UFC 40: Vendetta - Long Report

[Guest Army Eye]

Having now witnessed which was probably the most important MMA event to date, I figured I'd spit out all of my reactions. First off, I had a great time watching the PPV. I invited some people over to watch, only one of which I could consider a fellow MMA hardcore, and everybody enjoyed the show. An easy thumbs up if there ever was one. One of UFC's best productions and their finest hour in many ways.

 

I've attended UFC 35 and UFC 39 at the Mohegan Sun Casino and I will continue to go whenever there's a show near me. It's a great trip. The crowd at a UFC is always fascinating. It's a mix of really cool people and really scary people. However, I can recognize that my experiences just can't compare to what took place at the MGM Grand. 14,000+ rabid fans! I would've loved to be there; damn thing had to be on the other side of the country. The crowd was electric throughout the show, which really took the atmosphere of the show to another level.

 

Along with all the months of hype for the main event, much was said about the fact that this was UFC's most important night in their history. Ever since their early success in the 'golden age' of UFCs, buyrates have been way down and they have struggled to get any mainstream acceptance at all. Financially, the company is not in terribly good shape. Fighters have complained about low pay. Could they turn it around? There's no question that the media coverage and anticipation of the main event is something they have not seen in a long long time, if ever. The Ortiz/Shamrock showdown was a golden opportunity: by far the UFC's biggest opportunity to make a splash, something of its magnitude maybe not coming along again in a long time, and they knew it. Zuffa's mission was threefold: draw a big gate (they clearly did that), score a big buyrate (we don't know yet, but it seems very likely) and most importantly, 'hook' new fans who will buy more PPVs in the future. The first two were accomplished by the feuding and name value of Tito and Ken, along with the fine advertising/promotion by Zuffa, the media coverage, and strong word of mouth (never in my life have I seen so many people interested in a MMA match). The third could only be accomplished only by putting on a great show.

 

And so, the UFC surely had their biggest audience they will ever get for quite a while, including a ton of new and casual fans, and they knew they had to make a great impression. The question is, did they do so? After seeing it, my answer would have to be yes. I bet the brass were celebrating after this show, and that they must consider it a big success in almost all facets. Not only was the event entertaining from top to bottom, not only was the audience tremendous, but the centerpieces of their next big PPV, Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell, both looked fantastic. More on that later.

 

As is the case of any UFC card, Zuffa can only do so much to ensure an entertaining event. They can book the best matchups, they can promote the card to the best of their abilities, they can pick a great venue, but once the fights begin, it's out of their hands. If the fights turn out to be sucky, the show sucks and it reflects poorly on the company, unfair as it might be. Still, Zuffa must do everything they can, and in the case of UFC 40, I would give them an A grade. They did everything that they can control almost perfectly.

 

The promotion of UFC 40 was well done. As the day drew closer, I started to become concerned about the apparent lack of advertising, but sure enough I started to see more and more commercials and various advertisements in the 2-3 weeks leading up to the event. Then there was the press conference, and the fighters' appearances on the Fox Sports 'Best Damn Sports Show Period'. These spots got the job done. Tito and Ken really did their part to make their rivarly come off as a very intense feud that has been brewing for years. Was some of it exaggerated? Sure. The bottom line is that these appearances really did a good job of building up the fight.

 

The whole PPV itself was a nice, slick production. The video packages, interviews, fight previews, backstage segments, etc. were all solid. They did well in getting the people who don't typically buy any UFCs caught up with what was going on. The main event featured great entrances and pyro effects. Tito's entrance in particular was a huge over-the-top production, featuring two different songs, all kinds of fireworks, lasers flying everywhere, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. Great work.

 

The Tank Abbott comeback was a nice 'mark out' moment for long time UFC watchers. It was cool to see him again. Does he actually plan to fight? I'm sure he's still got a hell of a punch but he looked like he could barely walk down the ramp. If he's still game, then ok, give him a sendoff. Personally, I'd sign him for 1 or 2 matches and then hire him full-time as a commentator. That's where he can benefit the company the most.

