Issue 061

November -0001

It took many years for the UFC to develop itself into the monster it is today. Mistakes were made and many creases were ironed out before hitting a formula that worked. One of the areas that received the most revisions was that of the weight classes, and subsequently the UFC titles (it was not until the purchase of the UFC by Zuffa, in 2001, that the modern weight classes, as we know them today, were set out). This issue, Mick Bower takes a look back at the trailblazers who first held aloft the UFC titles.  



Royce Gracie


Open Weight Tournament 


IN BRIEF: The legend whose exploits introduced his family’s art to the wider world.   WON TITLE: Left three beaten and confused opponents on the canvas to win UFC 1 in November 1993. LOST TITLE: After repeating his success at UFC 2, Gracie withdrew midway through the UFC 3 tourney with exhaustion. Returned to win UFC 4. REMEMBERED FOR: Changing the way people think about martial arts and grappling forever.   WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Royce travels the world spreading the Gracie jiu-jitsu gospel via popular seminars.  

Mark Coleman 


Heavyweight


IN BRIEF: An outstanding wrestler, ‘The Hammer’ took the MMA world by storm and is credited with inventing ground ‘n pound.    WON TITLE: Submitted Dan Severn in February 1997 at UFC 12, the first UFC event to feature weight classes.   LOST TITLE: Next time out, dropping a decision to kickboxer Maurice Smith at UFC 14.    REMEMBERED FOR: Beating up Don Frye at UFC 10, which saw Frye soak up 11 minutes of relentless punishment.    WHERE ARE THEY NOW? In the Octagon it’s still Hammer time. The 45-year-old continues to compete at an elite level.  

Frank Shamrock


Light Heavyweight


IN BRIEF: The first true all-rounder, Shamrock revolutionized ideas about the role of conditioning in MMA training.   WON TITLE: An armbar earned a tap from Kevin Jackson after just 16 seconds of their bout at Ultimate Japan, in December 1997.   LOST TITLE: Shamrock relinquished the title and retired from the UFC in 1999.   REMEMBERED FOR: His battle with Tito Ortiz at UFC 22. One of the greatest fights in MMA history. WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Has successful business interests away from the cage, but continues to fight as a marquee star for Strikeforce.

Dave Menne


Middleweight


IN BRIEF: ‘The Warrior’ entered the UFC with a wealth of experience earned in tournaments around the Midwest.   WON TITLE: Unanimous decision over Gil Castillo at UFC 33, in September 2001.   LOST TITLE: To Murilo Bustamante by TKO at UFC 35. After a severe viral infection, Menne was hallucinating during the fight because he was so dehydrated from vomiting and diarrhea.    REMEMBERED FOR: His most memorable moment came in defeat. He ate a succession of rapid-fire headshots, before crumbling in front of Phil Baroni at UFC 39.   WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Fought last year with Bellator. Has had success as a trainer, steering Roger Huerta to the upper echelons of the UFC.   

Pat Miletich


Welterweight  


IN BRIEF: ‘The Croatian Sensation’ fused elements of boxing, wrestling and karate to create his own Miletich Fighting System.  WON TITLE: Decisioned Mikey Burnett at Ultimate Brazil, in October 1998.   LOST TITLE: Tapped to a Carlos Newton choke at UFC 31, in May 2001, after four defenses.   REMEMBERED FOR: Knocking out Shonie Carter with a head kick at UFC 32 – a truly spectacular finish.   WHERE ARE THEY NOW? His gym is one of the most successful in MMA, producing champions such as Matt Hughes, Tim Sylvia and Robbie Lawler.  

Jens Pulver


Lightweight 


IN BRIEF: Under the wing of Pat Miletich, ‘Little Evil’ sprawled and brawled his way to the top. WON TITLE: Defeated Caol Uno by majority decision at UFC 30, in February 2001.   LOST TITLE: After defending the strap twice, he left the UFC because of a contract dispute, leaving the belt vacant.   REMEMBERED FOR: His five-round war with BJ Penn. Pulver weathered the early storm before out-slugging ‘The Prodigy’ in an unbelievable final round to get the vote from the judges.    WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Despite a disappointing run of form and flirting with retirement, Pulver fights on in the WEC’s featherweight division.   

Ken Shamrock  


Superfight


IN BRIEF: ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Man’ first held the UFC’s short-lived ‘Superfight’ belt, before weight divisions created titles.   WON TITLE: Guillotined fearsome (yet limited) wrestler Dan Severn in just over two minutes to hoist the belt.   LOST TITLE: After two defenses (against Oleg Taktarov and Kimo Leopoldo), Shamrock lost via decision to Severn in a rematch.    REMEMBERED FOR: Shamrock has had many notable moments in his time with the UFC, not least wearing a purple cape to the Octagon at the first UFC.    WHERE ARE THEY NOW? At 45 years old, Shamrock continues to fight, but has won only four out of 12 fights in the last ten years.  

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