UFC: Top 7 fighters between 1993 and 1998

#1 Ken Shamrock (6-2-2)

Ken Shamrock - The first ever Superfight Champion and the greatest fighter from the early years of the UFC

The “World’s Most Dangerous Man” competed at the first UFC event in November 1993. He comfortably defeated Pat Smith via submission with a heel hook, before he was submitted by eventual winner, Royce Gracie in the semi-finals.

Believing he had taken Gracie too lightly, Shamrock was eager to atone for his loss and fight Gracie once again.

At UFC 3, Shamrock was pitted on the opposite side of the draw to Gracie and the pre-event hype focussed on the expected re-match by the pair in the UFC Final.

It wasn’t to be, however. Gracie withdrew from his semi-final match due to exhaustion following his gruelling encounter with Kimo in the previous round. Shamrock who had already reached the final then also withdrew from the competition, citing an arm injury. In truth, Shamrock had no interest in fighting anyone else until he got another shot at Gracie.

Shamrock’s wish was granted when the UFC created the Superfight Championship in addition to the traditional tournament. Shamrock and Gracie would fight to become the inaugural champion.

In the longest fight in UFC history, Shamrock ground and pound Gracie at will. However, the durable Brazilian would not give up and when there was no result after 36 minutes, the fight was declared a draw. However, if judges had existed in the UFC at that point there is no question Shamrock would have been the unanimous victor.

Recognising that fact, the UFC invited Shamrock to fight for the Superfight belt again at UFC 6; this time against UFC 5 tournament winner, Dan “The Beast” Severn. In a surprisingly short match, Shamrock caught the larger Severn in a choke, submitting him for the victory. Shamrock was the first ever Superfight Champion.

At UFC 7 Shamrock defended the belt against UFC 6 tournament winner, Oleg Taktarov. Similarly to the Gracie fight, Shamrock completely dominated his opponent but could not finish him off. Shamrock felt hampered by the fact Taktarov was his friend and training partner whom he was trying to secure a spot for with the Pancrase promotion and didn’t want to jeopardise future plans by injuring him. So, in scenes reminiscent of UFC 5, the epic 33-minute match was declared a draw. Once again, had judges existed in UFC at the time, Shamrock would have been the winner, unequivocally.

Shamrock was next pitted against Kimo, the man who had dominated Gracie at UFC 3, in his title defence at UFC 8. Shamrock outwrestled the Hawaiian and submitted him with an ankle lock.

At UFC 9, Shamrock was booked in a much-anticipated re-match with Severn, however, the match was a colossal disappointment. Hampered by the fact the District Attorney of Michigan, where the event was held, did not want the event to go ahead in the state, UFC officials were forced to acquiesce to rule changes; namely the fact that the fighters could not utilise closed fists to the head or head-butts.

The two fighters, therefore, were barely able to do anything. Neither Shamrock nor Severn could force a victory in this environment after 30 minutes.

This time, however, there were judges. Shamrock lost a close split decision and with it his Superfight Championship. Dismayed by the fact political pressure was restricting markets in which the UFC could host events, Shamrock decided to step away from the sport he loved so much.

Shamrock made one last appearance in his initial run with UFC at Ultimate Ultimate 1996 on the 7th December that year. Shamrock competed once again in the tournament format and was heavily favoured to win. However, after he defeated Brian Johnstone in the first round, Shamrock was forced to withdraw from the competition after he suffered an injured hand during the fight.

Using his name value and moniker as the “World’s Most Dangerous Man”, Shamrock secured a deal to join the World Wrestling Federation as a pro-wrestler where he would remain until the Autumn of 1999, before signing a contract with Pride FC in 2000. Shamrock would continue to coach his Lion’s Den fighters for UFC competition but would not return to the Octagon himself until November 2002.

However, Shamrock’s legacy as the UFC’s greatest drawing card and fighter of the early years of the UFC was already assured.