UFC: Ultimate 175 Greatest Fights 1993-2009 Season 2 Episode 41 Minotauro Nogueira vs Tim Sylvia UFC 81
- TV-MA
- February 2, 2008
- 16 min
In this episode of UFC: Ultimate 175 Greatest Fights 1993-2009 [HD], we witness the intense battle between Brazilian fighter Minotauro Nogueira and American fighter Tim Sylvia during UFC 81.
Minotauro Nogueira, also known as "Big Nog," was a well-known heavyweight fighter with a strong submission game. He had already achieved great success in the sport, having been a Pride FC champion and holding victories over several big names in the UFC, such as Fabricio Werdum and Randy Couture. On the other hand, Tim Sylvia was a former UFC heavyweight champion with a height and reach advantage over most of his opponents. He was known for his striking ability and had a record of 24 wins and 4 losses going into this matchup.
The fight started off with both fighters testing each other out, with Sylvia using his jab to keep Nogueira at bay. However, Nogueira was able to close the distance and take Sylvia down to the ground. From there, Nogueira controlled the fight on the ground, landing strikes and looking for submissions. Sylvia tried to escape but was unable to do so, and Nogueira eventually secured an armbar submission in the third round, forcing Sylvia to tap out.
The fight was an impressive display of Nogueira's grappling skills and toughness, as he was able to withstand Sylvia's striking and control the fight on the ground. It was also a reminder of Sylvia's vulnerability on the ground, as he had previously lost to Frank Mir via submission in a similar fashion.
Overall, this episode showcases a classic matchup between two prominent heavyweights in the UFC and highlights the importance of having a well-rounded skill set in the sport.