UFC 8: David vs. Goliath

Author

Camron Gieschen
November 04, 2022

Setting The Stage:

Date: Friday 02.16.1996

TV Announcers: Bruce Beck, Don Wilson

Ring Announcer: Rich Goins

Post-Fight Interviews: Jeff Blatnick

Attendance: 13,000

PPV Buys: 160,000

MMA Bouts: 9

Preview:

The UFC leaves the U.S. for the first time and is headed to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for the 8th installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship! This wasn't the first choice of venue, however, as the event was originally scheduled to take place in New York, but a late decision by the NY State Athletic Commission saw it relocated to Puerto Rico.

UFC 8 was the first to draw criticism as Local Puerto Rico politician Calvin McCard held on-site protests. These protests sparked a nationwide movement against MMA in 1996, led by Arizona Senator John McCain (who coined the term “human cockfighting”), which temporarily pushed the sport underground in 1997. These efforts eventually failed as the event still took place but it did get MMA banned in New York for quite some time.

Onto the event, The UFC is still under tournament format with a “super fight” between Kimo & Ken Shamrock that will happen outside the tournament. The event was called “David vs. Goliath,” and not for no reason; some large men will compete tonight for the UFC Champion title, so let's get to the action.

Fight #1 (Alternate Bout):

Sam Adkins defeats Keith Mielke via Submission at 0:50 of Round 1

Fight #2:

As advertised we have Frye 6’1 206 lbs facing off against Ramierez 6’1 & an eye-popping 410lbs! Frye is a decorated wrestler under UFC champion Dan Severn and will look to make his teacher proud by following in his footsteps and becoming champion. There's not much to say about Ramirez besides that he's just a massive human, and you know what they say…

The fight starts and Frye move forward and lands two jabs and a right hook that knocks Ramierez out cold!

The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Don Frye defeats Thomas Ramirez via KO/TKO at 0:08 of Round 1

Fight #3:

Varelans a familiar face (3-3 in UFC) and playing Goliath (6’8 300 lbs) in the match is set to face newcomer Joe Moreira. Moreira (5’11 205lbs) is a Brazilian with some big shoes to fill as the broadcast compares him to Royce Gracie and Marco Ruas.

The fight starts, and Varelans takes the center starting much more calmly than he usually does. The two clinch and break a few times, as it's clear Varelans may be too big of a man for Moreira to drag down. Moreira does use some effective striking as they break but never dares to hang around too long. Varelans can land a few shots that appear to affect Moreira, but he can't track him down to add on anymore. The fight progresses on the feet with each man landing their own shots but Varelans landing the harder of the two. The fight drags on to a decision which Varelans wins unanimously.

More of a freak show than an MMA fight. Moreira had trouble getting Varelans to the ground from the jump, and Varelans just kept marching forward, landing enough to get him the decision.

Paul Varelans defeats Joe Moreira via 1 Round Decision

Fight #4:

Bohlander (5’11, 200lbs) is a newcomer to the UFC fighting out of Ken Shamrock's gym “The Lion Den” he should showcase some good old American wrestling. Ferrozzo (5’11, 330lbs) is built like a bowling ball and, by all accounts, plans to fight like one; let's see what happens.

The fight starts, and Ferrozzo bowls right ahead, pushing Bohlander against the cage and suplexing him twice! Bohlander gets back up, and a short shot cuts Ferrozzoinside by Bohlander. Ferrozzo lands another takedown and can control the ground, this time landing some headbutts. Mccarthy calls the doctor to examine the cut, and the two start back on their feet after being cleared. Bohlander lands a nice right hand as Ferrozzo charges forward again and initiates the clinch against the cage. After some time, McCarthy restarts them. Ferrozzo pushes up against the cage again, where he tosses Bohlander but loses him on the scramble; Bohlander gets off a knee to the head and jumps on a Guillotine that forces Ferrozzo to tap in the final moments of the fight!

A strange match that saw McCarthy using his power more than ever before resetting the fighters multiple times, which changed the fight. It definitely made the fight more entertaining but at Ferrozzos expense.

Jerry Bohlander defeats Scott Ferrozzo via Submission at 9:03 of Round 1

Fight #5:

Herrera (5’10, 185lbs) is a training partner of Tank Abbott and is listed as a wrestler though he prefers to stand. Goodridge (6’3 258lbs) makes his debut claiming to have beaten 1,000 men in a row in under 2 hours in Japan.

The fight starts, and Herrera sprints across and shoots for a Takedown but is stuffed as Goodridge puts him in a human crucifix and blasts 8 elbows to the face of Herrera, putting him out cold!

