UFC 75
UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion was a mixed martial arts pay-per-view event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) that took place on September 8, 2007, at The O2 Arena in London, England.[1] Billed as a showcase of top talent from the UFC and the recently acquired PRIDE Fighting Championships, the card emphasized "champion vs. champion" matchups to unify elite fighters across promotions.[2] The main event was a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship unification bout between defending champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and PRIDE Middleweight Champion Dan Henderson, with Jackson emerging victorious by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) after five rounds.[3] This fight highlighted the integration of PRIDE stars into the UFC roster following Zuffa's 2007 acquisition of the Japanese promotion.[2] The co-main event pitted local hero Michael Bisping against Matt Hamill in a light heavyweight contest, where Bisping secured a controversial split decision victory (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), drawing significant criticism for the judging.[4] Additional highlights included a heavyweight bout between Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, a renowned PRIDE kickboxer, and Cheick Kongo, won by Kongo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), marking one of Filipovic's early setbacks in the UFC.[5] The undercard featured quick finishes, such as Houston Alexander's first-round knockout of Alessio Sakara with a knee and punches (1:01), and Marcus Davis's armbar submission of Paul Taylor (4:14). Overall, the event underscored the UFC's expanding global presence in Europe.[1]Event Overview
Date and Venue
UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion took place on September 8, 2007, at The O2 Arena in London, England.[1][6] The O2 Arena, a state-of-the-art multi-purpose indoor arena on the Greenwich Peninsula, opened to the public on June 24, 2007, just months before hosting UFC 75 as the promotion's inaugural event at the venue. With a capacity of 20,000 for concerts and sporting events, the arena quickly established itself as one of Europe's premier entertainment destinations, drawing large crowds for its versatile setup including a central stage configuration suitable for mixed martial arts.[7][8][9] The event operated on British Summer Time (BST), with weigh-ins scheduled for the afternoon local time and the main card starting in the evening to accommodate European audiences, though this required significant adjustments for fighters traveling from the United States and other regions, facing a 5- to 8-hour time difference and transatlantic flights that could exacerbate jet lag ahead of competition. UFC 75 marked the fourth UFC event in the United Kingdom, following UFC 38 in London (2002), UFC 70 in Manchester (2007), and UFC 72 in Belfast (2007). The card drew an attendance of 16,235, filling much of the arena's capacity.[10][11]Attendance and Financials
UFC 75 drew a paid attendance of 16,235 spectators at the O2 Arena in London, marking a significant increase from the 3,800 attendees at the promotion's previous UK event, UFC 38, held five years earlier at the Royal Albert Hall.[12][13] This growth underscored the expanding popularity of mixed martial arts in the United Kingdom and the UFC's strategic push into international markets.[11] The event generated a total gate revenue of $2.7 million USD, reflecting strong ticket sales driven by the high-profile title unification main event and the novelty of UFC's return to the UK after a long hiatus.[12] In North America, the broadcast on Spike TV achieved an average viewership of 4.7 million households, peaking at 5.93 million during the main event, which represented a record for UFC programming on the network at the time and highlighted the event's global appeal.[14] These figures positioned UFC 75 as a commercial milestone, demonstrating the promotion's ability to capitalize on international expansion for both live and televised audiences.Background
Title Unification Context
