UFC 22
Encyclopedia
UFC 22: Only One Can be Champion was a mixed martial arts
event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship
on September 24, 1999 at the Lake Charles Civic Center in Lake Charles
, Louisiana
.
and Tito Ortiz
, and also featured two preliminary bouts, a middleweight bout, two heavyweight bouts, and two lightweight bouts. The Ortiz-Shamrock fight was notable for being widely considered one of the best MMA fights ever at the time it took place, due to the complete range of skills showed by both fighters. The bout featured back-and-forth action which saw multiple takedowns from Ortiz and crisp kickboxing
displayed by Shamrock, who eventually forced Ortiz into submission with brutal punches, elbows, and hammerfists to the temple late in the 4th round. It was also clear the Ortiz ran out of gas in the 4th, part of the strategy implemented by Shamrock. This match helped changed Ortiz's training routine to include more cardio training, and ironically he became one of the best cardio-fighters following this match. Unlike Ken Shamrock, Tito really respected Frank, wearing his shirt at the end of the match, conceding who is the true champion.
UFC 22 marked the first UFC appearance of future UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes
(in an untelevised event), who would go on to dominate the UFC's Welterweight division (which at the time was called "lightweight", until the UFC was sanctioned in 2001, when official weight classes were introduced), as well as Jens Pulver
, who fought in a preliminary bout that was not televised. It also was the last UFC event that Frank Shamrock ever fought in.
UFC 22 was the last UFC event by SEG to see a home video release, as SEG was nearing bankruptcy and struggling to keep the UFC alive through extremely limited pay per view in the US, as well as minor coverage in Brazil and Japan. UFC 23
through UFC 29
were not released in the US on home video or DVD by SEG, and many consider this period to be the "Dark Ages" of the UFC. It wasn't until UFC 30
, with new owners Zuffa, that the UFC returned to home video. Due to re-release, all UFC events are available on DVD with the exception of UFC - Ultimate Ultimate 1 and II.
UFC 22 was the first card where you start seeing opponents 'propping' each other before and/or during the match, something that has become a staple in UFC fighting.
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
on September 24, 1999 at the Lake Charles Civic Center in Lake Charles
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles is the fifth-largest incorporated city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, located on Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River. Located in Calcasieu Parish, a major cultural, industrial, and educational center in the southwest region of the state, and one of the most important in...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
.
History
The event was headlined by a Middleweight Championship bout between Frank ShamrockFrank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock is a retired mixed martial arts fighter. Shamrock was the first to hold the UFC Middleweight Championship and retired as the four-time defending undefeated champion...
and Tito Ortiz
Tito Ortiz
Jacob Christopher "Tito" Ortiz is a Mexican-American mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, having held the title from April 14, 2000 to September 26, 2003. Along with fighters like Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, he was one of the sport's early stars...
, and also featured two preliminary bouts, a middleweight bout, two heavyweight bouts, and two lightweight bouts. The Ortiz-Shamrock fight was notable for being widely considered one of the best MMA fights ever at the time it took place, due to the complete range of skills showed by both fighters. The bout featured back-and-forth action which saw multiple takedowns from Ortiz and crisp kickboxing
Kickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
displayed by Shamrock, who eventually forced Ortiz into submission with brutal punches, elbows, and hammerfists to the temple late in the 4th round. It was also clear the Ortiz ran out of gas in the 4th, part of the strategy implemented by Shamrock. This match helped changed Ortiz's training routine to include more cardio training, and ironically he became one of the best cardio-fighters following this match. Unlike Ken Shamrock, Tito really respected Frank, wearing his shirt at the end of the match, conceding who is the true champion.
UFC 22 marked the first UFC appearance of future UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes
Matt Hughes (fighter)
Matthew Allen Hughes is an American mixed martial artist, UFC Hall of Famer, and former two-time UFC Welterweight Champion. Hughes put together two separate six-fight winning streaks in the UFC, won the welterweight title on two occasions, defended the belt a record seven times, and holds the...
(in an untelevised event), who would go on to dominate the UFC's Welterweight division (which at the time was called "lightweight", until the UFC was sanctioned in 2001, when official weight classes were introduced), as well as Jens Pulver
Jens Pulver
Jens Johnnie Pulver is an American mixed martial artist . He was the first Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion and was a coach on the The Ultimate Fighter 5 reality show, which aired on Spike TV. He was formerly signed as a featherweight with World Extreme Cagefighting , which is...
, who fought in a preliminary bout that was not televised. It also was the last UFC event that Frank Shamrock ever fought in.
