UFC 12

History

UFC 12 was the first UFC event to feature weight classes; heavyweights (200 lb and over) and lightweights (under 200 lb) battled in two separate mini tournaments, each consisting of two semifinal bouts and a finals match.

The event also featured a Superfight between Dan Severn and Mark Coleman. The fight would unify the UFC Superfight Championship with the UFC tournament championship and determine the first ever UFC Heavyweight Champion. Mark Coleman was a late substitution for Don Frye, who had earned the rematch with Severn after winning the Ultimate Ultimate 1996, but was unable to participate in UFC 12 because of injuries he had suffered in that previous event. Frye never returned to the UFC. "Judgement Day" also featured two alternate bouts in case of tournament injury.

UFC 12 marked the first UFC appearance of Vitor Belfort, who won the heavyweight tournament and was only 19 years of age. UFC 12 also marked the first appearance of commentator Joe Rogan, who handled backstage interviews for the event and interviewed the winners of the main events.

After being removed from many pay per view carriers, and with mounting pressure from politicians such as Senator John McCain, the UFC had continuing troubles finding a venue, and a state, that would host UFC 12.It was first announced that UFC 12 would be held in Niagara Falls, New York, to which it was ultimately denied sanctioning rights. Next, it was announced that UFC 12 would be held in Oregon, which soon banned the event. Finally, the UFC returned to Alabama, where it appeared in the small city of Dothan, located about 200 miles southeast of Birmingham.

The UFC would continue to hold events exclusively in the Southern US States (aside from occasional shows in Japan and Brazil) until 2001, when the UFC was sanctioned by the New Jersey State Athletic Commission.

Results

| Lightweight | Jerry Bohlander | def. | Nick Sanzo | Submission (neck crank) | | 0:39 | Sanzo replaced Takahashi who broke his hand fighting Ismail. | Lightweight | Jerry Bohlander | def. | Rainy Martinez | Submission (rear-naked choke) | | 1:18 | | Lightweight | Yoshiki Takahashi | def. | Wallid Ismail | Decision | | 15:00 | Takahashi broke his hand during the bout, and was unable to continue in the tournament. | Lightweight | Nick Sanzo | def. | Jackie Lee | TKO (strikes) | | 0:48 | | Heavyweight | Mark Coleman | def. | Dan Severn | Submission (neck crank) | | 2:57 | For the inaugural UFC Heavyweight Championship. | Heavyweight | Vitor Belfort | def. | Scott Ferrozzo | TKO (punches) | | 0:43 | | Heavyweight | Scott Ferrozzo | def. | Jim Mullen | TKO (knees) | | 8:02 | | Heavyweight | Vitor Belfort | def. | Tra Telligman | TKO (cut) | | 1:17 | | Heavyweight | Justin Martin | def. | Eric Martin | Submission (heel hook) | | 0:14 |

''UFC 12'' Lightweight Tournament Bracket

| RD1-seed1= | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team1= USA** Jerry Bohlander** | RD1-team2= USARainy Martinez | RD1-score1=FIN | RD1-score2=1:18 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team3= JapanYoshiki Takahashi | RD1-team4= BRAWallid Ismail | RD1-score3=DU | RD1-score4=15:00 | RD2-seed1= | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team1= USAJerry Bohlander | RD2-team2= USANick Sanzo | RD2-score1=FIN | RD2-score2=0:39

• a. Nick Sanzo replaced Yoshiki Takahashi.

''UFC 12'' Heavyweight Tournament Bracket

| RD1-seed1= | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team1= USAScott Ferrozzo | RD1-team2= USAJim Mullen | RD1-score1=TKO | RD1-score2=8:02 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team3= BrazilVitor Belfort | RD1-team4= USATra Telligman | RD1-score3=TKO | RD1-score4=1:17 | RD2-seed1= | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team1= USAScott Ferrozzo | RD2-team2= BrazilVitor Belfort | RD2-score1=0:43 | RD2-score2=TKO

Encyclopedia awards

The following fighters were honored in the October 2011 book titled UFC Encyclopedia.

• Fight of the Night: Mark Coleman vs. Dan Severn
• Knockout of the Night: Vitor Belfort def. Scott Ferrozzo
• Submission of the Night: Mark Coleman def. Dan Severn

References

References

1. (5 November 2018). "UFC 25 Years In Short: Judgement Day".
2. http://www.cagepotato.com/exclusive-interview-joe-rogan/
3. Wilcox, Nate. (15 April 2009). "UFC 12: Run Out of New York".
4. Gerbasi, Thomas. (2011-10-17). "UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship". DK.