UFC 100 took place on July 11th, 2009 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The biggest event in UFC history as far as media exposure and is the highest pay per view buyrate at more than 1.6 million buys. Spike TV also had a 5 part lead in to the event featuring the 100 greatest fights in UFC history. Main event featured a Heavyweight Title Unification bout and rematch between Brock Lesnar and Interim champ Frank Mir. Lesnar was victorious this time around beating Mir by TKO in the 2nd round. The co-main event featured a 2nd title fight between Welterweight champion Georges St.Pierre taking on Thiago Alves, St.Pierre retained his title with a unanimous decision victory but not before he suffered an injury to his groin. Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping faced off in a match between The Ultimate Fighter coaches and it was Henderson getting the best of Bisping with one of the biggest KO's in MMA history. Wins by future champion Jon Jones, a debuting Yoshihiro Akiyama and Jon Fitch also highlighted the event.
UFC 38: Brawl At The Hall took place on July 13th, 2002 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. The first UFC event held in England was headlined by a Welterweight title fight between champion, Matt Hughes and Carlos Newton. A rematch from the previous year Hughes again was able to defeat Newton this time by TKO in the 4th round. Also victorious on the card were Ian Freeman, Mark Weir, Genki Sudo, Babalu Sobral and Evan Tanner.
UFC 21: Return Of The Champions took place on July 16th, 1999 at the Five Seasons Event Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This was the first UFC event to adopt the 10 point must system to judge its bouts. Was also the first event where chamionship bouts were 5, 5 minute rounds. In the main event Maurice Smith defeated Marco Ruas by TKO (corner stoppage) in the 1st round. Pat Miletich retained his Lightweight title by defeating Andre Pederneiras by TKO in the 2nd round.
Other events that took place during this week in history:
UFC 10: The Tournament took place on July 12th, 1996 at the Fairgrounds Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
UFC 6: Clash Of The Titans took place on July 14th, 1995 at the Casper Events Center in Casper, Wyoming.
Birthdays
Brock Lesnar born on July 12th, 1977 in Alexandria, Minnesota
A career record of only 5-2 has not stopped Lesnar from being considered one of the best Heavyweight MMA fighters in the world today. The former WWE star won the UFC title after just his 4th career fight. The highly decorated NCAA wrestler with a career wrestling record of 106-5 was also a 2 time NCAA All-American, 2 time Big Ten Conference Champion and 2000 NCAA Heavyweight champion. Not only did he have a very successful and popular career with the WWE between his amatuer wrestling and MMA career he also tried out for NFL as a member of the Minnesota Vikings as a defensive tackle. Lesnar nearly made the roster for the Vikings being a late cut during the pre-season. Notable wins for Lesnar include Shane Carwin, Frank Mir and Randy Couture.
Kazushi Sakuraba born on July 14th, 1969 in Katagami, Japan
"The Gracie Hunter" is still to this day considered one the most influential mixed martial artists of all time. He got the nickname "Gracie Hunter" after defeating 4 members of the legendary Gracie family, Royler, Renzo, Ryan and most notable Royce. His first bout with Royce took place during the 2000 Pride Grand Prix where modified rules were in place with unlimited 15 minute rounds and no referee stoppages were allowed. 6 rounds and 90 minutes later Royce's corner was forced to throw in the towel after Sakuraba had repeatedly punished Royce's legs with kicks. After that bout a Japanese hero was born. In 2007 Kazushi and Royce faced each other again at a K-1 event, this time Royce was the one with his hand raised winning by decision but after it was revealed Royce tested positive for steroids. in 2007 Sakuraba would face a 5th Gracie at a Dream event when he took on Rorian Gracie's son and Royce's nephew Ralek Gracie, Ralek would get the best of Kazushi winning a decision. With a career record of 26-15-1 and no official announcement of retiring his notable wins could be added to but for now along with the mentioned Gracie wins they are Masakatsu Funaki, Ikuhisa Minowa, Ken Shamrock, Kevin Randleman, Quinton Jackson, Vitor Belfort, and Carlos Newton. Although he was never victorious over Wanderlei Silva in 3 bouts it should be noted those fights were some of the biggest in Pride and MMA history.
Matt Mitrione born on July 15th, 1978 in Springfield, Illinois
"Meathead" is one of MMA's top Heavyweight prospects and has an undefeated record of 5-0. Before MMA, Matt was a former professional football player in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants, he managed to play 2 games while with the Giants while playing college football at Purdue. He was a competitor during season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter while yet to have a professional bout in his career. Notable wins for Mitrione include Christian Morecraft, Joey Beltran and Kimbo Slice.
Also celebrating birthdays this week:
Rolles Gracie Jr born on July 14th, 1978 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Leonard Garcia born on July 14th, 1979 in Plainview, Texas
Wagnney Fabiano born on July 14th, 1975 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Matt Hume born on July 14th, 1966
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