1
00:00:07,758 --> 00:00:09,194
-Let's get it on!
2
00:00:09,218 --> 00:00:10,154
-What is drawing millions
of modern Americans
3
00:00:10,178 --> 00:00:11,654
to the bloody games?
4
00:00:11,678 --> 00:00:13,448
-It's not a sport...
It's barbarism.
5
00:00:13,472 --> 00:00:15,116
-They're being soccer kicked
in the face.
6
00:00:15,140 --> 00:00:16,701
I'm seeing teeth flying out.
7
00:00:16,725 --> 00:00:18,620
-We're going to continue
to fight to make it illegal.
8
00:00:18,644 --> 00:00:20,914
-The brutal and bloody
competition
9
00:00:20,938 --> 00:00:22,582
inside the octagon...
10
00:00:22,606 --> 00:00:24,459
{\an8}-And this baby's getting good!
11
00:00:24,483 --> 00:00:26,920
-It didn't look like a sport.
It looked like street fighting.
12
00:00:26,944 --> 00:00:29,631
- leaves the UFC battling
powerful opponents
13
00:00:29,655 --> 00:00:31,007
outside of the ring.
14
00:00:31,031 --> 00:00:34,135
{\an8}-Most people don't want it
in their states.
15
00:00:34,159 --> 00:00:35,970
-Struggling
to stay on its feet...
16
00:00:35,994 --> 00:00:39,098
-The world's most dangerous man!
17
00:00:39,122 --> 00:00:40,767
-Well, they weren't able
to pay me.
18
00:00:40,791 --> 00:00:43,102
-Can't pay the fighters,
you can't have a show.
19
00:00:43,126 --> 00:00:45,021
-The UFC was
in pretty bad shape.
20
00:00:45,045 --> 00:00:48,399
- the UFC gets one last chance
to avoid a knockout.
21
00:00:48,423 --> 00:00:50,193
{\an8}-Practically down and out,
22
00:00:50,217 --> 00:00:53,071
{\an8}Ultimate Fighting is trying
to become a legitimate sport.
23
00:00:53,095 --> 00:00:54,948
{\an8}-I was told we're not gonna
get approved,
24
00:00:54,972 --> 00:00:57,742
and if we're not approved,
then we're done done.
25
00:00:57,766 --> 00:01:05,766
{\an8}♪♪
26
00:01:06,483 --> 00:01:07,835
[ Dial-up modems screeching ]
27
00:01:07,859 --> 00:01:15,859
{\an8}♪♪
28
00:01:18,203 --> 00:01:22,141
{\an8}[ Crowd cheering ]
29
00:01:22,165 --> 00:01:25,353
{\an8}-In the '90s, U.S. audiences
get their first look
30
00:01:25,377 --> 00:01:27,272
{\an8}at mixed martial arts.
31
00:01:27,296 --> 00:01:30,483
MMA is a full-contact sport
with fighters each using
32
00:01:30,507 --> 00:01:32,694
their own style
of hand-to-hand combat.
33
00:01:32,718 --> 00:01:34,279
-Medina grabs the leg.
34
00:01:34,303 --> 00:01:36,155
-People were always wondering
like, "Okay, well,
35
00:01:36,179 --> 00:01:38,366
in a real fight,
like, who would win this?
36
00:01:38,390 --> 00:01:40,368
What discipline is the best?"
37
00:01:40,392 --> 00:01:42,453
-The brutal nature
of these cage fights
38
00:01:42,477 --> 00:01:44,747
is both terrifying...
- That's intense, folks.
39
00:01:44,771 --> 00:01:49,127
- and a can't-look-away
display of unbridled violence.
40
00:01:49,151 --> 00:01:50,795
-That's what it's all about.
41
00:01:50,819 --> 00:01:53,381
-This outrageous mix
of competing fighting styles
42
00:01:53,405 --> 00:01:56,384
is the brainchild
of a feisty entrepreneur.
43
00:01:56,408 --> 00:01:57,969
-The only two restrictions...
44
00:01:57,993 --> 00:02:01,014
No biting and no eye gouging.
45
00:02:01,038 --> 00:02:02,515
{\an8}I'm Art Davie,
46
00:02:02,539 --> 00:02:05,268
{\an8}and I'm the creator
and founder of the UFC.
47
00:02:05,292 --> 00:02:08,313
-Davie partners with
jiujitsu expert Rorion Gracie
48
00:02:08,337 --> 00:02:10,106
to create an MMA league
49
00:02:10,130 --> 00:02:13,318
known as the Ultimate Fighting
Championship.
50
00:02:13,342 --> 00:02:16,863
{\an8}-No judges' scores
and no time limit.
51
00:02:16,887 --> 00:02:20,616
-The marketing people
were selling carnage.
52
00:02:20,640 --> 00:02:22,076
They were selling
no holds barred.
53
00:02:22,100 --> 00:02:24,787
They were selling
teeth flying out of mouths.
