UFC 59: Reality Check was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on April 15, 2006 at Arrowhead Pond, in Anaheim California, and broadcast live on pay-per-view in the United States and Canada.
This was the first-ever UFC event held in California after the state's legalization of mixed martial arts contests. It was a sold-out show, the fastest sell out in UFC history. According to the California State Athletic Commission, there were 13,060 tickets sold, with a live gate of $2,191,450. The disclosed fighter payroll for the event was $539,000.
Preliminary Card
Welterweight Bout
Derrick Noble vs Thiago Alves
Alves defeated Noble by TKO at 2:54 of Round 1. Noble was a late replacement for Drew Fickett, who withdrew from the bout due to injury. This was a preliminary fight that did not air on the pay-per-view broadcast.
Light Heavyweight Bout
Jason Lambert vs Terry Martin
Lambert defeated Martin by TKO at 2:37 of Round 2. This was a preliminary fight that did not air on the pay-per-view broadcast.
Middleweight Bout
David Terrell vs Scott Smith
Terrell defeated Smith by rear naked choke at 3:08 of Round 1. There was some controversy surrounding the officiating of the bout, and Smith later appealed his case for a No Contest ruling to the California State Athletic Commission. This was a preliminary fight that did not air on the pay-per-view broadcast.
Welterweight Bout
Karo Parisyan vs Nick Thompson
Parisyan defeated Thompson by submission (strikes) at 4:44 of Round 1. The bout, although preliminary, was aired on the broadcast.
Main Card
Heavyweight Bout
Jeff Monson vs Marcio Cruz
Monson defeated Cruz by split decision with scores of 30-27, 28-29 and 29-28.
Middleweight Bout
Evan Tanner vs Justin Levens
Tanner was originally scheduled to fight Jeremy Horn, but Horn was removed from the card because of a back injury sustained during training. Tanner defeats Levens by triangle choke at 3:14 of Round 1.
Light Heavyweight Bout
Tito Ortiz vs Forrest Griffin
In a controversial decision, Ortiz defeated Forrest Griffin by split decision with scores of 30-27, 28-29, 29-27.
Welterweight Bout
Nick Diaz vs Sean Sherk
Sherk defeated Diaz by unanimous decision.
UFC Heavyweight Championship
Andrei Arlovski (C) vs Tim Sylvia
Sylvia defeated Arlovski by TKO at 2:43 Round 1 to become the new UFC Heavyweight champion.