UFC Flashback - UFC 2: No Way Out

It’s time for another UFC Flashback. In case you missed the inaugural edition last week, this is where we take a trip down memory lane and revisit past UFC events. It’s an excellent opportunity for new fans to catch up with the history of the company, and it also lets longtime fans relive some of their favorite MMA experiences. This week, we take a look at UFC 2 (originally know as UFC 2: No Way Out - this had to be changed since the WWE own the trademark on No Way Out).

The event took place at Mammoth Gardens in Denver, Colorado on March 11th, 1994. It was a pay-per-view event, and the show was later released on home video. The show was notable as being the first and only UFC event to have a 16-man tournament format. The winner would receive $60,000.

Just as in UFC 1, there were no weight classes. There were also no time limits or rounds, and no judges were used for the fights. The only way to win was by knockout, submission, or throwing in the towel. The only prohibited moves were biting, eye gouging, and fish hooking. Otherwise, it was anything goes.

If you’re a really hardcore UFC fan, you may also remember that this show marked the first appearance of referee “Big” John McCarthy. Since that time, he has become perhaps the most recognizable member of the UFC’s crew.

The event featured 16 separate fights, with only the final 8 fights being shown on pay-per-view. The eventual winner of the tournament had to defeat 4 men that night. An impressive feat in any sport or era. Now let’s see who it was.

UFC 2 PRELIMINARY CARD

Scott Morris vs. Sean Daugherty - This was a quick one, as Morris locked in a guillotine choke within seconds and forced Daugherty to tap out at the 0:20 second mark.

Patrick Smith vs. Terry Johnson - This time around, Smith locked in a guillotine choke and won in 0:58 seconds. It’s amazing how effective the guillotine choke was in the early days before fighters learned to defend against it.

Johnny Rhodes vs. David Levicki - Rhodes unloaded with his fists and forced his opponent to give up due to repeated strikes at 12:13 of the bout.

Frank Hamaker vs. Thaddeus Luster - Hamaker beat Luster by submission at 4:52 of the contest.

Orlando Weit vs. Robert Lucarelli - Weit won by repeatedly kneeing Lucarelli in the head, resulting in the TKO victory for Weit.

Remco Pardoel vs. Alberta Cerra Leon - Pardoel caught Loen with an armlock and made him tap at 9:51.

Jason Delucia vs. Scott Baker - Delucia won after Baker submitted due to strikes. The match lasted 6:41.

UFC 2 MAIN EVENT CARD

Royce Gracie vs. Minoki Ichihara - Gracie used his gi to submit Ichihara with a collar choke at 5:08. As this was Gracie’s first fight of the evening, it was the first bout shown on the show. All previous bouts were not televised.

QUARTERFINAL BOUTS

Patrick Smith vs. Scott Morris - A short and brutal fight. Morris took down his opponent, but Smith was able to mount him in the process. Smith then delivered a ferocious series of punches and elbows to the head and neck of Morris until the bout was stopped at 0:30 seconds. Morris was spitting up blood after the match and had to be helped from the ringside area.

Johnny Rhodes vs. Fred Ettish - Rhodes locked in a rear naked choke and forced Ettish to tap at 3:07 of the contest. Ettish was a replacement for Frank Hamaker, who was injured in his previous fight.

Remco Pardoel vs. Orlando Weit - Pardoel won by KO at 1:29. Remco mounted his opponent and was able to land numerous elbows to the face of Weit. The brutal shots knocked Weit out cold, but he was eventually revived and escorted from the ring by his trainer.

Royce Gracie vs. Jason Delucia - Gracie won at the 1:07 mark by securing an armlock on his standing opponent. Delucia had actually trained with the Gracie family in the past and Royce had went on record as saying that he looked forward to this fight more than any of the others.

SEMIFINAL BOUTS

Patrick Smith vs. Johnny Rhodes - Rhodes became the second fighter of the night to be defeated by Smith’s guillotine choke at 1:07 of the bout. In an interview afterwards, Smith proclaimed himself the best fighter in the UFC.

Royce Gracie vs. Remco Pardoel - Pardoel had a three inch height advantage and a 100 pound weight advantage, but Gracie still took him down quickly and made him submit with a lapel choke at 1:31.

Final Bout

Royce Gracie vs. Patrick Smith - Gracie quickly took Smith to the ground and mounted him. Smith was unable to block Gracie’s punches, and his corner threw in the towel at 1:17 of the contest.

Royce Gracie had now won the first two UFC events and would continue to be a dominant force in MMA for years to come. Most of the other competitors, however, would fade into obscurity.

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Well, that’s it for today. I hope you enjoyed this look back at the history of the UFC. If so, be sure and join us again for another edition of UFC Flashback. And if you love to read about the world of MMA, feel free to check out some of our other articles from Dare to Gamble.

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