2007 in UFC

2007 marked a pivotal year in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), as the promotion hosted 19 events across the United States and the United Kingdom, featuring landmark title fights, the integration of former Pride Fighting Championships talent, and the rise of new stars that reshaped divisions.^[1] The year began with UFC Fight Night: Evans vs. Salmon on January 25 in Hollywood, Florida, headlined by Rashad Evans' first-round knockout of Sean Salmon, signaling the emergence of undefeated prospects in the light heavyweight division.^[1] This was followed by UFC 67: All or Nothing on February 3 in Las Vegas, where Anderson Silva submitted Travis Lutter in the second round to win the middleweight championship, while Quinton "Rampage" Jackson defeated Marvin Eastman by unanimous decision on the undercard, building momentum for his title pursuit.^[1][2] A major turning point came at UFC 68: The Uprising on March 3 in Columbus, Ohio, when Randy Couture, at age 43, defeated heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia via doctor stoppage in the first round to claim the interim heavyweight title, marking his return from retirement and revitalizing the division.^[1][3] Shortly after, UFC Fight Night: Stevenson vs. Guillard on April 5 in Las Vegas saw Joe Stevenson submit Melvin Guillard, highlighting the growth of the lightweight class.^[1] One of the year's biggest upsets occurred at UFC 69: Shootout on April 7 in Houston, Texas, where The Ultimate Fighter winner Matt Serra stunned welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre with a first-round TKO, capturing the title in what is widely regarded as one of the greatest shocks in UFC history.^[1][4] UFC 70: Nations Collide on April 21 in Manchester, England, introduced several Pride veterans to the UFC Octagon, including a main event where Gabriel Gonzaga knocked out Mirko Cro Cop in the first round, as the promotion absorbed key international talent following Pride's closure.^[1][5] The light heavyweight division shifted dramatically at UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson on May 26 in Las Vegas, with Quinton Jackson avenging a prior loss by knocking out longtime champion Chuck Liddell in the first round to claim the title, ending Liddell's dominant reign.^[1][6] UFC Fight Night: Stout vs. Fisher on June 12 in Hollywood, Florida, and UFC 72: Victory on June 16 in Belfast, Northern Ireland—UFC's first event in Ireland—featured rising lightweights like Sam Stout and middleweight contender Yushin Okami defeating Rich Franklin.^[1] The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale on June 23 in Las Vegas showcased lightweight action with Roger Huerta's split decision win over Clay Guida, boosting Huerta's popularity.^[1] UFC 73: Stacked on July 7 in Sacramento, California, saw Anderson Silva make his UFC middleweight title debut by knocking out Nate Marquardt in the first round, establishing "The Spider" as a dominant force.^[1][7] Couture unified the heavyweight title at UFC 74: Respect on August 25 in Las Vegas, defeating Gabriel Gonzaga via third-round TKO to secure his fifth overall UFC championship.^[1][8] The UFC's European expansion continued with UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion on September 8 in London, England, where Jackson defended his light heavyweight belt against Pride's Dan Henderson via unanimous decision in a superfight unification bout.^[1] UFC Fight Night: Thomas vs. Florian on September 19 in Las Vegas and UFC 76: Knockout on September 22 in Anaheim, California, advanced contenders like Kenny Florian and Forrest Griffin.^[1] At UFC 77: Hostile Territory on October 20 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Silva defended his middleweight title with a first-round submission of Rich Franklin, solidifying his reign.^[1] UFC 78: Validation on November 17 in Newark, New Jersey, featured Rashad Evans' decision win over Michael Bisping, while the year closed with The Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale on December 8 in Las Vegas and UFC 79: Nemesis on December 29, where St-Pierre reclaimed the welterweight title via unanimous decision over Matt Hughes, avenging his earlier loss and setting the stage for future dominance.^[1][9] Overall, 2007 was dubbed the "Year of the Upset" due to shocks like Serra's victory and Liddell's fall, alongside the UFC's acquisition of Pride assets, which injected fresh rivalries and elevated the promotion's global profile under Zuffa ownership.

