UFC 5: Return of the Beast

Author

Camron Gieschen
October 05, 2022

Setting The Stage:

Date: 04.07.1995

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Venue: Independence Arena

TV Announcers: Bruce Beck, Jim Brown

Ring Announcer: Ron Jeremy (not who you’re thinking about)

Post-Fight Interviews: Jeff Blatnick

Attendance: 6,000

PPV Buys: 260,000

MMA Bouts: 10

Preview:

Heading into its fifth event, the UFC is changing up the format just a bit with Royce Gracie facing off against Ken Shamrock in a “super fight” that will take place independently of the regular tournament. They advertised this matchup as if it was going to happen at UFC 3 and are making sure it takes place here tonight at UFC 5. They have also added a time limit to the bouts; twenty minutes for the quarterfinal/semi-final bouts and thirty minutes for the final and “super fight.”

Fight #1 (Alternate):

Guy Mezger defeats John Dowdy via KO/TKO at 2:02 of Round 1

Fight #2 (Alternate):

Dave Beneteau defeats Asbel Cancio via KO/TKO at 0:21 of Round 1

Fight #3:

Anderson comes into the bout with a self-proclaimed record of 86-0 in bare-knuckle challenge matches, with all 86 by KO. However, Hess comes into the bout with his own fighting style, SAFTA (Scientific Aggressive Fighting Technology of America), and massive size advantage, 10’ taller than Anderson.

The bell rings, and Hess sprints across the octagon, swinging like a madman landing some significant blows on Anderson before finding himself on his back after a wild scramble. On the bottom, it appears that Hess pokes Anderson in the eye (breaking one of the few rules); however, it goes unnoticed by Referee John Mcarthy, and Hess uses it to get back to his feet. When backing up, Hess wastes no time continuing his attacks until McCarthy stops the fight.

Jon Hess defeats Andy Anderson via KO/TKO at 1:23 of Round 1

Fight #4:

Medina is introduced as a friend of Kimo and Joe Son, establishing himself as an immediate heel for the event. He claims to be using the Bruce Lee system of Jeet Kune Do while also saying his best weapons are head butts and elbows. Cureton is a professional kickboxer with 26 wins, 23 by KO, Nicknamed “Thunderfoot” for his devastating kicks.

Though the commentary assured this one would take place on the feet, Medina immediately shoots and lands a single-leg takedown. Cureton has a guillotine choke but, with no grappling background, cannot use it effectively. Medina breaks the lock and immediately starts dropping headbutts that frustrate Cureton. The two trade short shots back and forth until Medina passes the guard and applies forearm pressure to the neck of Cureton until he taps.

Todd Medina defeats Larry Cureton via KO/TKO at 2:55 of Round 1

Fight #5:

The first of many Russians to enter the Octagon is Taktarov, a Sambo and Jiu-jitsu fighter whose skills should serve him well in the Octagon. However, Verdicia, a paramedic by trade, claims his opponent will need the help of him and his friends after the bout. He is a black belt in Kenpo Karate and will need to strike early to keep Taktarov off him.

The fight begins with Verdicia as the aggressor pressing the action. The two end up against the cage, and Taktarov rolls to his back, giving Verdicia control on top. Taktarov holds him in place, controlling the action until Verdicia breaks and is able to land some strikes. Remaining calm, Taktarov establishes a butterfly guard and sweeps Verdicia onto his back straight in a submission that forces him to tap!

Oleg Taktarov defeats Ernie Verdicia via Submission at 2:23 of Round 1

Fight #6:

Dan “the beast” Severn (who the event is named after) makes his way to the cage flexing his National Wrestling Alliance belt. He's sure to be the favorite for the event but has to get past Joe “The Ghetto Man” Charles first. Charles won as an alternate at UFC 4 in record time at fourteen seconds but was never called in off the bench. Severn is coming off the longest loss in UFC history. The two are poised to put on a show!

