UFC 72

UFC 72: Victory was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on June 16, 2007, at The Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, marking the promotion's first event in the region.^[1] The pay-per-view card was headlined by a middleweight bout between former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin and contender Yushin Okami, with Franklin securing a unanimous decision victory (29-28 on all cards) to rebound from a prior title loss and position himself for another championship opportunity.^[1] In the co-main event, light heavyweight Forrest Griffin defeated Hector Ramirez via unanimous decision (30-27 across the board), extending his win streak ahead of his future title contention.^[1] The main card also featured Jason MacDonald stopping Rory Singer with punches and elbows in the second round, while lightweight clash between Tyson Griffin and Clay Guida went to a split decision in Griffin's favor (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), earning Fight of the Night honors and $40,000 bonuses each.^[1]^[2] On the prelims, Scott Smith submitted Ed Herman with a rear-naked choke for Submission of the Night ($40,000), Marcus Davis knocked out Jason Tan in the first round for Knockout of the Night ($40,000), Eddie Sanchez finished Colin Robinson with elbows, and Dustin Hazelett choked out Stevie Lynch via anaconda submission.^[1]^[2] The event attracted 7,850 attendees and generated a live gate of $1.2 million, with approximately 200,000 pay-per-view buys, reflecting the UFC's growing international presence in Europe during its expansion phase under Zuffa ownership.^[2]

Background

Historical Context

UFC 72 represented a key milestone in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) early efforts to expand beyond North America, serving as the organization's third event on European soil and the first in Northern Ireland. The UFC's inaugural European outing occurred with UFC 38 on July 13, 2002, at London's Royal Albert Hall, which drew approximately 4,000 spectators and secured a significant television deal with Sky Sports, laying the groundwork for greater visibility of mixed martial arts (MMA) in the region. Following a five-year hiatus, UFC 70 took place on April 21, 2007, at the Manchester Evening News Arena in England, marking the promotion's return and underscoring its commitment to international growth by featuring high-profile matchups to attract local audiences. UFC 72 built directly on this momentum, positioning Belfast as a strategic entry point into the Irish market and highlighting the UFC's accelerating presence in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This event occurred amid a surge in MMA's popularity across Europe during the mid-2000s, driven by regulatory advancements that enhanced the sport's legitimacy and safety standards. In the early 2000s, the adoption of unified rules—formalized in 2001 by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board and increasingly embraced internationally—helped mitigate earlier perceptions of MMA as overly brutal, allowing promotions to gain sanctioning from athletic commissions and combat sports bodies in countries like the UK. Organizations such as Cage Warriors and Cage Rage proliferated in the UK during this period, nurturing local talent and fostering fan interest, which aligned with the UFC's broader strategy to capitalize on emerging markets in Europe where MMA participation and viewership were rapidly increasing. By hosting events in the UK and Ireland, the UFC aimed to cultivate a dedicated regional fanbase and integrate European fighters into its roster, contributing to the sport's transition from niche underground activity to mainstream entertainment. Held on June 16, 2007, at The Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UFC 72 was officially titled "Victory" to symbolize the promotion's triumphant push into new territories and its vision for global dominance in MMA. This subtitle reflected the UFC's narrative of overcoming logistical and cultural barriers to establish a foothold in Europe, just two months after UFC 70, demonstrating an aggressive expansion timeline that would soon lead to additional events across the continent.^[2]^[3]^[4]

Promotional Buildup and Changes

The buildup to UFC 72, titled "Victory," featured significant adjustments to the fight card due to injuries sustained by key fighters. Originally, former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin was slated to face Martin Kampmann in the main event, but Kampmann withdrew because of a knee injury, prompting Yushin Okami to step in as his replacement.^[5] Additionally, heavyweight Jake O'Brien was forced to pull out of his scheduled bout against Tom Murphy after aggravating a chronic spinal injury from his wrestling days at Purdue University, resulting in the cancellation of that matchup and leaving the event with a streamlined card of eight fights. Central to the event's narrative was Franklin's quest for redemption following his title-losing knockout defeat to Anderson Silva at UFC 64 eight months earlier, positioning the fight against Okami as a critical step toward reclaiming a championship opportunity.^[6] Okami, meanwhile, entered as a rising force in the middleweight division, riding a four-fight winning streak in the UFC, including a unanimous decision victory over Mike Swick at UFC 69, which underscored his status as an undefeated contender in the promotion.^[5] On the co-main card, Forrest Griffin carried strong momentum from his breakout fame as the winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 1, where his iconic semifinal fight against Stephan Bonnar had helped propel UFC's mainstream popularity, adding to his appeal as a fan-favorite light heavyweight facing Hector Ramirez.^[7] UFC's promotional campaign highlighted the event as the organization's first venture into Northern Ireland, aiming to capitalize on regional enthusiasm at Belfast's Odyssey Arena by featuring international matchups. Press conferences emphasized cross-cultural rivalries, such as the American Franklin against Japanese standout Okami, to build anticipation for the June 16 broadcast on Spike TV.^[8]