Woah…One of, if not the most brutal KO in the history of the sport, as Gary probably knocked him out with the second elbow but continued to land 5 or 6 more before McCarthy could get there.

Gary Goodridge defeats Paul Herrera via KO/TKO at 0:13 of Round 1

Fight #6:

Adkins comes in as an alternate after dispatching his opponent in just 50 seconds in the alternate bout. However, Frye did him one better, getting rid of his opponent in just 8 seconds! Adkins is listed as a boxer but has experience as a wrestler we will see how he holds up vs a surging Don Frye.

The fight starts, and after a brief feeling out, Frye shoots, lands a takedown, and immediately gets to work on the ground and pound as Adkins flails. After busting open a huge cut Mcarthy steps in and stops the fight!

Though Adkins wrestled in high school that couldn't even begin to prepare him for the wrestling prowess of Frye. Easy win for Frye as he should be fresh as a daisy for the final.

Don Frye defeats Sam Adkins via KO/TKO at 0:48 of Round 1

Fight #7:

Bohlander is coming off a long bout as a “David,” which he won by an impressive choke 9 minutes in. Goodridge bulldozed his previous opponent in just 13 seconds with a vicious KO. Can “David” pull off another upset?

The fight begins, and Goodridge advances as Bohlander shoots and almost gets caught in a choke but escapes! The two wrestle around the ring before Goodridge can drag him away from the cage and drops him down to the ground and into side control. Bohlander holds on tight and is actually able to elevate Goodridge and reverse position! Bohlander lands some strikes from on top and is able to get into full mount. However, Goodridge using just brute strength overpowers the position and ends up on top in full guard! Goodridge stands up, holding onto the cage for support, and drops a couple of big right hands that appear to KO Bohlander for a moment, and Big John stops the fight!

Great performance for both men Goodridge's strength took over after a brief moment of success for Bohlander. If he had had a shorter fight in his first go he would have been more competitive. However, Goodridge does him a favor, as a fight vs. a fresh Frye would have been ugly.

Gary Goodridge defeats Jerry Bohlander via KO/TKO at 5:31 of Round 1

Fight #8:

While Gary goes to get some rest for the championship, we get a WWE-type showdown with a couple of great characters set to face off. Shamrock comes in at 6’1, 215lbs, and has an MMA record of (21-4-2). Kimo comes in at 6’3 270lbs and an MMA record of (3-1). Kimo will have the size but Shamrock has a wealth of experience. I can’t help but wonder what Kimo thinks of playing Goliath in this matchup with the word “JESUS” tattooed across his chest.

The super fight begins, and Kimo sprints across the cage and immediately gets dumped by Shamrock as he lands in side control. Shamrock transitions into half guard and up and over into mount, where Kimo powers out and into Shamrock's guard much like Gary did in the last fight! Kimo gets to half-guard, postures, and lands a big left hand! Shamrock rolls for an ankle, but Kimo slips out. Shamrock spins and rolls for it again, forcing Kimo to tap!

Kimo made the same mistake as many inexperienced guys: sprinting at a wrestler and getting taken down. Though he was able to power out and in a dominant position Shamrock never waivered and got the finish he was looking for.

Ken Shamrock defeats Kimo Leopoldo via Submission at 4:24 of Round 1

Fight #9:

The finals are set to begin as Frye enters with a total of 56 seconds of fight time which has to be his biggest advantage coming in. Goodridge enters this time with no Gi, which is smart facing the decorated wrestler., However, he will still be at a significant disadvantage in that department.

The finals begin, and Frye takes the lead in striking by landing a few jabs pushing Goodridge up against the cage and initiating a clinch. Goodridge gets both under hooks and, after some struggle, can get Frye down, but he pops right up and Gary throws him again, this time letting go and letting Frye crash down. As Frye gets up Gary fires a massive roundhouse kick that misses Frye. The two break away, throw strikes, and Frye presses Gary again, initiating a clinch. Frye unloads four huge uppercuts that land and appear to at least stun Goodridge as he grabs hold and reverse position up against the cage. Goodridge goes for the takedown, but Frye reaches behind his head and grabs hold of the cage, keeping him suspended. Mccarthy yells at Frye, and he releases (Though I’m not sure this was against the rules at this point) falling to the floor. Goodridge then attempts to take Fryes back, but he grabs his legs and pulls them out from under him, landing Frye in his full guard! Frye begins to and some ground and pound and Goodridge taps, cementing Don Frye as the Champion of UFC 8!

An exciting fight where both fighters had a real chance at closing the show. It looked like Gary's cardio failed him in the end, as he had no choice but to tap with strikes raining down on him.

Don Frye defeats Gary Goodridge via Submission at 2:14 of Round 1