UFC 52: Randy Couture vs. Chuck Liddell
By Cliff Montgomery, ExtremeProSports.com
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In UFC 52 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Randy “The Natural”
Couture defended his title against “The Iceman” Chuck Liddell in one of the most
highly-anticipated rematches in UFC history.
The co-main event had Matt Hughes
defending his Welterweight Championship against the tough-as-nails Frank Trigg.
Main Event One: Randy “The Natural” Couture vs. Chuck “The Iceman”
Liddell (UFC Light Heavyweight Title)
Liddell started by counter-punching wonderfully, landing several short punches
to the head of Couture. When Couture pressed the action, Liddell answered with
an unnaturally sharp left hook that utterly dazed ‘The Natural’.
About two minutes in, Couture complained of a thumb strike to the eye;
the ringside physician gave the “All Clear”, and the fight commenced.
Couture, perhaps feeling the momentum had shifted to Liddell, began throwing
some wild punches--Liddell countered with a crashing straight right hand that
dropped Couture to the canvas cold. It was the first time ‘The Natural’ had ever
been knocked out.
Referee “Big” Jon McCarthy stopped the match at 2:57 of Round 1. The
victory--and the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship--went to Chuck ‘The
Iceman’ Liddell in a well-deserved win.
Main Event Two: Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg (UFC Welterweight
Title)
Trigg came out on fire, landing a sizzling combo which hurt Hughes badly,
dropping him to the mat. Trigg then tried a rear choke on his opponent, but Hughes
saw a chance to create an opening, and made good use of it. Hughes suddenly
reversed his opponent and scooped him into the air for a trademark slam that
turned the tide of the fight.
Hughes eventually employed the same choke on Trigg that he used to defeat
the challenger two years earlier.
Hughes successfully retained his UFC Welterweight Championship title, putting
challenger Trigg into submission at just 4:05 seconds into the very first round.
Undercard Results
Matt “The Law” Lindland vs. Travis Lutter
USA 2000 Olympian silver medalist Matt “The Law” Lindland controlled the
match against Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Travis Lutter from the beginning with a
canny combination of takedowns and short, inside punches landed during a series
of smart clinches. In round one Lindland primarily held Lutter against the Octagon
fence, which seemingly drained much of his energy.
Lindland surprised everyone toward the end of the second round when he
trapped Lutter in an airtight guillotine choke. Lindland defeated Lutter via
submission at 3:13 of the second round.
Georges St. Pierre vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller
Jason “Mayhem” Miller, making his UFC debut, came out with a rarely seen
wild punching style that gained many gasps from the crowd, but Miller’s exciting
technique was quickly silenced by Canadian welterweight Georges St. Pierre, who
pounded the cunning Miller for three full rounds to earn a unanimous decision win.
Renato “Babalu” Sobral vs. Travis Wiuff
Making his successful return to the UFC, Renato “Babalu” Sobral gave an
impressive performance which silenced his critics. Wiuff, making his debut as a
light heavyweight, proved that size and strength was not enough to match skill and
experience. Sobral scored several apparently easy takedowns during the fight.
Sobral finally utilized a smooth, taut armbar to force the much larger and stronger
Travis Wiuff to submit at 1:55 of round two.
Ivan Salaverry vs. Joe “Diesel” Riggs
Contender Ivan Salaverry continued to stake his right for a shot at the UFC
Middleweight title, forcing the able Joe “Diesel” Riggs to tapout in the first round.
Salaverry threw smooth high kicks and knees to induce his much younger opponent
into an exchange in the early minutes. Salaverry then took the fight to the ground,
and landed a perfectly timed kick to the face that stunned Riggs and allowed
Salaverry to sink in a tight triangle choke for the win at 2:42 of the opening round.
Joe Doerksen vs. Patrick Cote
In the first all-Canadian battle in UFC history, Doerksen executed a wonderful
hip throw in Round 1 that threw Cote to the mat. But Doerksen could not finish a
submission hold before the bell.
In the second round, Cote threw a mean, high kick and a spectacular flying
knee. This time Cote dominated on the floor with a series of hard rights.
The third and final round saw Cote land a stunning right hand to Doerksen’s
face, allowing him to score a difficult takedown. But Doerksen’s experience pulled
him through; he reversed his position, and scored a fight-ending rear naked choke
over Cote. Doerksen won by TKO at 2:26 of the final round.
Mike Van Arsdale vs. John Marsh
In the lone heavyweight fight of the night, veteran Mike Van Arsdale made his
return to the UFC by scoring a unanimous decision win over a very game John
Marsh. It was clear Marsh fought with great heart, but on that night it was Arsdale
all the way.
