UFC 61
Encyclopedia
UFC 61: Bitter Rivals was a mixed martial arts
event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship
on Saturday, July 8, 2006. The event took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center
, in Las Vegas
, Nevada
and was broadcast live on pay-per-view
in the United States
.
and former champion Andrei Arlovski
. This was the third time these fighters had met, they had split the first two meetings. The co-main event was the highly anticipated re-match of TUF 3 coaches Tito Ortiz
and Ken Shamrock
.
It was announced during the event that Chuck Liddell
would fight PRIDE star Wanderlei Silva
in November if Liddell won his upcoming match against Renato "Babalu" Sobral
at UFC 62
. Negotiations between the UFC and PRIDE failed however and the Liddell-Silva fight never occurred in November 2006. The two would eventually meet in December 2007 at UFC 79
.
The number of pay-per-view buys for UFC 61 in the United States was approximately 775,000, which set a new UFC buyrate record and generated gross PPV revenue of approximately $30,960,000. The disclosed fighter payroll for the event was $676,000. With a live gate at $3,350,775, it nearly eclipsed the all-time mark for UFC events set at UFC 57
.
Tim Sylvia: $120,000
Ken Shamrock: $100,000
Andrei Arlovski: $90,000
Frank Mir: $56,000
Joe Stevenson: $24,000
Jeff Monson: $20,000
Drew Fickett: $12,000
Josh Burkman: $10,000
Hermes Franca: $8,000
Yves Edwards: $8,000
Josh Neer: $6,000
Cheick Kongo: $6,000
Dan Christison: $5,000
Joe Jordan: $4,000
Anthony Perosh: $3,000
Gilbert Aldana: $2,000
Kurt Pellegrino: $2,000
Total Fighter Payouts: $676,000
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
on Saturday, July 8, 2006. The event took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center
Mandalay Bay Events Center
Mandalay Bay Events Center is a 12,000 seat indoor arena, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, on the Las Vegas Strip, in Paradise, Nevada. It is owned by MGM Resorts International.It has hosted many music, boxing and mixed martial arts events....
, in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
and was broadcast live on pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Background
The main event was a Heavyweight Championship match between champion Tim SylviaTim Sylvia
Timothy Deane Sylvia is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter, professional wrestler, and former Ultimate Fighting Championship Heavyweight Champion. He trains as a member of the Miletich Fighting Systems camp and is part of their MFSE group...
and former champion Andrei Arlovski
Andrei Arlovski
Andrei Valeryevich Arlovski is a Belarusian kickboxer, mixed martial artist and a former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion.-Biography:...
. This was the third time these fighters had met, they had split the first two meetings. The co-main event was the highly anticipated re-match of TUF 3 coaches Tito Ortiz
Tito Ortiz
Jacob Christopher "Tito" Ortiz is a Mexican-American mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, having held the title from April 14, 2000 to September 26, 2003. Along with fighters like Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, he was one of the sport's early stars...
and Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
.
It was announced during the event that Chuck Liddell
Chuck Liddell
Charles David "Chuck" Liddell is a retired American mixed martial artist and former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion. Liddell has an extensive striking background in Kempo, Koei-Kan karate and kickboxing, as well as a grappling background in collegiate wrestling.As of his...
would fight PRIDE star Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei César da Silva , nicknamed "The Axe Murderer", is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, who has competed in Japan's Pride Fighting Championships and the American based Ultimate Fighting Championship . Silva is known for his aggressive fighting style with the majority of his fights ending in...
in November if Liddell won his upcoming match against Renato "Babalu" Sobral
Renato Sobral
Renato da Cunha Sobral , also known as "Babalu", is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. He is regarded as one of the best light heavyweights of the night, and noted for his aggressive style, grappling prowess, and high-caliber submissions. Sobral...
at UFC 62
UFC 62
UFC 62: Liddell vs. Sobral was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on August 26, 2006. The event took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada and was broadcast live on pay-per-view in the United States and Canada.The main event was a Light...
