To combat the "total", "full", "extreme", "free" ... (As names), there are a multitude of organizations (as in many other disciplines), but two tournaments have been really successively the ultimate reference:
- first Ultimate Fighting Championship (held mainly in the U.S.)
- and the Pride Fighting Championship (in Japan).
the rate of several tournaments a year, then separate fights, the UFC has designated several great champions and especially verified the effectiveness of different disciplines in real combat. These were not those that were expecting!
The first winner surprised everyone. Royce Gracie, an expert in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has an elongated template (1m86, 80 kg) and wearing a judogi, enters the octagon accompanied by the entire clan Gracie. He won UFC 1 (November 1993) without being injured or tired, even flying in the final (on throttle) the World Heavyweight Champion 1989 French Boxing: Dutchman Gerard Gordeau.
The first winner surprised everyone. Royce Gracie, an expert in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has an elongated template (1m86, 80 kg) and wearing a judogi, enters the octagon accompanied by the entire clan Gracie. He won UFC 1 (November 1993) without being injured or tired, even flying in the final (on throttle) the World Heavyweight Champion 1989 French Boxing: Dutchman Gerard Gordeau.
Royce Gracie repeats its feat few months later (March 1994), UFC 2, flying in the final (for submission on ground strikes) in U.S. Pat Smith ( 1.90m, nearly 100 kg) yet one of the best kick-boxers in the world. Everyone is surprised. But What is this martial art in which combatants operating on the ground and submit their opponents by arm locks and chokes?
Royce Gracie, master of the octagon
In UFC 3 (September 1994), although the winner of his fight against the titanic Kimo Leopoldo (1m85, 115 kg) , Royce Gracie must forfeit the rest of the competition. Sold out! It's Nin-Jitsu expert, Steve Jennum, benefiting from the windfall to record briefly his name in the history of this competition.
Steve Jennum
In December 1994, Royce Gracie still undefeated, won his third title this time flying in the final (strangulation) and an experienced wrestler samboïste U.S.: Dan Severn (1m88, 113 kg). But we feel that the effect of surprise (ground fighting) begins to fade. The Brazilian remains the master of the bids but the soil also appears to be suitable for massive specialists Freestyle.
Dan Severn Royce Gracie against
The year 1995 was perhaps a turning point. While his brother Rickson Gracie prints the same domination over Japanese fighters (at "Japan Vale Tudo '1994 and 1995) and his cousin Renzo Gracie will be in October of that year to beat former world champion full-contact boxing and professional James Warring (at the" World Fighting Championship " ), Royce Gracie accepts the challenge of Ken Shamrock (1m83, 98 kg): a single battle, as in play this game (called "super-fight" as it is used also in Abu Dhabi) takes place in the UFC 5 April 1995. The result is a "draw" but Ken Shamrock (also "King of Pancrase" in Japan since December 1994) claims to be the new champion Royce stopped since then compétition.Il are still at a tournament this UFC 5. Dan Severn will beat Canadian Dave Beneteau, wrestling and judo. This victory made him the next title contender
Rickson Gracie
Ken Shamrock
In UFC 6 (July 1995), in the absence of Royce Gracie became "too expensive" for the organizers, Ken Shamrock defeated Dan Severn by throttling "by guillotine. A classic wrestler beaten by a younger who master bids from the Pancrase (a style invented in Japan by the former Masakatsu Funaki wrestler). It is the emergence of styles hybrides.Dans the tournament, the Russian Oleg Taktarov (1m83, 95 kg) (also world champion in Sambo, and future movie star) that beats David "Tank" Abbot by strangulation.
Oleg Taktarov, Hollywood actor and samboïste
In the UFC 7 (September 1995), a new Brazilian needed in the tournament. Yet this is not a specialist in Jiu-Jitsu. It is produced from Muay Thai and then created his own style (the Ruas Vale Tudo) by incorporating many techniques including those of Luta Livre. Marco Ruas (1m85, 95 kg) beat in the final "Polar Bear" Paul Varelans (2m05, 140 kg) jambes.Dans strikes to the "super-fight", title game, Ken Shamrock and Oleg Taktarov make game zero.
