10 Most Anticipated Returns In UFC History

Highly regarded as one of the top names ever to be a part of UFC's roster, Ken Shamrock can honestly claim to be one of the pioneers of this combat sport.

Fending off Dan Severn to win the inaugural UFC 'Superfight', Shamrock became the UFC Superfight Champion - which became the UFC Heavyweight Championship afterwards.

UFC clearly had a lot of stock in him. That's why - after he lost the title to the guy he won it against - it shocked fans to hear that he would be leaving the company post-win over Brian Johnston at Ultimate Ultimate 1996.

He would then go on to join Pride almost four years after leaving UFC - winning the 2000 Pride Grand Prix Superfight Final - but he never enjoyed the same kind of adulation he received in the States.

Six years after his departure from UFC, Shamrock would make his way back to the company and his returning bout would be a tantalising one. He would be making his Light Heavyweight debut, taking on the champ Tito Ortiz, at UFC 40 for the title.

It was the first of a series of fights between the two (which Shamrock lost all of) with Ortiz spoiling Shamrock's return party with a third round corner stoppage.

Shamrock's MMA career post-UFC return never really got back on track after this, but he was a bona fide star and the audience would still go nuts at the mere sight of him.