Light Heavyweight title: Tito Ortiz v. Ken Shamrock
Shamrock had spent some time as World champion for fledgling wrestling promotion TNA in 2002, but hadn’t fought in the UFC in six years at this point. Ortiz, as well, had been sitting out for the past year due to pay disputes and a knee injury. But man, the trash talk was EPIC for this one regardless of how crappy the actual fight was going to be. Ortiz blocks a takedown and throws knees out of the clinch, but can’t get a clean takedown. Bradshaw going nuts at ringside like a little kid provides almost as much entertainment as the fight. Tito keeps it in the clinch and is able to get the takedown this time, and Shamrock is sucking wind on the ground and trying to survive. Tito pounds him at will until the end of the round. 10-8 for Tito, without question. Jeff Osborne scores it 10-9. For what, Shamrock’s mutton chops?
Second round and Shamrock comes out swinging, but Tito quickly takes him down and Shamrock can’t do anything but go into the guard and pray. Ken tries to spin out by using the fence, but Tito passes into side mount and starts ramming knees into Ken’s ribs. This is very, very sad to watch if you’re a fan of Shamrock. Ken manages to fight up as the round nears the end, but Tito hits him with another knee as the round closes. Another 10-8 round for Ortiz, as this is just a one-sided beating.
Round three and Tito is looking for the knockout, but then gets another takedown for more punishment from the top. Shamrock gets a half-hearted submission attempt and fights his way back up again, but Tito clinches him again and throws those knees. End of the round, 10-8 for Tito, but at least it wasn’t a TOTAL blowout this time. It’s too much for Shamrock’s corner, though, as they throw in the towel to end the slaughter. No snark from Tito, as he shows respect to Ken after the win.
Pretty great show top-to-bottom as far as decisive and exciting finishes go, which was exactly what they needed. On the business front, this show did 150,000 buys, which today would be considered grounds for Dana White to kill himself, but at the time was a monster number based on little more than internet hype and occasional TV coverage.
Next time: The lightweight title is decided!
Photos from UFC 40 by Susumu Nagao
