Maurice Smith is the latest inductee in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Hall of Fame and Bas Rutten couldn’t be any more happy. Rutten has a bit of a history with Smith. The two fought twice in 1995 under the professional mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion Pancrase. Rutten won both fights by submission. Both men […]
Maurice Smith is the latest inductee in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Hall of Fame and Bas Rutten couldn’t be any more happy. Rutten has a bit of a history with Smith. The two fought twice in 1995 under the professional mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion Pancrase. Rutten won both fights by submission. Both men […]
Maurice Smith, who found success in MMA, kickboxing and Muay Thai, was announced as the second member of the 2017 UFC Hall of Fame class. Smith, a one-time UFC heavyweight champion, will be inducted into the hall this July during UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas. Earlier, Urijah Faber was announced for the class. […]
Maurice Smith, who found success in MMA, kickboxing and Muay Thai, was announced as the second member of the 2017 UFC Hall of Fame class. Smith, a one-time UFC heavyweight champion, will be inducted into the hall this July during UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas. Earlier, Urijah Faber was announced for the class. […]
(“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” – Booker T. Washington.)
Despite protests from people of every color, February is Black History Month, and as such, I’ve compiled a chronological timeline of the greatest moments in black MMA history. Like famed Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman, I “don’t want a black history month. Black history is American history.” But until we get our collective act together and abolish this antiquated celebration, I find it only appropriate to bring to the forefront the most spectacular moments and accomplishments of these world-class athletes, who just so happen to be black.
12/16/1994 – UFC 4: Revenge of the Warriors
Ron Van Clief entered the eight-man tournament at UFC 4 against future UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie at the ripe old age of 51, making him the oldest competitor to date to compete inside the Octagon. Even though the former U.S. Marine lost via rear naked choke in under four minutes by the BJJ master himself, Van Clief proved that the warrior spirit knows no age limits.
7/27/1997 – UFC 14: Showdown
After defeating Mark Coleman in a superfight by unanimous decision, kickboxer Maurice Smith became the first-ever black UFC champion. “Mo” didn’t let his underdog status leading up to the fight discourage him. Instead, it made his victory all the more sweet; especially considering this was the first time a striker of any caliber withstood the grinding onslaught of a world-class wrestler.
(“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” – Booker T. Washington.)
Despite protests from people of every color, February is Black History Month, and as such, I’ve compiled a chronological timeline of the greatest moments in black MMA history. Like famed Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman, I “don’t want a black history month. Black history is American history.” But until we get our collective act together and abolish this antiquated celebration, I find it only appropriate to bring to the forefront the most spectacular moments and accomplishments of these world-class athletes, who just so happen to be black.
12/16/1994 – UFC 4: Revenge of the Warriors
Ron Van Clief entered the eight-man tournament at UFC 4 against future UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie at the ripe old age of 51, making him the oldest competitor to date to compete inside the Octagon. Even though the former U.S. Marine lost via rear naked choke in under four minutes by the BJJ master himself, Van Clief proved that the warrior spirit knows no age limits.
7/27/1997 – UFC 14: Showdown
After defeating Mark Coleman in a superfight by unanimous decision, kickboxer Maurice Smith became the first-ever black UFC champion. “Mo” didn’t let his underdog status leading up to the fight discourage him. Instead, it made his victory all the more sweet; especially considering this was the first time a striker of any caliber withstood the grinding onslaught of a world-class wrestler.
On the very same night, Kevin Jackson became the Wendell Scott of Ultimate Fighting by becoming the first and only black fighter to win a UFC tournament. Jackson faced Todd Butler in the semi-finals. The Olympic gold medalist punched his way to a submission win in just over a minute. In the finals, Jackson submitted Tony Fryklund — who earlier in the night had hit his opponent after the bell before stepping on him as he walked away — with a slick rear naked choke in just 44 seconds.
5/4/2001 – UFC 31: Locked & Loaded
Carlos Newton became the first black UFC welterweight champion after handing Pat Miletich his first loss inside the Octagon, effectually ending the Croatian Sensation’s nearly three-year reign with the gold. Both of those facts are impressive in their own right, but I think we’re all more amazed that “The Ronin” did it with a bulldog choke.