UFC 22 was the last UFC event by SEG to see a home video release, as SEG was nearing bankruptcy and struggling to keep the UFC alive through extremely limited pay per view in the US, as well as minor coverage in Brazil and Japan. UFC 23
UFC 23
UFC 23: Ultimate Japan 2 was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on November 19, 1999 at Tokyo Bay NK Hall in Tokyo, Japan.-History:...
through UFC 29
UFC 29
UFC 29: Defense of the Belts was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on December 16, 2000 at Differ Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.-History:...
were not released in the US on home video or DVD by SEG, and many consider this period to be the "Dark Ages" of the UFC. It wasn't until UFC 30
UFC 30
UFC 30: Battle on the Boardwalk was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey on February 23, 2001...
, with new owners Zuffa, that the UFC returned to home video. Due to re-release, all UFC events are available on DVD with the exception of UFC - Ultimate Ultimate 1 and II.
UFC 22 was the first card where you start seeing opponents 'propping' each other before and/or during the match, something that has become a staple in UFC fighting.
Results
The following are the bout results as reported by Sherdog.com.- Lightweight Preliminary bout:
Jens PulverJens PulverJens Johnnie Pulver is an American mixed martial artist . He was the first Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion and was a coach on the The Ultimate Fighter 5 reality show, which aired on Spike TV. He was formerly signed as a featherweight with World Extreme Cagefighting , which is...
vs. Alfonso Alcarez
- The bout was ruled a draw after two five minute rounds. This bout was not televised.
- Middleweight bout: John LewisJohn Lewis (fighter)John Lewis is an American former mixed martial arts champion, UFC veteran, and a popular MMA/martial arts instructor considered a legend throughout the mixed martial arts world...
vs. Lowell Anderson
- Lewis wins by TKO (corner stoppage) at 0:13 of the third round.
- Lightweight bout: Matt HughesMatt Hughes (fighter)Matthew Allen Hughes is an American mixed martial artist, UFC Hall of Famer, and former two-time UFC Welterweight Champion. Hughes put together two separate six-fight winning streaks in the UFC, won the welterweight title on two occasions, defended the belt a record seven times, and holds the...
vs.
Valeri Ignatov
- Hughes wins by unanimous decision at 5:00 of the third round. This bout was not televised.
- Middleweight bout: Paul JonesPaul Jones (mixed martial artist)Paul Jones is a former mixed martial artist. He began his fighting career in Extreme Fighting. His first match against Erik Paulson resulted in a draw. Paul Jones immediately went into USWF after his draw and won by submission. Jones then tried Shooto, which is located in Tokyo, where he won his...
vs. Chuck LiddellChuck LiddellCharles David "Chuck" Liddell is a retired American mixed martial artist and former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion. Liddell has an extensive striking background in Kempo, Koei-Kan karate and kickboxing, as well as a grappling background in collegiate wrestling.As of his...
- Liddell wins by TKO (strikes) at 3:53 of the first round.
- Heavyweight Preliminary bout: Brad KohlerBrad KohlerBrad Kohler is an American mixed martal artist who competes in the Heavyweight division.-Career:Kohler's most notable fight occurred at UFC 22 against Steve Judson, where he scored one of the more infamous knockouts in MMA history. 30 seconds into Round 1, Kohler feigned a takedown attempt, only...
vs. Steve Judson
- Kohler wins by KO (punch) at 0:30 of the first round. This bout was aired following the Liddell vs. Jones fight.
- Heavyweight bout: Jeremy HornJeremy HornJeremy Graham Horn is an American mixed martial artist. He is one of the most experienced fighters in the sport with a professional record of 88–21–5...
vs. Jason Godsey
- Horn wins by submission (armlock) at 2:08 of the first round.
- Heavyweight bout: Tim LajcikTim LajcikTim "The Bohemian" Lajcik is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight division. He lost his last fight at WFA 2 - Level 2 against Kimo Leopoldo on July 5, 2002.-Mixed martial arts record:|Loss...
vs. Ron WatermanRon WatermanRon Waterman , is an American mixed martial artist , professional wrestler and celebrity member of the Team Impact motivational group.He holds notable victories over Ricco Rodriguez and Kevin Randleman.-Career:...
- The bout was ruled a draw after three five minute rounds.
- Middleweight Championship bout: Frank ShamrockFrank ShamrockFrank Shamrock is a retired mixed martial arts fighter. Shamrock was the first to hold the UFC Middleweight Championship and retired as the four-time defending undefeated champion...
(c) vs. Tito OrtizTito OrtizJacob Christopher "Tito" Ortiz is a Mexican-American mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, having held the title from April 14, 2000 to September 26, 2003. Along with fighters like Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, he was one of the sport's early stars...
- Shamrock wins by submission (strikes) at 4:42 of the fourth round.