Marco Ruas
Finally in 1995, promoters of the UFC decided to organize an "Ultimate Ultimate" brings together all the finalists and winners of previous tournaments. In the absence of Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn is won in the final against Oleg Taktarov (the latter having defeated Marco Ruas in the semifinals on a controversial decision of the judges). This second victory in a tournament in the UFC, Severn restores the right to face Ken Shamrock for the title.
In February 1996 has held the UFC 8. The traditional tournament was won by Don Frye (an expert Freestyle also professional boxing) won by submission in the final against Gary Goodridge (world champion of arm wrestling ... "and also an expert Kuk Sool Won, a Korean martial art). In the title fight, Ken Shamrock prefer to meet Kimo Leopoldo, the Hawaiian who had given such a hard time with Royce Gracie, rather than granting immediately revenge in Severn. Shamrock wins by a key early knee.
Don Frye, wrestler and boxer
Ken Shamrock against Kimo Leopoldo
UFC 9 May 1996 exception to the rule. There is no tournament. Unique fighting but with prestigious names like Mark Schultz, former Olympic champion in 1984 and double world champion in 1985 and 87 Freestyle! Don Frye Bitteti it confronts Amaury (recent first world champion "all categories" of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the martial art popularized by Royce Gracie). The tactics used (do not go to the ground, an area of excellence Jiu-Jitsu) pay. With his mastery of the Fight Boxing and strong English, Frye is better than Shamrock (who had succeeded as a draw) against the prodigious Brazilian. As for the title fight, Dan Severn will upset the odds by getting the judges' decision victory against Ken Shamrock.
Dan Severn won the UFC title against Ken Shamrock at the age of 42 years (and is still active in 2007, aged 53 )
In July 1996, returns to the formula of the tournament. World-class wrestlers keep coming. In this UFC 10, the muscular Mark Coleman (1m85, nearly 110 kg, Vice World Champion Freestyle 1991) won the final against Don Frye (strikes on the ground).
Mark Coleman Mark Coleman
relaunches its victorious path in the UFC 11 in September 1996, this time against Brian Johnston. Each time, the tactic used is the same: to bring the opponent down while remaining in a strong position (above) and then hammer blows to the surrender or knockout. Where the Brazilians master technicians promotes flexibility, the American wrestlers responded by force: the "ground'n'pound. Coleman won the right to face Severn for the title of the UFC. But first, the promoters of the UFC hold a second "Ultimate Ultimate" in December 1996. Alas, still no Royce Gracie (though triple winner of the event) or Coleman or Severn (who will compete in title game in a few months). In fact, few winners of the previous part. Ken Shamrock is there but is injured in the first round. In the final, Don Frye defeated David "Tank" Abbott by submission (choke). But it will be his last fight before several years. Don Frye (and Ken Shamrock) prefer the professional practice of Catch, Japan, more lucrative and less dangerous.
Mark Coleman Mark Coleman
relaunches its victorious path in the UFC 11 in September 1996, this time against Brian Johnston. Each time, the tactic used is the same: to bring the opponent down while remaining in a strong position (above) and then hammer blows to the surrender or knockout. Where the Brazilians master technicians promotes flexibility, the American wrestlers responded by force: the "ground'n'pound. Coleman won the right to face Severn for the title of the UFC. But first, the promoters of the UFC hold a second "Ultimate Ultimate" in December 1996. Alas, still no Royce Gracie (though triple winner of the event) or Coleman or Severn (who will compete in title game in a few months). In fact, few winners of the previous part. Ken Shamrock is there but is injured in the first round. In the final, Don Frye defeated David "Tank" Abbott by submission (choke). But it will be his last fight before several years. Don Frye (and Ken Shamrock) prefer the professional practice of Catch, Japan, more lucrative and less dangerous.
