8 Brutal Fights From The Anything Goes Era Of The UFC

Though the first UFC event would later become iconic for the dominance of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and as the inception of the rivalry between Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock, it would be wrong to forget the contributions to MMA of the other fighters featured on the card.

Though neither possessed the skills or lineage of a Gracie or Shamrock, when Zane Frazier fought Kevin Rosier at UFC 1, both men entered the cage with zero intention of backing down.

Frazier had earned his invitation to the tournament after winning a street fight with Frank Dux the man who had served as inspiration for the film Bloodsport. Meanwhile, Rosier was an accomplished kickboxer who, while clearly not in his physical prime at UFC 1, adapted quickly to the lawless nature of the event.

The pair brutalised each other from the opening bell, with Frazier grabbing an unconventional Thai clinch, controlling Rosier by his hair and landing several knees. Adept in the Homer Simpson school of fighting, the late Rosier absorbed punishment until Frazier was completely exhausted before initiating his own offence. Rosier pushes his opponent into the cage wall then punishing him with stomps while holding on to the fence until Frazier's corner threw in the towel.

At 4:20, the bout was the longest in the entire event by some distance, and an exhausted Rosier was handily beaten by Gerard Gordeau in the semi-finals.