Organizational Developments

Acquisition of PRIDE FC

On March 27, 2007, Zuffa LLC, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), announced its acquisition of PRIDE Fighting Championships from Dream Stage Entertainment (DSE) for an undisclosed amount.^[10] The deal, facilitated by Zuffa owners Frank Fertitta III and Lorenzo Fertitta through a newly formed entity called Pride FC Worldwide Holdings LLC, marked the end of PRIDE as an independent promotion and integrated its operations under the Zuffa banner.^[11] UFC President Dana White played a key role in the negotiations and public announcement, emphasizing the merger's potential to unify the mixed martial arts (MMA) landscape. The strategic motivations behind the acquisition centered on eliminating direct competition in the global MMA market, where PRIDE had established itself as a formidable rival with a strong presence in Japan and a roster of elite fighters.^[12] By absorbing PRIDE, Zuffa aimed to consolidate talent, including high-profile fighters such as Wanderlei Silva and Quinton Jackson, to facilitate blockbuster matchups and accelerate UFC's international expansion.^[10] White likened the move to the historic merger of the American Football League and National Football League, suggesting it would create unprecedented opportunities for superfights and elevate the sport's overall stature.^[10] Immediately following the announcement, PRIDE proceeded with its final event, PRIDE 34: Kamikaze, held on April 8, 2007, at Saitama Super Arena in Japan, after which operations ceased.^[13] The acquisition enabled UFC to take control of PRIDE's extensive assets, including its valuable video library of past events and existing fighter contracts, which were transferred to facilitate talent integration into UFC programming.^[12] This swift absorption reshaped the 2007 MMA competitive environment by centralizing resources and reducing fragmentation among promotions.^[14]

International Expansion and Broadcasting

In 2007, the Ultimate Fighting Championship marked a significant step in its global outreach by hosting its first major international events outside North America since 2002, focusing primarily on Europe. UFC 70: Nations Collide took place on April 21 at the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, England, drawing an attendance of 15,114 and generating a gate of approximately $2.6 million. This was followed by UFC 72: Victory on June 16 at The Odyssey in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which sold out with 7,850 attendees and a gate of $1.2 million. The year's European push culminated with UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion on September 8 at The O2 Arena in London, England, attracting 16,235 fans and setting a then-record for UFC attendance outside the United States. These three events represented a deliberate expansion strategy, leveraging the recent acquisition of PRIDE FC assets to incorporate international talent and test market viability in the UK and Ireland.^{[5][15][16][17][16]} Broadcasting played a pivotal role in amplifying this international growth, with UFC securing key media partnerships to broaden its reach. Domestically, the organization extended its longstanding agreement with Spike TV in October, committing to four more years through 2011, which included additional live UFC Fight Night events and seasons of The Ultimate Fighter to capitalize on rising viewership. Internationally, UFC entered a four-year television deal with Canada's Rogers Sportsnet in February, marking its first dedicated broadcast agreement in the country and paving the way for expanded programming ahead of planned events north of the border. In the UK, events like UFC 70 and UFC 75 were broadcast live on Setanta Sports, enhancing accessibility for European audiences and contributing to strong viewership numbers, such as the 2.8 million U.S. viewers for the delayed UFC 70 telecast. The PRIDE acquisition further supported broadcasting ambitions by providing a vast video library and fighter contracts, facilitating pushes into Asian markets like Japan, though a major new TV deal there remained elusive that year.^{[18][19][20][21][12][22]}