Don Frye
UFC 12: we are in February 1997. Mark Coleman became the new champion by defeating Dan Severn by throttling "by guillotine. In the tournament (which is now used to designate future challengers), Brazil returned to its former glory with a phenomenon: Vitor Belfort. This young fighter 1m83 for 90 kg (or more) combined English boxing (it's a puncher with both fists) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Carlson Gracie school. He beat Scott Ferrozzo by KO in the final.
Mark Coleman
Vitor Belfort
In UFC 13 in May 1997, Randy Couture (1m85, 102 kg), another world-class wrestler (from the Greco-Roman Wrestling) won the tournament, beating Steven Graham in the final. Vitor Belfort, wait, is opposed to David Abbott puts it quickly KO.
Randy Couture UFC 14 In July 1997, the impressive Mark Kerr (1m85, over 115 kg) (also a former winner of the World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling 1994) crushes the tournament final beating another wrestler Daniel Bobish. In parallel, Mark Coleman delivers his title against Maurice Smith (1m88, 100kg) former world champion kickboxing (record for victories in the discipline title game: 28!). Coleman, like any wrestler or jiu-jitsuka hand batter facing a heavily favored, but "Mo" Smith creates a big surprise and wins the judges' decision.
Maurice Smith overtook Mark Coleman
In October 1997, at UFC 15, Mark Kerr wins his second straight tournament final by beating Dwayne Cason (strangulation). Maurice Smith, rather than confront or Belfort Couture, UFC 12 winners and 13, is opposed to the charismatic bearded David "Tank" Abbott. He easily forced to retire on strikes. And in the fight for the place of official challenger for the title, Randy Couture creates a stir by beating Vitor Belfort at its own game: victory by KO in the standing position.
Mark Kerr "The Titan"
At the same time, another event has been born in Japan's Pride Fighting Championship. It will supplant the Ultimate Fighting Championship American who will become in future a springboard to its Japanese counterpart. The fight featured sees victory by armbar Rickson Gracie in (1m78, 84 kg, master of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, supposedly undefeated in 460 fights) on the Japanese wrestling star Nobuhiko Takada (1m85, 94 kg). In the first UFC, the fighters were often subject specialists. Today, "free fight" is available in Japanese and its fighters have become "generalists".
Rickson Gracie
ultimate symbolic gesture for the UFC who feels that the tide has turned: Ultimate Japan in December 1997. The tournament saw the victory of former Japanese wrestler Kazushi Sakuraba (1m80, 83 kg) jiu-jitsuka Marcus "Conan" Silvera by armbar. Sakuraba beat a Brazilian on his own turf ... and this is just the beginning! As for the title fight, the wrestler Randy Couture to fight, by decision of the judges, kick-boxer Maurice Smith (making a title fight in the UFC since it monopolizes the withdrawal of Royce Gracie).
Randy Couture
Kazushi Sakuraba
In Japan, Rickson Gracie, who made known the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at two wins in the Japan Vale Tudo of 1994 and 95 just like his brother Royce had done in the United States. But must wait for the Pride Grand Prix 2000 for another major tournament means a new champion finally undeniable. Meanwhile, they are fighting unique decorate these great events of mixed martial arts. Moreover, organizations are developing competing (the Rings, Shooto, Pancrase on, etc.) without stealing the spotlight at Pride FC. All great champions come to Japan including Randy Couture (freshly champion UFC) will fight to them by Enson Inoue (Shooto champion).
In January 2000 ("Opening Round") and then in May of the same year ("Final"), the Pride Grand Prix brings together 16 of the best fighters in the world in all disciplines. This is an opportunity for Royce Gracie (triple winner of the UFC) making his return after five years of absence at the highest level. But there are also two double winners of the prestigious American tournament: the wrestlers Mark Coleman and Mark Kerr (the latter being the favorite). We must also mention the Ukrainian Igor Vovchanchyn (world record with 5 wins tournaments "free fight") and the Japanese Kazushi Sakuraba soon to be nicknamed the "Gracie Hunter". This fabulous Pride Grand Prix is full of surprises and crown undisputed champion. Royce sells jet the sponge (exhaustion) after 1:30 cons Sakuraba fight. Kerr is experiencing a physical failure when he dominated his opponent Japanese Kazuyuki Fujita. Sakuraba in turn leaves (exhaustion) and finally against Vovchanchyn, Mark Coleman, the wrestler who beat Igor Vovchanchyn in the final, kick-boxeur.Coleman will defend his title only once, when 13 of Pride March 2001, facing the Brazilian Allan Goes. He will KO blow it by hammering after knee pressed to the ground. Just like against Vovchanchyn.