 

The one aspect of the presentation that I really didn't care for was Joe Rogan. Jeff Osbourne needs to be installed as the #1 color commentator ASAP. Rogan occasionally has some good insights, but here's my beef. Normally, I enjoy it when a commentator really is excited about the sport and shows a lot of enthusiasm (Stephen Quadros a perfect example) but Joe Rogan I'm afraid was TOO excited at this show. When shown on camera, he seemed to be exhibiting facial tics, and his hand was shaking violently. It was like he had picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue. His excitability carried over to the matches too. He hogs the commentary in a big way, and sometimes gets carried away going "BOOM!" "BLOWW!" even when a fighter whiffs on a punch. He also goes off on these tangents about old fights that are hardly relevant sometimes. Oh well. If Rogan is all there is to whine about, it was a good night for the UFC.

 

So what about the matches? From Zuffa's perspective, you obviously want quality fights first and foremost but the results are important too. The main event pretty much went how they would want, and had planned. Maybe it'd have been better for Shamrock to get in some more offense, but don't doubt for a second that this was the result that they were banking on. Tito is the guy UFC has pushed as its #1 guy for 2-3 years now. This is exactly what was intended, for Ken Shamrock, the legend, who still has much more name value than Tito, to "pass the torch" to him. Tito's list of defeated opponents since his own loss to Frank Shamrock has been solid, but not great. His thorough domination of Ken Shamrock really solidifies his reputation as a champion. On top of that Tito is now recognizable by more people than ever before. Coming out of this show, Tito Ortiz is a big winner. He has more fans, more name value, and is a more credible champion, finally proving he can beat someone his own size. And give credit to Ken Shamrock. Shamrock's return to the octagon was by far the biggest reason this PPV was such a big deal. Their last planned superfight, Ortiz vs. Belfort, would've been exciting for sure but wouldn't have even registered a blip on the mainstream radar. (Not that EVERY UFC should cater to the mainstream, but c'mon, UFC needs more money flow. More PPV buys. We don't need more Jens Pulver fiascos.)

 

Almost as important was Chuck Liddell winning his match with Renato Sobral. Dana White, the president of UFC, had very honestly stated that he was uncomfortable with Chuck Liddell taking this fight. Chuck was already the undisputed #1 contender pencilled in to face the winner of Shamrock/Ortiz, and he seemingly had little to gain but a LOT to lose if he somehow lost the fight (Babalu being no pushover!). The future PPV main event could've been severely damaged. Still, Liddell insisted on fighting. It turned out to be the best thing that could have happened. Now a ton of viewers have seen the Iceman nearly kick someone's head off, and want to see this badass take on Tito, who also won his match in dominating fashion! Another great PPV main event is now there to build up to and hype like crazy. They really hit a home run in regards to setting up the Ortiz/Liddell match.

 

The quality of the matches was crucial. The overall card looked very good on paper; one of UFC's best. The undercard of course had little to no effect on the buyrate, but naturally the goal is to have an entertaining show, top to bottom. Introduce these new viewers to as much of your finest talent as you can. Let's face it, some UFC fights are very boring, even for those of us who appreciate all the subtleties. For a casual fan, such fights taking place would've been death. Instead, we were treated to a lot of quick, decisive results, and a couple of spectacular endings. If my buddies watching the carnage with me were any indication, the casual fans really ate up those KO/TKO finishes.

 

I've been careful to say throughout this article that this isn't the best UFC ever, because technically speaking, there's just NO WAY. The fights were just too fast and most were remarkably one-sided. In terms of actual competition, there was very little to be found. Still, in this case it is very much preferable to the alternative, a Victory in Vegas-type event. Consider it a showcase for some of UFC's most talented and exciting fighters. Robbie Lawler, Andrei Orlovski, Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell all made very strong impressions. So my overall reaction to the fights would be 'pretty damn good'. I am also thankful that the main event was not a one-minute affair like so many of the undercard matches. That would've been a sad anticlimax.

 

I think we were all surprised by the MANY quick finishes. I thought the only matches that looked like a gross mismatch on paper were the Matyushenko/Wiuff and Lawler/Ghosn.

 

 

Phillip Miller vs. Mark Weir: This was a very fun, back and forth battle. Surprising ending, with Miller absorbing a nasty kick to the head and choking Weir out only moments later! I enjoyed the fight, and I give these two credit for going all out, but both of these guys were sloppy and are clearly not ready for any elite competition yet.

