UFC: Top 7 fighters between 1993 and 1998

#2 Royce Gracie (11-1-0)

Royce Gracie - the only three-time UFC tournament winner

Royce Gracie began his UFC career at the inaugural UFC event on the 12th November 1993. He defeated Art Jimmerson, Ken Shamrock and Gerard Gourdeau en route to victory, with his Brazilian Ju-Jitsu bamboozling the field of larger, stronger opponents.

Gracie repeated the feat at UFC 2, successfully winning the tournament once more.

Gracie’s dominance was halted at UFC 3, when after overcoming Kimo Leopoldo in a gruelling encounter, he could not continue further and was forced to withdraw from his semi-final match with Harold Howard.

With a point to prove, Gracie re-entered the UFC tournament at UFC 4 as the Brazilian clocked up 11 consecutive victories in the promotion, becoming the first and only three-time UFC tournament winner.

At UFC 5, Gracie finally had his much-anticipated rematch with Shamrock. Although the contest was officially ruled a draw after 36 minutes of action, due to the lack of judges at the time, Gracie’s face told the story about who really won that fight.

Shamrock’s superior strength and striking skills had finally overcome the near impenetrable guard and Jiu-Jitsu skills of Gracie.

That was Gracie’s final MMA fight for five years, until he resurfaced in Pride FC in 2000.