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By: Chris Park, MMATorch UK Specialist
This Saturday night at UFC 118, two legends of combat sports will come together in one of the most intriguing clashes of styles in many years. Former IBF Boxing World Champion James “Lights Out” Toney, will make his MMA debut against one of the most decorated fighters in the history of the sport, Randy “The Natural” Couture.
Boston, Massachusetts will be the stage as the question that has been asked for so long will finally have an answer: Can a strict boxer really cut it in Mixed Martial Arts at a high level?
With James Toney having competed in over 80 professional boxing matches - without ever being stopped - it is clear his boxing legacy is intact; but when faced with an Olympic Greco Roman Wrestler in the form of Randy Couture, it is fair to say that Toney is facing the most daunting task of his career.
Both men are respected worldwide, and have both achieved so much in their respective careers, but only one can come out on top in Boston. The differences between their fighting styles are exactly what this entire sport was built on. The Boxer vs. The Wrestler. Jui Jitsiu vs. Shoot-Fighting and Kick-Boxing vs. Sumo Wrestling were just some of the great style matchups that launched the UFC back in 1993.
With such a clash of styles in Saturday night’s co-main event, it seems appropriate to look back to where it all began and relive five of the best matchups from the night that history was made. November 12, 1993 in Denver, Colorado, fighters from all walks of life came together with one common goal: to win The Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Gerard Gordeau (Kick-Boxing) vs. Teila Tuli (Sumo Wrestling)
The first ever UFC fight was between Dutch Savate Champion Gerard Gordeau and Sumo Wrestler Teila Tuli as the eight-man tournament started with a bang.
An aggressive looking Tuli stalked Gordeau, looking to impose his significant weight advantage. As Tuli charged Gordeau to the cage, the Hawaiian stumbled to the floor. Gordeau then moved in and caught Tuli with a devastating round-house kick to the face that sent several of the Sumo star’s teeth spiraling into the crowd.
A follow up strike saw the referee step in and call time-out. Tuli clearly wanted the fight to continue, but after the time-out and several minutes of confusion in Tuli’s corner, the referee confirmed that the fight was over and that Gordeau would now advance.
Zane Frasier (Karate) vs. Kevin Rosier (Kick-Boxing)
Standing at 6'6", Zane Frasier, the four-time international Karate Champion, drew three-time Kick-Boxing World Champion Kevin Rosier in the second fight of the tournament.
Rosier started well, catching Frasier with an over-hand right before the fight worked its way into the clinch. A low blow turned the tide in favour of Frasier, who landed some very heavy uppercuts against the cage.
Rosier absorbed all of the shots his opponent could throw. Once Frasier looked to have punched himself out, the Kick-Boxing Champion came back with a combination that dropped the exhausted Frasier.
A brutal stomp to Frasier’s head landed perfectly, and as several more came in, so did the white towel, as Frasier’s corner decided that they had seen enough.
Although this fight contained very little Karate, or Kick-Boxing for that matter, it was a very exciting showdown which ended up being more like a back-yard brawl, with Kevin Rosier advancing to the semi-finals.
Royce Gracie (Jiu Jitsu) vs. Art Jimmerson (Boxing)
The memory of Art Jimmerson competing at UFC 1, while wearing a single Boxing glove, is one of the most iconic images of early UFC. Jimmerson, a former amateur National Golden Gloves Champion, competed only one time in the UFC, and it was this fight with master Royce Gracie in the first round of the eight-man tournament.
As far as contrasting styles go this is about as far apart as two fighters could be, with the Brazilian bringing his family’s “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu,” while Jimmerson brought his Boxing pedigree. Wearing just one glove to protect his leading left hand, Jimmerson looked like a fish out of water as he was taken down by Gracie with relative ease. Once Gracie moved to a more dominant position the Boxer tapped the mat repeatedly until the referee stopped the fight.
Jimmerson was in no pain, that was evident, but he was in a place he had never been before. Pinned to the mat, struggling to breathe, Jimmerson was being smothered by Gracie. As soon as the realisation of where he was set in, fear flooded the Boxers mind and he took the way out handing Royce Gracie a clear path to the semi-finals.
Ken Shamrock (Shoot-Fighting) vs. Royce Gracie (Jiu-Jitsu)
As Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie met in the second round of the tournament, many had hoped that this fight would have been the final as Gracie next matched up with the former King of Pancrase.
In an absolute whirl-wind of a fight, Gracie immediately shot for the take down which was stuffed by Shamrock. Gracie dragged the fight back down to the ground and landed hard heel strikes to the kidney of Shamrock.
As Shamrock went for a leg he gave up his back, and in a flash Gracie locked in a choke hold that left Shamrock repeatedly tapping on the mat. The referee didn’t see the tap and Gracie released the hold. But like the true sportsman that Ken Shamrock is, he held his hands up and admitted he had tapped.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu had now overcome both Boxing and Shoot-Fighting within the hour, and now a 6'5" Kick-Boxer was waiting for the Brazilian in the tournament final.
Royce Gracie (Jiu-Jitsu) vs. Gerard Gordeau (Kick-Boxing)
The final of the first Ultimate Fighting Championship came down to Dutch Kick-Boxer Gerard Gordeau and Jiu-Jitsu expert Royce Gracie as the battle for the $50,000 prize came to its climax.
Gracie immediate shot and tied Gordeau up, clinching him against the cage. The Brazilian’s persistence paid off as he managed to get his much larger opponent to the ground and take the full mount position.
Gracie softened the Dutchman up with forearms and head-butts, and as Gordeau tried to escape he gave up his back and Gracie pounced. Sinking in a deep choke, Gordeau tapped and continued to do so while Gracie gripped and held on to the choke for several seconds after the referee called the fight off.
Royce Gracie and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu were victorious as the very first Ultimate Fighting Championship came to its conclusion. 17 years on, and with Royce a member of the prestigious UFC Hall Of Fame, Jiu-Jitsu is still one of, if not the most crucial aspect in Mixed Martial Arts
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Chris Park is the MMATorch UK Specialist and guest columnist at ESPN.co.uk. Please email any comments or questions to Chris at; mmatorchuk@gmail.com or look us up at http://www.facebook.com/mmatorchuk2 our new MMATorch Facebook home for UK Fans!
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