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UFC 46
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| UFC 46: Supernatural | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 The poster for UFC 46: Supernatural | ||||
| Promotion | Ultimate Fighting Championship | |||
| Date | January 31, 2004 | |||
| Venue | Mandalay Bay Events Center | |||
| City | Las Vegas, Nevada | |||
| Attendance | 10,700[1] | |||
| Total gate | $1,377,000[1] | |||
| Buyrate | 80,000[1] | |||
| Total purse | $540,500[2] | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
UFC 46: Supernatural was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on January 31, 2004, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event was broadcast live on pay-per-view in the United States, and later released on DVD.
History
[edit]Headlining the card was a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout between Randy Couture and Vitor Belfort. The evening marked the UFC debut of future welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.
Results
[edit]| Main Card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Light Heavyweight | Vitor Belfort | def. | Randy Couture (c) | TKO (doctor stoppage) | 1 | 0:54 | [a] |
| Welterweight | B.J. Penn | def. | Matt Hughes (c) | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 4:37 | [b] |
| Heavyweight | Frank Mir | def. | Wes Sims | KO (knee and punches) | 2 | 4:21 | |
| Catchweight (175 lb) | Renato Verissimo | def. | Carlos Newton | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Middleweight | Lee Murray | def. | Jorge Rivera | Submission (triangle armbar) | 1 | 1:45 | |
| Preliminary card | |||||||
| Welterweight | Georges St-Pierre | def. | Karo Parisyan | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Lightweight | Josh Thomson | def. | Hermes França | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Lightweight | Matt Serra | def. | Jeff Curran | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
- ^ For the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
- ^ For the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Fighter Payouts
[edit]The total fighter payroll for UFC 46 was $540,500.[2]
- Vitor Belfort: $130,000 ($100,000 for fighting; $30,000 win bonus)
- Randy Couture: $120,000 ($120,000 for fighting; win bonus would have been $80,000)
- Frank Mir: $90,000 ($60,000 for fighting; $30,000 win bonus)
- Matt Hughes: $55,000 ($55,000 for fighting; win bonus would have been $55,000)
- B.J. Penn: $50,000 ($25,000 for fighting; $25,000 win bonus)
- Carlos Newton: $30,000 ($30,000 for fighting; win bonus would have been $0)
- Matt Serra: $16,000 ($8,000 for fighting; $8,000 win bonus)
- Renato Verissimo: $10,000 ($5,000 for fighting; $5,000 win bonus)
- Josh Thomson: $8,000 ($4,000 for fighting; $4,000 win bonus)
- Lee Murray: $6,000 ($3,000 for fighting; $3,000 win bonus)
- Georges St-Pierre: $6,000 ($3,000 for fighting; $3,000 win bonus)
- Hermes Franca: $6,000 ($6,000 for fighting; win bonus would have been $6,000)
- Wes Sims: $5,000 ($5,000 for fighting, win bonus would have been $5,000)
- Jorge Rivera: $3,000 ($3,000 for fighting; win bonus would have been $3,000)
- Karo Parisyan: $3,000 ($3,000 for fighting; win bonus would have been $3,000)
- Jeff Curran: $2,500 ($2,500 for fighting; win bonus would have been $2,000)
Encyclopedia awards
[edit]The following fighters were honored in the October 2011 book titled UFC Encyclopedia.[3]
- Fight of the Night: Georges St-Pierre vs. Karo Parisyan
- Knockout of the Night: Frank Mir
- Submission of the Night: B.J. Penn
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "UFC 46: Supernatural". Tapology.com. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
- ^ a b Trembow, Ivan (2004-10-17). "Full Breakdown of Fighter Salaries for UFC 46, UFC 47, UFC 48, and UFC 49". MMAWeekly.com. Ivan's Blog. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
- ^ Gerbasi, Thomas (2011-10-17). UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. New York: DK. p. 206. ISBN 978-0756683610.
