UFC 12
Encyclopedia
UFC 12: Judgement Day was a mixed martial arts
event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship
on February 7, 1997 at the Dothan Civic Center
in Dothan
, Alabama
. The event was seen live on pay per view in the United States
, and later released on home video
.
The event also featured a Superfight between Dan Severn
and Mark Coleman
. The fight would unify the UFC Superfight Championship with the UFC tournament championship and determine the first ever UFC Heavyweight Champion. Mark Coleman was a late substitution for Don Frye
, who had earned the rematch with Severn after winning the Ultimate Ultimate 1996, but was unable to participate in UFC 12 because of injuries he had suffered in that previous event. Frye never returned to the UFC. "Judgement Day" also featured two alternate bouts in case of tournament injury.
UFC 12 marked the first UFC appearance of Vitor Belfort
, who won the heavyweight tournament and was only 19 years of age. UFC 12 also marked the first appearance of commentator Joe Rogan
, who handled backstage interviews for the event and interviewed the winners of the main events.
After being removed from many pay per view carriers, and with mounting pressure from politicians such as Senator John McCain
, the UFC had continuing troubles finding a venue, and a state, that would host UFC 12. It was first announced that UFC 12 would be held in New York
, to which it was ultimately denied sanctioning rights. Next, it was announced that UFC 12 would be held in Oregon, which soon banned the event. Finally, the UFC returned to Alabama, where it appeared in the small city of Dothan, located about 200 miles southeast of Birmingham.
The UFC would continue to hold events exclusively in Southern US States (aside from occasional shows in Japan and Brazil) until 2001, when the UFC was sanctioned by the New Jersey State Athletic Commission.
who withdrew due to a broken hand.
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
on February 7, 1997 at the Dothan Civic Center
Dothan Civic Center
The Dothan Civic Center is a 3,100-seat multi-purpose arena, in Dothan, Alabama, USA.It hosts local sporting events, including Ultimate Fighting Championship 12, and concerts....
in Dothan
Dothan, Alabama
Dothan is a city located in the southeastern corner of the US state of Alabama, situated approximately west of the Georgia state line and north of Florida. It is the seat of Houston County, with portions extending into nearby Dale County and Henry County...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. The event was seen live on pay per view in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and later released on home video
Home video
Home video is a blanket term used for pre-recorded media that is either sold or rented/hired for home cinema entertainment. The term originates from the VHS/Betamax era but has carried over into current optical disc formats like DVD and Blu-ray Disc and, to a lesser extent, into methods of digital...
.
History
UFC 12 was the first UFC event to feature weight classes; heavyweights (200 lb and over) and lightweights (199 lb and under) battled in two separate mini tournaments, each consisting of two semifinal bouts and a finals match.The event also featured a Superfight between Dan Severn
Dan Severn
Daniel DeWayne Severn is an American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler, notable for his success in the early years of Ultimate Fighting Championship tournaments. Severn has fought and wrestled for many mixed martial arts and professional wrestling promotions, including King of the...
and Mark Coleman
Mark Coleman
Mark Coleman is an American mixed martial artist, professional wrestler, former NCAA collegiate wrestler and former Olympic amateur wrestler. In MMA, he was the UFC 10 and UFC 11 tournament champion, the first Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion, and the Pride Fighting...
. The fight would unify the UFC Superfight Championship with the UFC tournament championship and determine the first ever UFC Heavyweight Champion. Mark Coleman was a late substitution for Don Frye
Don Frye
Donald Frye is a retired American mixed martial artist, actor, and professional wrestler. Frye rose to fame fighting in early Ultimate Fighting Championship events, winning the UFC 8 and Ultimate Ultimate 96 tournaments...
, who had earned the rematch with Severn after winning the Ultimate Ultimate 1996, but was unable to participate in UFC 12 because of injuries he had suffered in that previous event. Frye never returned to the UFC. "Judgement Day" also featured two alternate bouts in case of tournament injury.
UFC 12 marked the first UFC appearance of Vitor Belfort
Vitor Belfort
Vítor Vieira Belfort is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Belfort was born in Rio de Janeiro and studied jiu-jitsu with the Gracie family, namely Carlson Gracie. He received a black belt under Carlson and currently trains with Xtreme Couture, fighting in...
, who won the heavyweight tournament and was only 19 years of age. UFC 12 also marked the first appearance of commentator Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan
Joseph James "Joe" Rogan is an American comedian, video blogger, actor, writer, podcaster, and martial artist. He is best known for his work on NewsRadio, his work as color commentator for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and his hosting work on Fear Factor.-Acting:In 1994, Rogan co-starred on...
, who handled backstage interviews for the event and interviewed the winners of the main events.