Event Details

Date, Venue, and Logistics

UFC 72: Victory was held on Saturday, June 16, 2007, at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. The event marked the Ultimate Fighting Championship's inaugural appearance in Northern Ireland, furthering its expansion into European markets following earlier outings in the region.^[9] The Odyssey Arena, Northern Ireland's largest indoor venue at the time, boasts a capacity of approximately 11,000 for sporting events, providing a suitable stage for the promotion's growing international presence. Logistically, the event required extensive planning to accommodate the time zone differences between Belfast and the United States, where it aired live on pay-per-view. Preliminary bouts commenced around 12:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. local time), with the main card starting at 3:00 p.m. ET (8:00 p.m. local time).^[10] This scheduling ensured accessibility for North American audiences while drawing a dedicated local crowd. The promotion coordinated with venue operators and local officials to secure approvals for the mixed martial arts format under prevailing UK sporting regulations, which at the time treated MMA events as combat sports exhibitions.^[11] The event attracted 7,850 attendees, falling short of the arena's full capacity but representing a strong turnout for UFC's debut in the region. Gate revenue reached approximately $1.2 million USD (equivalent to about £600,000 at 2007 exchange rates),^[12] underscoring the commercial viability of hosting in Belfast. This financial performance highlighted the logistical challenges and rewards of staging a major PPV event overseas.^[2]

Broadcast and Commercial Performance

UFC 72: Victory was distributed via pay-per-view in North America, airing live at 3 p.m. ET on June 16, 2007, to accommodate the event's European time zone. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the main card was broadcast on Setanta Sports, marking an early effort to reach international audiences through regional television partnerships. The preliminary fights were not aired live but were later released on home video and through UFC's digital platforms, consistent with broadcasting practices for non-main card bouts at the time. The event generated approximately 200,000 pay-per-view buys in North America, a respectable figure for a non-title fight headliner held outside the United States and without major star power.^[13] This performance underscored the UFC's ability to draw viewers for international cards, even amid a midday U.S. broadcast slot that potentially limited accessibility. Commercially, UFC 72 supported the promotion's burgeoning European revenue streams by highlighting market potential in the UK and Ireland, where it served as the first UFC event in Northern Ireland and contributed to sponsorship opportunities tied to the continent's growing MMA interest. The combination of PPV sales, international TV rights, and ancillary sponsorships helped bolster UFC's global financial expansion during its expansion phase under Zuffa ownership.

Fight Card and Results

Main Card Results

The main card of UFC 72 opened with a lightweight bout between Tyson Griffin and Clay Guida, showcasing intense stand-up exchanges and grappling attempts over three rounds. In the first round, Griffin utilized his reach advantage to land knees from the clinch and counter Guida's aggressive rushes with punches, controlling the pace despite Guida's volume of strikes. The second round saw Guida connect with a significant head kick early, followed by a scramble where Griffin executed a slam takedown and defended a kneebar submission attempt, though Guida's pressure edged the frame. The third round featured more back-and-forth action, with Guida securing top position briefly and landing ground strikes, but Griffin's effective striking and takedown defense throughout the fight led to a split decision victory for Griffin (29-28 Griffin, 28-29 Guida, 29-28 Griffin).^[14]^[11] The middleweight matchup between Jason MacDonald and Rory Singer highlighted contrasting grappling styles, with Singer dominating the first round through persistent takedown attempts and mount positions, including a near-finish via triangle choke that MacDonald escaped. MacDonald adjusted in the second round, securing his own takedown early and transitioning to full mount, where he unleashed a barrage of punches and elbows that forced referee Yves Lavigne to stop the contest at 3:18, awarding MacDonald the TKO victory.^[14]^[11] In the co-main event, light heavyweight Forrest Griffin faced Hector Ramirez, where Griffin's superior striking and defensive grappling neutralized Ramirez's wrestling offense across all three rounds. Griffin opened strong in the first with leg kicks and a head kick that staggered Ramirez, while stuffing multiple takedown attempts and maintaining distance. The second round continued Griffin's dominance, as he landed knees in the clinch and heavy leg kicks that visibly slowed Ramirez, who failed to secure any meaningful grappling control. By the third, Griffin dictated the fight with precise striking and clinch work, leading to a unanimous decision win (30-27 on all cards).^[14]^[11] The main event pitted former middleweight champion Rich Franklin against Yushin Okami in a tactical striking battle, with Okami applying forward pressure and takedown threats from the outset. Franklin countered effectively in the first round with jabs and low kicks, stuffing Okami's early shot and outlanding him on the feet for a 10-9 edge. The second round remained competitive, as Okami closed distance with punches while Franklin continued his volume striking and leg attacks, again taking the frame 10-9. In the third, Okami ramped up aggression, securing a late takedown into mount and threatening a kimura, but Franklin reversed and survived to the bell, earning a unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards).^[14]^[11]^[15]

