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The UFC 49 Experience
by Krahzee1, Mod @ www.IronLife.com
As the wheels of my plane touched down in Las Vegas I was eager to get the weekend going. I was here by myself, thanks to two of my buddies backing out of the trip, but I couldn’t care less. This is the sport I love, in the town I love, and it’s mine, all mine; no wife to keep entertained, no ignorant friends to educate, it was just me and the UFC. As I made my way through the airport to the rental car counter I could hardly wait to arrive at the MGM Grand Hotel. I made sure to stay at the site of the event, just to help maximize my chances of fighter interaction. Before I leave the airport I make one last check, camera, wallet, keys, luggage, it’s all there. I’ve never driven in Vegas before, I always walked or hopped a bus, but at 9:30 in the morning, the city, even the strip, is quiet.
I make my way to the MGM, as with everything else on the strip, you can’t miss it. Las Vegas is like another country, the whole place is super-sized, all paid for by the money you left here last time, and maintained by the money you will soon part with. As I wait to check in there are three giant screens behind the counter, almost on cue as I approach the UFC 49 trailer starts rolling. I begin watching a group of young guys in front of me, one looks up at the screen, taps the other one to call his attention as well, he says “let’s do it” to which the other agrees and promptly the entire group decides to attend. As excited as I was to see that the show had peoples attention, I was unnerved by the obvious fact that these guys had no idea up to that point that the event was taking place.
I get to my room, drop my things, and head to the press room, I can’t wait to meet some of the other media people. While I’m waiting for the elevator Jeremy Horn and Joe Doerkson come around the corner. I stare at Horn for about a moment too long before I can think to introduce myself, I had never had a face to face with a fighter of his level before and I was a little star-struck. He shook my hand nice enough but seemed a little uneasy about my obvious awe at his presence. I stayed quiet while they were discussing what they were going to do once they got to the training center, we hit the 1st floor and I walked away, feeling like a fool for acting like a little girl who just met a Backstreet Boy.
After I visit the press room to find out I had to go halfway back across the hotel to get my picture taken, I start to adjust to the experience, I may never be able to do this again and I’m not going to regret it. I head back to the press room to try and make some friends, after all, I had no idea what I was doing and I needed to find someone to help guide me. I end up hanging out with the guys from MMAWeekly.com, a group of real cool folks who do a top notch job for MMA fans. After some good conversation I decided to take a stroll through the casino and I end up walking with Nick Diaz, we chatted for about 10 minutes as he was headed to check his weight, I learned a lot in this brief conversation and I was hit smack in the face with something I hadn’t truly realized before; these guys don’t make enough money. I had always noticed the small purses for the non-stars but I never came to grips with the fact that these guys absolutely bust their asses and until they hit it big, they get paid relative peanuts.
The conversation with Nick weighed on my mind as I’m trying to kill time until the weigh in. I get a chance for a picture with Ken Shamrock, which I don’t pass up, and a few minutes later Tito Ortiz. I’m still a little taken aback by how the fighters react to the attention, in the MMA community they are considered superstars on one of the biggest stages in the world, all the while the average Joe has no idea who they are. These guys could literally walk down the street and never be recognized. As I head up the escalator to the main arena floor I am hit with a wave of disappointment, in my own mind I had really thought that the sport was just a breath away from the mainstream, all the while these great athletes are living a life of relative anonymity outside of the MMA community. As I reach the top of the escalator I am suddenly jerked out of disappointment straight to elation as I see 500 people eagerly awaiting entrance to the arena just to see the weigh in. These fans actually care, they know the fighters, they understand the game, they want to be here. While I admire their dedication, I quickly walk past the line and through the arena doors, ahh, the perks of being a member of the press.