After being removed from many pay per view carriers, and with mounting pressure from politicians such as Senator John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
, the UFC had continuing troubles finding a venue, and a state, that would host UFC 12. It was first announced that UFC 12 would be held in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, to which it was ultimately denied sanctioning rights. Next, it was announced that UFC 12 would be held in Oregon, which soon banned the event. Finally, the UFC returned to Alabama, where it appeared in the small city of Dothan, located about 200 miles southeast of Birmingham.
The UFC would continue to hold events exclusively in Southern US States (aside from occasional shows in Japan and Brazil) until 2001, when the UFC was sanctioned by the New Jersey State Athletic Commission.
Results
- Lightweight Tournament Alternate bout:
Nick Sanzo vs. Jackie Lee
- Sanzo defeated Lee via TKO (strikes) at 0:48.
- Heavyweight Tournament Alternate bout: Justin Martin vs. Eric Martin
- Justin Martin defeated Eric Martin via submission (heel hook) at 0:14.
- Lightweight Tournament Semifinals: Jerry BohlanderJerry BohlanderJerry Bohlander is an American former mixed martial artist. He is most notable for his UFC appearances and was a former UFC champion, winning the first lightweight tournament at UFC 12. He was a member of the legendary fight team the Lion's Den alongside other notable fighters such as Ken...
vs. Rainy Martinez
- Bohlander defeated Martinez via submission (choke) at 1:24.
- Lightweight Tournament Semifinals:
Yoshiki TakahashiKazuo TakahashiKazuo Takahashi, ring name Yoshiki Takahashi is a Japanese former mixed martial artist. He has competed in many large MMA promotions, including the UFC, Pancrase, and Pride Fighting Championships. Takahashi is best known for his incredible toughness, heart, and will to win...
vs.
Wallid IsmailWallid IsmailWallid Farid Ismail is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and promoter. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlson Gracie, and is an IVC mixed martial arts world champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champion...
- Takahashi defeated Ismail via decision at 15:00. Takahashi broke his hand during the bout, and was unable to continue in the tournament.
- Heavyweight Tournament Semifinals: Scott FerrozzoScott FerrozzoScott Ferrozzo is a retired American mixed martial artist. He is perhaps best known for his fights in the early days of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.-UFC career:...
vs. Jim Mullen
- Ferrozzo defeated Mullen via TKO (punches) at 8:17.
- Heavyweight Tournament Semifinals: Vitor BelfortVitor BelfortVítor Vieira Belfort is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Belfort was born in Rio de Janeiro and studied jiu-jitsu with the Gracie family, namely Carlson Gracie. He received a black belt under Carlson and currently trains with Xtreme Couture, fighting in...
vs. Tra TelligmanTra TelligmanTracy Telligman is a retired American mixed martial artist and boxer who has fought in Japan, Russia and the USA...
- Belfort defeated Telligman via TKO (cut) at 1:17.
- Lightweight Tournament Finals: Jerry BohlanderJerry BohlanderJerry Bohlander is an American former mixed martial artist. He is most notable for his UFC appearances and was a former UFC champion, winning the first lightweight tournament at UFC 12. He was a member of the legendary fight team the Lion's Den alongside other notable fighters such as Ken...
vs. Nick Sanzo
- Bohlander defeated Sanzo via submission (choke) at 0:35 to win the Lightweight Tournament. Sanzo replaced Takahashi who broke his hand fighting Ismail.
- Heavyweight Tournament Finals: Vitor BelfortVitor BelfortVítor Vieira Belfort is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Belfort was born in Rio de Janeiro and studied jiu-jitsu with the Gracie family, namely Carlson Gracie. He received a black belt under Carlson and currently trains with Xtreme Couture, fighting in...
vs. Scott FerrozzoScott FerrozzoScott Ferrozzo is a retired American mixed martial artist. He is perhaps best known for his fights in the early days of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.-UFC career:...
- Belfort defeated Ferrozzo via TKO (punches) at 0:43 to win the Heavyweight Tournament.
- Heavyweight Championship bout: Mark ColemanMark ColemanMark Coleman is an American mixed martial artist, professional wrestler, former NCAA collegiate wrestler and former Olympic amateur wrestler. In MMA, he was the UFC 10 and UFC 11 tournament champion, the first Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion, and the Pride Fighting...
vs. Dan SevernDan SevernDaniel DeWayne Severn is an American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler, notable for his success in the early years of Ultimate Fighting Championship tournaments. Severn has fought and wrestled for many mixed martial arts and professional wrestling promotions, including King of the...
- Coleman defeated Severn via submission (choke) at 2:57 to become the inaugural UFC Heavyweight Champion.
UFC 12 Lightweight Tournament Bracket
1 Nick Sanzo replaced Yoshiki TakahashiYoshiki Takahashi
Yoshiki Takahashi may refer to:* Yoshiki Takahashi * Kazuo Takahashi, mixed martial artist who is billed as Yoshiki Takahashi for ring purposes...
who withdrew due to a broken hand.