Issue 136
December 2015
Randy Couture begins the first of his three stints as heavyweight champ in the Land of the Rising Sun.
December 2015 marks 18 years since the Octagon’s first-ever trip to Tokyo for UFC Ultimate Japan, and what an event it turned out to be. The evening’s heavyweight tournament was won by local grappler Kazushi Sakuraba, who overcame the odds and a 60lb weight disadvantage to write the first incredible chapter in his unparalleled career. The main event saw a landmark for another legend, as Randy Couture began his first run as UFC heavyweight champion. ‘The Natural’ would go on to become one of the most inspirational athletes in MMA history and claim the belt twice more, but it all started here when he outpointed Maurice Smith.
Date: December 1997
Location: Tokyo, Japan