Earlier that night, Shonie Carter gave us a highlight reel knockout for the ages when he utilized the fan favorite fight finisher known as the spinning back fist to defeat Matt Serra. This is what Chael Sonnen had in mind when he attempted to do the same to Anderson Silva in their rematch at UFC 148. Although not the most spectacular KO in black MMA history (more on that later), it’s still worthy of a spot on the timeline for its sheer awesomeness.
4/25/2004 – Pride Total Elimination 2004
Kevin Randleman pulls off the most lopsided upset of the year with a knockout of the year finish of Mirco “Cro Cop” Filipovic. After losing his last two bouts in PRIDE, Randleman stepped in the ring with the 2003 Black Belt Magazine full-contact fighter of the year. “Cro Cop” hadn’t let an opponent get out of the first round all year. Randleman was no different — but not for the reasons you’d expect. Using his Mark Coleman-esque wrestling with two-minute drill urgency, “The Monster” rushed the former K-1 kickboxer and eventually shocked the entire Saitama Super Arena with a powerful left hook that sent Filipovic to the canvas before landing a barrage of blows to the skull prompting the referee to call a stop to the action.
6/20/2004 – Pride Critical Countdown 2004
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson borrowed a page from “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel when he power bombed Ricardo Arona, in one of the most spectacular knockouts in the history of the sport. The only difference is that when Rampage did it his opponent didn’t just lie there pretending to be incapacitated, he literally got KTFO.
11/5/2005 – The Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale
“Suga” Rashad Evans earns a six-figure contract with the UFC after winning a split-decision fight against Brad Imes in the heavyweight finals. This also makes him the first African-American man to win the grand prize of the MMA reality TV show. A win on cable television was just the thing to launch Evans’s impressive UFC career.
10/14/2006 – UFC 64: Unstoppable
In only his second showing inside the Octagon, Anderson Silva proves that the only thing “unstoppable” is himself. UFC poster boy Rich Franklin found himself on the wrong side of a violent beatdown that night. “The Spider” masterfully executed devastating knees from the Muay Thai-clinch, breaking Franklin’s nose in the process. It wasn’t long before the former high school math teacher collapsed in a bloody heap on the mat halting the attack. This marked the first time in UFC history that a black fighter held the middleweight strap.
(Photo via Kent Horner/WireImage)
5/26/2007 – UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson
Riding a seven-fight win streak, Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell sought to avenge his TKO loss to Quinton Jackson at PRIDE Final Conflict 2003. But that just wasn’t in the cards. After roughly a minute and a half, “Rampage” dropped Liddell with a Knockout of the Night-winning right hook to become the first black fighter to capture the UFC’s light-heavyweight championship.
On the next page: Kimbo, Jon Jones, and Mighty Mouse leave their own marks on the sport…
We may be in the midst of a Zuffa drought, but that doesn’t mean we must thirst for knockouts. Last night Resurrection Fighting Alliance hooked up with Sherdog to bring you a live stream of their second card, which featured a pair of heavy hitters and a pioneer of the sport. Jens Pulver also returned to action for the promotion, though thankfully it was in the announcer’s booth this time.
The evening’s main event promised brain damage, and it lived up to our expectations. Houston Alexander displayed the one-strike power that launched his UFC-career, stammering Gilbert Yvel with an overhand right before knocking him down with a leg kick all in the opening thirty seconds of the bout. Yvel looked reserved in his second bout as a light-heavyweight, though against a brawler like Alexander pretty much everyone looks passive. “The Hurricane” started to open up in the latter half of the first round, and with just over a minute remaining on the clock he connected with a left hook that rocked Alexander followed by a big right hand that dropped him face first to the canvas–time to update our planking homage. That’s two straight wins for the recently re-invented 205’er and the second consecutive knockout loss for “The Assassin”.
Join us after the jump for videos and recaps of the Maurice Smith-Jorge Cordoba and Tara LaRosa-Kelly Warren bouts.
