One of the greatest fights in UFC history happened all the way back in 1999, and fans still talk about it to this day.
In the early years of the UFC, the fights consisted mainly of raw, dangerous brawls featuring heavy hitters like Don Frye and Mark Coleman.
However, an evolution began to occur that truly announced itself at UFC 22, with a main event that lives long in the memory.
That bout saw a young Tito Ortiz battling the UFC Light Heavyweight champion in a bout he will never forget.
Frank Shamrock submitted Tito Ortiz in one of the greatest UFC fights of all time
On September 24, 1999, the UFC Light Heavyweight title clash between Ortiz and the reigning champion Frank Shamrock rocked the MMA world.
Ortiz was a rising star, but he’d never faced a competitor like Shamrock, an expert grappler who was undefeated in the United States up until that point.
He immediately showcased his world-class abilities, carefully neutralizing Ortiz’s aggressive style with a calm and controlled wrestling performance.
He patently worked towards the finish while Ortiz tried to impose himself on the fight, but to no avail. Over four rounds, technical mastery bested raw aggression as his precision and experience worked to set up the submission in the fourth round.
In that round, Shamrock managed to wear down the bigger man with his technical ability, keeping him away from range as both men tired.
However, the difference maker came with a series of huge punches from Shamrock, laying into Ortiz before taking him to the ground and locking in a guillotine choke.
He followed this up with a series of brutal elbows that forced Ortiz to tap to the champion, giving up with just seconds to go in the round, in one of the greatest UFC fights ever.
Tito Ortiz got revenge by dominating Frank Shamrock’s brother three years later
Ortiz never got a rematch against Frank Shamrock, so it was his adopted brother, Ken Shamrock, who was forced to bear the brunt of his vengeance to kick off one of the greatest rivalries in UFC history.
Three years after the legendary UFC 22 fight, Ortiz was the reigning Light Heavyweight champion, closing in on a record-breaking fifth title defense.
Shamrock was the best shot at stopping him when they battled over three rounds at UFC 40.
The champion, a much more polished performer than against the elder Shamrock, dominated the former WWE star, battering him over 15 minutes of octagon action.
His aggression was more strategic and the ground-and-pound tactic worked a lot more effectively as he cemented himself as one of the all-time greats.
It took three rounds for Ortiz to beat Shamrock so badly that his corner threw in the towel, as he surrendered the victory to the UFC Light Heavyweight champion.