Mark Coleman, the first winner of the Pride Grand Prix
Then comes the advent of one of the greatest champions of the last ten years. In September 2001, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira said "Minotauro" (1m90, 105 kg), an expert in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (World medalist), but also very strong in Muay Thai (including practicing with Peter Aerts) and Freestyle, delights the title to Mark Coleman at Pride 16, thanks to its favorite technique: the triangle choke. "Minotauro" will defend his title many times, facing all kinds of opponents (measuring up to 2m12 like karate and Dutch Semmy Schilt pancraciaste and weighing up to 170 kg of muscle, as the American footballer Bob Sapp): Heath Herring, Enson Inoue, Sanae Kikuta, Bob Sapp, Semmy Schilt and finally Dan Henderson (the only one who had beaten Nogueira ago, when the first "King of Kings" in 1999 organized by the Rings) .
Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira, capable of defeating any template
Pride Not until the 25th of March 2003 for the Brazilian Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira lost his title (on judges decision) against the Russian Fedor Emelianenko (1m83, 106 kg) (also triple world champion in Sambo Fighting-last title in 2005 - and winner Cup European Judo with Russia). The Russian prints the same dominance over the "mixed martial arts" than Nogueira before him. Since the conquest of the title, he 'wins and one wonders when his reign will end. To date, its victims are called: Egidijus Valavicius, Kazuyuki Fujita, Gary Goodridge, Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman, Naoya Ogawa (although quadruple world champion Judo), Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (in two stages: the first battle concluded on a " no contest due to a clash of heads, then victory over judges' decision in December 2004), winning by TKO (Doctor Stoppage) cons the only one who had beaten him (on break) Tsuyoshi Kohsaka; then win on points against his most dangerous challenger the last two years Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic victory by submission (strikes on) against Wagner da Conceicao Martins solid called "Zuluzinho" (2m, nearly 180 kg), again success against Mark Coleman in December 2006 against Mark Hunt (champion 2001 K1 Grand Prix). Early 2007: victory against Matt Lindland (Olympic medalist in wrestling).
Fedor Emelianenko
Along with title defenses by Fedor Emelianenko, Pride FC organizes several tournaments:
- Grand Prix 2003, reserved for "less than 93 kg," where Brazilian Wanderlei Silva knocked out in the final American Quinton "Rampage" Jackson;
- Grand Prix 2004, reserved for "heavyweights", where Fedor Emelianenko confirmed his supremacy at the expense of former champion Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira ;
- Grand Prix 2005, reserved for "less than 93 kg 'where training partner Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio" Shogun "Rua avenges his friend by knocking out Ricardo Arona in the finals;
- then the Grand Prix 2006" All Categories "won by Croatian Mirko" Cro Cop "Filipovic against American Josh Barnett (also former champion of the UFC and Pancrase).
Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic or return to the top experts in sports percussion ( Muay Thai and kickboxing)
The Dutch, leading specialists in boxes fists feet (11 victories in 14 editions of the K1 Grand Prix), and especially the Brazilians, leading experts bid on the ground (7 titles in "all categories "or" super-fight "over 11 possible Abu Dhabi), are invaluable in the "mixed martial arts."
But we also rely on U.S. nationals (Americans) who generally have a great background in Wrestling (Greco-Roman or free) and Russian, Sambo experts, not to mention the Japanese (especially in smaller weight classes), which hence the Catch, have long since undertaken to synthesize different styles ("Shootfighting", "Pancrase", "Shooto" "Rings Submission Fighting" is only a few of their new martial arts).
The question now emerging is as follows: among all the combat sports and martial arts to have been represented in the interdisciplinary competitions, which one (or which ones) that have proven most effective?
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