Best Pre-Zuffa Purchase UFC Fight?
FYI Zuffa ran their first show at UFC 30, two events after SEG secured sanctioning. I thought this would be a good thread to discuss the classic and underappreciated fights that went down before the "modern" era of the UFC. I'll start with one obvious and one not so obvious pick:
Vitor Belfort vs. Randy Couture I - UFC 15: Collision Course
Billed as the co-main event, this match is famously remembered as where Vitor got "exposed", but to me it is special for being the most memorable early UFC fight where someone came in with a brilliant strategy to neutralize and frustrate their opponent. Couture constantly circled away from Belfort and mixed up punches and takedowns to keep him guessing. Despite the expert gameplan, Belfort still looked very game for the first 5 minutes or so and was throwing deadly shots. The point in the fight where Couture begins to unload uppercuts in the pocket is incredible.
Dan Henderson vs. Allan Goes - UFC 17: Redemption
I learned just the other day that Henderson had NO experience sparring going into this fight, and it shows. He uses his raw wrestling ability to drain Goes eventually, but not before eating several big punches and being knocked down at least a couple times. If you don't believe Henderson has an iron jaw, watch this fight.
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