UFC 5 - History

History

UFC 5 used an eight-man tournament format, with the winner receiving $50,000. The event also featured the first ever UFC Superfight, as well as two alternate fights, which were not shown on the live pay-per-view broadcast. The tournament had no weight classes, or weight limits. The fights had to end by knockout or submission; therefore no judges were used.

UFC 5 also introduced the first 'Superfight', which was the first non-tournament singles match in UFC history. The Superfight match was the main attraction, and the winner of this fight would become the reigning UFC Champion. It consisted of rivals Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock facing off in the most anticipated match in UFC history to that date. Up to this point, Ken Shamrock's only defeat was to Royce Gracie in UFC 1.

UFC 5 was the first UFC event to feature any kind of time limits since UFC 1. A 20 minute time limit was imposed for the quarterfinal and semi-final round matches in the tournament. The finals of the tournament and the Superfight had a 30 minute time limit. The Superfight overran to 31 minutes before incorporating an on the spot decision to extend the fight by a further five minutes. As there was still no winner, the match was declared a draw. The referee for the night was 'Big' John McCarthy. Dan Severn won the tournament by defeating Dave Beneteau with a keylock.

This UFC event was the last with the involvement of Rorion Gracie, ostensibly because the introduction of new rules had diluted Gracie's (and his family's) vision for the UFC and vale tudo fighting. MMA Columnist Steve Cofield also noted that the Gracies left the UFC just as the talent level was beginning to increase. This is debatable, however, considering that many of the Gracies, including Royce, continued to fight in Japan against similar competition. Gracie and his partner Art Davie later sold WOW Promotions, co-promoters of the event, to WOW's partner, Semaphore Entertainment Group. Royce Gracie also ended his involvement following Rorion's departure.