In March 2007, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), owned by Zuffa LLC, acquired its primary rival, Pride Fighting Championships (PRIDE), from Dream Stage Entertainment for an undisclosed sum estimated at less than $70 million, gaining control of PRIDE's fighter contracts, video library, and trademarks.[15] This purchase marked a pivotal consolidation in the mixed martial arts (MMA) industry, allowing UFC to integrate top PRIDE talent and unify competing promotions under a single banner. By early October 2007, PRIDE's operations ceased entirely, with its Tokyo office closed and all Japanese employees terminated, effectively dissolving the promotion as an independent entity.[16] Dan Henderson entered the UFC as the final PRIDE Middleweight Champion (205 lb division) and a simultaneous two-division titleholder, having previously held the PRIDE Welterweight Championship (183 lb).[1] Henderson captured the Middleweight title in February 2007 at PRIDE 33 by knocking out reigning champion Wanderlei Silva in the third round, becoming the first fighter in PRIDE history to hold titles in two weight classes concurrently.[17] His status as PRIDE's top light heavyweight-caliber competitor made him a natural candidate for title unification against UFC's incumbent champion. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson served as the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion heading into the event, having won the title on May 26, 2007, at UFC 71 via first-round knockout of Chuck Liddell.[18] Jackson brought extensive PRIDE experience to the UFC, where he had competed from 2003 to 2005, including a stint as PRIDE Middleweight Champion before losing the belt to Wanderlei Silva in their 2004 rematch.[19] His background bridged the two promotions, positioning him as the ideal opponent to consolidate the light heavyweight divisions post-acquisition. The centerpiece of UFC 75 was the light heavyweight title unification bout between Jackson and Henderson, structured as a five-round main event under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts to align with UFC standards and emphasize endurance in championship contests.[20] This format, featuring 5-minute rounds with 1-minute rests, standardized the fight's structure, moving away from PRIDE's soccer kicks and stomps while preserving the high-stakes nature of inter-promotional legacy.[21]Key Matchup Storylines
The main event of UFC 75 pitted UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson against Pride Fighting Championships' 205-pound titleholder Dan Henderson in a historic unification bout, marking the first such clash following the merger of the two promotions. Jackson, entering with a record of 27-6, had recently captured the UFC belt with a stunning knockout of Chuck Liddell in May 2007, but his career included notable knockout losses to Wanderlei Silva in 2003 and 2004, as well as Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in 2005, raising questions about his chin durability against elite strikers. Henderson, with a 22-5 record, brought dominant Greco-Roman wrestling credentials and had just knocked out Silva in February 2007 to claim Pride's middleweight crown, positioning him as the first simultaneous two-division champion in major MMA history. The matchup highlighted a clash of styles: Jackson's explosive striking and athleticism versus Henderson's ground-and-pound expertise.[22] Pre-fight hype intensified through trash talk and press conferences, where Henderson boldly declared, "They will definitely know who I am after this fight, especially after I beat the hell out of Quinton," emphasizing his intent to dominate the American star. Jackson, motivated by critics who dismissed his Liddell win as a "lucky punch," countered by affirming his legitimacy as champion and expressing eagerness to test Henderson's resilience. Event officials, including Sherdog reporter Sam Caplan, underscored the stakes, noting the winner would emerge as the most decorated champion in MMA history at the time. This narrative framed the bout as a defining moment for the light heavyweight division amid the Pride-UFC integration.[22] The co-main event featured undefeated light heavyweight Michael Bisping facing Matt Hamill, a matchup rooted in their shared history from The Ultimate Fighter Season 3, where Hamill withdrew from the heavyweight bracket due to hospitalization following his win over Mike Nickels; Hamill later called out Bisping after his UFC debut win. Bisping, the season's middleweight winner with a 13-0 record, returned to his home country for the London O2 Arena card, heightening the emotional stakes as his toughest test yet against a fellow TUF alum. Hamill, maintaining a perfect 2-0 UFC record after his March 2007 TKO of Rex Holman, openly called out Bisping post-fight, adding personal tension to the rematch. As the