54
00:02:24,811 --> 00:02:26,664
-But not everyone is buying.
55
00:02:26,688 --> 00:02:28,458
The bloody wars fought
in the octagon
56
00:02:28,482 --> 00:02:30,627
spark political backlash,
57
00:02:30,651 --> 00:02:32,712
spearheaded by
a former war hero...
58
00:02:32,736 --> 00:02:34,631
Arizona Senator John McCain.
59
00:02:34,655 --> 00:02:38,134
-It appeals to the lowest common
denominator in our society.
60
00:02:38,158 --> 00:02:39,594
There's just no place for it.
61
00:02:39,618 --> 00:02:41,596
-All of these states
were starting to come up
62
00:02:41,620 --> 00:02:44,432
with ways of trying
to stop the events.
63
00:02:44,456 --> 00:02:47,518
-Under constant attacks
from government officials,
64
00:02:47,542 --> 00:02:50,438
the UFC's creators
throw in the towel.
65
00:02:50,462 --> 00:02:52,857
After just five tournaments,
Davie and Gracie
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00:02:52,881 --> 00:02:56,194
{\an8}sell the company to Semaphore
Entertainment Group founder
67
00:02:56,218 --> 00:02:57,945
Bob Meyrowitz.
68
00:02:57,969 --> 00:02:59,906
-So, Bob made me
a seven-figure offer,
69
00:02:59,930 --> 00:03:02,075
and it was a good
seven-figure offer,
70
00:03:02,099 --> 00:03:04,786
and I said yes.
71
00:03:04,810 --> 00:03:07,163
And then I stayed on
as the UFC commissioner.
72
00:03:07,187 --> 00:03:09,165
{\an8}♪♪
73
00:03:09,189 --> 00:03:12,168
-The new owner has a plan
to save the business.
74
00:03:12,192 --> 00:03:15,380
-The UFC is back.
The speed, the power...
75
00:03:15,404 --> 00:03:19,050
-Meyrowitz will transform
the UFC into a legitimate sport
76
00:03:19,074 --> 00:03:22,136
by winning over state
legislators and governors,
77
00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:24,138
starting in New York State.
78
00:03:24,162 --> 00:03:27,392
But his plan leads
to one of the fiercest showdowns
79
00:03:27,416 --> 00:03:30,061
in the UFC's history.
80
00:03:30,085 --> 00:03:32,313
-Bob Meyrowitz hired a lobbyist
81
00:03:32,337 --> 00:03:36,984
{\an8}and he actually got the governor
of New York to sign into law
82
00:03:37,008 --> 00:03:38,778
{\an8}that MMA was legal.
83
00:03:38,802 --> 00:03:40,029
{\an8}Hi, I'm "Big" John McCarthy.
84
00:03:40,053 --> 00:03:42,115
{\an8}I'm known as one
of the original referees
85
00:03:42,139 --> 00:03:44,200
{\an8}and officials for the UFC.
86
00:03:44,224 --> 00:03:46,244
{\an8}♪♪
87
00:03:46,268 --> 00:03:49,831
Bob Meyrowitz had agreed
with the politicians
88
00:03:49,855 --> 00:03:55,878
that he would not bring the UFC
into the city of New York
89
00:03:55,902 --> 00:03:58,089
until they were
comfortable with it.
90
00:03:58,113 --> 00:04:00,091
He would go
to the outlying areas.
91
00:04:00,115 --> 00:04:03,094
He would go to Albany.
He would go to Niagara.
92
00:04:03,118 --> 00:04:04,971
{\an8}♪♪
93
00:04:04,995 --> 00:04:07,849
{\an8}-True to his word,
Meyrowitz quickly announces
94
00:04:07,873 --> 00:04:09,684
the next tournament, UFC 12,
95
00:04:09,708 --> 00:04:11,978
will take place
in Niagara Falls.
96
00:04:12,002 --> 00:04:13,896
But three weeks
before the event,
97
00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:16,023
there's an unexpected setback.
98
00:04:16,047 --> 00:04:18,109
{\an8}♪♪
99
00:04:18,133 --> 00:04:21,237
Hearing that New York State
has legalized MMA fighting,
100
00:04:21,261 --> 00:04:24,824
a competing company,
Extreme Fighting Battlecade,
101
00:04:24,848 --> 00:04:26,909
books an event in New York City.
102
00:04:26,933 --> 00:04:28,786
It's exactly
what Meyrowitz promised
103
00:04:28,810 --> 00:04:31,330
the governor of New York
would not happen.
104
00:04:31,354 --> 00:04:33,833
-A real, man-to-man,
all-out war.
105
00:04:33,857 --> 00:04:36,359
-Extreme Fighting says, "We're
going to Madison Square Garden."
106
00:04:38,653 --> 00:04:41,340
The politicians quickly said,
"Whoa, whoa."
107
00:04:41,364 --> 00:04:44,260
Bob Meyrowitz goes, "I'm not
in control of that one."
