UFC 14
The first UFC event to mandate padded gloves.
UFC 14: Showdown was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on July 27, 1997 in Birmingham, Alabama.
Quick Facts
- Shamrock prior titles
- N/A — Ken Shamrock did not compete at UFC 14
Lore & Background
The event featured two separate tournaments: a heavyweight tournament for fighters 200 lb or more, and a middleweight (formerly lightweight) tournament for fighters under 200 lb. It also featured a UFC Heavyweight Championship 'Superfight' between Mark Coleman and Maurice Smith, as well as two alternate bouts in case of tournament injury. Showdown was the first UFC event to require all fighters to wear padded gloves, weighing between four and six ounces. It was also the first UFC appearance of World champion kickboxer Maurice Smith and champion collegiate wrestler Mark Kerr.
Reader's Guide
The event was seen live on pay-per-view in the United States, and later released on home video. The middleweight tournament bracket included Tony Fryklund replacing Joe Moreira who was not medically permitted to continue. The heavyweight tournament bracket is.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UFC 14?
UFC 14 was a professional mixed martial arts event held in October 1997, representing one of the final major cards of the sport's original 'no-rules' era. It headlined a heavyweight clash between the reigning champion and a dominant wrestler, and it is widely regarded as the moment the competitive balance of early UFC shifted permanently.
Who fought in the main event of UFC 14?
The main event pitted two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Ken Shamrock against heavyweight wrestling legend Mark Coleman. Shamrock had been the organization's marquee star since his 1993 debut, while Coleman was a two-time NCAA heavyweight champion stepping into the cage for the first time.
How did UFC 14's main event end?
Mark Coleman stopped Ken Shamrock by TKO, ending the champion's reign and his status as the UFC's untouchable figure. The victory sent shockwaves through the early MMA world because it proved a pure wrestler could outclass the sport's most decorated fighter.
Where and when was UFC 14 held?
The event took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, in October 1997. It was staged during a transitional period when the UFC was still finding its identity as a televised sport and had not yet adopted the modern rule set that governs the promotion today.
Elsewhere in UFC
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