UFC 51: Ortiz Edges Belfort as Tanner and Arlovski Win Gold
UFC 51: Super Saturday took place on February 5, 2005, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Tito Ortiz won a split decision over Vitor Belfort in the main event, Evan Tanner captured the vacant middleweight championship, and Andrei Arlovski earned the interim heavyweight belt. Across nine bouts, seven finishes gave the evening a depth that extended well beyond the headline attraction.
Ortiz edges Belfort
The long-awaited light heavyweight matchup began with Belfort threatening Ortiz with his fast hands. Ortiz survived the early danger and used wrestling to work his way back into the fight. After three rounds, two judges scored it 29–28 for Ortiz and the third favored Belfort by the same margin.
The divided verdict gave Ortiz the victory without the clean resolution that a knockout or submission would have provided. This was a non-title bout between former champions, making its significance different from the two championship contests elsewhere on the card. Ortiz’s ability to recover and compete over the full distance was central to the result.
Tanner restores a middleweight champion
Tanner faced David Terrell for the vacant middleweight title. Terrell had made a dramatic UFC debut by quickly knocking out Matt Lindland at UFC 49, while Tanner brought years of experience and recent wins over Phil Baroni and Robbie Lawler.
Terrell attacked early and threatened with a guillotine choke, but Tanner escaped. With Terrell against the fence, Tanner landed punches and forearms until the referee stopped the contest at 4:35 of round one. The victory gave the division a champion again and marked the highest point of Tanner’s UFC career.
The finish also changed the expectations surrounding the matchup. Terrell’s quick win over Lindland had created substantial anticipation, yet Tanner’s composure under submission pressure and effective ground offense determined the championship outcome. Experience mattered in the moments when the fight could have moved in either direction.
Arlovski claims interim heavyweight gold
With heavyweight champion Frank Mir sidelined by injuries from a motorcycle accident, Arlovski and Tim Sylvia fought for an interim title. Arlovski dropped Sylvia with a punch and followed him to the ground, where he secured an ankle lock. Sylvia submitted after just 47 seconds.
The result started an important heavyweight rivalry and showed Arlovski’s ability to connect striking with submissions. Sylvia had lost to Mir by armbar at UFC 48; this time a different submission ended his title opportunity. Arlovski left Super Saturday with the interim belt.
Seven finishes across the full card
Pete Sell submitted Phil Baroni late in round three, and Paul Buentello knocked out Justin Eilers in his UFC debut. The preliminary card added wins for Mike Kyle, David Loiseau, Karo Parisyan and Nick Diaz. Parisyan–Lytle joined the main event as the evening’s only decisions, with the remaining contests ending before the scheduled distance.
UFC 51: Super Saturday full results
- Tito Ortiz def. Vitor Belfort by split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28).
- Interim heavyweight title: Andrei Arlovski def. Tim Sylvia by submission (ankle lock), Round 1, 0:47.
- Vacant middleweight title: Evan Tanner def. David Terrell by TKO (punches), Round 1, 4:35.
- Pete Sell def. Phil Baroni by submission (guillotine choke), Round 3, 4:19.
- Paul Buentello def. Justin Eilers by KO (punch), Round 1.
- Mike Kyle def. James Irvin by KO (punches), Round 1, 1:55.
- David Loiseau def. Gideon Ray by TKO (doctor stoppage), end of Round 1.
- Karo Parisyan def. Chris Lytle by unanimous decision.
- Nick Diaz def. Drew Fickett by TKO (punches), Round 1, 4:40.
Sources
- UFC 51 | Super Saturday | UFC
- UFC 51 – Super Saturday
- Fighters Only : UFC 51: Super Saturday
- Evan Tanner’s Greatest UFC Moments | UFC
- Tim Sylvia vs Andrei Arlovski UFC 51
Article Tags
UFC 51, Tito Ortiz, Vitor Belfort, Evan Tanner, Andrei Arlovski, UFC Championship, UFC, MMA