first deaf fighter in UFC history, Hamill's inspiring story of overcoming adversity through wrestling further amplified the buildup, contrasting Bisping's rising star status in the UK. On the undercard, Pride legend Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic made his second UFC appearance against Cheick Kongo, seeking redemption after a debut knockout loss to Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 67 earlier in 2007. Filipovic, a 22-5-2 veteran renowned for his devastating left high kicks from his Pride tenure, was hyped as a major acquisition in the post-merger era, with early rumors confirming the heavyweight clash as a potential showcase for his striking prowess. Kongo, a 10-3-1 French powerhouse, entered with a reputation for knockout power, having secured four UFC stoppages via strikes, including a notable TKO of Eddie Sanchez in February 2007. Their bout was positioned as a striker's duel, drawing significant international interest. Additionally, light heavyweight Houston Alexander, fresh off a stunning 48-second knockout debut win over Keith Jardine at UFC 71—where he stepped in on short notice—faced Alessio Sakara, building anticipation around his aggressive, power-punching style as a rising threat. In a last-minute change, welterweight Anthony Johnson withdrew due to a shoulder injury and was replaced by Anthony Torres against Jess Liaudin, ensuring the card's completion without further disruption.[23][24][25][26]Fight Card
Main Card
The main card of UFC 75 consisted of five bouts, headlined by a light heavyweight title unification match and featuring a mix of established veterans and rising prospects across weight classes.[1] In the light heavyweight co-main event, undefeated British striker Michael Bisping (8-0) faced American wrestler Matt Hamill (4-0), both alumni of The Ultimate Fighter Season 3 where their rivalry originated during filming. Bisping, known for his precise boxing and cardio, entered on a four-fight UFC winning streak, contrasting Hamill's wrestling background and knockout power from his collegiate days despite being deaf since birth. The heavyweight bout pitted French kickboxer Cheick Kongo (12-3-1) against Croatian legend Mirko Filipović (22-5-2), a former PRIDE heavyweight champion renowned for his devastating left high kick. Kongo brought athleticism and Muay Thai clinch work from his Cage Rage tenure, while Filipović's experience in high-level striking exchanges highlighted the matchup's emphasis on stand-up warfare over grappling.[27] At welterweight, American submission specialist Marcus Davis (17-4), a late bloomer with a 13-fight win streak including three UFC victories, met British judo black belt Paul Taylor (8-1-1). Davis's BJJ expertise and knockout power clashed with Taylor's grappling transitions and resilience, both fighters aiming to build momentum in the division. Opening the main card at light heavyweight, newcomer Houston Alexander (7-1) took on Italian brawler Alessio Sakara (11-5), a UFC veteran with a history of aggressive striking and occasional submissions. Alexander, fresh off a stunning 48-second knockout in his promotional debut, relied on raw power and athleticism, while Sakara's Roman-Greco wrestling base added takedown threats to his forward pressure.[14] The event's marquee attraction was the light heavyweight championship unification bout between defending UFC champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (26-6) and PRIDE dual-division titleholder Dan Henderson (22-5). Jackson's explosive boxing and slam-heavy wrestling style met Henderson's elite Greco-Roman background, potent right hand (the "H-Bomb"), and ground-and-pound proficiency, marking a clash of two promotions' top talents.[27]Preliminary Card
The preliminary card for UFC 75 featured four bouts designed to showcase emerging talent and regional prospects, particularly in the context of the organization's expansion into the European market with its first event in London. These untelevised matchups highlighted a mix of international fighters, including several Europeans, as UFC aimed to build local interest at The O2 Arena.[1] In the lightweight division, Gleison Tibau faced Terry Etim. Tibau, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist from Chute Boxe Academy, entered the bout with a strong record of 16-3, having recently secured a first-round arm-triangle submission victory over Jeff Cox at UFC Fight Night 10 in June 2007.