UFC 55: Andrei Arlovski Knocks Out Paul Buentello in 15
UFC 55: Fury took place on October 7, 2005, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Its heavyweight championship main event lasted only 15 seconds, as Andrei Arlovski knocked out Paul Buentello. The rest of the eight-bout program featured Forrest Griffin’s continued progress, a submission win for Renato “Babalu” Sobral and several early endings across three weight divisions.
Arlovski’s right hand ends the main event
Buentello had earned his opportunity with UFC victories over Justin Eilers and Kevin Jordan. A dangerous puncher himself, he entered a contest that could turn on a single clean exchange. That is exactly what happened: Arlovski’s straight right landed on the challenger’s jaw, dropping him and prompting John McCarthy to stop the fight.
The speed of the finish initially confused some spectators, who had barely seen the decisive punch. Replays clarified the ending, and Buentello’s unsteady attempt to protest showed the effect of the strike. Arlovski’s defense was brief, but the punch remains the defining image of the event.
This was a defense of the undisputed heavyweight championship. Arlovski had first won the interim belt against Tim Sylvia and defended it against Eilers while Frank Mir recovered from serious injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. With Mir still unable to return, the UFC promoted Arlovski to undisputed champion before the Buentello fight. The distinction separates UFC 55 from Arlovski’s earlier interim-title appearances.
Griffin and Sobral win at light heavyweight
Griffin faced Elvis Sinosic, not Keith Jardine. He stopped Sinosic with punches in the opening round, adding another win after his Ultimate Fighter finale victory and submission of Bill Mahood at UFC 53. The result continued Griffin’s transition from television breakout to a regular presence on numbered UFC cards.
Sobral’s opponent was Chael Sonnen, and their bout also belonged to the light heavyweight division. Sobral caught Sonnen in a triangle choke at 1:20 of round two. It was an important grappling result on a card whose main event was settled by striking, and it supplied an early chapter in Sonnen’s UFC career.
The rest of the card
Branden Lee Hinkle stopped Sean Gannon with punches in round one. At welterweight, Joe Riggs defeated Chris Lytle when a cut led to a doctor stoppage in round two. Jorge Rivera took a unanimous decision over Dennis Hallman, while heavyweight newcomer Marcio Cruz submitted Keigo Kunihara with a rear-naked choke.
The opening bout ended without a winner. Alessio Sakara’s fight with Ron Faircloth was ruled a no contest after an accidental groin kick left Sakara unable to continue early in the second round.
Complete UFC 55 results
Andrei Arlovski defeated Paul Buentello by KO (punch), round 1, 0:15, retaining the heavyweight title. Branden Lee Hinkle defeated Sean Gannon by TKO (punches), round 1, 4:14. Forrest Griffin defeated Elvis Sinosic by first-round TKO (punches). Renato Sobral defeated Chael Sonnen by submission (triangle choke), round 2, 1:20.
Joe Riggs defeated Chris Lytle by TKO (doctor stoppage), round 2, 2:00. Jorge Rivera defeated Dennis Hallman by unanimous decision. Marcio Cruz defeated Keigo Kunihara by submission (rear-naked choke), round 2, 1:02. Alessio Sakara versus Ron Faircloth ended in a no contest (accidental groin kick), round 2, 0:10. Griffin’s stoppage is listed at 3:22 by Sherdog and Tapology, and 3:30 in the UFC event archive.
Sources
- UFC 55 | Fury | UFC
- UFC 55 – Fury
- The Best Of Andrei Arlovski | UFC
- UFC Strips Mir of Heavyweight Belt, Arlovski New Champion
Article Tags
UFC 55, Andrei Arlovski, Paul Buentello, Forrest Griffin, Heavyweight Championship, UFC, MMA
