UFC 7: The Brawl in Buffalo

Author

Camron Gieschen
October 19, 2022

Setting The Stage:

Date: Friday 09.08.1995

Location: Buffalo, New York, United States

Venue: Memorial Auditorium

TV Announcers: Bruce Beck, Don Wilson

Ring Announcer: Michael Buffer

Post-Fight Interviews: Jeff Blatnick

Attendance: 9,000

PPV Buys: 190,000

MMA Bouts: 11

Preview:

Not much has changed since the last card; the UFC is sticking with its tournament format with a super fight to boot. Based on the matchup, it seems that if you win a tournament, you will be slated for a super fight the next time out, as Oleg Taktarov earned his spot in a bout against Ken Shamrock for this week's super fight.

Out with Jim Brown and in with Don Wilson, the former kickboxer turned movie star, will be taking over for the NFL legend on the mic for this event which should be interesting to hear. While Brown had a good name for people to grab onto, he wasn't the best commentator, in my opinion.

Fight #1 Alternate Bout:

Joel Sutton defeats Geza Kalman via KO/TKO at 0:48 of Round 1

Fight #2 Alternate Bout:

Onassis Parungao defeats Francesco Maturi via Submission at 5:26 of Round 1

Fight #3 Alternate Bout:

Scott Bessac defeats David Hood via Submission at 0:31 of Round 1

Fight #4:

Varelans returns to the UFC after going (1-1) on his last time out. He’s every bit as big as last time, coming in at 6’8, 300 lbs. Harris is making his UFC debut; the former Milwaukee Brewer security guard is no small man himself, coming in at 6’8, 260lbs.

The fight starts, and Varelans sprints across the cage and lands a single-leg takedown. Harris, with no clue what to do on the ground, turns onto his belly and takes shots before a few elbows force him to tap!

That was a good showing for Varelans as he exploited his opponent's weakness and won the match easily without absorbing a strike.

Paul Varelans defeats Gerry Harris via Submission at 1:07 of Round 1

Fight #5:

Harold Howard (1-1) makes his highly anticipated return to the cage vs. newcomer Mark Hall (MMA Debut) in what should be a fast-paced war based on Howard's previous bouts.

The fight starts, Harold comes out with his hands on his hips bouncing, and he explodes! Grabbing hold of Hall's neck with his left, blasting vicious body shots! Howard muscles Hall around a bit before getting him to the ground. However, Howard is reversed onto his back, and Hall lands some big punches. Realizing his position, Howard gives a verbal tap to McCarthy, and the fight is stopped!

Howard came out uber-aggressive, as he does, but Hall was able to use that against him and secure a win in his debut.

Mark Hall defeats Harold Howard via Submission at 1:41 of Round 1

Fight #6:

Remco Pardoel, a UFC vet by the early day standards with a record of (3-2), faces off against Parker (MMA Debut). With this only being the 7th UFC experience inside the cage is everything and should serve Pardoel well in this match.

The fight starts, and Pardeol initiates the clinch, pushing Parker against the fence. Pardoel then hip-tosses Parker straight into a headlock and starts pounding away at Parker's head while securing his arm and crucifix position. Pardeol then moves into full mount and begins to work a choke. He gets his right arm under the back of the head, brings his left arm across the neck of Parker, and gets him to tap!

An excellent showing for Pardoel this time out. He looks poised to make a run this time around.

Remco Pardoel defeats Ryan Parker via Submission at 3:05 of Round 1

Fight #7:

Marco Ruas comes into this tournament as the favorite to win. Though this is his UFC debut, he is a Vale Tudo Champion and has plenty of experience to live up to the hype. As for Larry, we saw him lose at UFC 5, and to be honest, this is an awful matchup for him as he is a kickboxer by trade.

The fight starts, Ruas shoots and lands a big slam on Cureton securing side control. Ruas moves to full mount and is reversed by Cureton as he sits on Rua's guard. Cureton lands a lovely right hand to the head, followed by some heavy shots to the ribs as Ruas looks for a sub from the bottom. Ruas sets up an armbar, but it slips out; after some time, Cureton stands up, and Ruas immediately rolls for a leg lock and secures it for the win!

It was probably a lot tougher of a fight than Ruas expected, but in the end, Cureton made a mistake, and he capitalized.