The weigh in is relatively uneventful, we get to see the debut of Stemm’s new video featuring Chuck Liddel having a bad day and taking it out on his opponents. Shortly after that Vernon and Chuck get nose to nose on the stage, just when I think it may be an act, it gets a little serious, this fight should be good. We file out of the arena after our pre-fight appetizer. I can’t fricken wait for tomorrow night, I’m actually here, I’m right in the middle of the MMA world this weekend, it’s all around me, I have looked forward to this for a long time and here I am. What am I going to do for the next 24 hours, wait the hell a minute, I’m in Las Vegas, I’ll find a way to occupy myself. I make tentative plans for later with the MMAWeekly guys that never materialize, these guys actually spent the whole night uploading interviews, photos and commentary to their site, these guys are dedicated. I spent the night at the tables, playing mostly three card poker, by the time I get back to my room, I have made a modest $55, but in Vegas terms, any profit makes me a winner.
I woke up the next morning at 6:15, unable to sleep another second. Back home it’s 9:15 and on most days I would have been up for three and a half hours already. I quit fighting it and head for breakfast. As I stroll through the casino I see many people still partying from the night before, Vegas never sleeps, and neither do some of it’s visitors. After breakfast I realize that it’s a long ass time until the show starts, I spend the morning walking the strip, to my huge disappointment I find that the fountains at Bellagio are being serviced, so I keep walking. I stop at a few places along the way and play some cards, I make another $30 and call it good. It’s now noon and the fights are within reach, my wait is almost at its end. I’ve spent a lot of time and money prepping for this moment and a few more hours won’t kill me.
About an hour before the show I head to the press room, I find it busy, bustling with pre-show activity. I join in a conversation with a couple of photographers, one from the IBF, the other is from the Washington Post, I proudly state that I’m here for Ironlife.com as though they are the ones at fault for not knowing about it, and it seems I got away with it. We swap stories for a while, or at least I listened to their stories, as mine were pretty limited, but I think I held my own. As the time approached I headed to the arena doors, again I skipped right past the crowd. I make my way to my seat, only seven rows from the floor, a little in the corner but it could have been a lot worse. I figure my seats were worth around $250, how could I possibly complain? Bruce Buffer comes out and gets the crowd warmed up, I had never truly realized what a fantastic announcer he is, on the TV he isn’t given his fair shake. He brings the hype to a fever pitch, little did he know that I was already there.
I could spend the next five paragraphs on the results, but most of you already know them so I will give a quick rundown at the end. I’d rather try and explain what it was like to actually be sitting at ground zero, witness the explosion as it happened. There was not a single bad fight on the card, both in theory and in reality. The entire crowd was spastic by the time the first fight was over. There is nothing like the pop of the crowd when a big knockout happens, the intensity of both sides when a close decision is being delivered. The wave of satisfaction that is felt when the crowd favorite gets the win. I was there, I was part of it, no one can take that away from me or anybody else in the arena. If this article does nothing else I want it to convince every fan to make it a priority to attend a live MMA show. There are not enough words to describe being at a live event, it is something that I will never forget and can’t wait to experience again. If you ever have an opportunity to attend an event you have to go, no matter what.
UFC 49 Results
- Lightweight: Yves Edwards vs. Josh Thomson
Edwards by Knock Out in Round 1. This fight started out fast paced with Thompson controlling the action, a lot of clinch work with a few scattered takedowns, and then it happened. As Josh was escaping an Edwards takedown he spun, looking for a back fist and ended up on the mat via a huge roundhouse kick from Yves. The kick came out of nowhere and leveled Josh, Yves added a few strikes to seal it up but it was over as soon as that shin hit his jaw.
- Welterweight: Nick Diaz vs. Karo Parisyan
Parisyan by Decision. This fight was non-stop, these two guys went nose to nose for three whole rounds, both guys giving and receiving some huge blows. I gave Diaz the edge in submissions as he both attempted more and came closer to getting them. Karo seemed more aggressive by his takedowns but from where I was sitting he looked like he wanted it on the ground because it was safer than the melee on the feet. Karo did land some huge shot from standing to an on his back Diaz, they were obviously enough to give him the decision.