Yvel vs Alexander (spoiler: no flying triangles)
We may be in the midst of a Zuffa drought, but that doesn’t mean we must thirst for knockouts. Last night Resurrection Fighting Alliance hooked up with Sherdog to bring you a live stream of their second card, which featured a pair of heavy hitters and a pioneer of the sport. Jens Pulver also returned to action for the promotion, though thankfully it was in the announcer’s booth this time.
The evening’s main event promised brain damage, and it lived up to our expectations. Houston Alexander displayed the one-strike power that launched his UFC-career, stammering Gilbert Yvel with an overhand right before knocking him down with a leg kick all in the opening thirty seconds of the bout. Yvel looked reserved in his second bout as a light-heavyweight, though against a brawler like Alexander pretty much everyone looks passive. “The Hurricane” started to open up in the latter half of the first round, and with just over a minute remaining on the clock he connected with a left hook that rocked Alexander followed by a big right hand that dropped him face first to the canvas–time to update our planking homage. That’s two straight wins for the recently re-invented 205′er and the second consecutive knockout loss for “The Assassin”.
Smith-Cordoba bout. The beginning of the end starts at 15:50.
In a battle against father time, fifty year old Maurice Smith climbed back into the cage for the first time in four years to take on Jorge Cordoba. Though the the twenty eight year old had youth on his side, he was reportedly fighting outside of his normal weight class for this bout. The former UFC Heavyweight champ used footwork and head movement to avoid the Cordoba’s lunging haymakers early in the round, and rolled through a takedown attempt to end the frame on top and in control. Smith showed the sort of calm composure that other Mo’s could learn from, easily avoiding Cordoba’s frenzied punches while bloodying his face and punishing his left thigh with kicks. Smith, who was making his light heavyweight debut, landed everything he threw, which unfortunately for Cordoba included a right high kick to the chin that crumpled him to the mat.
And in WMMA action, Tara LaRosa scored an armbar victory over Kelly Warren at 4:59 of the third and final round!(!!!) Man, last second finishes, they’re so hot right now.
Twice fired UFC heavyweight Tim Hague is determined to get back to the Octagon, but his choice of opponent for his upcoming fight likely won’t garner him another invite to the big show from matchmaker Joe Silva.
Hague (13-5), who spent a week at Brock Lesnar’s Death Clutch gym to help the former UFC heavyweight champion prepare for his UFC 141 fight with Alistair Overeem is slated to take on aging UFC veteran Maurice Smith (12-13) in Brazil on January 20 under the Kumite Combate banner.
(Maurice Smith? I thought he was dead.)
Twice fired UFC heavyweight Tim Hague is determined to get back to the Octagon, but his choice of opponent for his upcoming fight likely won’t garner him another invite to the big show from matchmaker Joe Silva.
Hague (13-5), who spent a week at Brock Lesnar‘s Death Clutch gym to help the former UFC heavyweight champion prepare for his UFC 141 fight with Alistair Overeem is slated to take on aging UFC veteran Maurice Smith (12-13) in Brazil on January 20 under the Kumite Combate banner.
For those of us who thought Smith had retired, he pretty much did.
The 51-year-old, who is old enough to be Hague’s dad, hasn’t fought since 2008 when he lost to Hidehiko Yoshida by neck crank a Sengoku 3. That bout was only his third since being dropped by the UFC in 2000 after a loss at UFC 28.
Hague, 28, is 1-0 since being dropped by the UFC this time around with a win over 40-year-old 20-22-1 fighter Vince Lucero who is winless in his last 10 fights. “The Thrashing Machine” is 1-4 in five UFC starts with a win over Pat Barry and losses to Todd Duffee, Chris Tuscherer, Joey Beltran and Matt Mitrione.
We had several entries in what was likely our toughest contest to date. As always, you guys showed that you’re passionate fans of our site and the sport — either that or you just like free stuff.
