UFC 59: REALITY CHECK

UFC 59: Reality Check
Saturday, April 15
Distributed by Canadastar Boxing Inc.
To Canadian Commercial Locations
On Closed Circuit-Pay Per View

THE BOUT

UFC® ANNOUNCES CALIFORNIA DEBUT WITH UFC 59: REALITY CHECK FEATURING HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP BETWEEN ANDREI ARLOVSKI AND TIM SYLVIA. AND TITO ORTIZ VS FORREST GRIFFIN FASTEST SELL OUT IN UFC HISTORY

The Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) organization announced it will hold its first-ever UFC event in the state of California when it presents UFC 59: Reality Check live from the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim on Saturday, April 15.

The all-star lineup of fights will lead with the heavyweight championship fight between Andrei "The Pit Bull" Arlovski and Tim "The Maine-iac" Sylvia as well as the much anticipated light heavyweight matchup between "The Huntington Beach Bad boy" Tito Ortiz and The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 Champion, Forrest Griffin.

Tito Ortiz recently made a stunning return to the UFC when Dana White, UFC President, announced during a life UFC pay-per-view event that Ortiz would join legendary fighter Ken Shamrock as a coach for the hit reality series, The Ultimate Fighter Season 3. Ortiz, known for his strength and tenacity as a submission fighter, last fought in the Octagon at UFC 51 in 2005 when he defeated Vitor Belfort by a three-round split decision. Tito's fans around the country have clamored for his return ever since, and he promises not to disappoint them when he takes on tough-as-nails fighter, Forrest Griffin at UFC 59.

"I'll be in my hometown in Orange County. There will be 18,000 Tito Ortiz fans screaming their heads off, and I've got to give them what they paid for," says Ortiz of his matchup with Griffin. "But I can't look past Forrest; he's tough, I'm just gonna try to buzzsaw through him and get ready for my next match."

Forrest Griffin was The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 Finale light heavyweight winner. He fought an epic battle with Stephan Bonnar, and after three grueling rounds of non-stop action, was declared the winner by unanimous decision. In his first UFC pay-per-view bout, Griffin submitted Bill Mahood at UFC 53: Heavy Hitters. In his second UFC fight, he defeated Elvis Sinosic at UFC 55 by KO in the first round. Forrest is enjoying a strong wining streak and just as much popularity these days, and is ready to face Ortiz and prove he can stand, or hold his own on the grounds, with the greats.

"I'm going to learn how to become an Olympic style wrestler before April 15, so don't be surprised if we both get a little banged up," said Griffin with a laugh about this fight. "But, in all honesty, I am very excited for the opportunity to fight Tito - it's an honor to fight someone of his caliber."

Regarding the sellout to the live event from California, Dana White said, "I knew that bringing the UFC to California would be big." White went on to say, "But thanks to our fans and especially the people across California, UFC 59 is our fastest sell out in history. I've never been more excited about a fight, and can't wait to bring the best UFC action ever seen to the Golden State."

Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mike O'Donnell said, "The quick sellout proves just how many fans are here locally and how big the sport of mixed martial arts has become."

Additional fighters and bouts for UFC 59: Reality Check will be announced in the near future.