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UFC 65

UFC 65: Bad Intentions was a event produced by the (UFC) on November 18, 2006, at the in , marking the promotion's first visit to the city. The event featured nine bouts across multiple weight classes, drawing a crowd of 14,666 attendees (12,362 paid) and generating a live gate of $2,138,020, with an estimated buyrate of 500,000. The main event was a welterweight championship rematch between defending champion Matt Hughes and challenger Georges St-Pierre, in which St-Pierre captured the title via second-round technical knockout (head kick and punches) at 1:25, solidifying his rise as a dominant force in the division. This victory avenged St-Pierre's earlier loss to Hughes at UFC 50 and highlighted the Canadian fighter's striking prowess against the wrestling-based American champion. In the co-main event, heavyweight Tim Sylvia retained his interim title with a unanimous decision over Jeff Monson after five rounds, showcasing his technical striking against Monson's grappling pressure. The undercard delivered a series of high-impact finishes, including 's first-round knockout of former heavyweight champion via punches, which derailed Mir's comeback attempt following a career-altering knee injury. Other standout results featured Drew McFedries stopping with punches in the light heavyweight division, earning a second-round over at , and James Irvin securing a knockout victory against Hector Ramirez. Lightweight bout saw submit Dokonjonosuke Mishima with a , while heavyweight Antoni Hardonk notched a first-round knockout via leg kick over Sherman Pendergarst and Jake O'Brien earned a win over Josh Shockman. Overall, the card was noted for its emphasis on knockouts and submissions, contributing to UFC 65's reputation as an action-packed installment in the promotion's mid-2000s expansion era.

Background

Event Planning

UFC 65 was announced in the summer of 2006 as part of the Fighting Championship's ongoing expansion into new markets across the , aiming to bring events to untapped regions beyond traditional strongholds like and . This positioning aligned with the promotion's strategy to increase its footprint following a successful year of growth, including multiple events that boosted visibility and fan engagement. The event's original main event was envisioned as a superfight between UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell and Pride FC star , teased publicly during UFC 61 on July 8, 2006, to generate significant hype. However, the matchup was postponed due to Liddell's contractual obligations for a title defense against at in December 2006, a bout guaranteed to Ortiz after his victory over at UFC 63. This shift necessitated a reorganization of the card, ultimately featuring and title fights instead. Venue selection focused on in , selected to mark the UFC's debut in the state capital and region, broadening its appeal in a key domestic market. The date was confirmed for November 18, 2006, as a event designed to build on the momentum from UFC 64 in , capitalizing on rising popularity and high-profile matchups to drive viewership. Organizational challenges included navigating fighter scheduling conflicts and negotiations for high-stakes title rematches, particularly in the division where Matt Hughes defended his championship against in a long-awaited rematch stemming from their 2004 encounter at UFC 50. These discussions were complicated by recent performances, such as St-Pierre's win over at , which solidified his contender status and required aligning timelines amid the promotion's packed 2006 calendar. Additional hurdles arose from injuries, like Wilson Gouveia's rib issue that forced a preliminary card change, underscoring the logistical demands of assembling a championship lineup.