The Ultimate Fighter

Season 5: Team Pulver vs. Team Penn

The fifth season of The Ultimate Fighter premiered on April 5, 2007, on Spike TV and aired weekly until its conclusion on June 23, 2007, marking the first time the series focused exclusively on the lightweight division with a 155-pound weight limit.^[23] Sixteen prospective fighters competed in a single-elimination tournament format under the guidance of rival coaches B.J. Penn and Jens Pulver, both former UFC lightweight champions, who selected their teams from the initial pool and provided training throughout the competition.^[24] The season emphasized grappling and submission techniques, with notable house dynamics including disciplinary issues that added tension to the production.^[25] Key episodes highlighted intense preliminary and quarterfinal bouts, such as Nate Diaz's submission victories that showcased his BJJ prowess, including a rear-naked choke against Rob Emerson in episode 3 and a triangle choke over Corey Hill in episode 10.^[26] Controversies arose around Rob Emerson, who wrote a provocative message on the wall leading to a confrontation with Diaz ahead of their preliminary fight, though they competed officially in episode 3. Emerson was later reinstated after his elimination to replace Gabe Ruediger following the latter's expulsion for failing a weight cut in episode 5. Gray Maynard emerged as a standout for Team Pulver, securing a TKO against Wayne Weems in episode 7 and a guillotine submission over Brandon Melendez in episode 9, though he was later eliminated by Diaz via guillotine in the semifinals (episode 12). Other significant eliminations included expulsions of Marlon Sims, Noah Thomas, and Allen Berube for an unauthorized house fight in episode 8, underscoring the season's volatile environment.^[25] The season finale took place on June 23, 2007, at the Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Nate Diaz defeated fellow Team Penn member Manvel Gamburyan by submission (shoulder injury) at 0:20 of the second round to claim the contract and season win.^[27] The card also featured the coaches' bout with B.J. Penn defeating Jens Pulver by rear-naked choke in round 2.^[28] The event drew a live audience and aired live on Spike TV, capping the season's narrative.^[29] Season 5 introduced 16 new fighters to UFC contracts, each earning $8,000 to show and $8,000 to win their finale bouts, providing a pathway for emerging lightweights into the promotion. Diaz's victory marked his official UFC debut, launching a career that would see him become a multi-time title challenger and fan favorite.^[24]

Season 6: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra

The Ultimate Fighter Season 6, subtitled Team Hughes vs. Team Serra, premiered on September 19, 2007, on Spike TV and focused exclusively on the welterweight division (170 pounds), marking a departure from previous seasons' multi-weight formats. The season featured eight fighters per team, selected during tryouts and evaluations at the UFC Training Center in Las Vegas. Coaches were former two-time UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes for one team and newly crowned UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra for the other, with their matchup stemming from Serra's shocking upset victory over Georges St-Pierre at UFC 69 earlier that year.^[30][31] Team Hughes consisted of Dan Barrera, Blake Bowman, Mac Danzig, Paul Georgieff, Billy Miles, Dorian Price, Jared Rollins, and Tommy Speer, while Team Serra included Matt Arroyo, Richie Hightower, John Kolosci, Troy Mandaloniz, Roman Mitichyan, Ben Saunders, Joe Scarola, and George Sotiropoulos. Key episodes highlighted intense rivalries, such as the cultural clash between tattooed submission specialist Mac Danzig and wrestling-focused Tommy Speer, as well as chaotic antics from Team Serra's Jon "War Machine" Koppenhaver, who replaced the injured Mitichyan after the latter suffered an elbow fracture during evaluations. Notable eliminations included Scarola's dramatic quit following a first-round submission loss to Danzig in the opening fight, citing emotional strain and ending his long friendship with Serra, while other bouts featured aggressive wrestling exchanges and submission attempts that tested the fighters' resilience.^[30][32][33] The season culminated in The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale on December 8, 2007, at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, broadcast on Spike TV. In the welterweight tournament final, Mac Danzig defeated Tommy Speer via rear-naked choke submission at 2:01 of the first round, earning a UFC contract and establishing himself as a technical standout. The co-main event saw lightweight Roger Huerta submit Clay Guida with a rear-naked choke at 0:51 of the third round in a grueling, high-paced battle that showcased both fighters' cardio and aggression.^[30][34][31] The season amplified the personal animosity between coaches Hughes and Serra, fueled by Serra's recent title win and their upcoming rematch at UFC 79, adding layers of drama to training sessions and fighter selections. It introduced fan favorites like Danzig, known for his artistic tattoos and grappling prowess, alongside promising talents such as Saunders and Sotiropoulos, who debuted successfully in the finale against Miles via first-round rear-naked choke. Overall, Season 6 emphasized welterweight skill development and interpersonal conflicts, contributing to the show's growing popularity in 2007.^[30][34]

