UFC 15.5: "Ultimate Japan" (Dec. 21st, 1997)

Venue: Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

Commentators: Mike Goldberg & Jeff Blatnick

Synopsis: This marked the 1st UFC Event in Japan with a lot of history to be had. For starters, it was Mike Goldberg's 1st Show doing commentary for the UFC replacing MSG's Bruce Beck to stand alongside Jeff Blatnick. It was also the 1st Time that fighters enter the cage to their own music which would later help the UFC carve into their unique niche as a promotion. Then, there were the fighters themselves. Namely, in regards to the Heavyweight Tournament. David "Tank Abbott was a favorite to win the tournament, but ended up breaking his hand in his fight with Yoji Anjo. This in turn led to 2 fights pitting Marcus "Conan" Silveira & Kazushi Sakuraba and a legend being made.

FIGHT CARD:

Heavyweight Tournament, Reserve Bout
Brad Kohler vs. Tra "Trauma" Telligman

Heavyweight Tournament, Semi Final
David "Tank" Abbott vs. "Mr. 200" Yoji Anjo

Heavyweight Tournament, Semi Final
Kazushi "The IQ Wrestler" Sakuraba vs. Marcus "Conan" Silveira

Inaugural UFC Middleweight Title Match
Frank "The Legend" Shamrock vs. Kevin Jackson

Joe "The Ghetto Man" Charles vs. Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort

Heavyweight Tournament, Final
Kazushi "The IQ Wrestler" Sakuraba vs. Marcus "Conan" Silveira

UFC Heavyweight Title Match
Maurice "Mo" Smith (c) vs. Randy "The Natural" Couture