Dan Severn - MMA Legend

Memories by the MMA Blaster


On a cold winter night while in high school back in 1996, my friends and I went to the local Family Video and rented UFC 1-4. All we needed to see was "No Rules" to know that we wanted to rent those tapes. 17 years later and I am still watching.

Dan Severn (101-19), an Olympic alternate, was a hero of those early tapes for the wrestling crowd. As a high school wrestler, it was nice to see tactics I used work effectively in a fighting situation. In his debut, with a week or so of training, Severn suplexed Anthony Macias twice before executing a crude rear naked choke. That moment was the first jaw dropping use of wrestling in modern mixed martial arts.

Severn cruised his way into the UFC 4 finals against Royce Gracie, whom had previously won UFC 1 and 2. Severn was able to take down Gracie, and held him there while throwing strikes until Gracie secured a triangle choke just before the 16 minute mark. However, the Beast was born that night.

Severn came back with a more rounded game and won UFC 5, the UU 95 Tournament and the Superfight Belt, now heavyweight championship, at UFC 9. Severn continued to utilize his superior wrestling skills throughout his career while adding submissions and BJJ black belt to dominate his opponents. He was the third member inducted to the UFC Hall of Fame.

Dan's notable wins come over a who's who list of MMA from old to new school- Oleg Taktarov, Ken Shamrock, Forrest Griffin, Paul Buentello, Mario Neto, Dave Beneteau, Wes Sims, Paul "Polar Bear" Varelens, Travis Fulton, Justin Eilers, Dan Christison, Dennis Reed, Brad Kohler, Anthony Macias, Robert "Buzz" Berry, Cal Worsham, Ruben Villareal and Tank Abbott. With the amount of Indian reservations he fought at, his number of victories is likely upwards of 150.

Top UFC 100 Fights Snubs

The UFC counted down the supposed list of the 100 top UFC fights of the promotion's illustrious 16 year existence on Spike TV. However, this list is basically a device to publicize and push its video game and current fighters.

Any fighter on the outs with the UFC was not listed unless it is a fight they lost. The best high kick in UFC history, Yves Edwards ridiculous high kick of Josh Thomson, is mysteriously left out. My guess is that it had something to do with Thomson winning the Strikeforce LW Championship.

Regardless, these ten fights are absolute gems in the history of the UFC. Each fight was a war, epitomizing the energy and excitement that is illuminates the top fight promotion in the world.

Top 10 Snubs:

1. Frank Shamrock v. Tito Ortiz at UFC 22- An epic battle for a championship belt that has been the finest fight in the history of the UFC. In the beginning, the brash, young and explosive Ortiz was able to get takedowns and ground and pound. Shamrock worked shots from the bottom position, and eventually wore Ortiz down. During a missed shot in the fourth round, Shamrock pounded Ortiz with punches. An incredible bout that was a comeback and a triumph.

(Frank with 4 UFC belts)

2. Marco Ruas v. Paul Varelens at UFC 7- The brawl in Buffalo featured an epic battle not seen since Royce Gracie v. Kimo. After Marco submitted Larry Cureton and Remco Pardoel, he had to face a giant smashing machine in Paul Varelens. Marco came out in the finale throwing the first effective leg kicks in MMA competiton, reddening the thigh of Varelens. Ruas also threw the first footstomps that looked absolutely nasty. Combine with bare-knuckle punches and after 13 minutes, Varelens was chopped down like a big redwood.

(Ruas throwing a nasty leg kick on Varelans)

3. Bas Rutten vs Tsuyoshi Kohsaka at UFC 18- An epic battle between two of the elite strikers of the day. The ending of this fight was one of the best technical flurries of all time, as Bas landed all his big punches to get the KO around 14 minutes in.

(Bas Rutten with UFC and Pancrase belts)

4. Yves Edwards v. Josh Thomson at UFC 49- One of the best rounds ever fought, as these two lightweights laid everything on the line. Near the end of the first, a scramble occured and as Thomson threw a spinning backfist, Edwards came out with a jumping/flying kick that landed flush to Thomson's face. By far the best head kick in the history of the UFC.