- Welterweight: Ronald Jhun vs. Chris Lytle
Lytle by Choke in Round 2. Jhun walked into the octagon with a lot of expectations and an even bigger reputation, but Lytle proved again that he is a very dangerous opponent. When he caught the Guillotine I had originally suspected that it was just an opportunity that had presented itself, but in the post fight interview he made it known that he had worked on it as part of his preparation for this fight. Lytle continues to improve and really seems to have the stuff to be an outstanding fighter in the very near future.
- Middleweight: Matt Lindland vs. David Terrell
Terrell by Knock Out in Round 1. This knockdown and subsequent KO happened so fast that most of us had barely realized the fight was underway. Terell lived up to his advance billing and Lindland seems to have suffered another shot of bad luck. I am not taking anything away from Terrell, but Matt is a better fighter than he showed that night.
- Middleweight: Joe Doerksen vs. Joe Riggs
Riggs by Tapout in Round 2. Riggs dominated this fight and was just too much for Doerkson to handle. Joe Doerkson did show some nice groundwork, but in the end he couldn't keep "Diesel" from rolling.
- Light Heavyweight: Chuck Liddell vs. Vernon White
Lidell by Knock Out in Round 1. This fight was slugfest with both fighters throwing heat from the bell. To my surprise White landed a few solid shots, but Liddell was too much for him and you got that feeling within about 30 seconds into the fight. White never backed down and just would not give in until he was absolutely done. Chuck looked sharp as ever with his counterpunching style that just picks apart guys that throw round punches.
- Heavyweight: Mike Kyle vs. Justin Eilers
Eilers by Knock Out in Round 1. Eilers looked impressive, nuff said. He put a lot of power in every punch and really showed that with the short one that put Kyle down. As strong and vicious as Kyle is Eilers looked in charge from the get go.
- Light Heavyweight Championship: Vitor Belfort vs. Randy Couture
Couture by medical stoppage due to cut on Vitor Round 4. This fight was a struggle the whole way even though Randy was in charge the entire fight. Vitor is a tough opponent and Couture really showed that he is the dominant 205 in the UFC. Regardless of the debate there is no doubt of who deserves the belt.
by Krahzee1, Mod @ www.IronLife.com
As the wheels of my plane touched down in Las Vegas I was eager to get the weekend going. I was here by myself, thanks to two of my buddies backing out of the trip, but I couldn’t care less. This is the sport I love, in the town I love, and it’s mine, all mine; no wife to keep entertained, no ignorant friends to educate, it was just me and the UFC. As I made my way through the airport to the rental car counter I could hardly wait to arrive at the MGM Grand Hotel. I made sure to stay at the site of the event, just to help maximize my chances of fighter interaction. Before I leave the airport I make one last check, camera, wallet, keys, luggage, it’s all there. I’ve never driven in Vegas before, I always walked or hopped a bus, but at 9:30 in the morning, the city, even the strip, is quiet.
I make my way to the MGM, as with everything else on the strip, you can’t miss it. Las Vegas is like another country, the whole place is super-sized, all paid for by the money you left here last time, and maintained by the money you will soon part with. As I wait to check in there are three giant screens behind the counter, almost on cue as I approach the UFC 49 trailer starts rolling. I begin watching a group of young guys in front of me, one looks up at the screen, taps the other one to call his attention as well, he says “let’s do it” to which the other agrees and promptly the entire group decides to attend. As excited as I was to see that the show had peoples attention, I was unnerved by the obvious fact that these guys had no idea up to that point that the event was taking place.
I get to my room, drop my things, and head to the press room, I can’t wait to meet some of the other media people. While I’m waiting for the elevator Jeremy Horn and Joe Doerkson come around the corner. I stare at Horn for about a moment too long before I can think to introduce myself, I had never had a face to face with a fighter of his level before and I was a little star-struck. He shook my hand nice enough but seemed a little uneasy about my obvious awe at his presence. I stayed quiet while they were discussing what they were going to do once they got to the training center, we hit the 1st floor and I walked away, feeling like a fool for acting like a little girl who just met a Backstreet Boy.