External links
[edit]
UFC 46
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
UFC 46: Supernatural was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on January 31, 2004, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, drawing an attendance of 10,700 and generating approximately 80,000 pay-per-view buys.[1][2]
The main event saw former light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort reclaim the title from defending champion Randy Couture via a first-round TKO (doctor's stoppage due to a cut) at 0:49, marking Belfort's second UFC light heavyweight championship win in a rematch of their 1997 encounter.[1][3] In the co-main event, lightweight contender B.J. Penn moved up to welterweight and captured his first UFC title by submitting defending champion Matt Hughes with a rear-naked choke at 4:39 of the first round, handing Hughes his first loss in the division since 2001.[3]
The event's undercard included several notable performances, such as UFC debutant Georges St-Pierre earning a unanimous decision victory (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) over Karo Parisyan in a welterweight bout, marking his UFC debut and the beginning of his rise to welterweight championship success.[4][3] Other results featured Renato Verissimo defeating Carlos Newton by unanimous decision (30-27 x3) in a catchweight (175 lb) fight, Frank Mir stopping Wes Sims via TKO (punches) at 4:21 of the second round in a heavyweight matchup, and Lee Murray submitting Jorge Rivera with a triangle armbar at 1:45 of the first round in the middleweight division.[3][5] The lightweight prelims saw Josh Thomson edge out Hermes Franca by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) and Matt Serra dominating Jeff Curran with a unanimous decision (30-27 x3).[1][3]
UFC 46 stood out for its high-profile title changes and the introduction of future stars like St-Pierre, while the rapid finishes in the championship fights—both under five minutes—highlighted the event's intensity and unpredictability in the early 2000s UFC landscape.
In the opening preliminary bout, British fighter Lee Murray made a strong UFC debut by quickly transitioning to a triangle armbar from the guard, forcing Jorge Rivera to submit early and demonstrating Murray's ground control as a key to his progression in the middleweight ranks.[5][22] Georges St-Pierre, in his promotional debut, outwrestled and outstruck Karo Parisyan over three rounds, using takedowns and top pressure to secure a unanimous decision that solidified his standing as a rising welterweight prospect.[5][23] Josh Thomson edged Hermes Franca in a competitive lightweight clash, relying on consistent striking volume and defensive grappling to earn a majority decision, which helped establish his resilience in longer fights.[5][22] Finally, Matt Serra controlled Jeff Curran with superior jiu-jitsu and ground strikes, dominating positionally en route to a lopsided unanimous decision that underscored his path toward lightweight contention.[5][23] These undercard victories provided vital experience and momentum for the winners, setting a competitive tone beneath the main card's title implications.[1]
The aggregate total disclosed fighter payroll for the event was $540,500.
Background
Light Heavyweight title bout
Randy Couture entered UFC 46 as the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, having captured the belt in his division debut against Tito Ortiz at UFC 44 in September 2003. Prior to that successful drop to 205 pounds, Couture had experienced setbacks in the heavyweight division, including a fifth-round TKO loss to Ricco Rodriguez at UFC 39 in September 2002 for the vacant heavyweight title. By moving down in weight, Couture aimed to leverage his wrestling expertise against quicker opponents, becoming the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes at different points in his career.[6] Vitor Belfort challenged for the title following a seven-month layoff from the UFC after his most recent bout, a second-round TKO victory over Marvin Eastman at UFC 43 in June 2003. Belfort had previously lost a unanimous decision to Chuck Liddell at UFC 37.5 in January 2002. During the intervening period, Belfort competed in Pride FC, defeating Kazushi Sakuraba by unanimous decision in July 2002 and losing to Tito Ortiz by unanimous decision in November 2002. He then sustained a shoulder injury that sidelined him until his return against Eastman. Belfort, who burst onto the UFC scene with a record-setting 44-second knockout of Wanderlei Silva at UFC Brazil in 1998, sought to reclaim his status as a top contender in the light heavyweight division through this high-stakes rematch. The pairing marked their second meeting, following Couture's first-round TKO victory over Belfort via punches at UFC 15 in October 1997, a fight that had established Couture as a heavyweight title contender. Pre-fight betting odds heavily favored Couture at -225, with Belfort listed as a +185 underdog, as analysts emphasized Couture's superior grappling and clinch control as decisive advantages over Belfort's explosive striking and speed. This matchup was viewed as a classic wrestler versus striker clash, with Couture's experience defending against dynamic attackers like Ortiz bolstering predictions of his retention of the belt.[7]Welterweight title bout
