5. Pride 17
Pride 17 on Nov. 3, 2001 featured the second of three meetings between Brazilian juggernaut Wanderlei Silva and Japanese legend Kazushi Sakuraba before 53,200 fans at the Tokyo Dome. There, “The Axe Murderer” captured the Pride Fighting Championships middleweight title, as he forced a doctor stoppage at the conclusion of the second round after breaking Sakuraba’s collarbone with a devastating slam. Silva remained champion until Feb. 24, 2007. Pride 17 also saw Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira crowned as the first Pride heavyweight titleholder, as he took a unanimous decision from Heath Herring. It was part of a 13-fight winning streak that made Nogueira a household name in MMA circles. In addition to Silva and Nogueira, Mario Sperry, Semmy Schilt, Dan Henderson, Quinton Jackson and Renzo Gracie were victorious at the event. Sperry submitted Igor Vovchanchyn in less than three minutes, the Brazilian Top Team co-founder doing the honors with an arm-triangle choke.
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