Title Fight Developments

The championship bout at UFC 65 featured a pivotal rematch between defending champion Matt Hughes and top contender , stemming from their initial encounter at in October 2004, where Hughes secured victory via armbar submission in the first round. St-Pierre entered the rematch motivated to avenge that defeat and capitalize on his subsequent four-fight winning streak, which included notable triumphs over Jason Miller, , , and a over at in March 2006. Hughes, meanwhile, aimed to reassert his dominance in the division after defending his title against Penn at UFC 63 in September 2006— a fight originally slated to feature St-Pierre before a training injury sidelined the Canadian. This buildup underscored a generational clash, with Hughes leveraging his wrestling pedigree and extensive title defenses against and to maintain his status as the division's cornerstone. UFC promotions amplified the narrative by highlighting Hughes' veteran experience—boasting a 41-4 record and multiple reigns—against St-Pierre's emergence as a dynamic rising star, whose explosive athleticism and undefeated streak since the loss positioned him as the future of . The event's marketing emphasized this contrast, framing the fight as a test of established power versus youthful potential, further fueled by the bout's delay due to St-Pierre's groin injury, which had postponed it from UFC 63. In pre-fight press conferences, St-Pierre expressed growing confidence in his evolved striking game, stating years later in reflection that he entered UFC 65 "confident" and certain he could overcome Hughes, crediting improvements in his stand-up and overall preparation. Hughes, in turn, focused on imposing his wrestling control early, drawing on his background as a two-time NCAA Division I All-American to dictate the fight's pace and neutralize St-Pierre's versatility. The co-main heavyweight title defense pitted champion against grappling ace , marking Sylvia's return to prominence following a six-month suspension in 2003 for testing positive for after his title defense against at , during which he had voluntarily vacated his previous championship. Sylvia, entering his second reign after reclaiming the vacant belt via against at UFC 59 in February 2006 and defending it against the same opponent at UFC 61 in July 2006, sought to solidify his status with his imposing 6-foot-8 frame and reach advantage. Monson, a submission specialist renowned for his ground control and BJJ black belt credentials, brought a 24-5 record highlighted by a recent first-round KO of Anthony Perosh at UFC 61, though his limited striking range at 5-foot-9 posed a challenge against Sylvia's size. Promotional efforts for the matchup centered on 's physical dominance and power versus Monson's relentless threat, portraying it as a stylistic battle between upright striking and tenacious submissions that could expose vulnerabilities in either fighter. Pre-fight discussions underscored Monson's improved stand-up but emphasized his reliance on takedowns to counter Sylvia's height disparity, while highlighted his readiness to defend on the feet after his recent successful outings. At the official weigh-ins on November 17, 2006, all fighters, including the title combatants, met their marks without issue—Sylvia at 262.5 pounds and Monson at 237.5 pounds—though underlying camp tensions from the welterweight rivalry lingered, with no major altercations reported but palpable animosity between the St-Pierre and Hughes entourages adding to the event's charged atmosphere.

Event Details

Venue and Attendance

UFC 65 took place at in , a multi-purpose indoor arena that served as the home venue for the NBA's and had a of approximately 17,317. The event attracted a total of 14,666 attendees, with 12,362 paid admissions, resulting in a live gate revenue of $2,138,020. As the first UFC event held in Sacramento, it signified the promotion's expansion into additional markets following its recent appearances in earlier that year, drawing robust local support highlighted by the participation of regional fighters such as Sacramento's James Irvin and Stockton's . The event fostered a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere among fans, bolstered by hundreds attending the pre-fight weigh-ins and the event's status under California's newly enacted MMA regulatory framework, which ensured enhanced security measures and official sanctioning for legitimacy. Production logistics were scaled for a premier spectacle, seamlessly integrating on-site elements with broadcast coverage on Spike TV to reach a wide .

Broadcast Information

UFC 65: Bad Intentions was produced and distributed by LLC, the parent company of the , and aired live on through major cable and satellite providers across the . The event drew approximately 500,000 purchases, a figure that underscored the UFC's expanding commercial footprint during its post- acquisition growth period in the mid-2000s, helping to bolster revenue streams amid increasing mainstream interest in . Mike Goldberg handled play-by-play duties, while former UFC heavyweight champion served as the color commentator, filling in for the absent and providing expert analysis on the night's title bouts. Internationally, coverage was restricted to select markets, primarily through delayed broadcasts and eventual DVD release, as live streaming options were unavailable given the technological limitations of 2006.

