Sherdog’s Top 10: Memorable UFC Debuts

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3. Frank Shamrock
UFC 15.5 “Ultimate Japan 1”
Dec. 21, 1997 | Yokohama, Japan

Shamrock amassed a 23-10 record over a career that spanned 15 years but remained largely in the shadow of his adoptive brother, UFC hall of famer Ken Shamrock. Of his 23 wins, Shamrock scored 14 submissions, none more impressive than the one he delivered against Kevin Jackson in his first UFC appearance.

Ahead of his fight against the undefeated Olympic gold medalist, many expected Shamrock to avoid grappling exchanges with the freestyle wrestler. Shamrock had other ideas. “Freestyle wrestlers need a lesson in submission, and I am the guy to teach them,” he said before the bout. Shamrock backed up those words in shocking fashion.

After being taken down by Jackson, Shamrock locked in an armbar and secured the tapout 16 seconds into the first round. At 25, he became the UFC’s first light heavyweight champion. Shamrock went on to defend the title four times, turning away Igor Zinoviev, Jeremy Horn, John Lober and Tito Ortiz. He ended his reign on his own terms, walking away from the UFC after defeating Ortiz in September 1999. Shamrock still holds the record for fastest submission in a UFC title fight.

Number 2 » Joe Lauzon