PHOTO CREDIT: UFC
UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock couldn’t replicate the same success he had once had when returning for a second UFC run. However, upon returning to the UFC in 2002, Ken Shamrock engaged in a heated rivalry with Tito Ortiz. A rivalry stemming from Tito Ortiz flipping off the Lion’s Den corner with an angry Ken Shamrock present after defeating Guy Mezger at UFC 19, a heated rivalry between the two was born. And because of this, the UFC was able to capitalize on it at a time when business was at an all-time low.
Ken Shamrock vs. Tito Ortiz At UFC 40
The first fight of the trilogy between Ken Shamrock and Tito Ortiz took place at the UFC 40 PPV. The first fight of their trilogy was a championship fight, Ken Shamrock challenged Tito Ortiz’s UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Because of their name values and real-life animosity, the PPV garnered 100,000 buys and received mainstream coverage. And even though Tito Ortiz got a dominant win over Ken Shamrock, their rivalry continued into the mid-2000s.
The Shamrock vs. Ortiz Rivalry Continues
Ken Shamrock and Tito Ortiz resumed their rivalry by being the coaches for the third season of The Ultimate Fighter. Being on The Ultimate Fighter, which led to more hostilities between the two, led to the rematch between Ken Shamrock and Tito Ortiz at UFC 61. As Tito Ortiz defeated Ken Shamrock in the first round, the PPV received an impressive 775,000 buys.
Having suffered multiple injuries, it was evident that Ken Shamrock was past his prime. However, UFC promoted the third fight between Ken Shamrock and Tito Ortiz, airing on Spike TV in October 2006. With Tito Ortiz getting the first-round win for the second time, it would be Ken Shamrock’s final UFC fight in the promotion. A fight that was a ratings success, UFC president Dana White credited the fight for bringing MMA into mainstream success.
“Last night was a turning point for the UFC,” stated UFC president Dana White via ADCC. “This will further drive the evolution of mixed martial arts into a mainstream sport.”
Why the Shamrock vs. Ortiz rivalry saved the UFC?
The rivalry between Ken Shamrock and Tito Ortiz was an overwhelming success for the UFC. It legitimized the sport of MMA in the United States while highlighting the UFC’s ability to feature entertainment-like elements to the product. As the UFC was losing money before Ken Shamrock’s UFC return, his rivalry with Tito Ortiz showed that the UFC could be profitable in the long run, eventually becoming the global phenomenon it is today!
Featured Articles
Featured Writers
