UFC 7.5: The Ultimate Ultimate

Author

Camron Gieschen
October 26, 2022

Setting The Stage:

Date: Saturday 12.16.1995

Location: Denver, Colorado, United States

TV Announcers: Bruce Beck, Don Wilson

Ring Announcer: Rich Goins

Post-Fight Interviews: Jeff Blatnick

Attendance: 2,800

PPV Buys: 251,000

MMA Bouts: 9

Preview:

There will be no new faces here tonight as the UFC is doing an Ultimate…Ultimate tournament featuring the best the Octogon has seen (excluding Royce Gracie). Former champions and the best challenges will compete for the crown of the Ultimate Fighting Champion and a $150,000 purse.

The clock will be counting down for the first time as the UFC has a new 15-minute time limit for the quarterfinal and an 18-minute time limit for semi-final round matches in the tournament. The tournament finals will have a 27-minute time limit and, if necessary, three-minute overtime. Ultimate Ultimate 1995 was also the first UFC event to feature judges, who will score the bouts in the event of a draw.

Fight #1 (Alternate):

Joe Charles defeats Scott Bessac via Submission at 4:38 of Round 1

Fight #2 (Alternate):

Mark Hall defeats Trent Jenkins via Submission at 5:29 of Round 1

Fight #3:

UFC 6 runner-up David Abbott vs. UFC 3 Champion Steve Jennum is set to start us off. Though they are similar in height, Abbott comes in at 55lbs heavier than Jennum, which could spell trouble for the Nebraska Police Officer.

The fight starts, and Abbott fires a big right hand into a takedown, finding him in Jennums half guard. Abbott then drags Jennum from the center to the side of the cage (something you would never see today) as if he has a plan. Abbott, now in full guard, postures to throw, but Jennum kicks him off, only for Abbott to fall right back into his guard. Abbott then takes his head and uses it as a weapon putting all of his 250lbs into pressuring Jennums head into the cage until he taps!

A strange fight that goes to show just how savage Abbott is. I don't think we will ever see whatever that was again.

David Abbott defeats Steve Jennum via Submission at 1:14 of Round 1

Fight #4:

UFC 5 Champion Dan Severn is set to face UFC vet Paul Varlens after Pat Smith was deemed medically unable to compete. Varelans, although 6’8, only comes in 45lbs heavier than the 6’2 Severn.

The fight starts, and Varelans runs into a patented Severn takedown that finds him in side control going to work immediately. Severn wastes no time sinching up the arm triangle for the early finish!

A dominant performance, despite the size of Varelans, he was no match for the All-American wrestler.

Dan Severn defeats Paul Varelans via Submission at 1:40 of Round 1

Fight #5:

The Campion of UFC 6 Oleg Taktarov in a UFC 6 quarter-final rematch vs. Dave Beneteau. Their first fight ended with a front choke 57 seconds into round one. I don't see a real path to victory for him in this match other than catching him with something on the feet.

The fight begins, and Taktarov initiates a clinch right away. After breaking for a bit, Beneteau attempts an unsuccessful single leg. Taktarov then attempts a throw that doesn't work but finds him in an ideal spot to grab a knee bar. Unfortunately, Beneteau is set up for failure as it only takes a few seconds for Taktarov to lock it up and force the tap!

Taktarov again displays his grappling prowess here, dispatching his opponent in just over a minute. He will be fresh heading into his next bout.

Oleg Taktarov defeats Dave Beneteau via Submission at 1:15 of Round 1

Fight #6:

Defending Champion Marco Ruas begins his title defense against fan favorite Keith Hackney. Ruas, a grappling specialist, shouldn't have trouble getting the victory as long as he can get Hackney down.

The fight starts, and both fighters circle, feeling each other out on the feet, trading leg kicks. A couple of minutes go by with no real action, and then Ruas pressures Hackney up against the cage and drags him to the mat throwing hooks in with ease. Ruas then flattens him out, landing strikes until Hackney gives up his neck for the choke and taps!