 

Travis Wiuff vs. Vladimir Matyushenko: We didn't get to see this one. Bah! I like The Janitor. From the reports, it sounds like it wasn't much of a fight anyway.

 

Ian Freeman vs. Andrei Orlovski: Orlovski was the easy pick for me and he won quickly and convincingly. Recall that at UFC 36, while he ended up getting brutally knocked out at the end, Arlovski went toe-to-toe, standing up, with PEDRO RIZZO for three rounds and held his own. Anyone who can do that is a dangerous guy. Freeman was possibly in line for a title shot vs. Ricco if he had won.

 

Robbie Lawler vs. Tiki Ghosn: This result was pretty much what was expected. The first overhand right is all Lawler needed. The rest of the stuff on the ground was just decorating poor Tiki's face. What a disgusting cut that was above his eye!!! The camera got in there nice and close. Tiki's post-fight comments were hilarious. Did he mean them to be? That's what I'm not sure of. Lawler was grinning as he said it.

 

Carlos Newton vs. Pete Spratt: UGH! This fight was just sad. Spratt was helpless on the ground. It's too bad he wasn't able to keep things standing for at least a little while. Carlos' whole Dragon Ball Z act doesn't go over quite as well in the States as it does in Japan, does it? Heh..

 

Matt Hughes vs. Gil Castillo: We were all pissed at this stoppage of course. I was even more pissed when someone told me that this was the same doctor that stopped the Evan Tanner/Elvis Sinosic fight in mere seconds due to a pitifully small cut. I have read reports that Castillo couldn't see out of the eye that had a cut above it. It seemed like he was taking issue with the stoppage at the time though. I guess it could've just been his disappointment. It's too bad either way.

 

Chuck Liddell vs. Renato Sobral: A fantastic knockout by the Iceman, but WTF was wrong with Babalu? He looked tired, lost and/or drugged. Did the guys dope him up backstage so he was no threat to Liddell?

 

Tito Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock: Again, a more one-sided fight than I expected. Dave Meltzer made a great comment on his radio show (or was it one of the callers?), that when you saw Tito back in the dressing room with his trainer, doing all kinds of textbook kicks and knee thrusts, you knew Ken was in trouble. Two things I didn't anticipate that really made the difference and turned this fight into a mismatch: 1) the knees in the clinch. Against Don Frye, Ken Shamrock was content to stay in the clinch for a while and wait for an opportunity. No such luck this time, as Tito repeatedly introduced his knee to Ken's face. They were not great knees by any stretch, but they did what they needed to, in sending Ken reeling and keeping the initiative that Tito repeatedly secured with his superior stand-up technique. 2) I thought Shamrock would do better in defending the takedown, but after the first couple minutes he was helpless to stop it. Strength was definitely an issue here, and even more so when they were on the ground and Ken couldn't do ANYTHING. Ken weighed in at a slim 201 pounds. With his stamina problems in Pride, it's understandable that he would focus his training on cardio, which appeared to be the case when he came in so light. That's fine, but Ken also seemed to lack his trademark great strength, or maybe it just paled compared to Tito's. Whatever the reason, Tito was easily the stronger man tonight and it showed. I give all the credit in the world to Tito Ortiz who has worked tremendously hard. He has become a great all-around fighter and is still as freakishly strong as he ever was. Judging by the loud boos for his entrance, it looks like Tito's cocky persona has made him to be a 'villain' with many fans, which is cool, but part of it was just that Ken Shamrock was a huge fan favorite in Vegas. I consider Tito a great talent, but will continue to root against him. Not because of his attitude, which actually entertains me, but because he really belongs in the heavyweight division.

 

 

In summary, this was a big hit for UFC. For me, the level of anticipation I had for the Ortiz/Shamrock match was something that is very rare. It just had that aura of the dream matchup, and there's nothing quite like that feeling when the dream match is just about to begin. The Lewis/Tyson match was kind of like that, but more so if the fight had happened years earlier like it should have. I don't see any fights in the near future that could match it. A Tito/Silva rematch would be pretty awesome though. I have to question whether that will happen though, as both fighters are the poster boys of their respective companies. I'm also starting to question whether it's a good idea to write an article that takes longer to read than it does to watch the entire UFC 40 pay-per-view! On that note, I'll stop.

 

 

-Army Eye