Fight Results

Main Card

The main card of UFC 65 opened with a bout between Drew McFedries and . McFedries, making his promotional debut, overwhelmed Sakara with aggressive striking from the outset, landing heavy punches that rocked his opponent early in the fight. Despite a competitive exchange, McFedries capitalized on Sakara's defensive lapses, securing a victory via punches at 4:07 of the first round. In the subsequent heavyweight matchup, faced , who was returning from a lengthy injury layoff. Mir attempted an early to leverage his expertise, but Vera deftly defended the shot and transitioned to devastating counter-striking on the feet. Vera's precise punches dropped Mir, leading to a stoppage at 1:09 of round one for a win. The lightweight contest pitted against Dokonjonosuke . Stevenson quickly asserted his superiority, absorbing an initial takedown from Mishima before reversing position and locking in a . Mishima tapped out at 2:07 of the opening round, handing Stevenson a submission victory that highlighted his ground control and finishing ability. The co-main event featured UFC Heavyweight Champion defending his title against . Sylvia utilized his significant reach advantage to keep Monson at bay with jabs and kicks, frustrating the challenger's repeated takedown attempts throughout the five-round affair. Although Monson achieved some ground control in later rounds, Sylvia's consistent striking output earned him a victory with scores of 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46. Headlining the event was the welterweight championship rematch between champion Matt Hughes and challenger , building on intense pre-fight anticipation following their first encounter. St-Pierre dominated the opening round with superior wrestling and striking, then unleashed a devastating head kick in the second that stunned Hughes, followed by ground strikes that prompted the referee to stop the fight at 1:25 for a win and the title.

Preliminary Card

The preliminary card for UFC 65 featured four non-televised bouts across , , and divisions, providing early action at the in . In the opener, Jake O'Brien defeated Josh Schockman by (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds. O'Brien's technical striking edged out Schockman's aggression throughout the fight. The contest saw James Irvin secure a victory over Ramirez via (punch and elbows) at 2:36 of the second . Irvin's power punching broke down Ramirez following a competitive first marked by exchanges on the feet. Another matchup ended quickly, with Antoni Hardonk knocking out Pendergarst via leg kick at 3:15 of the first . Hardonk's expertise allowed him to capitalize on Pendergarst's early fatigue with a devastating after landing a straight left. Closing the prelims in the welterweight division, overcame by TKO (punches) at 2:27 of the second round. Diaz's relentless pressure and ground-and-pound overwhelmed Tibau's wrestling attempts, leading to the stoppage from the top position. These results energized the crowd and transitioned smoothly into the main card's high-profile matchups.

Aftermath

Championship Outcomes

In the bout at UFC 65, defeated Matt Hughes via technical knockout in the second round at 1:25 with a head kick followed by punches, capturing the UFC and ending Hughes' second reign as champion. Hughes had reclaimed the title just two months earlier at UFC 63 by knocking out in the third round. At 25 years old, St-Pierre's victory established him as one of the division's most promising talents, avenging his prior loss to Hughes from and signaling a shift toward a new era of technical striking and wrestling prowess in the class. In the co-main event for the heavyweight title, retained his championship against by after five rounds, with judges' scores of 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46, showcasing his superior cardio and striking volume over the full 25 minutes. This marked Sylvia's second successful defense of his second reign, following his comeback after a 2003 suspension for testing positive for , which led to him relinquishing the belt he had defended at against , originally won at UFC 41 against . The win solidified Sylvia's resurgence, highlighting his endurance against a durable grappler like Monson and reinforcing his status as a top contender post-suspension. No interim titles were established as a result of the event's outcomes, allowing the divisions to proceed with their newly affirmed or retained champions. Historically, UFC 65 represented a rare occurrence where a title fight headlined over a bout.

Bonus Awards

At UFC 65, the promotion awarded three post-fight bonuses, each valued at $40,000, to recognize the event's most compelling performances as selected by UFC officials. These honors followed the bonus system's established criteria of highlighting exciting finishes and bouts, a practice introduced at to encourage dynamic fighting styles. The Fight of the Night went to James Irvin and Hector Ramirez for their preliminary card clash, marked by intense, back-and-forth striking exchanges that kept fans engaged until Irvin's second-round . claimed the of the Night for delivering a stunning head kick followed by punches that ended the title fight against Matt Hughes in the second round. secured the Submission of the Night with a rapid on Dokonjonosuke Mishima just 4:08 into the first round of their preliminary bout. The event's total disclosed fighter payroll reached $457,000, encompassing show purses and win bonuses; notable examples include St-Pierre's $58,000 earnings ($29,000 base plus $29,000 win bonus) and Hughes' flat $75,000 payout.

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