Issue 177

May 2019

There are many ways to achieve MMA immortality, but none more certain than being a trailblazer in the sport and breaking new ground. Here are eight such moments where fighters boldly went where no man (or woman) had gone before

Gerard Gordeau vs Teila Tuli 1st UFC fight A fight that would send shock waves round the world. The mismatch in size and style of both fighters and a brutally violent, quick finish put the UFC instantly on the map.

Royce Gracie - UFC 1 1st UFC Tournament win Royce achieved exactly what the wider Gracie family intended, by proving that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was the most effective fighting style of them all. The whole reason for starting the UFC.

Mark Coleman 1st UFC heavyweight champion Wrestling phenom, Mark “the Hammer” Coleman took the title at UFC 12 and developed the “ground and pound” style that became a key strategy in the sport.

Chan Sung Jung vs Leonard Garcia 1st Twister submission The Twister is a devastating submission that was originally a wrestling move which had been refined for BJJ by Eddie Bravo. ‘The Korean Zombie’ pulled it off at UFC Fight Night 24.

Edson Barboza vs Terry Etim 1st wheel kick KO The Brazilian lightweight was the first person to KO an opponent in this manner when he perfectly executed this spectacular move at UFC 142 in January 2012.

Randy Couture 1st Two-weight world champion The ex-Army sergeant cemented his legendary status in the sport by becoming the first man to win titles at heavyweight and light heavyweight when he beat Chuck Liddell at UFC 43.

Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche 1st Female UFC bout If it wasn’t for the star power of Ronda Rousey, the entire UFC female category would not have happened. This 2013 fight was the start of something great for females in MMA.

Forrest Griffin vs Stephan Bonnar 1st The Ultimate Fighter Finale The Ultimate Fighter series in 2005 was the catalyst for UFC growth and its finale was suitably epic, and is still regarded by many as the greatest fight in the history of MMA.

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