Debuting Fighters

Notable Newcomers

2007 marked the arrival of several high-profile fighters to the UFC roster, many transitioning from the recently acquired PRIDE FC promotion, bringing international flair and established pedigrees to the Octagon. These newcomers significantly elevated the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions with their aggressive styles and knockout power, though their initial results varied. Among the most prominent were Mirko Filipović, Quinton Jackson, Wanderlei Silva, and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, each debuting amid high expectations. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović, a Croatian kickboxing specialist and former PRIDE heavyweight contender known for his devastating left high kick, made his UFC debut at UFC 67 on February 3, 2007, against Eddie Sanchez. Filipović secured a first-round TKO victory via punches at 1:10, showcasing his striking prowess in his Octagon introduction. However, his momentum stalled in subsequent bouts that year, including a shocking first-round knockout loss to Gabriel Gonzaga via head kick at UFC 70 on April 21, 2007. Filipović's entry highlighted the influx of PRIDE talent post-acquisition, though his 2007 UFC record finished at 1-2. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, an American wrestler and PRIDE middleweight and light heavyweight star with a reputation for explosive takedowns and power punching, debuted at UFC 67 on the same card as Filipović, defeating Marvin Eastman by second-round TKO at 2:55. Just three months later, at UFC 71 on May 26, 2007, Jackson captured the light heavyweight title in his second UFC fight, stopping champion Chuck Liddell via punches in the first round at 1:53—a historic achievement for a newcomer. Jackson went undefeated in 2007 with a 2-0 record, solidifying his status as a top contender. Wanderlei Silva, the Brazilian "Axe Murderer" and longtime PRIDE middleweight champion celebrated for his relentless pressure and Muay Thai clinch work, entered the UFC at UFC 76 on September 22, 2007, outpointing Keith Jardine via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) in a grueling three-round affair. Silva followed with another victory later that year, defeating Liddell by unanimous decision (30-27 x3) at UFC 79 on December 29, 2007, extending his perfect 2-0 mark for the year and earning praise for his durable, forward-moving style. His debut underscored the PRIDE integration's potential to refresh the light heavyweight landscape. Rameau Thierry "The African Assassin" Sokoudjou, a Cameroonian judo black belt and wrestler who burst onto the scene with knockout wins over PRIDE stars Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ricardo Arona earlier in 2007, debuted in the UFC at UFC 79 on December 29, 2007. Facing undefeated prospect Lyoto Machida, Sokoudjou fell to a second-round TKO via knees and punches at 4:20, marking a 0-1 start but highlighting his raw athleticism and potential as an African standout in a division dominated by Brazilian and American talent. His pre-UFC successes in PRIDE amplified the buzz around his Octagon arrival.

Roster Impact

In 2007, the UFC roster expanded substantially with approximately 50 new fighters entering the promotion, including 16 from The Ultimate Fighter Seasons 5 and 6, which collectively introduced fresh talent through their finales and on-show bouts. This influx significantly enhanced the organization's talent depth across multiple divisions, as the acquisition of PRIDE FC brought established international competitors into the fold, elevating competition levels and diversifying the fighter pool.^[24] The heavyweight division, in particular, was bolstered by the integration of PRIDE imports such as Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović, who debuted on February 3, 2007, at UFC 67, bringing his striking prowess and experience from Japan's premier promotion. Similarly, fighters like Gabriel Gonzaga, already in the UFC but emblematic of the stylistic fusion from PRIDE influences, contributed to a more robust and varied heavyweight landscape. In the light heavyweight division, the arrival of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson on the same date at UFC 67 and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou's debut on December 29, 2007, at UFC 79 added explosive power and knockout potential, intensifying matchups and challenging established contenders. These additions not only increased division competitiveness but also highlighted a growing international presence, with debuts like Akihiro Gono from Japan on November 17, 2007, at UFC 78 exemplifying enhanced global diversity, where roughly 20% of newcomers hailed from outside the United States.^{[35][36][37][38][39][40][41]} Long-term, these 2007 debuts laid the groundwork for key unification bouts in 2008, such as the heavyweight clash between Randy Couture and Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 81, which merged PRIDE legacy with UFC dominance and solidified title lineages. The increased international representation fostered greater global appeal, setting the stage for expanded events abroad. However, integration posed challenges for PRIDE veterans, including adaptations to UFC's unified ruleset—no stomps, soccer kicks, or knees to grounded opponents—which altered fighting strategies and required retraining. Cultural adjustments and stricter weight cuts also surfaced, as seen with some imports struggling under the Octagon's more rigorous protocols compared to PRIDE's looser formats.^[42]

