History
The card was co-headlined by a Heavyweight title bout between Randy Couture and Pedro Rizzo, and a Welterweight Title Bout between Pat Miletich and Carlos Newton. The card also featured the first appearance of former Lightweight and Welterweight champion BJ Penn, former Welterweight Champion Matt Serra, and Kevin Randleman's first fight at 205.
UFC 31 again saw reformed weight classes, adopting the current standard. Bantamweight was renamed Lightweight and raised from 150 to 155. Welterweights were now at 170, Middleweights at 185, and Light Heavyweights at 205.
Dana White has said on many occasions that this was one of the best fight cards ever mainly due to the main event and the bout between Matt Serra and Shonie Carter which involved the infamous backfist finish.
This event also saw the professional debut of future multi-divisional UFC Champion B.J. Penn.
Read more about this topic: UFC 31
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