UFC 5: Return of the Beast – Charlotte, N.C. – Independence Arena – April 7, 1995
UFC’s evolution continues here, as a “superfight” between
Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock is added to the usual eight-man tournament.
Bruce Beck welcomes us and introduces us to the only
announcer to call the first five UFC shows, Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim
Brown.
Also, we have Jeff Blatnick on color commentary as well.
We’ll see if the 1984 Greco-Roman gold medalist gets into another scrape with
Brown over the merits of wrestling as the “best fighting style.”
Time limits also make their debut here at UFC 5, with a
20-minute time limit for the opening rounds, and a 30-minute limit for the
tournament final.
Before we get started, Beck talks about the alternate
fights, in which Dave Beneteau crushed Asbel Cancio in 21 seconds, and Guy
Mezger knocked off John Dowdy.
Now wait a minute! Didn’t Mezger win a fight at UFC 4 to
earn a spot in tonight’s tournament? So now he wins AGAIN and he still has to
wait for someone to get hurt to enter the tournament? I would get my lawyer on
the phone if I were him.