Ten fights that shaped the UFC

For those of you unfamiliar with the UFC, trying to figure out how the sport evolved may be confusing.

There were many monumental fights in the UFC where one fighter’s style can influence the style other fighters. For example, Randy Couture demonstrates the advantages of Greco-Roman wrestling with his ability to control opponents against the cage or how Chuck Liddell used wrestling in reverse to keep the fight standing. So, here is a list of ten fights for those of you who are new to the spectacle of MMA.

10. Royce Gracie v Ken Shamrock

In reality, any fight in UFC 1 featuring Joyce Gracie had a similar outcome to this matchup but Shamrock had the best credentials and was the bigger fighter by far.  The fight lasted just fifty seven seconds before Joyce managed to secure a lapel choke on an outclassed Shamrock.  While not even making the one minute mark, it did prove on awesome sight to see a 79kg slight framed man dominate a 99kg silver back gorilla like Shamrock.  It would be several more years before mixed martial arts would achieve success but the foundations had been laid with the introduction of Brazilian jiu-jitsu to combat sports.

Full fight:

 

9. Mark Coleman v Dan Severn

The god-father of ground and pound Mark Coleman introduced us all to the potential free style wrestling had with his pioneering ground and pound style.   This involved taking your opponent to the ground and controlling him from top position while landing blows to his head and body.  This style of fighting made way for the likes of Matt Hughes who took the style and used it to make himself one of the longest reigning champions in UFC history.

Mark Coleman beat Dan Severn in UFC 12 to become the first heavyweight champion in the UFC.  This fight is important to the UFC’s history in two ways.  It marked the ascension of the wrestler in MMA and it gave fans a champion for whom was now the man to beat.

Full fight:

 

8. Randy Couture v Chuck Liddell I, II, and III

These fights are important for two reasons Randy Couture became the first fighter to hold a title in two different weight divisions in both light heavyweight and heavyweight.  After a series of losses in the heavyweight division, Couture decided to compete at light heavyweight which he won after many assume that Liddell underestimated him.

In the rematch, Liddell battered Couture in a one sided victory through TKO and was also victorious in the rubber match.  This fight is important as it marked the ascension of a new style of fighter.  Commonly referred to as ‘sprawling and brawling’, it is combination of wrestling used in reverse to ‘stuff the takedown’ and use striking as the main weapon of choice.

Clip of KO:

 

7. Chuck Liddell v Tito Ortiz

In UFC 43, Chuck Liddell, the current interim champ took on Tito Ortiz who was the previous champ but was sidelined for about year.  Ortiz, who was accused of dodging Liddell faced off against each other in order to unite the titles.  However despite all Ortiz’s trash talk, Liddell dominated the ‘Huntington bad boy’ and knocked him out in the second round.  The fight was considered a major success in PPV terms for the UFC and contributed to the Iceman’s rise in popularity and also the beginning of Liddell’s title reign which would see him defend the title seven times, which is quite an achievement in MMA.

Highlights:

 

6. Forrest Griffin v Stephan Bonnar

The Ultimate Fighter 1 finale was broadcast live on Spike TV and was watched by ten million viewers on Spike TV.  A competitive fight which had two game fighters face off against one another and lead to one of the most exciting bouts in UFC history.  What it lacked in technicality, it made up for with this with the sheer heart of both fighters.  It was credited for the explosion of the UFC with Dana White referring to both fighters as his children, indicating there futures with the UFC are secure no matter what the outcome of their future fights.  It would also see the rise of one of the fighters with Griffin later winning the Light heavyweight belt from Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson while Bonnar struggles to remain relevant in the sport.

Highlights:

To be continued…

By Stephen Barry

Want more MMA? Check out our investigation into the incident which ended the career of Paul Daley here.