8) Tito Ortiz vs. Evan Tanner
UFC 30 would signal the beginning of a new era as this would be the first event promoted under the new ownership of Zuffa LLC and to mark this occasion than defending champion Tito Ortiz gave us one of the most memorable slams. After some brief work in the clinch, the defending champ picked up the late Evan Tanner and slammed him unconscious 30 seconds into Round 1 before Big John McCarthy stepped in. This would add to the then record number of title defenses for the Light Heavyweight division for ‘The Huntington Beach Badboy’
7) Tim Boetsch vs. David Heath
Stepping in as a late replacement on 10 days’ notice Tim ‘The Barbarian’ Boetsch was determined to make a statement against ‘The Headhunter’ David Heath. After peppering Heath with kicks and punches and Maine native secured the Thai clinch and unleashed a volley of knees and proceeded to violently ragdoll Heath into the fence, following up with punches to get the TKO win.
6) Matt Hughes vs. Carlos Newton 1
Coming off his submission win over Miletich Fighting Systems head coach Pat Miletich and claim to UFC Welterweight gold, Carlos Newton would make his first defense against at UFC 34 against Pat’s protégé Matt Hughes. Newton secured a triangle choke on the MFS fighter and looked on route to another submission win but Hughes proceeded to pick up Newton and slam him onto the canvas knocking him out while at the same time passing out from the submission. Though controversial Hughes would bring back the title to MFS and they would rematch at UFC 38.
5) Gerald Harris vs David Branch
It was wrestler versus Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in this UFC 116 prelim as Renzo Gracie product David Branch would make his debut against Cleveland State University wrestling standout Gerald Harris. Now into the third round Branch was getting desperate trying to secure a flying triangle; after his second attempt failed he opted to close his guard to which the Hurricane jammed his forearm across Branch’s throat and bombed him onto the floor giving him the KO at 2:35 of Round 3.
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4) Frank Shamrock vs Igor Zinoviev
The UFC 16 main event pitted newly crowned UFC Middleweight Champion (under 200lb) against Extreme Fighting Middleweight champion Igor Zinoviev. Just barely 20 seconds into the first round Shamrock shot a double leg on the Russian and slammed him into unconsciousness, marking his first title defense. Igor would suffer a broken collarbone and fractured vertebrae from the slam prompting him to retire from active competition.
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3) Matt Lindland vs Falaniko Vitale
At UFC 43 Falaniko Vitale made his UFC debut against Greco Olympic Silver medallist Matt Lindland in one of the most memorable bouts of both fighters’ careers. Having secured double under hooks Lindland looked to slam Hawaiian native onto the canvas but unfortunately he managed to slam his own head onto the canvas knocking him-self out and giving Vitale the KO win. They would then rematch at UFC 45 where Lindland was able to redeem himself with a victory.
2) Rampage Jackson vs Ricardo Arona
Coming in second place is Quintin ‘Rampage’ Jackson’s bout against three-time ADCC champion Ricardo Arona at Pride Critical Countdown 2004. With 2:40 left in the first round Arona was working to secure a triangle/armbar combination when Rampage responded with the perfect defense, literally picking up Arona like a pillow and slamming him unconscious onto the mat giving him the KO win.
1) Kevin Randleman vs Fedor Emelianenko
I honestly thought we saw the first death in MMA because Kevin threw him on his head so hard.
Frank Trigg said reflecting on what transpired that night at the 2004 Pride Critical Countdown Heavyweight Grand Prix. Kevin Randleman coming off his upset KO of Mirko Cro Cop propelled both himself and Emelianenko into the air spiking the Russian headfirst onto the mat. Not to be outdone Fedor miraculously survived this and then proceeded to sweep the former UFC Heavyweight champion and tap him out with a kimura.
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