Mixed Martial Arts
The following is a list of major noteworthy MMA events during 1997 in chronological order.
| Date | Event | Alternate Name/s | Location | Attendance | PPV Buyrate | Notes |
| February 7 | UFC 12: Judgement Day | Dothan, Alabama, US | 3,100 | UFC rule change, split main tournament into heavyweight (200lbs+) and lightweight (Under 200lbs) divisions. Eight-man tournament ceases. Introduction of titles. Superfights cease. | ||
| May 30 | UFC 13: Ultimate Force | Augusta, Georgia, US | 5,100 | Closed fisted strikes to the head were banned for this event only. | ||
| July 27 | UFC 14: Showdown | Birmingham, Alabama, US | 5,000 | UFC rule change, requires fighters to use 4-6 oz gloves. | ||
| October 11 | Pride 1 | Tokyo, Japan | 47,860 | Pride FC's first event.
The event featured one kickboxing bout between Branko Cikatić and Ralph White. |
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| October 17 | UFC 15: Collision Course | Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, US | UFC rule change, redefined permissible striking areas. | |||
| December 21 | UFC Japan: Ultimate Japan | UFC 15.5 | Yokohama, Japan | 5,000 | This event featured the first appearance of longtime UFC announcer Mike Goldberg. |
Read more about this topic: 1997 In Sports
Famous quotes containing the words mixed, martial and/or arts:
“Remember that the wit, humour, and jokes of most mixed companies are local. They thrive in that particular soil, but will not often bear transplanting.”
—Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)
“To a surprising extent the war-lords in shining armour, the apostles of the martial virtues, tend not to die fighting when the time comes. History is full of ignominious getaways by the great and famous.”
—George Orwell (1903–1950)
“In a very ugly and sensible age, the arts borrow, not from life, but from each other.”
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)