(Edwards head kick)

5. Dan Severn v. Anthony Macias at UFC 4- While this bout ended in quick fashion, it was the first demonstration of how wrestling could be utilized in mixed martial arts. Severn landed two perfect belly to back suplexes which had the crowd in a hysteria. To finish, Severn used his trademark Severn rear naked choke, torquing Macias' chin towards him. Despite being his debut mixed martial arts fight, Severn dominated.

(Severn with UFC belts)

6. Oleg Taktarov v. Tank Abbott at UFC 6- The finale at UFC 6 was an outstanding battle of striker versus sambo. Both men fought hard in the high altitude of the Rocky Mountains, throwing everything they had. After 17 minutes of straight fighting, Oleg was able to slap a rear naked choke on the Tank. After the victory, Oleg and Tank laid on the canvas unable to get up. Oxygen was needed.

7. Andre "Big Chief" Roberts v. Ron Waterman at UFC 21- These two super-heavyweights threw big leather, with muscle bound Waterman having Roberts all but put away. However, the Native American Roberts was able to pull off a huge upset and comeback, knocking out Waterman after a big right, left, right combo and punches to the stunned Waterman.

8. Goran Reljic v. Wilson Gouveia at UFC 84- This fight featured outstanding kickboxing, as Reljic landed head and body kicks at will with good snap. Near the end of the first, Gouveia came back with flurries of punches. In the second, Gouveia got the most of the stand-up and a takedown. After it was stood back up, Reljic landed a power left, then a barrage of hammerfists for the win.

9. Royce Gracie v. Dan Severn at UFC 4- Severn took Gracie down at will, landing ground and pound shots repeatedly. What happened at the 15 minute mark was a tight triangle choke, the first time it had been seen in UFC competition.

10. Tito Ortiz v. Guy Mezger II at UFC 19- The rematch was fast and furious combination of grappling, striking and submission attempts. Tito came out on top.

Video of the Day - Severn v. Smith

Here is Dan Severn fighting Mark "The Bear" Smith in King of the Cage 18 which took place on 11/1/02. Severn, a UFC Hall of Famer, keeps plugging away in the regional MMA circuit with 94 registered wins on Sherdog.com. Severn is a perfect 3-0 in 2010.

Don Frye - MMA Legend

By the MMA Blaster



Don Frye (19-6, 9-1 UFC) is a true MMA legend. Every time he steps into the arena he brings an aggressive fire with him. He is probably best known to the internet community for the fight with Yoshihiro Takayama at Pride 21, when the two fighters punched each other hockey style in a wild fury with Frye coming out on top.

Frye was a wrestling standout at Arizona State University (ASU) where he learned under assistant coach Dan Severn. Frye would help train Severn for UU95, and Severn returned the favor to Don at UFC 8. Don won UFC 8 with three wins including a great one over Gary Goodridge in the final. Don also won the UU96 tournament, which included a crazy one minute and 22 second match against Tank Abbott for the title.

His 9-1 record in the UFC and the part he played in elevating the status of MMA in the United States should earn him a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame. He was 11-1 before taking a break in 1997. He returned in September of 2001 winning after being eye gouged by Gilbert Yvel.

In his next fight he defeated kickboxing legend Cyril Abidi. He continued to fight in K1 and Pride in addition to being a coach in the IFL. His Dear Don segments for the IFL are classic, one is included below the highlight reel. Last January, Don won a fight in the No Limits organization against Bryan Pardoe (12-10) by way of a :47 second knockout.

*In Don's first MMA match at UFC 8, Don KO'd 410 pound Thomas Ramirez in 8 seconds.

