On this day through MMA history: March 13

By Chamatkar Sandhu

 

UFC 16 featured the first ever UFC Lightweight tournament (for fighters under 170 lb), as well as a Middleweight Championship bout, a Heavyweight and a Middleweight Superfight, and two alternate bouts in case of tournament injury.

UFC 16 marked the first appearance of Pat Miletich, who would go on to create Miletich Fighting Systems. Tank Abbott is a guest commentator for the Heavyweight Superfight.

 

The Middleweight Championship bout, was billed to be champion Frank Shamrock’s biggest test, in Battlecade star, Igor Zinoviev. This would end up being the final match of Zinoviev’s career, as he suffered a career-ending collarbone injury from Shamrock’s victorious KO slam.

 

Kimo Leopoldo returned to the UFC at UFC 16 and fought top Japanese fighter Tsuyoshi Kohsaka. Kimo dominated the first portion of the fight but began to fatigue and eventually lost the fight by decision. He did not carry the cross into the ring this time like he did at UFC 3.

 

Tatsuya Kawajiri made his 5^th pro appearance and defeated Masaya Takita via TKO (swollen eye) in 1 minute and 22 seconds of the second round at Shooto Treasure Hunt 4 which went down at the Kitazawa Town Hall, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan.

 

Chael Sonnen made his 13^th pro appearance at Euphoria Russia vs USA which was held by Mix Fighting Championships at the Trump Taj Mahal Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States. Sonnen defeated Arman Gambaryan by unanimous decision.

 

‘The California Kid’ Uriah Faber was coming off his 6^th win in a row since making his MMA debut and then fought David Granados at Gladiator Challenge 35 – Cold Fury (GC 35) which went down in Porterville, California, United States. He made is 7 wins out of 7 when he defeated Granados by submission (rear naked choke) in 2 minutes and 13 seconds of the first round.

 

Alexander Gustafsson made his 4^th pro appearance and defeated Florian Muller via TKO (punches) in 3 minutes 27 seconds of the second round at Fite Selektor which went down at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai City, Dubai, UAE.

 

Liz Carmouche made her pro MMA debut at an independent even in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Mexico. She defeated Trudie Ginn by KO (kick to the body) in 2 minutes and 59 seconds of the first round.

 

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