Title Fights

Bout Results

In 2007, the Ultimate Fighting Championship hosted nine title fights across its heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, lightweight, and welterweight divisions, showcasing dramatic shifts in the landscape of mixed martial arts. These bouts, spanning from March to December, featured a mix of unanimous decisions, technical knockouts, and a submission, highlighting the technical evolution and unpredictability of the sport during this pivotal year.^[43][44][45] The year began with the heavyweight division's title bout at UFC 68 on March 3, where Randy Couture defeated Tim Sylvia via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) after five rounds of dominant wrestling and striking control, reclaiming the title in his return from retirement.^[46] In the welterweight title fight at UFC 69 on April 7, Matt Serra pulled off one of the most shocking upsets in UFC history, defeating heavily favored champion Georges St-Pierre by TKO (punches) at 3:25 of the first round with a barrage of ground strikes that left the Canadian unable to continue.^[47] The light heavyweight title changed hands at UFC 71 on May 26, as Quinton "Rampage" Jackson dethroned Chuck Liddell via TKO (punches) at 1:53 of the first round, capitalizing on a counter right hook and follow-up strikes in a highly anticipated rematch that stunned fans.^[48] UFC 73 on July 7 featured a double title header: Anderson Silva defended his middleweight crown against Nate Marquardt with a swift TKO (punches) at 4:50 of the first round, overwhelming the challenger with precise Muay Thai knees and strikes early in the fight.^[49] In the co-main lightweight title bout, champion Sean Sherk retained his belt against Hermes Franca by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) over five rounds, relying on superior wrestling and cardio to neutralize Franca's grappling attempts, marking no change in the division's championship.^[50] Couture followed up his earlier success at UFC 74 on August 25, defending the heavyweight title against Gabriel Gonzaga via TKO (punches) at 2:53 of the third round, using clinch work and elbows to wear down the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist.^[8] At UFC 75 on September 8, Jackson unified the light heavyweight title by defeating Dan Henderson via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) in a grueling five-round war that tested both fighters' durability and striking.^[51] Silva's middleweight reign continued at UFC 77 on October 20, where he defended his title by stopping Rich Franklin with a TKO (knees to the body and punches) at 1:07 of the second round, showcasing his devastating leg kicks and clinch knees.^[49] The year concluded at UFC 79 on December 29 with the welterweight interim title on the line, as Georges St-Pierre forced Matt Hughes to verbally submit via armbar at 4:23 of the second round, reversing a takedown attempt into a seamless transition that solidified his comeback.^[52]

Championship Changes

In 2007, the Ultimate Fighting Championship experienced significant shifts in its championship landscape, with four new titleholders crowned across the heavyweight, welterweight, light heavyweight, and interim welterweight divisions. These changes marked a period of transition following the UFC's acquisition of PRIDE Fighting Championships, which introduced unification opportunities and fresh dynamics to the title picture.^[3][53][6] The heavyweight division saw Randy Couture reclaim the title for the first time since 2002, defeating defending champion Tim Sylvia by unanimous decision at UFC 68 on March 3, 2007, in a bout that highlighted Couture's strategic wrestling and striking to end Sylvia's reign. In the welterweight division, Matt Serra captured the championship in one of the year's biggest upsets, knocking out Georges St-Pierre in the first round at UFC 69 on April 7, 2007, ending St-Pierre's initial reign after just five months and marking Serra's first and ultimately shortest title tenure at approximately 14 months. The light heavyweight title changed hands twice: Quinton "Rampage" Jackson first won the UFC belt by knocking out Chuck Liddell in the first round at UFC 71 on May 26, 2007, and then unified it with the PRIDE light heavyweight championship by defeating Dan Henderson via unanimous decision at UFC 75 on September 8, 2007, solidifying the integration of PRIDE talent into UFC's premier divisions. Additionally, due to Serra's injury, St-Pierre won the interim welterweight title by defeating Matt Hughes at UFC 79 on December 29, 2007. Meanwhile, middleweight champion Anderson Silva maintained his dominance with two successful defenses, submitting Nate Marquardt in the first round at UFC 73 on July 7, 2007, and knocking out Rich Franklin in the second round at UFC 77 on October 20, 2007; lightweight champion Sean Sherk retained the belt with a successful defense against Hermes Franca at UFC 73 on July 7, 2007.^[3][53] By the end of 2007, the UFC's champions stood as follows: Randy Couture (heavyweight), Quinton Jackson (light heavyweight), Anderson Silva (middleweight), Matt Serra (welterweight, undisputed), Georges St-Pierre (welterweight, interim), and Sean Sherk (lightweight). This lineup reflected a year of upheaval, with three undisputed titles changing hands and one interim crown established, contributing to four new champions overall.^[53][6][54] These championship transitions held lasting significance for the sport. Serra's stunning victory over St-Pierre not only created one of UFC's most iconic upsets but also reinvigorated the welterweight division by setting up high-stakes rematches that elevated its global appeal. The Jackson-Henderson unification bout exemplified the successful merger of UFC and PRIDE, bringing elite international fighters into the fold and expanding the organization's competitive depth.^[53][55]