MMA Blaster on MMA Junkie - Dan Severn

SEVERN IS MMA'S TRUE IRON MAN



On March 9, Dan Severn (UFC 4 and UU 96 champ) tasted victory yet again against UFC 72/80 competitor Colin Robinson. Despite Severn's long list of accomplishments in MMA, I rarely hear his name mentioned in MMA broadcasts. Even MMAjunkie.com dissed Severn saying, "Severn has largely kept his career alive by fighting inexperienced opponents." Severn brought so many fans to the sport, including myself, as a high-school wrestler in 1996 renting the UFC tapes. We rewinded Severn's suplexes of Anthony Macias over and over again, watching wrestling used to perfection. It seems the UFC, IFL and EliteXC have ignored Severn. Maybe Severn doesn't want the attention, but he deserves it. While Ken Shamrock just lost his EliteXC debut to Robert Berry, Severn choked out Berry in 2006. With a list of victims that spans Forrest Griffin to Oleg Taktarov, MMA's true Iron Man is Dan Severn.

-mmablaster
-Chicago, IL

MMA Blaster on MMA Junkie Part 2

"TUF" HEAVYWEIGHTS NEEDED

If there is one constant rule in MMA, it's that a good heavyweight fighter is hard to find. That's why the UFC should cultivate its own talent with the six-week training course and tournament better known as "The Ultimate Fighter." The obvious obstacle is finding quality competitors, and the twist would be to go international. Advertise it as U.S. vs. World. Get the eight U.S. big boys by sniping some ex-IFL and EliteXC talent, fighters from YAMMA Pit Fighting's eight-man tournament, and tryouts. Internationally, find the fighters from top camps in Russia, Brazil, Australia, Holland, France, UK, Japan and Canada. The dynamic in the house and gaps in cultures would be unlike any other season. For coaches, rather than a six-month layoff for top fighters, go old school. For the U.S., Dan Severn, Don Frye or Mo Smith. For World, Marco Ruas, Pedro Rizzo or Oleg Taktarov.

Ken Shamrock Returns March 8th

The following is a bulletin posted by Cage Rage from their Myspace page:

"Cage Rage is pleased to announce that mixed martial arts legend Ken Shamrock will be fighting Robert “ Buzz” Berry, at Cage Rage 25 - Bring it on! From a young age Ken proved to be a tough competitor in all forms of combat sports and at the age of 19 Ken won his first Toughman competition by knocking out his first two opponents with the third pulling out claiming injury. Shamrock spent many years competing in wrestling until one day in 1993 he stumbled across an advert in a popular American martial arts magazine calling for experts in martial arts to compete in a no holds barred bare knuckle tournament . From there the legend of Ken Shamrock was born, Ken went on to compete many times over the years and has a Sherdog record 26-12-2. Ken has headlined many fighting events all over the World and now he will be making his first visit to London’s famous Wembley Arena where he look to excite an expectant crowd."

In Robert "Buzz" Berry, Ken will face a 6'3" 250 pound fighter who is 2-4 in his last six fights. Berry (11-7) has had every fight but one end in the first round. Shamrock has lost four in a row, and since his return to MMA in 2000 is 3-7.

I predict Ken will win via a rear naked choke in the first round. This would mirror what Dan Severn did to Berry in 2006.

*Ken's son Ryan Shamrock will also be fighting on the Cage Rage card.

Video of the Day - Dan Severn

Here is a great video that was posted on Youtube by NAPMA.com. Dan Severn teaches ground and pound tactics in a clinic. I would like to see Dan as a coach if they ever do Ultimate Fighter with heavyweights.

Happy 80th Win For Dan Severn!

Congrats by the MMA Blaster

Dan Severn recorded his 80th win at King of the Cage on November 21st according to Sherdog.com (fcf has him at 82 wins). That total is probably closer to 100 or so, but he just keeps going. The ageless wonder has been in the MMA game since 1994. He beat a fighter named Don Richard (7-9) from Michigan. The event was held at Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant Michigan. I have a previous post with a highlight video, click Dan Severn on the labels section.