Marco Ruas defeats Larry Cureton via Submission at 3:23 of Round 1

Fight #8:

The Semi-Finals are set, and both men come into this bout fresh, with neither man showing a blemish. However, Hall arrives a full six inches shorter and 110lbs lighter than Varelans…Yikes!

The fight starts and Varelans runs across the cage like he always does, but this time is met with a jumping right hand to the face! Varlens eats it, presses Hall against the cage, and drags him to the mat. Varlens moves into full mount and secures a keylock for the victory!

A quick one here. Hall landed a tremendous punch but was suffocated shortly after.

Paul Varelans defeats Mark Hall via Submission at 1:04 of Round 1

Fight #9:

Two submission specialists are set to face off here in the second semi-final to see who will face off against Varelans in the Final. Both men had successful bouts coming in, taking minor damage. So they should be good to go. Pardoel comes in three inches taller and 55lbs heavier, but Vale Tudo Brazilians are used to that so that Ruas won’t be intimidated.

The fight starts, and both men circle, feeling each other out. Pardoel initiates a clinch up against the cage, where they stay for about 5 minutes before Padoel trips Ruas to the ground. While trying to secure the position, Ruas can reverse him and land in Pardoels full guard, where he can get to work. At the 7:10 mark, Ruas drops back for a leg lock, but after three minutes, Pardoel can shake free and Rusas moves back to full guard. Eleven minutes in, Ruas stands up in the guard and finds his way to side control. Ruas moves to full mount, and Pardoel taps out without any genuine submission attempt.

A pretty good grappling match ends anticlimactic, with Pardoel giving up twelve minutes in.

Marco Ruas defeats Remco Pardoel via Submission at 12:27 of Round 1

Fight #10:

Shamrock comes into the bout fresh off his win over Dan Severn in the UFC 6 superfight. Taktarov comes in off a Championship victory at UFC 6. Both men are acclaimed for their grappling prowess and will look to showcase that here as superfight contestants at UFC 7.

The fight starts, and the two meet in the middle, trading short shots before shamrock shoots and lands a takedown. The two stay there for fifteen minutes, trading quick shots before Mcarthy finally stands them up. Oleg does have a cut beneath his eye, and the back of Shamrock's head probably doesn't feel too well, as it was Taktarovs only target for fifteen minutes. Taktarov shoots for a takedown but is stuffed by Shamrock, and they are back where they started as the crowd boos. The two stay there until the twenty-minute mark when John stands them back up. The two circle for a bit before Shamrock shoots, and Taktarov tries to roll but ends up on his back. The two stay there until the twenty-seven-minute mark before they get stood up. If you're still reading this, I don't know why. Thirty minutes now, and they reset. Shamrock lands some shots but then takes him down, and it goes to a draw…BOOOO.

Boring fight. Neither guy did anything, and it was hard to watch.

Ken Shamrock vs. Oleg Taktarov ends in a Draw.

Fight #11:

I am excited about Varelans (3-1) vs. Ruas (2-0). As mentioned earlier, Varelans is a giant human but will have a significant disadvantage in the grappling department. Ruas, as the favorite, looks to make Brazilians proud by carrying the torch from Royce.

The Finals begin, and Varelans takes the center, pressuring Ruas. Ruas lands some combinations right to the face of Varelans, followed by some powerful leg kicks. Varelans pushes him up against the cage with his nose already pouring blood. The two break, Rua blasts another leg kick, forcing Varelans to switch stance. Ruas comes in for a clinch, and Varelans grabs his neck and lifts him off the ground! Not being able to carry him, Ruas comes back down. The two clinch up against the cage and stay there until about the nine-minute mark when John resets them. The two meet in the middle again, trading leg kicks. The two clinch again, and Ruas lands an elbow off the break. Ruas continues to land leg kicks that are bothering Varelans at this point. Twelve minutes in, Ruas is still chopping away as it's the only strike he can land effectively. At the thirteen-minute mark, Ruas lands a hard leg kick that makes Varelans reach for his leg; when he reaches, Ruas blasts a one-two that rocks Varelans! One more leg kick, and he drops to the mat where Ruas mounts and drops bombs until Mcarthy stops the fight!

Marco Ruas is your UFC 7 Champion! A great main event to follow the second dud of a super fight. Jiu Jitsu still reigns supreme, although the striking is starting to improve event over event. Just wait until the gloves and steroids…

Marco Ruas defeats Paul Varelans via KO/TKO at 13:17 of Round 1