[28] Etim, a 21-year-old English striker from Liverpool training with the Kaobon gym, was making his second Octagon appearance after a first-round guillotine choke win over Matt Grice at UFC 70 in April 2007.[29] The matchup pitted Tibau's grappling prowess against Etim's knockout power, with Etim benefiting from home-country support in the UK. The light heavyweight bout saw Thiago Silva take on Tomasz Drwal in both fighters' early UFC outings. Silva, an undefeated Brazilian powerhouse who entered with an 11-0 record after his debut win at UFC 71 in May 2007, had trained extensively in striking and submissions at Chute Boxe.[30] Drwal, a Polish middleweight transitioning to light heavyweight with a 7-1 record from regional European promotions like Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki, was making his UFC debut after competing successfully in Poland.[31] This clash represented a test of Silva's aggressive style against Drwal's technical striking, underscoring UFC's push to feature Eastern European talent.[32] At lightweight, Dennis Siver met Naoyuki Kotani. Siver, a German kickboxer with a background in Muay Thai, was in his second UFC fight following his debut at UFC 70, where he competed at welterweight; now dropping to lightweight, he brought a 7-4 record focused on stand-up exchanges.[33] Kotani, a Japanese grappler from Shooto with a 20-7-4 record, was also on his second UFC appearance after debuting at UFC Fight Night 9 in April 2007 against Thiago Tavares.[34] The fight highlighted Siver's European striking roots against Kotani's submission expertise, aligning with UFC's international recruitment efforts. The welterweight opener pitted Jess Liaudin against Anthony Torres. Liaudin, a French submission artist based in England with a 9-2 record from Cage Rage and other UK promotions, was building momentum in his second UFC bout after competing at UFC 70.[35] Torres, an American wrestler from The Ultimate Fighter Season 2 with a 4-0 record entering the promotion, had previously won by rear-naked choke over Pat Healy at UFC Fight Night 6 in August 2006.[36] This matchup emphasized Liaudin's ground game in a home-market setting versus Torres's wrestling base, further spotlighting European prospects like Liaudin to engage the London audience.[37]Results
Main Event Outcome
The main event of UFC 75 pitted UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson against Dan Henderson, the PRIDE Middleweight Champion, in a highly anticipated unification bout for the light heavyweight title.[2] The fight, held on September 8, 2007, at The O2 Arena in London, England, showcased two elite strikers with strong wrestling backgrounds, promising a clash of styles between Jackson's explosive power punching and Henderson's technical grappling and clinch work.[2] In the first round, Henderson quickly established dominance by landing a right hand and clinching Jackson against the cage, where he delivered knees to the thigh before tripping Jackson to the mat for side control and landing body knees.[38] Jackson scrambled to his feet but absorbed additional strikes, including a left and right hand from Henderson, who controlled 3:25 of the round compared to Jackson's 0:49, while landing 29 of 36 significant strikes.[3] The second round saw Henderson continue his grappling pressure, landing a right to the body and tripping Jackson again to side control early.[38] Jackson reversed the position to take top control, landing elbows from the top, but Henderson maintained an edge in control time at 1:43 versus Jackson's 2:16, though Jackson outstruck him 13 of 19 significant strikes to 8 of 10.[3] Jackson shifted momentum in the third round, opening with a low kick and body shot before tackling Henderson to side control, where he landed knees to the body and elbows.[38] Henderson attempted a kimura submission and briefly reversed to land an elbow, but Jackson controlled 2:14 of the round and landed 13 of 23 significant strikes to Henderson's 7 of 12.[3] The fourth round featured Jackson's aggressive ground-and-pound, as he clubbed Henderson with hammer fists from side control and half-guard, controlling 3:25 of the period.[38] The fight returned to standing, where Jackson connected with a jab and right hand, outlanding Henderson 13 of 20 significant strikes to just 2 of 6.[3] In the final round, Jackson pressed forward with left hands and clinched to trip Henderson to the mat, landing an elbow and right hands from top position.