After I visit the press room to find out I had to go halfway back across the hotel to get my picture taken, I start to adjust to the experience, I may never be able to do this again and I’m not going to regret it. I head back to the press room to try and make some friends, after all, I had no idea what I was doing and I needed to find someone to help guide me. I end up hanging out with the guys from MMAWeekly.com, a group of real cool folks who do a top notch job for MMA fans. After some good conversation I decided to take a stroll through the casino and I end up walking with Nick Diaz, we chatted for about 10 minutes as he was headed to check his weight, I learned a lot in this brief conversation and I was hit smack in the face with something I hadn’t truly realized before; these guys don’t make enough money. I had always noticed the small purses for the non-stars but I never came to grips with the fact that these guys absolutely bust their asses and until they hit it big, they get paid relative peanuts.
The conversation with Nick weighed on my mind as I’m trying to kill time until the weigh in. I get a chance for a picture with Ken Shamrock, which I don’t pass up, and a few minutes later Tito Ortiz. I’m still a little taken aback by how the fighters react to the attention, in the MMA community they are considered superstars on one of the biggest stages in the world, all the while the average Joe has no idea who they are. These guys could literally walk down the street and never be recognized. As I head up the escalator to the main arena floor I am hit with a wave of disappointment, in my own mind I had really thought that the sport was just a breath away from the mainstream, all the while these great athletes are living a life of relative anonymity outside of the MMA community. As I reach the top of the escalator I am suddenly jerked out of disappointment straight to elation as I see 500 people eagerly awaiting entrance to the arena just to see the weigh in. These fans actually care, they know the fighters, they understand the game, they want to be here. While I admire their dedication, I quickly walk past the line and through the arena doors, ahh, the perks of being a member of the press.
The weigh in is relatively uneventful, we get to see the debut of Stemm’s new video featuring Chuck Liddel having a bad day and taking it out on his opponents. Shortly after that Vernon and Chuck get nose to nose on the stage, just when I think it may be an act, it gets a little serious, this fight should be good. We file out of the arena after our pre-fight appetizer. I can’t fricken wait for tomorrow night, I’m actually here, I’m right in the middle of the MMA world this weekend, it’s all around me, I have looked forward to this for a long time and here I am. What am I going to do for the next 24 hours, wait the hell a minute, I’m in Las Vegas, I’ll find a way to occupy myself. I make tentative plans for later with the MMAWeekly guys that never materialize, these guys actually spent the whole night uploading interviews, photos and commentary to their site, these guys are dedicated. I spent the night at the tables, playing mostly three card poker, by the time I get back to my room, I have made a modest $55, but in Vegas terms, any profit makes me a winner.
I woke up the next morning at 6:15, unable to sleep another second. Back home it’s 9:15 and on most days I would have been up for three and a half hours already. I quit fighting it and head for breakfast. As I stroll through the casino I see many people still partying from the night before, Vegas never sleeps, and neither do some of it’s visitors. After breakfast I realize that it’s a long ass time until the show starts, I spend the morning walking the strip, to my huge disappointment I find that the fountains at Bellagio are being serviced, so I keep walking. I stop at a few places along the way and play some cards, I make another $30 and call it good. It’s now noon and the fights are within reach, my wait is almost at its end. I’ve spent a lot of time and money prepping for this moment and a few more hours won’t kill me.
About an hour before the show I head to the press room, I find it busy, bustling with pre-show activity. I join in a conversation with a couple of photographers, one from the IBF, the other is from the Washington Post, I proudly state that I’m here for Ironlife.com as though they are the ones at fault for not knowing about it, and it seems I got away with it. We swap stories for a while, or at least I listened to their stories, as mine were pretty limited, but I think I held my own. As the time approached I headed to the arena doors, again I skipped right past the crowd. I make my way to my seat, only seven rows from the floor, a little in the corner but it could have been a lot worse. I figure my seats were worth around $250, how could I possibly complain? Bruce Buffer comes out and gets the crowd warmed up, I had never truly realized what a fantastic announcer he is, on the TV he isn’t given his fair shake. He brings the hype to a fever pitch, little did he know that I was already there.
