5 best bounce-back title performances in UFC history
Title and non-title fights alike, there is nothing better than a bounce-back performance in the UFC. The octagon is a battleground of uncertainties thanks to its thrill-a-minute barnburners. It is a place where nothing is guaranteed. Since its inception in the 1990s, the promotion has witnessed many fighters come from behind to win.
Understandably, bounce-back performances remain etched in one's memory for longer. It creates a David versus Goliath equation, where one has to go out of their way to win a fight.
Of the many bounce-back title performances in the UFC, here are the five that remain the most memorable.
#5. Frank Shamrock vs. Tito Ortiz at UFC 22
The middleweight title bout between Frank Shamrock and Tito Ortiz at UFC 22 in 1999 was one of the best fights the promotion had seen up until that point.
Sep24.1999
Frank Shamrock puts a halt to Tito Ortiz's title aspirations,
when he forces him into submission from strikes https://t.co/YkhWmUMeDY
In the 1999 Match of the Year, Ortiz took Shamrock down twice in the first round. The champion, meanwhile, displayed tremendous determination as he slipped in a few significant strikes on target. Ortiz was exceptional with his ground-and-pound game, and punished Shamrock from the top position for the first three rounds.
Come the fourth round, 'The People's Champ' started to tire in what was arguably the longest fight of his career. Taking advantage of this, Shamrock went on the offensive. He closed the distance and started landing a swarm of strikes on his opponent. Two minutes into the round, Ortiz took Shamrock down yet again. The champion, however, got back on his feet and retaliated with a few nice combinations.
With less than a minute remaining, 'The People's Champ' shot for a takedown. But Shamrock caught him with a guillotine choke. Although the submission didn't materialize, the damage was already done.
As Ortiz lay on the floor, the middleweight champion got back on his feet and relentlessly hit Ortiz in the back of the head. With 'The People's Champ' not responding to the flurry of punches, the fight was called to an end. Shamrock was eventually announced the winner via TKO.