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. The event was seen live on pay per view in the United States, and later released on home video.
History
UFC 12 was the first UFC event to feature weight classes; heavyweights (200 lbs and over) and lightweights (199 lbs and under) 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 to determine the first 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 and also the first appearance of commentator Joe Rogan, who handled backstage interviews for the event.
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. It was first announced that UFC 12 would be held in 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 alternate bout
* United States Nick Sanzo vs. Jackie Lee
Sanzo wins by TKO (referee stoppage due to strikes) at 0:48.
Lightweight semifinals
* United States Jerry Bohlander vs. United States Rainy Martinez
Bohlander wins by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:24.
* Japan Yoshiki Takahashi vs. Brazil Wallid Ismail
Takahashi wins by unanimous decision at 15:00. Takahashi broke his hand during the bout, and was unable to continue in the tournament.
Lightweight finals
* United States Jerry Bohlander vs. United States Nick Sanzo
Bohlander wins the Lightweight Tournament by submission (Crucifix) at 0:35. Sanzo replaced Takahashi who broke his hand fighting Wallid Ismail.
Heavyweight alternate bout
* United States Justin Martin vs. Eric Martin
Justin Martin wins by submission (heel hook) at 0:14.
Heavyweight semifinals
* United States Scott Ferrozzo vs. United States Jim Mullen
Ferrozzo wins by TKO (referee stoppage due to strikes) at 8:17.
* Brazil Vitor Belfort vs. United States Tra Telligman
Belfort wins by TKO (referee stoppage due to strikes) at 1:17.
Heavyweight finals
* Brazil Vitor Belfort vs. United States Scott Ferrozzo
Belfort wins the Heavyweight Tournament by TKO (referee stoppage due to strikes) at 0:43.
UFC Heavyweight Title match
* United States Mark Coleman vs. United States Dan Severn
Coleman wins by submission (choke) at 2:57 to become the first UFC Heavyweight Champion.
UFC 12 bracket (Lightweight)
| Semifinals | Finals | |||||||
| Yoshiki Takahashi | ||||||||
| Wallid Ismail | ||||||||
| Nick Sanzo | ||||||||
| Jerry Bohlander | ||||||||
| Jerry Bohlander | ||||||||
| Rainy Martinez | ||||||||
UFC 12 bracket (Heavyweight)
| Semifinals | Finals | |||||||
| Scott Ferrozzo | ||||||||
| Jim Mullen | ||||||||
| Vitor Belfort | ||||||||
| Scott Ferrozzo | ||||||||
| Vitor Belfort | ||||||||
| Tra Telligman | ||||||||