. Negotiations between the UFC and PRIDE failed however and the Liddell-Silva fight never occurred in November 2006. The two would eventually meet in December 2007 at UFC 79
UFC 79
UFC 79: Nemesis was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship , that took place on December 29, 2007 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Background:...
.
The number of pay-per-view buys for UFC 61 in the United States was approximately 775,000, which set a new UFC buyrate record and generated gross PPV revenue of approximately $30,960,000. The disclosed fighter payroll for the event was $676,000. With a live gate at $3,350,775, it nearly eclipsed the all-time mark for UFC events set at UFC 57
UFC 57
UFC 57: Liddell vs. Couture 3 was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on February 4, 2006. It was held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, and broadcast live on pay-per-view in the United States.Headlining the card was an anticipated...
.
Preliminary card
- Welterweight bout:
Drew FickettDrew FickettDrew Fickett is an American mixed martial artist. He competes in the Lightweight division. He holds notable victories over Josh Koscheck, Dennis Hallman, Kenny Florian, Kurt Pellegrino, Josh Neer, Matt Veach, and Dennis Bermudez....
vs. Kurt PellegrinoKurt PellegrinoKurt Joseph Pellegrino is a retired American mixed martial artist. He is best known for competing in the lightweight division of the UFC. Pellegrino's first fight in the UFC came in 2006...
- Fickett wins by submission (rear naked chokeRear naked chokeThe Rear naked choke is a chokehold in martial arts applied from an opponent's back. Depending on the context, the term may refer to one of two variations of the technique, either arm can be used to apply the choke in both cases...
) at 1:20 of round three. This bout was not aired on the broadcast.
- Heavyweight bout: Gilbert AldanaGilbert AldanaGilbert "El Peligro" Aldana was an American mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight division. His final fight was at RITC 90 - Rage in the Cage against Rich Beecroft on January 27, 2007....
vs.
Cheick KongoCheick KongoCheick Guillaume Ouedraogo , more commonly known as Cheick Kongo, is a professional French heavyweight mixed martial artist and kickboxer currently fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
- Kongo wins by technical knockout (doctor stoppage) at 4:13 of round one. This was a preliminary bout, and was not aired on the broadcast.
- Heavyweight bout: Jeff MonsonJeff MonsonJeffrey William Monson is an American mixed martial artist from Olympia, Washington. He is a 2 time winner of the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, and a No Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Champion. He currently holds the Heavyweight titles in the International Sport Karate Association...
vs.
Anthony PeroshAnthony PeroshAnthony Perosh is an Australian mixed martial artist competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He competes in the Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight divisions...
- Monson wins by technical knockout (strikes) at 2:43 of round one. This bout was not aired on the broadcast, although highlights were shown at the end.
- Catchweight (165 lb) bout:
Hermes FrancaHermes FrancaHermes França Barros is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes as a lightweight.-Early career:França made his professional MMA debut in November 2001. He quickly earned an undefeated streak of 6-0, drawing the attention of the UFC.-First UFC run:...
vs. Joe JordanJoe Jordan (fighter)Michael Joseph Jordan is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division. He won his last fight at Andrenaline MMA 3 against Juan Zapata on June 13, 2009. A request has been sent to Sherdog.com to correct Joe Jordan's record...
- Franca wins by submission (triangle chokeTriangle chokeA triangle choke, or sankaku-jime in Judo, is a type of figure-four chokehold which strangles the opponent by encircling the opponent's neck and one arm with the legs in a configuration similar to the shape of a triangle...
) at :47 of round three. Franca was originally matched with Roger HuertaRoger HuertaRoger Huerta , is an American mixed martial artist. He initially gained exposure by competing in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and later Bellator Fighting Championships.-Early life:...