I could spend the next five paragraphs on the results, but most of you already know them so I will give a quick rundown at the end. I’d rather try and explain what it was like to actually be sitting at ground zero, witness the explosion as it happened. There was not a single bad fight on the card, both in theory and in reality. The entire crowd was spastic by the time the first fight was over. There is nothing like the pop of the crowd when a big knockout happens, the intensity of both sides when a close decision is being delivered. The wave of satisfaction that is felt when the crowd favorite gets the win. I was there, I was part of it, no one can take that away from me or anybody else in the arena. If this article does nothing else I want it to convince every fan to make it a priority to attend a live MMA show. There are not enough words to describe being at a live event, it is something that I will never forget and can’t wait to experience again. If you ever have an opportunity to attend an event you have to go, no matter what.
UFC 49 Results
- Lightweight: Yves Edwards vs. Josh Thomson
Edwards by Knock Out in Round 1. This fight started out fast paced with Thompson controlling the action, a lot of clinch work with a few scattered takedowns, and then it happened. As Josh was escaping an Edwards takedown he spun, looking for a back fist and ended up on the mat via a huge roundhouse kick from Yves. The kick came out of nowhere and leveled Josh, Yves added a few strikes to seal it up but it was over as soon as that shin hit his jaw.
- Welterweight: Nick Diaz vs. Karo Parisyan
Parisyan by Decision. This fight was non-stop, these two guys went nose to nose for three whole rounds, both guys giving and receiving some huge blows. I gave Diaz the edge in submissions as he both attempted more and came closer to getting them. Karo seemed more aggressive by his takedowns but from where I was sitting he looked like he wanted it on the ground because it was safer than the melee on the feet. Karo did land some huge shot from standing to an on his back Diaz, they were obviously enough to give him the decision.
- Welterweight: Ronald Jhun vs. Chris Lytle
Lytle by Choke in Round 2. Jhun walked into the octagon with a lot of expectations and an even bigger reputation, but Lytle proved again that he is a very dangerous opponent. When he caught the Guillotine I had originally suspected that it was just an opportunity that had presented itself, but in the post fight interview he made it known that he had worked on it as part of his preparation for this fight. Lytle continues to improve and really seems to have the stuff to be an outstanding fighter in the very near future.
- Middleweight: Matt Lindland vs. David Terrell
Terrell by Knock Out in Round 1. This knockdown and subsequent KO happened so fast that most of us had barely realized the fight was underway. Terell lived up to his advance billing and Lindland seems to have suffered another shot of bad luck. I am not taking anything away from Terrell, but Matt is a better fighter than he showed that night.
- Middleweight: Joe Doerksen vs. Joe Riggs
Riggs by Tapout in Round 2. Riggs dominated this fight and was just too much for Doerkson to handle. Joe Doerkson did show some nice groundwork, but in the end he couldn't keep "Diesel" from rolling.
- Light Heavyweight: Chuck Liddell vs. Vernon White
Lidell by Knock Out in Round 1. This fight was slugfest with both fighters throwing heat from the bell. To my surprise White landed a few solid shots, but Liddell was too much for him and you got that feeling within about 30 seconds into the fight. White never backed down and just would not give in until he was absolutely done. Chuck looked sharp as ever with his counterpunching style that just picks apart guys that throw round punches.
- Heavyweight: Mike Kyle vs. Justin Eilers
Eilers by Knock Out in Round 1. Eilers looked impressive, nuff said. He put a lot of power in every punch and really showed that with the short one that put Kyle down. As strong and vicious as Kyle is Eilers looked in charge from the get go.
- Light Heavyweight Championship: Vitor Belfort vs. Randy Couture
Couture by medical stoppage due to cut on Vitor Round 4. This fight was a struggle the whole way even though Randy was in charge the entire fight. Vitor is a tough opponent and Couture really showed that he is the dominant 205 in the UFC. Regardless of the debate there is no doubt of who deserves the belt.
