully took Liddel’ls back. Watching on curiously, the sold-out crowd applauded Ortiz despite Liddell rising back to his feet. A hard elbow from the fence closed out the round for Liddell as Tito earned the 10-9.
Ortiz came into round three with confidence, landing some hard leg kicks to score some points. Following an unsuccessful takedown attempt, Tito touched the body of the champion once more before backing out. Not to be outdone again, Liddell landed hard hooks of his own with much more effect to the midsection of Ortiz. Feeling desperate and sensing his chance, Ortiz blasted the champion with a combination that staggered him. Once contact was made the men exchanged, and Liddell dropped his challenger with a hard shot. Unable to continue, referee Mario Yamasaki halted the contest at 3:59 of the third round.
Jardine upsets Griffin
Considered to be the shocker of the night, New Mexico’s Keith Jardine knocked out Forrest Griffin at 4:41 of the first round in impressive fashion.
Griffin, who is always willing to exchange, found himself facing an opponent equally as anxious to strike inJardine. Starting early with long jabs and low kicks, Griffin looked to out box his dangerous opponent. Landing low kicks of his own, Jardine just nearly missed with several counterpunches.
After landing a right uppercut on the button, Jardine stunned Griffin and floored him with a follow-up left hook. Badly hurt, Griffin could only absorb punches from the top until the fight was mercifully stopped at 4:41.
Undercard
Making his return since a devastating loss to current heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia, Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski stopped Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz, seemingly without breaking a sweat. Cruz, a world jiu jitsu champion, shot for a take down early which was easily stuffed by the former titlist.
After Cruz dropped for a toe hold in an attempt to surprise his opponent, Arlovski went for a leg lock of his own. After a swift kick to the face, “The Pitbull” was chastised by referee Herb Dean for his actions. Upon Dean’s restart Arlovski capitalized on an unprepared Cruz blasting him with a right hand that stiffened the Brazilian. Following up with more shots Andrei Arlovski made his return a successful one earning the KO at 3:15.
In the first of many upsets of the night UFC middleweight contender Jason “The Athlete” Macdonald submitted fan favorite Chris “The Crippler” Leben in an exciting fight. Early in the fight Leben snagged a lazy Macdonald low kick taking the Canadian to the ground.
After getting back to his feet Macdonald was hit several times by his wily opponent in attempt to get the fight back to the floor. For several minutes of the round “The Athlete” pressured Leben into the fence. Unsuccessful in securing a takedown, the round ended with Leben landing hard blows to his undeterred opponent.
The second round saw Chris Leben counter a low kick with a swift right hand stunning his opponent. After a brief stint on the ground, Macdonald secured an arm and scored the only takedown of the fight.
Once there, “The Athlete” tied up the neck of Leben a locked in a tight guillotine. Succumbing to the hold at 4:03, Jason “The Athlete” Macdonald earned his second victory in two attempts in the UFC.
In his pay per view debut The Ultimate Fighter 3 winner Michael Bisping finished tough opponent Eric Schafer at 4:24 of the opening round. Bisping, who suffered several problems concerning his visa, finally made his trip to the USA an impressive one when he opened the fight with a hard straight right that stunned his opponent. Showing great heart, Schafer regrouped to score a takedown.
Getting back to the feet, Bisping was quickly taken down again. Schafer, working an arm triangle, transitioned to take the back of his opponent. In response, “The Count” slammed Schafer to the mat. After landing a hard head kick, Bisping overwhelmed Schafer with punches earning the TKO at 4:24.
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