. However, Huerta withdrew from the card due to injury and was replaced by Joe Jordan. http://www.sherdog.com/news/interviews.asp?n_id=4957 The fight took place at a catchweight of 165 lb, instead of lightweight, as allowances were made for Jordan as a late replacement.http://www.sherdog.com/news/radio.asp?id=63 This bout was not aired on the broadcast, but it was highlighted as the submission of the night
Main card
- Lightweight bout:
Yves EdwardsYves Edwards|-| Win| align="center" | 41-17-1| Rafaello Oliveira| TKO | UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson| | align="center" | 2| align="center" | 2:44| Washington, D.C||-| Loss| align="center" | 40-17-1| Sam Stout| KO...
vs. Joe StevensonJoe StevensonJoseph Christopher Stevenson is an American mixed martial artist fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada. Competing as a welterweight, he won The Ultimate Fighter 2 welterweight tournament. Stevenson fought most of his UFC career as a lightweight, and made his featherweight debut at UFC Live: Kongo vs....
- Stevenson wins by technical knockout (doctor stoppage due to cuts) at the end of round two.
- Heavyweight bout: Frank MirFrank MirFrancisco Santos Miranda is an American mixed martial artist, as well as a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kenpō Karate, who competes in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and a former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion...
vs. Dan ChristisonDan ChristisonDaniel B. Christison is an American mixed martial artist. He fought for the San Jose Razorclaws of the International Fight League....
- Mir wins by unanimous decision. The judges each scored the bout 29–28.
- Light heavyweight bout: Tito OrtizTito OrtizJacob Christopher "Tito" Ortiz is a Mexican-American mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, having held the title from April 14, 2000 to September 26, 2003. Along with fighters like Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, he was one of the sport's early stars...
vs. Ken ShamrockKen ShamrockKenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
- Ortiz wins by technical knockout (referee stoppage, due to strikes) at 1:18 of round one.
- Welterweight bout: Josh BurkmanJosh BurkmanJoshua R. Burkman is an American mixed martial artist who is best known for his participation in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Before becoming a mixed martial artist, Burkman was an amateur wrestler. During his senior year of high school he finished second in his weight class at the state...
vs. Josh NeerJosh NeerJoshua Martin Neer is an American mixed martial artist from Des Moines, Iowa who is currently under contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championships. He trains at The LifeLine Youth Foundation and The Des Moines Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Des Moines, Iowa. Neer is formerly an MFS Elite fighter...
- Burkman wins by unanimous decision. The judges scored the bout 29–28, 30–27 and 29–28.
- Heavyweight Championship bout: Tim SylviaTim SylviaTimothy Deane Sylvia is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter, professional wrestler, and former Ultimate Fighting Championship Heavyweight Champion. He trains as a member of the Miletich Fighting Systems camp and is part of their MFSE group...
(c) vs.
Andrei ArlovskiAndrei ArlovskiAndrei Valeryevich Arlovski is a Belarusian kickboxer, mixed martial artist and a former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion.-Biography:...
- Sylvia wins by unanimous decision to retain his title. The judges scored the bout 48–47, 49–46 and 48–47.
Purses
Tito Ortiz: $210,000Tim Sylvia: $120,000
Ken Shamrock: $100,000
Andrei Arlovski: $90,000
Frank Mir: $56,000
Joe Stevenson: $24,000
Jeff Monson: $20,000
Drew Fickett: $12,000
Josh Burkman: $10,000
Hermes Franca: $8,000
Yves Edwards: $8,000
Josh Neer: $6,000
Cheick Kongo: $6,000
Dan Christison: $5,000
Joe Jordan: $4,000
Anthony Perosh: $3,000
Gilbert Aldana: $2,000
Kurt Pellegrino: $2,000
Total Fighter Payouts: $676,000
Sources
- Mixed martial arts show results, Mandalay Bay, July 8, 2006 (PDF), Nevada State Athletic Commission. Retrieved July 13, 2006.
- UFC Fighter Salaries for 2006 (includes fighter salaries for UFC 61)
- UFC 61 Surpasses $30 Million in Pay-Per-View Sales