The Best Fight Ever?

This is a picture from the Frank Shamrock / Tito Ortiz fight back in '99. Frank was the defending Middleweight (since changed in name to Light-Heavyweight) Champion of the UFC and Tito was the up and coming challenger. It was a great fight for both fighters. Tito had a big size advantage and he used that to his advantage and he's a ground and pound fighter so he had every reason to think he'd do well against Shamrock, a grappler with decent striking at best. Tito took Frank to the ground time after time, but he wasn't ready for what Frank brought. Everyone who steps in the octogon these days is familiar with the guard (the position common in Brazilian jiu-jitsu in which a fighter on his back will wrap his legs around his opponent's waist), but most still view it as a purely defensive posture, not taking many chances and using it strictly for defense. I guess that's better than not using it all and just getting abused when you're on your back, but a good fighter can use the guard as a dynamic offensive postion and that's just what Frank did. He's got one of the most active guards of any professional fighter ever to hit the octagon. He was constantly working on Tito, going for the submission. To Tito's credit, Frank wasn't able to nail any of these, but Frank kept Tito working and didn't give him a second to rest. Moreover, Frank was able to escape and get back on his feet more and more as the fight wore on, and Frank proved to be the more capable striker that night. Tito kept going, but halfway through the third round it was pretty clear he was running on fumes. With seconds to go in the fight, Tito had Frank on his back but the Champ escaped and landed an elbow and two quick fists to the back of Tito's head. That was it for Tito. He tapped out to end the fight.

The fight was awesome. I watch a lot of no holds barred fighting and I've seen a lot of great fights, but I'd have a hard time saying there was a single one that was as good as this fight. Watch it if you get a chance, or buy me a 40 and we'll watch the video on my computer.