UFC 22: What happened when Frank Shamrock defended the Middleweight Championship versus Tito Ortiz?
UFC 22 held on September 24, 1999, hosted a big-time main event between seemingly invincible Middleweight Champion, Frank Shamrock and his dominant challenger, Tito Ortiz.
The headline clash that went four rounds was the best fight UFC had put on at that point in time by some considerable margin.
Ortiz started the quicker putting Shamrock on his back twice and landing some nice shots as he did so. Shamrock recovered somewhat and managed to return to his feet before Ortiz took him down again to end round one.
The second followed much the same formula with Ortiz taking Shamrock down but the champion being active from his guard, landing some punches.
So too in the third and fourth but as Ortiz noticeably began to tire, in the longest match of his career, Shamrock smelled blood from his back and worked relentlessly to secure a submission and pounded away at Ortiz with punches and elbows. When Shamrock escaped to his feet, he smashed Ortiz with a combination. Ortiz attempted the take-down again but Shamrock caught him with a guillotine. After more grappling, the champion finally secured the win when his unanswered punches caused Ortiz to tap out. Shamrock remained Middleweight Champion.
The truly breathtaking fight that looked very much like it was Ortiz's for the longest period but the champion spirit and skill of Shamrock to turn it around was incredible to witness.
Shamrock announced his retirement after the fight, which only held true for just over a year. However, he never fought in UFC again.
Elsewhere, Brad Kohler secured his place in UFC history with a truly terrifying knockout. Kohler smashed Steve Judson with a massive right hand which tore Judson's chin open.
So devastating was the punch, an unconscious Judson had difficulty breathing and was rushed to hospital as he was administered oxygen treatment.
Tim Lacjcik and Ron Waterman contested a rare draw in an uneventful fight, notable only for a point deduction for Waterman for a groin strike which ultimately cost him the win.
Matt Hughes in his UFC debut defeated Val Ignatov via Unanimous Decision in a performance that had all the signatures of his later success, such as huge bodyslams, knees, forearms and take-downs. This was just about as dominant a debut as you are ever likely to see.
The little known John Lewis and Lowell Anderson fought each other in a bout that was pretty even until the final round when Lewis nailed Anderson with knees which saw Anderson flee to his corner before eating a big kick from Lewis. Anderson's corner threw in the towel to get their man out of there. Bizarre finish to a fairly lacklustre fight.
Jeremy Horn dominated Jason Godsey and earned a two-minute victory over him when he skilfully locked in an armbar in Godsey's guard. That was all she wrote.
Chuck Liddell began his ascent up the UFC ladder with his first victory on a main card for the promotion.
It was a fight with was more notable for his opponent, Paul Jones's performance as Jones completely gassed early and when he got cut, the referee decided to stop the bout and award a TKO victory to Liddell. Underwhelming finish then to this encounter.
Effectively, UFC 22 was a one match show with the classic Shamrock versus Ortiz encounter a must see for anyone who has not already done so.
The card has some historic value too with the debut of UFC legend, Matt Hughes.