Awards and Honors

UFC.com Year-End Awards

A 2007 review by UFC.com and media outlets recognized outstanding performances across several categories, highlighting the year's most memorable moments in the Octagon through editorial selections. These accolades celebrated individual achievements and bouts that defined a pivotal year for the promotion, marked by high-profile title changes and breakout performances. Note that formal fan-voted UFC year-end awards were not established until later years, with selections here drawn from contemporary media rankings such as Navy Times' top lists.^[56] In the Best Fighter category, media rankings highlighted standout competitors reflecting the depth of talent in 2007. Quinton Jackson topped lists for his dominant light heavyweight run, including three victories capped by a first-round knockout of Chuck Liddell to claim the title at UFC 71. Anderson Silva ranked highly for solidifying his middleweight reign with three wins, demonstrating elite striking and grappling against top contenders. Randy Couture's comeback was honored for his two heavyweight triumphs, notably defeating Tim Sylvia to recapture the title at UFC 74. Georges St-Pierre rebounded strongly with two welterweight wins over Josh Koscheck and Matt Hughes following an earlier upset loss. Forrest Griffin impressed with two victories, including a submission of Mauricio Rua at UFC 76. Jon Fitch maintained his unbeaten streak with three welterweight decisions, highlighted by a win over Diego Sanchez. Roger Huerta's five lightweight wins, three by TKO, made him a rising star and Sports Illustrated cover subject. Matt Serra's shocking knockout of St-Pierre at UFC 69 to win the welterweight belt secured his spot. Kenny Florian and Marcus Davis tied for lower rankings with three lightweight victories each, evolving Florian into a more versatile finisher. Frankie Edgar also featured prominently with three wins against notable contenders.^[56] The Upsets category spotlighted monumental underdog victories that reshaped divisions. Matt Serra's first-round TKO of Georges St-Pierre via punches at UFC 69 stands as the top upset, dethroning the dominant welterweight champion and earning Serra the belt in one of the year's biggest shocks. Other notable upsets included Forrest Griffin's rear-naked choke submission over Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 76 and Gabriel Gonzaga's first-round TKO of Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic at UFC 70.^[56] For Submissions, Forrest Griffin's rear-naked choke against Mauricio Rua in the third round at UFC 76 topped lists, forcing the highly touted Brazilian to tap in a bout that showcased Griffin's endurance and technique. Chris Lytle's triangle kimura in the first round against Jason Gilliam at UFC 73 came in as a notable entry, highlighting Lytle's resilience in a welterweight scrap.^[56][57] The Knockouts award featured Gabriel Gonzaga's ground-and-pound stoppage of Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic at UFC 70 as number one, where Gonzaga landed a devastating upkick followed by strikes to stun the kickboxing legend in the first round. Quinton Jackson's first-round punches that floored Chuck Liddell at UFC 71 ranked second, avenging a prior loss and propelling Jackson to the light heavyweight throne. In the Fights category, Roger Huerta's split-decision victory over Clay Guida at The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale was selected for its non-stop action across three rounds, with both lightweights exchanging heavy strikes and takedown attempts in a lightweight war of attrition. Frankie Edgar's split-decision win over Tyson Griffin at UFC 67 also earned acclaim for its back-and-forth pace, featuring Edgar's wrestling defense against Griffin's aggression in a lightweight thriller.^[58][59]

