UFC 5
Encyclopedia
UFC 5: The Return of the Beast was a mixed martial arts
event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship
on April 7, 1995, at the Independence Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina
. The event was seen live on pay per view in the United States
, and later released on home video
.
format, with the winner receiving $50,000. The event also featured the first ever UFC Superfight, as well as two alternate fights, which were not shown on the live pay-per-view broadcast. The tournament had no weight classes, or weight limits. The fights had to end by knockout or submission; therefore no judges were used.
UFC 5 also introduced the first 'Superfight', which was the first non-tournament singles match in UFC history. The Superfight match was the main attraction, and the winner of this fight would become the reigning UFC Champion. It consisted of rivals Royce Gracie
and Ken Shamrock
facing off in the most anticipated match in UFC history to that date. Up to this point, Ken Shamrock's only defeat was to Royce Gracie in UFC 1. The ring announcer for UFC 5 was his first and only appearance, Ron Jeremy.
UFC 5 was the first UFC event to feature any kind of time limits since UFC 1. A 20 minute time limit was imposed for the quarterfinal and semi-final round matches in the tournament. The finals of the tournament and the Superfight had a 30 minute time limit. The Superfight overran to 31 minutes before incorporating an on the spot decision to extend the fight by a further five minutes. As there was still no winner, the match was declared a draw. The referee
for the night was 'Big' John McCarthy. Dan Severn
won the tournament by defeating Dave Beneteau
with a keylock.
This UFC event was the last with the involvement of Rorion Gracie
, ostensibly because the introduction of new rules had diluted Gracie's (and his family's
) vision for the UFC and vale tudo
fighting. MMA Columnist Steve Cofield also noted that the Gracies left the UFC just as the talent level was beginning to increase. This is debatable, however, considering that many of the Gracies, including Joyce, continued to fight in Japan against similar competition. Gracie and his partner Art Davie later sold WOW Promotions, co-promoters of the event, to WOW's partner, Semaphore Entertainment Group. Royce Gracie
also ended his involvement following Rorion's departure.
.
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 April 7, 1995, at the Independence Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. 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 5 used an eight-man tournamentTournament
A tournament is a competition involving a relatively large number of competitors, all participating in a sport or game. More specifically, the term may be used in either of two overlapping senses:...
format, with the winner receiving $50,000. The event also featured the first ever UFC Superfight, as well as two alternate fights, which were not shown on the live pay-per-view broadcast. The tournament had no weight classes, or weight limits. The fights had to end by knockout or submission; therefore no judges were used.
UFC 5 also introduced the first 'Superfight', which was the first non-tournament singles match in UFC history. The Superfight match was the main attraction, and the winner of this fight would become the reigning UFC Champion. It consisted of rivals Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, a UFC Hall of Famer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. A legend and pioneer in the sport of mixed martial arts, he is widely considered to be the most influential figure in the history of modern MMA.Gracie gained fame for his...
and Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
facing off in the most anticipated match in UFC history to that date. Up to this point, Ken Shamrock's only defeat was to Royce Gracie in UFC 1. The ring announcer for UFC 5 was his first and only appearance, Ron Jeremy.
UFC 5 was the first UFC event to feature any kind of time limits since UFC 1. A 20 minute time limit was imposed for the quarterfinal and semi-final round matches in the tournament. The finals of the tournament and the Superfight had a 30 minute time limit. The Superfight overran to 31 minutes before incorporating an on the spot decision to extend the fight by a further five minutes. As there was still no winner, the match was declared a draw. The referee
Referee
A referee is the person of authority, in a variety of sports, who is responsible for presiding over the game from a neutral point of view and making on the fly decisions that enforce the rules of the sport...
for the night was 'Big' John McCarthy. 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...
won the tournament by defeating Dave Beneteau
Dave Beneteau
Dave "Dangerous" Beneteau is a retired Canadian mixed martial artist who is best known for his appearances in the Ultimate Fighting Championship....
with a keylock.
This UFC event was the last with the involvement of Rorion Gracie
Rorion Gracie
Rorion Gracie is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and instructor, a prominent member of the Gracie family, and a founder of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the oldest son of Hélio Gracie and one of the few people in the world to hold a 9th degree red belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,...
