Vitor Belfort celebrates after knocking out Wanderlei at 1998 UFC in São Paulo. Photo: Juca Martins/GRACIEMAG archives.
In the wake of the success of “5 Jiu-Jitsu matches with unforgettable starts,” GRACIEMAG.com follows up with a fistful of MMA classics that had fans spring out of their chairs in the early action.
Revisit the fights and comment after, gentle reader. What’s your favorite start to an MMA fight?
Fabricio Werdum vs Fedor Emelianenko – Strikeforce – 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBK7LT5A9wo
Vitor Belfort vs Wanderlei Silva – UFC 17,5 – 1998
Royce Gracie vs Ken Shamrock – UFC 1 – 1993
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So_czhvwhT0
Mauricio Shogun vs Quinton Jackson – Pride GP – 2005
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJppfgTIKrM
José Aldo vs Cub Swanson – WEC 41 – 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yms7uXyqDZ4
Renzo Gracie vs Oleg Taktarov – Mars – 1996
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBcwq3e_vfc