Preliminary Card Results

The preliminary card at UFC 72 featured several quick finishes that showcased a mix of submissions and striking stoppages among lesser-known fighters.^[1] Ed Herman defeated Scott Smith via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:25 of Round 2, utilizing superior ground control with takedowns and positional dominance to secure Smith's back and force the tap after escaping an early guillotine attempt.^[14] Eddie Sanchez overcame an early mount by Colin Robinson to claim a TKO (elbows) victory at 0:32 of Round 2, demonstrating resilience and dominance in the striking exchanges after surviving an armbar to knock Robinson down and finish on the ground.^[1]^[14] Dustin Hazelett submitted Stevie Lynch via anaconda choke at 2:50 of Round 1, applying the rare variation from half-guard midway through the round to end Lynch's debut swiftly.^[1]^[14] Marcus Davis knocked out Jason Tan via punch at 1:15 of Round 1, highlighting his striking power with a clean shot that dazed Tan early in the fight.^[1]^[14]

Post-Event Recognition

Bonus Awards

At UFC 72, the promotion awarded $40,000 bonuses in three categories: Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night, and Submission of the Night, recognizing exceptional performances from the event's fighters. These bonuses were revealed immediately after the main event by UFC president Dana White during the pay-per-view broadcast. The Fight of the Night honor went to the lightweight co-main event between Tyson Griffin and Clay Guida, lauded for its non-stop action and competitive exchanges over three rounds, culminating in a split decision victory for Griffin. Both fighters received the $40,000 bonus for their efforts in delivering one of the evening's most entertaining bouts. Marcus Davis claimed the Knockout of the Night award for his explosive first-round knockout of Jason Tan, landing a devastating punch just 1:15 into the welterweight preliminary fight and earning the full $40,000 bonus. The finish highlighted Davis's striking power and marked a standout moment on the undercard. Ed Herman secured the Submission of the Night bonus with a rear-naked choke finish against Scott Smith in their middleweight preliminary bout, tapping out his opponent at 2:25 of the second round and taking home $40,000 for the technical submission.

Fighter Careers and Legacy

Rich Franklin's unanimous decision victory over Yushin Okami in the UFC 72 main event marked a significant rebound in his career following his loss to Anderson Silva, positioning him for renewed contention in the middleweight division. This win directly led to a title rematch opportunity at UFC 77 later that year, where he challenged Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight championship, though he ultimately fell short by second-round TKO. Franklin's performance in Belfast underscored his resilience as a former champion, contributing to a post-event record that included additional high-profile bouts before his 2015 retirement with a 29-7 overall MMA mark. Forrest Griffin's unanimous decision victory over Hector Ramirez in the co-main event propelled him further up the light heavyweight rankings, building momentum toward his eventual championship success. The victory improved Griffin's UFC record to 3-2 at the time and set the stage for subsequent fights, including a title challenge against Quinton Jackson at UFC 86 in 2008, where he captured the UFC light heavyweight title via unanimous decision. This triumph highlighted Griffin's unorthodox style and durability, cementing his status as a fan favorite and eventual UFC Hall of Famer upon his 2013 retirement with a 19-7 record.^[16] Marcus Davis's first-round knockout of Jason Tan on the preliminary card exemplified his striking prowess and ignited an early-career surge within the UFC welterweight division. The win extended Davis's UFC winning streak to four, paving the way for ranked matchups like his victory over Paul Taylor at UFC 80, though his octagon tenure later concluded with a 9-6 record amid several setbacks leading to his release in 2010. Davis's performance in Belfast represented a peak of his initial UFC momentum before transitioning to other promotions.^[17] UFC 72's success in Belfast solidified the city as a viable host for major MMA events, drawing a sold-out crowd of over 7,800 and generating $1.2 million at the gate, which influenced the promotion's strategy for future UK and European cards. The event's positive reception without notable controversies showcased emerging talents like Griffin, fostering a stable foundation for the UFC's international expansion.^[18]^[19] On a broader scale, UFC 72 contributed to the mainstream growth of mixed martial arts in Ireland and the UK by demonstrating strong local interest and logistical feasibility, encouraging subsequent events such as UFC Fight Night 99 in Belfast nearly a decade later. The absence of reported significant injuries or disputes helped maintain a positive perception of the promotion in the region, aiding MMA's integration into the European sports landscape.