UFC 81: Breaking Point
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Background
UFC 81: Breaking Point was a 9-bout fight card that was held on February 2, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The card aired live on pay-per-view and was headlined by a UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship bout between former PRIDE heavyweight champion, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and former UFC heavyweight champion, Tim Sylvia.
The UFC debut of WWE superstar, Brock Lesnar against former UFC heavyweight champion, Frank Mir served as a co-main event.
Fight Card
Preliminary Card
- Lightweight Bout: Rob Emerson vs. Keita Nakamura
- Middleweight Bout: Marvin Eastman vs. Terry Martin
- Light Heavyweight Bout: Tim Boetsch vs. David Heath
- Welterweight Bout: Chris Lytle vs. Kyle Bradley
Main Card
- Lightweight Bout: Tyson Griffin vs. Gleison Tibau
- Middleweight Bout: Rob Yundt vs. Ricardo Almeida
- Middleweight Bout: Nate Marquardt vs. Jeremy Horn
- Heavyweight Bout: Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir
- Interim Heavyweight Championship Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Tim Sylvia
Pre-Event Notes
The Interim Heavyweight championship was set up as a result of UFC heavyweight champion, Randy Couture's feud with the UFC that led to him "resigning" from his UFC contract. The UFC refused to acknowledge his resignation and rather than stripping Couture decided to simply move on with an Interim title.
Ricardo Almeida was set to make his return to MMA competition against Alan Belcher but an illness to Belcher in the week before the fight prompted a change of opponent. Alaskan, Rob Yundt stepped up in Belcher's place.
Nate Marquardt was scheduled to face Thales Leites but a hand injury to Leites forced his withdrawal.
David Heath was to face Tomasz Drwal before eventally facing Tim Boetsch following an injury to Drwal.
Results
Preliminary Card
- Lightweight Bout: Rob Emerson defs. Keita Nakamura via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27).
- Middleweight Bout: Marvin Eastman defs. Terry Martin via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27).
- Light Heavyweight Bout: Tim Boetsch defs. David Heath via TKO (slam and strikes) at 4:52 of round 1.
- Welterweight Bout: Chris Lytle defs. Kyle Bradley via TKO (strikes) at :33 of round 1.
Main Card
- Lightweight Bout: Tyson Griffin defs. Gleison Tibau via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
- Middleweight Bout: Ricardo Almeida defs. Rob Yundt via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:08 of round 1.
- Middleweight Bout: Nate Marquardt defs. Jeremy Horn via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:37 of round 2.
- Heavyweight Bout: Frank Mir defs. Brock Lesnar via submission (kneebar) at 1:30 of round 1.
Lesnar came out fast and hard in the opening seconds as he quickly scored a takedown and looked to have Mir in trouble as he dropped hard shot after hard shot from side control. However, referee Steve Mazzagati stood the fighters up and penalized a point for shots to the back of the head. Once the fight restarted, Lesnar dropped Mir with a right hand and went back to his ground and pound. When Mir went for an armbar, Lesnar stood and Mir quickly transitioned to a leg and forced Lesnar to tap from the kneebar.
- Interim Heavyweight Championship Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira defs. Tim Sylvia via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:28 of round 3 to capture the Interim Heavyweight Championship.
Nogueira was knocked down hard in the first round by Sylvia and generally battered on the feet by his larger opponent. The second round was closer with Nogueira throwing some nice kicks but his guard pulling attempts weren't proving successful. The third round was a different story however as Nogueira pulled guard and swept Sylvia. Nogueira moved quickly to side control and as Sylvia stood up, Nogueira latched onto a guillotine choke which quickly forced the tap.
Bonus Awards
Fight Of The Night: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Tim Sylvia
Submission Of The Night: Frank Mir
Knockout Of The Night: Chris Lytle
- Each bonus was worth $60,000
UFC Event Chronology
Preceded by: UFC Fight Night 12
Followed by: UFC 82: Pride of a Champion
External Links
http://81.ufc.com - Official UFC 81 Website
--Sam Cupitt 07:25, 28 February 2009 (UTC)
