3. UFC 9
UFC 9 almost didn’t happen, and nearly became the last ever event for the company. The main event was for the SuperFight championship, as inaugural champion Ken Shamrock was to defend against Dan Severn.
At the time, Senator John McCain was fighting to get the company banned from PPV. McCain was trying to get UFC 9 cancelled altogether, and it would take a court order from just hours before the scheduled start time for the event to be given the go-ahead to continue. Fighters were told there would be modified rues for the event, and no closed fist punches would be allowed. Most fighters ignored the modified rules and just fought as they normally would, even though they were under the threat of arrest.
Two fighters who would abide by the rules were Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn however. Rumours are that Shamrock, who would leave UFC for WWE shortly afterwards, was worried about his public image if he were to be arrested. What followed was Severn and Shamrock dancing around each other for the entire bout, with fans booing all the way. The company was thrown off PPV afterwards, and almost died.
UFC wouldn’t return to PPV again until after the company had been purchased by Zuffa, adopted weight classes and other regulations.
