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9. Kevin Jackson vs. Frank Shamrock
UFC 15.5
Dec. 21, 1997 | Yokohama, Japan

There was a time when many considered Shamrock the top fighter in the sport. He was way ahead of his time in terms of how he trained, what he trained and how he fought. Shamrock, some believe, was the first true mixed martial artist who could do everything at an elite level.

Enter Jackson, a decorated American wrestler who had won gold medals at the Pan American Games, the World Championships and the Olympics. Their fight was not highly publicized by modern standards because MMA was still an underground sport in 1997, but those in the know expected it to go down to the wire. However, Shamrock made sure it was not close. After the two briefly exchanged punches, Jackson changed levels and scored a textbook double-leg takedown. Shamrock opened his hips, latched on to the Olympian’s right arm and snatched the armbar for the finish. Jackson’s only Ultimate Fighting Championship title fight lasted all of 16 seconds.

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