[38] Henderson attempted a late takedown but was stuffed, allowing Jackson to control 0:54 while landing 21 of 29 significant strikes to Henderson's 14 of 31, with Henderson holding 2:40 in control time.[3] The bout went the full five rounds, culminating in a unanimous decision victory for Jackson (48-47, 49-46, 49-46), as scored by judges Doug Crosby, Cecil Peoples, and Andy Roberts.[3] The scoring reflected Jackson's superior striking volume and late-round control, with him landing 74 of 108 significant strikes overall (68% accuracy) compared to Henderson's 60 of 95 (63%), and securing 2 of 3 takedown attempts (66%) against Henderson's 3 of 8 (37%), alongside 9:38 in control time to Henderson's 9:08.[3] With the win, Jackson retained his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship and unified it with Henderson's PRIDE Middleweight title, solidifying his status as the undisputed champion and absorbing the prestigious PRIDE lineage into the UFC division.[2]Undercard Outcomes
The undercard of UFC 75 featured eight bouts across multiple weight classes, showcasing a mix of finishes and decisions that highlighted the event's competitive depth. In the light heavyweight co-main event, Michael Bisping defeated Matt Hamill by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30) after three rounds, a result marred by controversy as many observers believed Hamill's wrestling dominance warranted the win, with the scoring drawing criticism for potential hometown bias in London.[4][39] The heavyweight matchup saw Cheick Kongo outpoint Mirko Filipović (Cro Cop) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), where Kongo's superior striking volume and takedown defense neutralized Cro Cop's kicks, exposing ongoing adaptation struggles in the UFC for the Pride veteran in his second Octagon appearance.[5][27] Lower on the card, welterweights Marcus Davis and Paul Taylor engaged in a grappling-heavy affair, ending with Davis securing an armbar submission at 4:14 of the first round after transitioning from a scramble.[40] In another quick finish, light heavyweight Houston Alexander overwhelmed Alessio Sakara with a knee and follow-up punches for a TKO victory just 1:01 into round one, capitalizing on aggressive pressure.[41] The preliminary card delivered four more decisive outcomes. Gleison Tibau edged Terry Etim by unanimous decision over three rounds, relying on effective clinch work and ground control to control the lightweight bout.[42] Thiago Silva then stopped Tomasz Drwal via TKO (punches) at 4:23 of the second round in a light heavyweight clash marked by Silva's powerful striking exchanges.[43] Dennis Siver claimed a knockout win over Naoyuki Kotani with a punch at 2:04 of round two in the lightweight division, stunning his opponent with a counter.[44] Finally, Jess Liaudin dispatched Anthony Torres by TKO (punches) at 4:10 of the first round in their welterweight opener, using sharp combinations to drop and finish his foe.[45] Overall, the undercard produced five stoppages and three decisions, underscoring a fast-paced night with a blend of submission, knockout, and technical victories.[46]| Fight | Result | Method/Round/Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Bisping vs. Matt Hamill (Light Heavyweight) | Bisping def. Hamill | Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30) / R3 / 5:00 | Controversial scoring favoring Bisping's output over Hamill's control. |
| Cheick Kongo vs. Mirko Filipović (Heavyweight) | Kongo def. Filipović | Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3) / R3 / 5:00 | Kongo's volume striking highlighted Filipović's UFC adjustment issues. |
| Marcus Davis vs. Paul Taylor (Welterweight) | Davis def. Taylor | Submission (Armbar) / R1 / 4:14 | Davis reversed position for the tap in a grappling battle. |
| Houston Alexander vs. Alessio Sakara (Light Heavyweight) | Alexander def. Sakara | TKO (Knee and Punches) / R1 / 1:01 | Explosive start with Alexander's knee ending it early. |
| Gleison Tibau vs. Terry Etim (Lightweight) | Tibau def. Etim | Unanimous Decision / R3 / 5:00 | Tibau's clinch and top game secured the edge. |
| Thiago Silva vs. Tomasz Drwal (Light Heavyweight) | Silva def. Drwal | TKO (Punches) / R2 / 4:23 | Silva's power overwhelmed in striking exchanges. |
| Dennis Siver vs. Naoyuki Kotani (Lightweight) | Siver def. Kotani | KO (Punch) / R2 / 2:04 | Counter punch dropped Kotani for the finish. |
| Jess Liaudin vs. Anthony Torres (Welterweight) | Liaudin def. Torres | TKO (Punches) / R1 / 4:10 | Liaudin's combinations led to ground-and-pound stoppage. |