A Walk Down MMA Lane^TM - UFC 1 Recap & Results

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> Official UFC 1 results

As the UFC prepares for the monumental event of UFC 100, its time to take a look back to where it all started, UFC 1.

Many of today’s fans look back at UFC 1 with skepticism as few of the fighters were versed in any fighting disciplines outside of their area of expertise. Although this is true, unlike today’s UFC, fighters were exposed to risks such as fighting much heavier opponents, head butts, striking downed opponents and having to fight 3 times in one night to win a title. They also faced fighters who were champions in their given discipline.

UFC 1 started the phenomenon that exists today with both MMA and jiu-jitsu. The entire future of the sport could have been changed had Royce Gracie not been successful. In the end, Royce showed how jiu-jitsu, unlike other disciplines, teaches smaller fighters how to defend themselves against opponents of all sizes.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship got its start with a no holds barred tournament style event on November 12th, 1993 in Denver, Colorado, which included two UFC Hall of Famers in Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock. The beginning of the event started with a promo emphasizing no rules (except for eye gauges, biting and groin shots), no judges scoring and no time limits. The event featured “eight of the most dangerous men in the world” who all came from different disciplines. The event’s announcers were Bill Wallace and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown. In the intro, the great Jim Brown spoke of all the great fighters and ultimate tough guys he has been around, men like Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Dick Butkus, and Sam Huff. Brown stated “I tell you they could not last in this ring.” They were joined cage side by 5-time women’s kickboxing champion Kathy Long. Brian Kilmeade was the roving reporter at the event. You may recognize Kilmeade who is now on Fox and Friends a morning news show on The Fox News Network. Rich Goins served as the ring announcer.

1st Bout: Teila Tuli a 410lb Sumo Wrestler vs. Gerard Gordeau a 216lb Savate Boxer & Karate Champion:

The Sumo wrestler charged Gordeau early in the fight with no success as he fell to his knees. Gordeau quickly landed a round house kick to the face of the kneeling Tuli (which would be illegal in the current UFC landscape) knocking out a tooth and followed it with a right hook. The referee quickly jumped in to check Tuli’s condition. The crowd roared as blood flowed down Tuli’s face. The referee, the crowd and the announcers were confused as no one knew what to do next. Bill Wallace continued a parade of cheesy lines asking Kathy Long if she caught the tooth, she responded no but I think it is under the table in which Wallace replied, I will find it and get a dollar for it. Fans could have only wished the tooth fairy was announcing the event instead of Wallace. Finally the decision was made to stop the fight.

Official Decision: Gerard Gordeau won in the 1st round advancing to the semi-finals

2nd Bout: Kevin Rosier a 265lb Kickboxing Champion vs. Zane Frazier a 230lb Karate Champion:

Frazier was certainly the more athletic of the two. Rosier was a big brute with substantial girth in the mid section. Both fighters landed significant blows in the early parts of the fight. Frazier landed several powerful upper cuts to Rosier’s chin but not enough to ground the bulky kickboxer. Frazier was knocked to the ground, Rosier landed several punches to the back of Frazier’s head then a head stomp to the back of Frazier’s head resulting in the corner throwing in the towel. The majority of Rosier’s strikes would be illegal in today’s UFC.

Official Decision: Kevin Rosier won in the 1st round advancing to the semi-finals to face Garard Gordeau

3rd Bout: Royce Gracie a 180 lb Jiu-Jitsu Champion vs. Art Jimmerson a 196lb Boxing Champion:

UFC 1 Champion Royce Gracie

At the time, little was known about Jiu-Jitsu in the United States. Gracie came into the fight at the age of 26 and was the lightest competitor in the event. Gracie was introduced with a record of 51-1. Gracie wore a full Gi with Jimmerson in boxing trunks and only one glove on. The fighters spent some time in the stand up with Gracie missing several kicks changing the spacing of the fight. Finally, Gracie landed a double leg take down and assumed a full mount. Jimmerson tapped out with no damage done to him. Jimmerson had absolutely no ground skills and the one glove prohibited him from trying to push Gracie off.