Event Bonus Awards

In 2007, the Ultimate Fighting Championship awarded Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night, and Submission of the Night bonuses at each of its 19 events, recognizing outstanding performances in striking exchanges, finishes, and overall bouts. These post-fight honors typically went to two fighters for Fight of the Night (shared between participants in the selected bout), one for Knockout of the Night, and one for Submission of the Night, resulting in approximately 50 individual bonuses distributed across the year, with 2-4 awarded per card depending on the event's finishes and fight quality.^[60] The structure highlighted the promotion's growing emphasis on rewarding exciting action, with payouts starting at $30,000 per bonus in the early part of the year and increasing to $40,000 by mid-2007.^[61] Notable examples from the year's events underscored the diversity of award-winning moments. At UFC 69: Shootout on April 7, the main event welterweight title fight between Matt Serra and Georges St-Pierre earned Knockout of the Night for Serra's first-round TKO victory, while the lightweight clash between Roger Huerta and Leonard Garcia captured Fight of the Night for its high-paced, back-and-forth action. UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson on May 26 featured Quinton Jackson's emphatic first-round knockout of Chuck Liddell in the light heavyweight main event, securing Knockout of the Night and marking a pivotal moment in the division. Later, at UFC 76: Knockout on September 22, Forrest Griffin's third-round rear-naked choke submission of Maurício "Shogun" Rua in their light heavyweight bout won Submission of the Night, contributing to Griffin's status as a multiple bonus recipient that year alongside his Fight of the Night honor at UFC 74: Respect for the rematch with Stephan Bonnar.^[62][63][61] Trends in the bonuses reflected 2007's focus on striking prowess, with numerous Knockout of the Night awards issued across the events, outpacing submissions and emphasizing the year's highlight-reel knockouts from fighters like Jackson and Serra. Repeat honorees such as Forrest Griffin, who earned at least two bonuses for his durable and fan-engaging style, and Roger Huerta, a lightweight standout who secured multiple Fight of the Night nods for his relentless pressure and earned widespread fan favoritism, exemplified how the awards boosted emerging talents and crowd-pleasing competitors.

Events

Schedule and Venues

In 2007, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) hosted 19 events across 13 numbered pay-per-view cards, 4 Fight Night events broadcast on Spike TV, and 2 finales from The Ultimate Fighter reality series.^[60] These events marked a period of expansion for the promotion, with a total of 16 held in the United States and 3 in the United Kingdom, including the first UFC events in that country: UFC 70 in Manchester, UFC 72 in Belfast, and UFC 75 in London.^[60] The following table lists all 2007 UFC events in chronological order, including dates, full names, venues, locations, and reported attendance figures where available from contemporary reports. Attendance figures are total attendees drawn from event reports by MMA Junkie, Tapology, and other contemporary news outlets.^[64][65]

Key Statistics

In 2007, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) organized 19 events worldwide, encompassing 171 total fights and 9 championship bouts.^[66] These events showcased a variety of outcomes, with victories distributed as follows: 36.3% by knockout or technical knockout, 32.2% by submission, and 30.4% by decision.^[66] Attendance across the year's events cumulatively reached approximately 225,000 spectators, reflecting growing popularity, while pay-per-view buys totaled an estimated 4.9 million for the major cards.^[67] More than 50 fighters made their UFC debuts during 2007, contributing to roster expansion, with notable undefeated streaks including welterweight Jon Fitch's ongoing run that reached 8-0 by year's end. International representation on cards increased to about 20%, driven by the inclusion of fighters from countries like Brazil, Japan, and the UK.^[68] A key trend in 2007 was the rise in decision-based wins, up to 30.4% from prior years, often attributed to enhanced grappling defenses and longer fight durations under unified rules.^[66] This period also marked expanded global reach, highlighted by UFC 70: Nations Collide, the promotion's first event in the United Kingdom, which boosted international participation and attendance metrics.