UFC Japan: Ultimate Japan
UFC Japan: Ultimate Japan | ||||
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Information | ||||
Promotion | Ultimate Fighting Championship | |||
Date | December 21, 1997 | |||
Venue | Yokohama Arena | |||
City | Yokohama, Japan | |||
Attendance | 5,000 | |||
Event chronology | ||||
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UFC Japan: Ultimate Japan (also known as UFC Ultimate Japan or UFC 15.5) was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on December 21, 1997, in Yokohama, Japan. The event was seen on pay per view in the United States, on cable TV in Japan, and was later released on home video.
History
The event featured a four-man heavyweight tournament, the first ever UFC Middleweight Championship bout, a Heavyweight Championship bout, a Superfight and an alternate bout. Ultimate Japan 1 featured the first UFC appearance of MMA legends Kazushi Sakuraba and Frank Shamrock.
The event was the first appearance of longtime UFC announcer
Sakuraba's Tale
In an attempt to gain attention for the Japanese
Following a barrage of blows by Silveira, Sakuraba dropped for a low-single, only for the fight to be prematurely ended on a KO. Referee John McCarthy had mistakenly thought Sakuraba to have been knocked out. A loud protest followed from the crowd and an angry Sakuraba attempted unsuccessfully to take the microphone and address the Japanese audience. However, after reviewing tape, McCarthy changed his decision to a no-contest. Tank Abbott, who had earlier defeated Yoji Anjo, dropped from the tournament due to an injured hand, leaving Sakuraba and Silveira to face off once more that night in what would be the championship bout of the tournament. This time, Sakuraba claimed the victory, submitting Silveira with an armbar. Afterwards, Sakuraba famously stated, "In fact, professional wrestling is strong".
Results
UFC Heavyweight Championship
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Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Heavyweight | Randy Couture | def. | Maurice Smith (c) | Decision (majority) | 1 | 21:00 | [a] |
Heavyweight Tournament Final | |||||||
Heavyweight | Kazushi Sakuraba | def. | Marcus Silveira | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 3:44 | [b] |
Heavyweight bout | |||||||
Heavyweight | Vitor Belfort | def. | Joe Charles | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 4:03 | |
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
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Middleweight | Frank Shamrock | def. | Kevin Jackson | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 0:22 | [c] |
Heavyweight Tournament Semifinals | |||||||
Heavyweight | Kazushi Sakuraba | vs. | Marcus Silveira | No Contest (premature stoppage) | 1 | 1:51 | [d] |
Heavyweight | Tank Abbott | def. | Yoji Anjo | Decision (unanimous) | 1 | 15:00 | [e] |
Heavyweight Alternate bout | |||||||
Heavyweight | Tra Telligman | def. | Brad Kohler | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 10:05 |
- UFC Heavyweight Championship.
- ^ Due to the earlier no-contest, and Tank Abbott bowing out of the tournament, UFC officials ruled that a rematch between Sakuraba and Silveira would serve as the Heavyweight Tournament Finals.
- UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
- ^ Originally Silveira was thought to have knocked out Sakuraba at 1:51, but referee John McCarthy mistakenly stopped the bout early, with Sakuraba in good fighting condition. After a protest, the decision was changed to a no-contest.
- ^ Abbott was unable to continue in the tournament due to a broken hand.
UFC Japan Heavyweight Tournament bracket
Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||
Tank Abbott | DEC | ||||||||
Yoji Anjo | 15:00 | ||||||||
Kazushi Sakuraba1 | SUB | ||||||||
Marcus Silveira | 3:44 | ||||||||
Kazushi Sakuraba | NC | ||||||||
Marcus Silveira | 1:51 |
1 Due to the NC, and Tank Abbott bowing out of the tournament, UFC officials ruled that a rematch between Sakuraba and Silveira would serve as the Heavyweight Tournament Finals.