The fight begins, and Severn shoots and lands a takedown straight away, landing in side control. Severn is able to get off a couple of knees to the head of Charles that get his attention as he squirms to full guard. Severn keeps his foot on the gas, landing short punches to his head & body of Charles. Charles attempts an armbar, but it slips out partly due to the blood coming from his face. Charles then rolls over, giving up his back, and Severn locks in a rear naked choke for the finish!

Dan Severn defeats Joe Charles via Submission at 1:38 of Round 1

Fight #7:

Dave Beneteau (Replacing Jon Hess) vs. Todd Medina

Before the walkouts, it is announced that Jon Hess is injured and cannot continue. Dave Beneteau steps in his place following his 21-second win over Asbel Cancio. Medina comes into the bout sporting a shiner over his left eye that he earned in his previous bout.

The bout begins, and Beneteau shoots for a takedown and lands in side control. Beneteau lands a few headbutts before posturing and landing some heavy blows on Medina and transitioning into full mount! Medina attempts to buck Beneteau off him a few times before Beneteau postures again and rains down shots before John McCarthy steps in to stop the fight.

Dave Beneteau defeats Todd Medina via KO/TKO at 2:12 of Round 1

Fight #8:

By far, the best matchup of the night is set to take place as two highly touted grapplers make their way to the cage. Both men enter relatively fresh and unscathed from their previous bouts. 

The bell rings, and Severn wastes no time initiating a clinch, pressing Taktarov up against the cage and sweeping his leg for a takedown! Severn then lands a knee to the face and a barrage of punches that force Taktarov to roll as Severn follows into half guard. Taktarov is able to get his guard back, but Severn continues his relentless pursuit of a finish, throwing punches and landing a head butt. Taktarov begins to work for an armbar but is met with a vicious series of knees to the head that split Taktarov wide open! Taktarov is able to survive for about a minute until McCarthy gets a good look at the gruesome cut on his head and calls the fight.

Dan Severn defeats Oleg Taktarov via KO/TKO at 4:21 of Round 1

Fight #9:

The “super fight” and rematch from UFC 1 is upon us after a failed attempt to get the two together at UFC 3 due to both forfeiting due to injury. Both men will be fresh as neither of them is technically in the tournament that is taking place in the backdrop of this matchup.

The match begins with Royce throwing some kicks before Shamrock lands a takedown into Gracie's guard. Royce gets his legs up, closing his guard, but Ken avoids any submission attempts Gracie was looking for and lays in the guard. Ken headbutts Gracie a few times, and Royce responds with some patented heel kicks to the kidneys, but nothing happens. Ten minutes in, Gracie lands some elbows; then both fighters are again inactive for another six minutes before Shamrock headbutts him again. Royce slaps him a few times as the crowd starts to boo. Twenty minutes in, Royce slaps him again, and nothing much of note takes place. Both fighters are content with their positions until we reach the 30-minute limit, and Big John McCarthy decides to allow them another minute before halting time. They restart for the overtime and exchange shots, with Shamrock landing a couple of good rights, causing a mouse to appear under Gracie's eye. They go back into Gracie's guard, and Shamrock lands a few headbutts, cutting his eye open badly. The fighters are again inactive, and the fight ends anticlimactic with Shamrock on top.

Ken Shamrock vs. Royce Gracie ends in a Draw.

Though the fight ends with no official winner, it is clear that Shamrock got the better of Gracie here and “won” the fight.

Fight #10:

After what was a marathon of a match, the final is finally here. Severn enters stoic and poised to get his first UFC championship under his belt after losing last time out to Gracie. Beneteau has the chance to become the second alternate to win in the UFC and make a name for himself here with an upset over Severn.

The final begins, and Beneteau starts the party with a right hand that appears to land as Severn initiates a clinch and pushes him up against the cage. Next, Beneteau can reverse position against the cage and shoot for a takedown that Severn stuffs. Severn then shoves him into the fence and gets a leg trip to the side mount, where he gets to work landing some punches and finding a keylock for the submission win. Dan Severn is the new UFC tournament Champion.

Dan Severn defeats Dave Beneteau via Submission at 3:01 of Round 1