Anyway, before we get into announcing who the winner is, here are the official correct answers:
2. Acclaimed coach Shawn Tompkins (hitting the bag), Frank “Johnny Cage” Colcher and Trevor “Hollywood” Harris (both sparring in ring) in “Sons of Anarchy” (2010)
3. UFC 3 tooth loser Teila Tuli AKA Taylor Wily in “Forgetting “Sarah Marshall” (2008)
4. Maurice Smith (the fatherless bastard) in “Miami Connection” (1987)
6. UFC founder Rorian Gracie (Mexican restaurant maitre d’) in “Hart to Hart” 1983
7. Cunning linguist Tito Ortiz in “The Crow: Wicked Prayer” (2005)
8. Rapist and murderer Joe Son (fighting Bolo Yeung) and Mike Bernardo (cornerman shouting encouragement to Yeung) in Shootfighter 2 (1996)
9. MMA legend and all around good guy (unless you accost his wife in a bar) Bas Rutten in Zookeeper (2011)
10. MMA trainer extraordinaire Steven Seagal, Randy Couture (answers door and gets KO’d by Seagal) and Karo Parisyan (thug number two that Seagal KOs) in “Today You Die” (2005)
11. UFC Hall-of-Famer Ken Shamrock in “That 70’s Show” (1999)
12. Raving lunatic Harold Howard (wild-eyed murderous gladiator) in “Gladiator Cop” (1995)
We had several entries in what was likely our toughest contest to date. As always, you guys showed that you’re passionate fans of our site and the sport — either that or you just like free stuff.
Anyway, before we get into announcing who the winner is, here are the official correct answers:
2. Acclaimed coach Shawn Tompkins (hitting the bag), Frank “Johnny Cage” Colcher and Trevor “Hollywood” Harris (both sparring in ring) in “Sons of Anarchy” (2010)
3. UFC 3 tooth loser Teila Tuli AKA Taylor Wily in “Forgetting “Sarah Marshall” (2008)
4. Maurice Smith (the fatherless bastard) in “Miami Connection” (1987)
6. UFC founder Rorian Gracie (Mexican restaurant maitre d’) in “Hart to Hart” 1983
7. Cunning linguist Tito Ortiz in “The Crow: Wicked Prayer” (2005)
8. Rapist and murderer Joe Son (fighting Bolo Yeung) and Mike Bernardo (cornerman shouting encouragement to Yeung) in Shootfighter 2 (1996)
9. MMA legend and all around good guy (unless you accost his wife in a bar) Bas Rutten in Zookeeper (2011)
10. MMA trainer extraordinaire Steven Seagal, Randy Couture (answers door and gets KO’d by Seagal) and Karo Parisyan (thug number two that Seagal KOs) in “Today You Die” (2005)
11. UFC Hall-of-Famer Ken Shamrock in “That 70′s Show” (1999)
12. Raving lunatic Harold Howard (wild-eyed murderous gladiator) in “Gladiator Cop” (1995)
14.Stephen Quadros (dude with the animated facial expressions) in “Demon Wind” (1990)
15. Patrick Smith’s first UFC 2 victim Ray Wizard (gang leader) in “The Master” AKA “Long Xing Tian Xia” (1992)
16. Joe Rogan in “Zookeeper” (2011
17. Chuck Liddell (Boy Scout catching orange) in “The Postman Always Rings Twice” (1981)
If you got all of the answers you would have gotten 22 right. Worth noting is that not one person got all 22 and most (who were frontrunners up until we received the winning entry last night) topped out at 17. Many forgot to mention Sensei Seagal since most don’t consider him an MMA personality and the majority didn’t catch the background “bonus” characters in the Sons of Anarchy and Shootfighter 2 clips. A few, who are likely kicking themselves today, incorrectly stated that the clip with Joe Son was from Shootfighter, NOT Shootfighter 2.
We’d like to say thanks to Hayabusa for offering us such a great prize and to everyone for entering. Unfortunately there can only be one grand prize winner.
As a consolation prize we will be sending the runners up one of our coveted Cage Potato “Devil Horns” or “Hall of Fame” shirts. If your name is called, send us your shipping info and shirt size at [email protected]: Blakethoria, John Hernandez, Noah Kalkstein, Miles Ravitz, Chris Reid and Justin Williams.
And the big winner, and a true expert of Googling obscure MMA cameos is…. Michael Jones. Shoot us your shipping address and size and we’ll get your prize out to you.