, ostensibly because the introduction of new rules had diluted Gracie's (and his family's
Gracie family
The Gracie family is a prominent sporting family from Brazil known for their founding of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu . They have been successful in combat sport competitions including mixed martial arts, vale tudo and submission wrestling events...
) vision for the UFC and vale tudo
Vale tudo
Vale tudo are full-contact unarmed combat events, with a limited number of rules, that became popular in Brazil during the 20th century. Vale tudo has been considered a combat sport by some observers...
fighting. MMA Columnist Steve Cofield also noted that the Gracies left the UFC just as the talent level was beginning to increase. This is debatable, however, considering that many of the Gracies, including Joyce, continued to fight in Japan against similar competition. Gracie and his partner Art Davie later sold WOW Promotions, co-promoters of the event, to WOW's partner, Semaphore Entertainment Group. Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, a UFC Hall of Famer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. A legend and pioneer in the sport of mixed martial arts, he is widely considered to be the most influential figure in the history of modern MMA.Gracie gained fame for his...
also ended his involvement following Rorion's departure.
Alternate bouts
Dave BeneteauDave BeneteauDave "Dangerous" Beneteau is a retired Canadian mixed martial artist who is best known for his appearances in the Ultimate Fighting Championship....
vs.
Asbel Cancio
- Beneteau defeated Cancio via TKO (strikes) at 0:21.
- Guy MezgerGuy MezgerGuy Mezger is a retired American martial artist who competed in professional combat sports ranging from full contact karate, kickboxing, and boxing, but is most recognized as a mixed martial arts fighter . He is associated with Lion's Den Dallas...
vs. John Dowdy
- Mezger defeated Dowdy via TKO (strikes) at 2:02.
Quarterfinals
- Jon Hess vs. Andy Anderson
- Hess defeated Anderson via TKO (strikes) at 1:23.
- Todd Medina vs. Larry Cureton
- Medina defeated Cureton via TKO (strikes) at 2:55.
Oleg TaktarovOleg TaktarovOleg Nikolaevich Taktarov is a retired Russian mixed martial artist and actor. He is a practitioner of Sambo and Judo and has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Pride Fighting Championships. Taktarov was the UFC 6 tournament champion and holds notable wins over Marco Ruas and David...
vs. Ernie Verdecia
- Taktarov defeated Verdecia via submission (choke) at 2:24.
- 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...
vs. Joe Charles
- Severn defeated Charles via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:39.
Semifinals
- Dave BeneteauDave BeneteauDave "Dangerous" Beneteau is a retired Canadian mixed martial artist who is best known for his appearances in the Ultimate Fighting Championship....
vs. Todd Medina
- Beneteau defeated Medina via TKO at 2:12. Beneteau replaced Jon Hess, who had broken his hand during his first match.
- 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...
vs. Oleg TaktarovOleg TaktarovOleg Nikolaevich Taktarov is a retired Russian mixed martial artist and actor. He is a practitioner of Sambo and Judo and has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Pride Fighting Championships. Taktarov was the UFC 6 tournament champion and holds notable wins over Marco Ruas and David...
- Severn defeated Taktarov via TKO (cut) at 4:21.
Superfight
- Superfight Championship bout:
Royce GracieRoyce GracieRoyce Gracie is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, a UFC Hall of Famer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. A legend and pioneer in the sport of mixed martial arts, he is widely considered to be the most influential figure in the history of modern MMA.Gracie gained fame for his...
vs. Ken ShamrockKen ShamrockKenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
- Gracie and Shamrock fought to a draw after 36:06 because there were no judges. This was a new record length for a UFC fight.
Finals
- 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...
vs. Dave BeneteauDave BeneteauDave "Dangerous" Beneteau is a retired Canadian mixed martial artist who is best known for his appearances in the Ultimate Fighting Championship....
- Severn defeated Beneteau via submission (keylock) at 3:00 to win the UFC 5 Tournament.
UFC 5 bracket
1Jon Hess was fined $2,000 for fouls committed in his fight. He withdrew with a hand injury, and was replaced by Dave BeneteauDave Beneteau
Dave "Dangerous" Beneteau is a retired Canadian mixed martial artist who is best known for his appearances in the Ultimate Fighting Championship....
.
Sources
- UFC PPV Buys Explode in 2006 (includes information on UFC 5 pay-per-view buys)