Matt Hughes entered UFC 46 as the reigning UFC Welterweight Champion, a title he had captured in November 2001 by defeating Carlos Newton via armbar at UFC 34. His dominant reign, spanning over two years, was built on an elite wrestling foundation that allowed him to control opponents on the ground while delivering punishing ground-and-pound strikes. Hughes had successfully defended the belt four times prior to the event, overcoming challengers such as Hayato Sakurai by decision at UFC 35, Sean Sherk via doctor stoppage at UFC 36, Frank Trigg with a rear-naked choke at UFC 40, and Newton in a rematch TKO at UFC 42. This streak solidified Hughes' status as one of the most formidable champions in UFC history, with his takedown-heavy style overwhelming a division increasingly defined by wrestling prowess. B.J. Penn, transitioning from the lightweight division, secured his unexpected title opportunity through a gritty performance at UFC 41 in February 2003, where he submitted Caol Uno via rear-naked choke in the third round to settle their rivalry. Previously a standout at 155 pounds with a 4-1 record in the UFC—including a draw against Uno at UFC 34 and a competitive lightweight title loss to Jens Pulver at UFC 35—Penn's rapid evolution as a complete mixed martial artist positioned him for the welterweight leap. At just 24 years old, the Hawaiian prodigy brought an undefeated streak outside his Pulver setback, earning praise for his precocious talent and adaptability across weight classes. The stylistic matchup promised a clash of contrasting expertise: Penn's world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt credentials and sharp boxing against Hughes' NCAA Division I wrestling pedigree and relentless top pressure. Penn's ability to scramble, strike from range, and hunt submissions from the bottom or back posed a unique threat to Hughes' preferred ground dominance, where the champion thrived on positional control and heavy strikes. Analysts highlighted how Penn's fluidity could neutralize Hughes' takedowns, turning the fight into a test of whether grappling versatility trumped raw wrestling power. Pre-event promotion emphasized Penn's potential to upend the welterweight hierarchy, framing him as the dynamic outsider capable of ending Hughes' iron grip on the division amid a landscape dominated by wrestlers like the champion. With Hughes riding a 13-fight win streak and favored at long odds, the narrative focused on Penn's prodigious upside as a multi-disciplinary phenom who might exploit any overconfidence, generating buzz for a generational shift in the 170-pound class.Notable debuts and matchups
UFC 46 featured the promotional debut of highly touted Canadian prospect Georges St-Pierre, who entered the Octagon with an undefeated professional record of 4-0, compiled entirely in the Canadian promotion Universal Combat Championship (UCC) against opponents including Ivan Menjivar and Thomas Denny.[8] Billed as a welterweight matchup against the more experienced Karo Parisyan, a Greco-Roman wrestling and sambo specialist with prior UFC appearances, the bout highlighted St-Pierre's blend of striking and grappling honed on the regional circuit.[4] This debut served as a key showcase for emerging international talent in the welterweight division. In the heavyweight division, Frank Mir faced Wes Sims in a highly anticipated rematch, positioning Mir's elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills—demonstrated through five prior UFC victories, four by submission—against Sims' raw athleticism.[9] Mir, who held a 5-1 UFC record entering the event with notable armbar and toe hold finishes over fighters like Roberto Traven and David Abbott, aimed to affirm his status as a top grappling threat following their controversial first encounter.[10] The pairing underscored the heavyweight class's emphasis on ground control versus stand-up power. A catchweight bout at 175 pounds between Renato "Charuto" Verissimo and Carlos Newton brought together two prominent Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts, emphasizing technical grappling exchanges.[11] Verissimo, a multiple-time world BJJ champion under the Alliance team, made his UFC debut opposite Newton, the former UFC welterweight titleholder known for his own submission expertise.[12] This matchup represented a clash of Brazilian martial arts pedigrees outside the standard weight classes. The preliminary card provided additional intrigue with Josh Thomson's lightweight entry against Hermes Franca, marking Thomson's second UFC appearance after a knockout debut and highlighting his kickboxing background in the burgeoning 155-pound division.[1] Similarly, Matt Serra competed at lightweight against Jeff Curran, reflecting Serra's early career flexibility across lower weight classes as a Renzo Gracie protégé focused on submission artistry before his later welterweight prominence.[13] These undercard fights spotlighted the event's role in introducing versatile prospects to the UFC roster.Event details
Date, venue, and promotion
