On This Day In MMA History: August 9

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UFC 87: Seek and Destroy went down three years ago at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Why it Matters:

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Jon Jones made his UFC debut on the card, defeating fellow undefeated fighter Andre Gusmao by unanimous decision. Jones would go on to win five of his next six fights in dominating fashion against some of the promotion’s best fighters including Vladimir Matyushenko, Brandon Vera and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128 to win the UFC light heavyweight strap in a little more than two-and-a-half years since he first competed in the Octagon. Analysts predict that he will go down as one of the sport’s best fighters. Time will tell.


(Video courtesy of YouTube/IronChefKenichiSakai)

UFC 87: Seek and Destroy went down three years ago at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Why it Matters:


(Video courtesy of YouTube/SemtexRumble617)

Jon Jones made his UFC debut on the card, defeating fellow undefeated fighter Andre Gusmao by unanimous decision. Jones would go on to win five of his next six fights in dominating fashion against some of the promotion’s best fighters including Vladimir Matyushenko, Brandon Vera and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128 to win the UFC light heavyweight strap in a little more than two-and-a-half years since he first competed in the Octagon. Analysts predict that he will go down as one of the sport’s best fighters. Time will tell.


(Video courtesy of YouTube/SAWrestlingEire)

Brock Lesnar got his first UFC win by decisively beating PRIDE veteran Heath Herring via unanimous decision (30-26 all) after getting submitted in his first bout by Frank Mir. In his next bout, which was only his fourth in MMA, he defeated Randy Couture to win the UFC heavyweight championship.


(Video courtesy of YouTube/zeno35)

Jon Fitch faced Georges St-Pierre for the UFC welterweight strap and was dominated by the French Canadian champion for five rounds. In spite of a seven-fight undefeated streak since the bout, including a draw in a so-called title eliminator with BJ Penn at UFC 127 in February, Fitch has been passed over more than once for another shot at St-Pierre.


(Video courtesy of YouTube/Sherdog)

Kenny Florian defeated Roger Huerta, effectively knocking “El Matador” off of his trajectory towards an inevitable title shot. Florian would defeat Joe Stevenson in his next bout at UFC 91 to earn a second shot at the lightweight strap against BJ Penn at UFC 101.