April 14, 2000. The UFC was making their third trip to Japan, headlined by a clash between Tito Ortiz and Wanderlei Silva for the vacant 205 (then known as middleweight) title. Ortiz was able to keep Silva on his back for the most part, and was awarded a decision victory after 15 minutes and the title. What neither could have known then, was that this was merely the beginning for both of them, and they would once again be in the same building when their careers took a fateful turn.
The pay-per-view event, featuring a light heavyweight contest between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Matt Hamill, takes place at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.
With season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter just wrapping up and speculations of GSP and Nick Diaz coaching the next season, Dana White laid those rumors to rest today.
It was like being in a dream, within a dream, when at the beginning of the Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley fight, the camera zoomed in on Dana White wearing a Strikeforce T-shirt with a Cheshire Cat smile. It was very surreal. It was a great way to kick off the telecast.
