Review of UFC 59: Reality Check

Introduction

Held on 15th April 2006 at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California, "UFC 59: Reality Check" was headlined by the Heavyweight Title rematch from UFC 51, as challenger Tim Sylvia looked to reverse the decision on Andrei Arlovsky, who had on that occasion forced him to submit to an achilles lock.

The full card was as follows:

UFC World Heavyweight Title:
- Andrei Arlovski Vs. Tim Sylvia
- Nick Diaz Vs. Sean Sherk
- Tito Ortiz Vs. Forrest Griffin
- Evan Tanner Vs. Justin Levens
- Jeff Monson Vs. Marcio Cruz
- Karo Parisyan Vs. Nick Thompson
- David Terrell Vs. Scott Smith
- Jason Lambert Vs. Terry Martin
- Thiago Alves Vs. Derrick Noble

Video

Video is presented in 4:3 fullscreen PAL and is excellent for a DVD of this genre. It is however, not taken directly from the live pay-per-view broadcast, as there are some edits and additions made in order to make the event run more time-efficiently for DVD viewers. In any case, the transfer from the original NTSC is virtually flawless, and live-to-tape sporting events simply do not look any better than this.

Audio

Audio is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 and is very good for a DVD of this genre. Commentary is provided by Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan, with Rogan in particular both enthusiastic and insightful. Despite so much going on audio-wise, from music to commentary to the bouts themselves, audio remains clear at all times.

For international viewers, not only are there Dutch and German commentary tracks, but there are full menus as well.

Features

There is only one extra feature on this disc, but it is an excellent one, as we get to go behind the scenes with combatants Arlovski & Sylvia, and Tito Oritiz & Forrest Griffin, as they prepare for their respective fights. We see how they train, how they cut weight, how they relax before a fight etc. as well as seeing them backstage, post-fight.

At 30 minutes this extra has enough detail to keep the viewer`s complete attention, and is also a fascinating look behind the UFC curtain.

Conclusion

The main feature begins almost abruptly as Derrick Noble and Thiago Alves squared off in a very good opener which featured some excellent stand-up action. Neither Jason Lambert vs Terry Martin or David Terrell vs Scott Smith were able to better that, although the former did have a nice finishing sequence.

Judo practitioner Karo Parisyan then faced Nick Thompson in what was a very busy fight, which included some excellent "ground and pound" (taking your opponent to the mat and striking from the mounted position) work. There was less quality striking in the proceeding Marcio Cruz vs Jeff Monson bout, and Evan Tanner vs Justin Levens showcased some wonderful technique and a beautiful finish.

Things really began to pick up in the next contest, as perennial villain Tito Ortiz faced Ultimate Fighter 1 winner Forrest Griffin, in a bout which the crowd were tremendously into. This was an exciting match, even on the ground, and was brutal into the bargain. Perhaps the only downside was the debatable nature of the victory, which far from impressed fighters Ken Shamrock and Chuck Liddell who were watching from ringside.

Things cooled down in the next Welterweight contest, as Sean Sherk faced Nick Diaz, but then picked right back up again in the main event as Heavyweight champion Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski defended against Tim Sylvia. Whilst this did not have the crowd heat of the Ortiz vs Griffin match-up, this short bout featured a stunning finish which, in the end, sent the crowd wild.

Overall, UFC 59 was a good event that was highlighted by a superb contest between Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin. Whilst there were other good matches on the card - Arlovski vs Sylvia and Alves vs Noble - there was little else to particularly write home about. Still, Ortiz vs Griffin is an early contender for Match of the Year honours; I`ve yet to see anything in 2006 that has bettered it.