UFC 52
UFC 52: Couture vs. Liddell 2 was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on April 16, 2005, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event was broadcast live on pay-per-view in the United States and Canada, and later released on DVD.
History
Headlining the card were the coaches of The Ultimate Fighter, Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell. At the time, it was the highest-grossing UFC event ever at the live gate, with $2,575,450 in ticket sales. Dan "The Beast" Severn was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at this event.
The total fighter payroll for UFC 52 was $519,500.
The rematch bout between Matt Hughes and Frank Trigg for the Welterweight Title is current President of the UFC, Dana White's favorite match of not just UFC fights, but all MMA and boxing fights in general.
Results
Preliminary card
* Heavyweight bout: United States Mike van Arsdale vs. United States John Marsh
Van Arsdale wins by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 29–28 for Van Arsdale.
* Middleweight bout: Canada Patrick Côté vs. Canada Joe Doerksen
Doerksen wins by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:35 of round three. Doerksen entered the card as a late replacement for Lee Murray, who pulled out due to travel complications.
* Middleweight bout: Canada Ivan Salaverry vs. United States Joe Riggs
Salaverry wins by submission (triangle choke) at 2:42 of round one.
Main card
* Light Heavyweight bout: Brazil Renato Sobral vs. United States Travis Wiuff
Sobral wins by submission (armbar) at 0:24 of round two.
* Welterweight bout: Canada Georges St-Pierre vs. United States Jason Miller
Georges St. Pierre wins by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 30–27 for St. Pierre. This fight was originally scheduled for UFC 48, but Miller was tending to legal problems at the time.
* Middleweight bout: United States Matt Lindland vs. United States Travis Lutter
Lindland wins by submission (guillotine choke) at 3:13 of round two.
* Welterweight Championship bout: United States Matt Hughes (c) vs. United States Frank Trigg
Hughes wins by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:05 of round one.
* Light Heavyweight Championship bout: United States Randy Couture (c) vs. United States Chuck Liddell
Liddell wins by knockout (punch) at 2:03 of round one. Liddell becomes the UFC Light Heavyweight champion.