Official Decision: Royce Gracie won in the 1st round advancing to the semi-finals

4th Bout: Ken Shamrock a 220lb Shootfighting Champion vs. Patrick Smith a 217lb Tae Kwon Do Champion:

Shamrock was already well known in combat sport circles at the time of the event having a record of 24-3-2. He was one of the few competitors who were well versed in submission disciplines having competed regularly in the famed Pancrase tournaments. Both Bill Wallace and Jim Brown predicted this to be the fight of the night. The hometown favorite Smith, was a 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He was announced to have a career record of an unbelievable 250-0. The action began quickly with a lock up and quick take down by Shamrock. Smith went into full guard, which was rare in this tournament, and held Shamrock in control. Shamrock attempted an ankle lock while Smith landed several elbows to Shamrock’s chin. Ken eventually locked the ankle forcing Smith to tap out. Shamrock stood over Smith in typical Ken Shamrock fashion which resulted in Smith jumping to his feet wanting more. Brian Kilmeade asked Shamrock how this match compared to the Pancrase events in Japan, Shamrock replied easier because he doesn’t know any submissions. Almost everything has changed in the world of mixed-martial arts but Ken Shamrock hasn’t changed one bit.

Official Decision: Shamrock won in the 1st round advancing to the semi-finals to face Royce Gracie

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UFC 1 SEMI-FINALS: Gerard Gordeau vs. Kevin Rosier:

Gordeau entered the semi-finals with a broken hand while Rosier had a cut on his right eye. Gordeau quickly landed several kicks to Rosier’s legs and knocked him to the ground with several strikes. Gordeau was patient with Rosier on the ground, looking for openings. Gerard picked his spots and landed several strikes which caused Rosier’s corner to quickly throw in the towel. In the post fight interview, Rosier revealed he only trained 3 weeks prior to the event and the thin air in Denver affected his conditioning especially competing twice within 45 minutes.

Official Decision: Gerard Gordeau advances to the finals

UFC 1 SEMI-FINALS: Royce Gracie vs. Ken Shamrock:

This bout was labeled a fight between two submission fighters. Gracie entered the Octagon unscathed while Shamrock had a cut on his right eye. Shamrock was ripped at 220lbs while Gracie looked like a normal guy at 180lbs. The eye test would have certainly resulted in predicting an easy Shamrock victory. Royce immediately shot for a takedown in which Shamrock defended. Ken assumed the top position but Royce rolled Shamrock and landed on top. Gracie grabbed a choke from behind in which Shamrock clearly tapped four times but incredibly the referee didn’t see it. Royce let the choke go and exclaimed to the ref that Shamrock tapped. Gracie was infuriated screaming in Shamrock’s ear. Finally the referee agreed and called a stop to the action. In true Gracie style, Royce walked to Shamrock and shook his hand. The fighters were gracious as they exited the Octagon. In the post fight interview, Shamrock admitted it was his first time facing a jiu-jitsu practitioner.

Official Decision: Royce Gracie advances to the finals to face Gerard Gordeau for the 1st UFC title

UFC 1 Championship: Royce Gracie vs. Gerard Gordeau:

Prior the start of the event, the great Helio Grace was honored in the Octagon. Rorian Gracie read the accomplishments of Helio including 65 years in Jiu-Jitsu and gave him a plaque. Helio spoke to the crowd and thanked them for being in the event.

Gordeau looked very impressive in his two victories landing wicked combination of knees and punches. Gracie had dominated his first two opponents on the ground. Early in the 1st round, Gracie faked a leg kick and quickly shot in grabbing a leg. Gordeau fought off the takedown momentarily until Gracie took him to the ground and grabbed a full mount position. Gordeau manged to battle Gracie and grabbed a side headlock. Gracie quickly rolled out of the headlock and grabbed Gerard’s back. Gracie swiftly grabbed a RNC forcing Gordeau to tap out early in the 1st round. In the post fight interview, Royce quickly thanked his brother and all of his family for teaching him jiu-jitsu. A proud Helio Gracie looked on with a smile. When Kilmeade asked Royce what he was going to do with the money, Royce smiled and said he was going to Disney Land.

Official Decision: The legend was born as Royce Gracie defeated a heavier opponent in all three contests to claim the first UFC Championship and a prize check of $50,000.

UFC 1 Fight Results:

• Royce Gracie defeats Gerard Gordeau via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) @ 1:45 - UFC 1 Championship

• Gerard Gordeau defeats Kevin Rosier by TKO (Corner Stoppage) @ 1:03 - UFC 1 Semifinals

• Royce Gracie defeats Ken Shamrock by GI Choke @ 0:57 - UFC 1 Semifinals

• Gerard Gordeau defeats Teila Tuli by TKO (Referee Stoppage) @ 0:30

• Kevin Rosier defeats Zane Frazier by TKO (Corner Stoppage) @ 4:18

• Royce Gracie defeats Art Jimmerson via Submission @ 2:18.

• Ken Shamrock defeats Patrick Smith via Submission (Heel Hook) @ 1:51

• Jason DeLucia defeats Trent Jenkins via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) @ 0:52 - Alternate Bout