UFC 12
| UFC 12: Judgement Day | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 The poster for UFC 12: Judgement Day | ||||
| Information | ||||
| Promotion | Ultimate Fighting Championship | |||
| Date | February 7th, 1997 | |||
| Venue | Dothan Civic Center | |||
| City | Dothan, Alabama | |||
| Attendance | 3,100 | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
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UFC 12: Judgement Day was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on February 7th, 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. UFC 12 was the first UFC event to feature weight classes; heavyweights (200 lbs and over) and lightweights (199lbs 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. Dan Severn was a late substitution for Don Frye, who had earned the rematch with Coleman after winning the Ultimate Ultimate 1996, but was unable to particiate 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 was also the first appearance of 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, for that matter, 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, 90 miles outside 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
Alternate Bouts
Heavyweight Bout: Justin Martin vs. Eric Martin
Justin Martin wins by submission (heel hook) at 0:14 of round 1.
Lightweight Bout: Nick Sanzo vs. Jackie Lee
Sanzo wins by TKO (referee stoppage due to strikes) at 0:48 of round 1.
Lightweight Tournament
Lightweight Semifinal Bout: Yoshiiki Takahashi vs. Wallid Ismail
Takahashi wins by unanimous decision at 15:00 of round 1. Although Takahasi took the win, he broke his hand during the bout, and was unable to continue in the tournament.
Lightweight Semifinal Bout: Jerry Bohlander vs. Rainy Martinez
Bohlander wins by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:24 of round 1.
Lightweight Finals: Jerry Bohlander vs. Nick Sanzo
Bohlander wins the Lightweight Tournament by submission at 0:35 of round 1. Sanzo replaced Takahashi who broke his hand fighting Wallid Ismail.
| Semifinals | Final | ||||||||
| Yoshiiki Takahashi | |||||||||
| Wallid Ismail | |||||||||
| Jerry Bohlander | |||||||||
| Nick Sanzo | |||||||||
| Jerry Bohlander | |||||||||
| Rainy Martinez | |||||||||
Heavyweight Tournament
Heavyweight Semifinal Bout: Scott Ferrozzo vs. Jim Mullen
Ferrozzo wins by TKO (referee stoppage due to strikes) at 8:17 of round 1.
Heavyweight Semifinal Bout: Vitor Belfort vs. Tra Telligman
Belfort wins by TKO (referee stoppage due to strikes) at 1:18 of round 1.
Heavyweight Finals: Vitor Belfort vs. Scott Ferrozzo
Belfort wins the Heavyweight Tournament by TKO (referee stoppage due to strikes) at 0:52 of round 1.
| Semifinals | Final | ||||||||
| Scott Ferrozzo | |||||||||
| Jim Mullen | |||||||||
| Vitor Belfort | |||||||||
| Scott Ferrozzo | |||||||||
| Vitor Belfort | |||||||||
| Tra Telligman | |||||||||
UFC Heavyweight title Match
Mark Coleman vs. Dan Severn
Coleman wins by submission (choke) at 2:57 of round 1 to become the first UFC Heavyweight Champion.