|
8. Matt Serra def. Georges St. Pierre, UFC 69, April 19, 2007: There are upsets and then there is Matt Serra knocking out Georges St. Pierre for the UFC welterweight title. If there's anything that mixed martial arts has proven, it's that an upset can happen to anyone - no matter how great - at any time. And more than any other contest, this fight is the reason. Coming off a victory in the fourth season of "The Ultimate Fighter," Serra had earned a title shot as per the show's stipulation for that season's "Comeback" theme. But, with St. Pierre, regarded as one of the sport's top-five pound-for-pound fighters, standing in front of him, Serra was a more-than 10-1 underdog. Even in their eventual rematch - one that St. Pierre dominated - Serra entered as a significant underdog, influencing even more how little hope fight pundits and fans alike put in the Long Islander winning the first encounter. But on this day, Serra had magic in his fists and a title belt wrapped around his waist after an improbable first-round knockout triumph. It was the greatest upset in UFC history. Not to mention, the defeat unleashed St. Pierre's utter brilliance, which he's since shown in a string of one-sided victories as he's become the prototype of what an all-around MMA fighter should and will be. 7. Frank Shamrock def. Tito Ortiz, UFC 22, Sept. 24, 1999: During the so-called "Dark Ages" of the UFC, when sanctioning states were as hard to come by as notoriety, the younger Shamrock was one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. And as those "Dark Ages" carried on, it was largely Ortiz - cocky, dominating and charismatic - who carried the UFC through them. But on this night, Shamrock was at his best in a middleweight title fight seen by few, but championed by all who did. Ortiz was a force, but Shamrock was a cunning fighter with unmatched cardio, who let the younger fighter use his strengths against him. After initial dominance by the "Huntington Beach Bad Boy," Shamrock slowly began to take control before winning a fight that never lacked drama and excitement with a fourth-round tour de force that saw Ortiz tap out due to strikes. It was Shamrock's final fight under the UFC banner, but, perhaps most importantly, it turned Ortiz into a fighter who was prepared to fight for as long and as hard as needed be. That fighter would become the next UFC's next superstar, likely when the organization needed one most. 6. Ken Shamrock draws with Royce Gracie, UFC 5, April 7, 1995: The UFC's inaugural Hall of Famers, Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie are forever linked as MMA pioneers. But at a time when they were undoubtedly the industry's two most polarizing figures, Gracie's quick victory over Shamrock at UFC 1 served only as an appetizer for the fight that everyone wanted to see. But for reason after reason - usually injury after injury - neither found the other in the UFC tournament. So the UFC's first Superfight was set. For more than 35 minutes, the rivals battled. It ended in a draw with the rivals embracing. It was the fight everyone wanted, the two biggest stars at their best against each other. In addition, it paved the way for the UFC in terms of doing away with one-night tournaments, implementing time-limits and judges. In the early days of the ever-changing UFC, this was a fight that buoyed tradition and displayed the best of the best at their pinnacle. 5. Tito Ortiz def. Ken Shamrock, UFC 40, Nov. 22, 2002: In the infant days of the UFC, Ken Shamrock was its most charismatic star. But as the sport became inundated with negative press and was saddled with sanctioning troubles, Shamrock moved on to World Wrestling Entertainment. When Zuffa, LLC , the UFC‘s parent company, took over the organization in 2001, Shamrock eventually returned. With him came a blood feud with the reigning UFC light-heavyweight champion, Tito Ortiz. Brought together after a media storm that saw the two trade memorable barbs, it was a showdown between then and now, with two combatants drawn together by genuine animosity, climaxing with the most appealing main event for casual fans possible.
"It was huge," UFC President Dana White said. "It was our first mega fight."
It saw a bloodied and battered Shamrock fight valiantly against his younger foe, but, ultimately, Ortiz was at his dominating prime and the "Bad Boy" prevailed with a stoppage victory.
|
Newswire 
