UFC 12

UFC 12: Judgement Day was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on February 7, 1997 at the Dothan Civic Center in Dothan, Alabama.[1] The event was seen live on pay per view in the United States, and later released on home video.

UFC 12: Judgement Day
The poster for UFC 12: Judgement Day.
Information
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateFebruary 7, 1997
VenueDothan Civic Center
CityDothan, Alabama
Attendance3,100
Buyrate122,000
Event chronology
Ultimate Ultimate 1996 UFC 12: Judgement Day UFC 13: Ultimate Force

History

UFC 12 was the first UFC event to feature weight classes; heavyweights (200 lb and over) and lightweights (under 200 lb) battled in two separate mini tournaments, each consisting of two semifinal bouts and a finals match.

The event also featured a Superfight between Dan Severn and Mark Coleman. The fight would unify the UFC Superfight Championship with the UFC tournament championship and determine the first ever UFC Heavyweight Champion. Mark Coleman was a late substitution for Don Frye, who had earned the rematch with Severn after winning the Ultimate Ultimate 1996, but was unable to participate in UFC 12 because of injuries he had suffered in that previous event. Frye never returned to the UFC. "Judgement Day" also featured two alternate bouts in case of tournament injury.

UFC 12 marked the first UFC appearance of Vitor Belfort, who won the heavyweight tournament and was only 19 years of age. UFC 12 also marked the first appearance of commentator Joe Rogan, who handled backstage interviews for the event and interviewed the winners of the main events.

After being removed from many pay per view carriers, and with mounting pressure from politicians such as Senator John McCain, the UFC had continuing troubles finding a venue, and a state, that would host UFC 12.[2]It was first announced that UFC 12 would be held in Niagara Falls, New York, to which it was ultimately denied sanctioning rights. Next, it was announced that UFC 12 would be held in Oregon, which soon banned the event. Finally, the UFC returned to Alabama, where it appeared in the small city of Dothan, located about 200 miles southeast of Birmingham.

The UFC would continue to hold events exclusively in Southern US States (aside from occasional shows in Japan and Brazil) until 2001, when the UFC was sanctioned by the New Jersey State Athletic Commission.

Results
Lightweight Finals
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight Jerry Bohlander def. Nick Sanzo Submission (Neck Crank) 0:39 [lower-alpha 1]
Lightweight Semifinals
Lightweight Jerry Bohlander def. Rainy Martinez Submission (rear naked choke) 1:18
Lightweight Yoshiki Takahashi def. Wallid Ismail Decision 15:00 [lower-alpha 2]
Lightweight Alternate bout
Lightweight Nick Sanzo def. Jackie Lee TKO (strikes) 0:48
UFC Heavyweight Championship
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Heavyweight Mark Coleman def. Dan Severn Submission (neck crank) 2:57 [lower-alpha 3]
Heavyweight Finals
Heavyweight Vitor Belfort def. Scott Ferrozzo TKO (punches) 0:43
Heavyweight Semifinals
Heavyweight Scott Ferrozzo def. Jim Mullen TKO (punches) 8:02
Heavyweight Vitor Belfort def. Tra Telligman TKO (cut) 1:17
Heavyweight Alternate bout
Heavyweight Justin Martin def. Eric Martin Submission (heel hook) 0:14
  1. Sanzo replaced Takahashi who broke his hand fighting Ismail.
  2. Takahashi broke his hand during the bout, and was unable to continue in the tournament.
  3. Coleman defeated Severn to become the inaugural UFC Heavyweight Champion.

UFC 12 Lightweight Tournament Bracket
Semifinals Finals
      
Jerry Bohlander SUB
Rainy Martinez 1:18
Jerry Bohlander SUB
Nick Sanzo1 0:39
Yoshiki Takahashi DEC
Wallid Ismail 15:00

1 Nick Sanzo replaced Yoshiki Takahashi who withdrew due to a broken hand.

UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament Bracket
Semifinals Finals
      
Scott Ferrozzo TKO
Jim Mullen 8:02
Scott Ferrozzo 0:43
Vitor Belfort TKO
Vitor Belfort TKO
Tra Telligman 1:17

See also

References
  1. "UFC 25 Years In Short: Judgement Day". UFC.
  2. Wilcox, Nate (15 April 2009). "UFC 12: Run Out of New York". Bloody Elbow.
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