Marco Ruas defeats Keith Hackney via Submission at 2:39 of Round 1

Fight #7:

Both men were able to get their previous opponents out in under 2 minutes without absorbing a strike and will be fresh for this matchup. While Abbott has shown some wrestling abilities in the cage, what Severn brings back is another level, and if Abbott doesn't land something big early, he will be in trouble.

The fight starts and Abbott throws a big right hand that misses, Severn shoots for a takedown, but Abbott sprawls and stuffs. Severn keeps the pursuit of the takedown and pushes Abbott up against the cage before throwing him down to the mat. Severen gets to work landing a barrage of punches, knees, and elbows as Abbott covers up. This proceeds for another 13 minutes before Abbott can get back to his feet and grab hold of the cage. Despite some reckless headbutts and elbows from the back, Abbott can't pull anything out of his hat, and Severn cruises to the first-ever decision win in UFC history.

A dominant win by Severn, the only thing that kept Abbott in this fight was his toughness and refusal to give up.

Dan Severn defeats David Abbott via 1 Round Decision.

Fight #8:

Two UFC champions set to face off in what should be a grappling masterclass. Both men came into the bout relatively fresh, as they had no real issues with the previous opponents.

The fight starts, and both men circle, with Ruas firing some leg, kicks to get the party started. Oleg shoots but is stuffed with ease. The two circle for a bit before Taktarov throws some strikes to enter the clinch up against the cage, where Taktarov drops for a kneebar that Ruas defends and ends up on top. Ruas lands some ground and pound, but Taktarov uses the cage to get back to his feet. They break from the cage, and both men seem to agree to take a second, grabbing their knees and searching for air. The two resume fighting, and Taktarov fails at two takedown attempts before pulling guard with a guillotine that looks tight, but Ruas survives the squeeze and can spend some time catching his breath (10-minute mark). At the 9-minute mark, Mcarthy stands the two up and has a doctor examine a cut on Taktarovs head that doesn't look too bad. The fight resumes with the two standing up as they circle, not landing anything too significant as both men appear tired. The two continue to land a shot here or there over the next 9 minutes, and the fight goes to a decision. Tough to judge, but all three judges give the nod to Taktarov.

An exciting bout that sputtered as both men gassed and did what they could for the rest of the fight.

Oleg Taktarov defeats Marco Ruas via 1 Round Decision.

Fight #9:

This one should be interesting because both men are coming straight from grueling decisions. Severn won his fight dominantly but expended a ton of energy. While Taktarov just seemed to have nothing left after his battle with Ruas, where he sustained some damage as well. It is important to note that this is a 27-minute contest.

The fight begins, and Severn opens up with some open-handed slaps. Severn then initiates a clinch, and Taktarov rolls for a kneebar! Severn winces in pain before sitting up and grabbing his arm to relieve the pressure. The two scramble rolling around the ring with Taktarov gunning for the knee bar, but he is ultimately unsuccessful as sever ends up in half guard. Severn opens up Taktarovs previous cut with some strikes as Taktarov continues to search for a sub. Taktarov gets smothered for another few minutes before working his back against the cage. As soon as Taktarov returns to his feet, Mcarthy has him evaluated by the doctor and cut man, who clears him to continue. As the two resumes, Taktarov appears to be a shell of himself, throwing winging shots before collapsing to the mat and letting Severn fall on top of him. Severn moves to half-guard and begins landing headbutts and other short strikes until McCarthy stands them up again. On the feet, not much happens until Taktarov slips again, and Severn hops right into his guard. With 6 minutes left, it appears all but over for Taktarov, and Severn pretty much rides out the remaining time as they go to a 3-minute overtime. Though the two spend the three minutes on their feet, there isn't much to write home about, and Severn cruises to his second UFC title!

Severn came close to losing by kneebar but was able to survive and dominate the rest of the fight on top. As a result, Severn has established himself as the new big dog of the promotion, but we are sure to see many new combatants gunning for the throne, so stay tuned!

Dan Severn defeats Oleg Taktarov via 1 Round Decision