UFC 46 took place on January 31, 2004, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.[1] The event was held under the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which had been acquired by Zuffa LLC from Semaphore Entertainment Group (SEG) in January 2001 for $2 million.[14][15] Post-acquisition, Zuffa focused on professionalizing MMA by advocating for regulatory sanctioning, including a unanimous vote by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in July 2001 to approve the sport under unified rules, facilitating its transition from fringe status to a regulated athletic competition.[16][17] Billed as "Supernatural" to emphasize themes of dramatic resurgences and emerging talents, the card was structured around two championship bouts as main attractions, with Georges St-Pierre's UFC debut positioned as a key hook for showcasing new prospects.[1][18]Attendance and financials
UFC 46, held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, drew an attendance of 10,700 spectators.[2] The event generated a live gate revenue of $1,377,000 from ticket sales.[2] The pay-per-view broadcast achieved 80,000 buys, bolstered by the intrigue surrounding the light heavyweight and welterweight title bouts.[2] This figure underscored the growing appeal of mixed martial arts under Zuffa management during its early years. The total disclosed fighter purses for the event amounted to $540,500, highlighting the expanding financial investment in talent as MMA gained mainstream traction in the Zuffa era.[19]Results
Main card
The main card of UFC 46 featured four high-profile bouts, headlined by two title fights, held on January 31, 2004, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. These matchups showcased established champions defending against rising contenders, with outcomes that shifted divisional landscapes. In the light heavyweight title main event, Vitor Belfort defeated defending champion Randy Couture via TKO (doctor's stoppage due to a cut) at 0:49 of Round 1. Belfort landed a sharp left hook early, opening a severe gash above Couture's eye, prompting referee John McCarthy to halt the fight after consultation with the physician; this victory marked Belfort's second UFC light heavyweight title win and ended Couture's second reign after just 91 days.[3] The co-main event saw B.J. Penn capture the welterweight title from champion Matt Hughes by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:39 of Round 1. Moving up from lightweight for his welterweight debut, Penn capitalized on a scramble to take Hughes' back and sink the choke, forcing the tap; this upset victory established Penn as a two-division threat and snapped Hughes' seven-fight winning streak in the division.[3] Earlier on the card, Frank Mir avenged a prior loss against Wes Sims with a KO/TKO (punches) at 4:21 of Round 2 in their heavyweight rematch. After surviving an early guillotine attempt, Mir reversed position and unleashed ground-and-pound strikes, including knees and elbows, that rendered Sims unconscious; the win propelled Mir toward future heavyweight contention while highlighting Sims' disciplinary issues from their first encounter.[3][20] Rounding out the main card, Renato "Charuto" Verissimo earned a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) over Carlos Newton after three 5-minute rounds in a catchweight bout at 175 pounds. Verissimo dominated with superior Brazilian jiu-jitsu, controlling positions and attempting submissions throughout; this debut performance for the Gracie Barra representative marked Newton's second straight loss and underscored Verissimo's potential in the promotion.[3][21]Preliminary card
The preliminary card for UFC 46 featured four non-televised bouts across lightweight and middleweight divisions, serving as crucial opportunities for emerging fighters to showcase their skills and advance within the promotion. These matches highlighted a mix of grappling prowess and striking exchanges, contributing to the event's emphasis on versatile martial arts techniques.[5]| Weight Class | Winner | Opponent | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middleweight | Lee Murray | Jorge Rivera | Submission (triangle armbar) | 1 | 1:45 |
| Welterweight | Georges St-Pierre | Karo Parisyan | Unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Lightweight | Josh Thomson | Hermes Franca | Majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Lightweight | Matt Serra | Jeff Curran | Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 |
Aftermath
Fighter payouts
The disclosed fighter payouts for UFC 46, held on January 31, 2004, in Las Vegas, Nevada, reflect the contractual earnings reported by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, marking one of the early UFC events where such details became publicly available. These figures highlight significant pay disparities typical of the early 2000s MMA landscape, where main event title fighters commanded purses far exceeding those of preliminary card participants, often by factors of 10 or more, underscoring the promotion's emphasis on star power and event headliners. Title bout participants received the highest guaranteed amounts, with winners earning additional bonuses included in their totals. Bonuses for performance were not disclosed at the time and are excluded here. The following table summarizes the disclosed purses for all fighters on the card:| Fighter | Purse Amount |
|---|---|
| Vitor Belfort | $130,000 |
| Randy Couture | $120,000 |
| Frank Mir | $90,000 |
| Matt Hughes | $55,000 |
| B.J. Penn | $50,000 |
| Carlos Newton | $30,000 |
| Matt Serra | $16,000 |
| Josh Thomson | $8,000 |
| Renato Verissimo | $10,000 |
| Lee Murray | $6,000 |
| Georges St-Pierre | $6,000 |
| Hermes França | $6,000 |
| Wes Sims | $5,000 |
| Jorge Rivera | $3,000 |
| Karo Parisyan | $3,000 |
| Jeff Curran | $2,500 |