108
00:04:44,284 --> 00:04:45,636
-It doesn't matter.
109
00:04:45,660 --> 00:04:48,055
News of the event
at Madison Square Garden
110
00:04:48,079 --> 00:04:49,932
sparks a public outcry.
111
00:04:49,956 --> 00:04:51,392
-This is promoting violence
112
00:04:51,416 --> 00:04:54,353
in an already
totally violent society.
113
00:04:54,377 --> 00:04:56,981
-The New York Times
had an editorial
114
00:04:57,005 --> 00:04:59,984
in which they called it
the most barbaric show
115
00:05:00,008 --> 00:05:01,652
in the history of television.
116
00:05:01,676 --> 00:05:04,071
-Organizers at the UFC
are stunned
117
00:05:04,095 --> 00:05:06,157
when New York Governor
George Pataki
118
00:05:06,181 --> 00:05:09,785
{\an8}suddenly reverses his opinion
on mixed martial arts.
119
00:05:09,809 --> 00:05:12,038
-People call it a sport.
It's not a sport.
120
00:05:12,062 --> 00:05:13,706
It's barbarism.
121
00:05:13,730 --> 00:05:16,000
-We had already sold
several thousand tickets.
122
00:05:16,024 --> 00:05:18,252
At the last minute,
the legislature in New York
123
00:05:18,276 --> 00:05:21,088
decided that they wouldn't
allow this to come.
124
00:05:21,112 --> 00:05:23,633
-With the MMA law
already on the books,
125
00:05:23,657 --> 00:05:26,093
it's the New York State Athletic
Commission that steps in,
126
00:05:26,117 --> 00:05:29,222
just days before the event
in Niagara Falls,
127
00:05:29,246 --> 00:05:31,807
and enacts new rules
for mixed martial arts,
128
00:05:31,831 --> 00:05:35,061
including a requirement
that the 32-foot octagon
129
00:05:35,085 --> 00:05:37,814
be widened
to 40 feet in diameter.
130
00:05:37,838 --> 00:05:40,733
It's an impossible task
on such short notice.
131
00:05:40,757 --> 00:05:43,236
-They're saying these are
what our rules are.
132
00:05:43,260 --> 00:05:45,071
It was a 114-page rulebook.
133
00:05:45,095 --> 00:05:46,572
If you don't follow them,
134
00:05:46,596 --> 00:05:48,741
then yes, your show
is gonna get shut down.
135
00:05:48,765 --> 00:05:50,952
-Semaphore Entertainment
files a last-minute appeal
136
00:05:50,976 --> 00:05:54,038
in federal court, but
it's thrown out by the judge.
137
00:05:54,062 --> 00:05:56,374
The show in Niagara Falls
is canceled.
138
00:05:56,398 --> 00:05:59,418
-That was just brutal.
We all had to load everything.
139
00:05:59,442 --> 00:06:02,463
The octagon, all the gear,
and all the people.
140
00:06:02,487 --> 00:06:05,007
{\an8}My name is Mark Lucas,
and I was the first
141
00:06:05,031 --> 00:06:09,387
{\an8}live TV director of the Ultimate
Fighting Championships.
142
00:06:09,411 --> 00:06:12,515
-If organizers have a backup
plan, it hasn't been shared
143
00:06:12,539 --> 00:06:15,518
with the Ultimate Fighters
on the card,
144
00:06:15,542 --> 00:06:19,730
including a one-time amateur
wrestler known as "The Beast."
145
00:06:19,754 --> 00:06:24,527
-You're there, and now
you're not welcome here.
146
00:06:24,551 --> 00:06:26,195
You got to go!
147
00:06:26,219 --> 00:06:28,739
{\an8}Hello, this is
Dan "The Beast" Severn here.
148
00:06:28,763 --> 00:06:30,783
{\an8}I'm probably one
of the most decorated
149
00:06:30,807 --> 00:06:33,786
{\an8}UFC competitors
in their history,
150
00:06:33,810 --> 00:06:37,331
a Triple Crown Champion
from the NHB,
151
00:06:37,355 --> 00:06:40,877
which stands for
no-holds-barred era.
152
00:06:40,901 --> 00:06:44,839
{\an8}-Dan "The Beast" Severn.
He always looked cool.
153
00:06:44,863 --> 00:06:47,758
{\an8}I'm Robin Black, and I'm
a practicing martial artist.
154
00:06:47,782 --> 00:06:51,470
{\an8}I analyze and commentate
fighting all over the world.
155
00:06:51,494 --> 00:06:54,265
Dan looked like
he was from the '70s.
156
00:06:54,289 --> 00:06:56,975
Kind of the hair
and the mustache.
157
00:06:56,999 --> 00:07:00,730
He looked like somebody
you should not... with.
158
00:07:00,754 --> 00:07:03,524
{\an8}♪♪
159
00:07:03,548 --> 00:07:07,069
-I was a freakish farm boy,
is what I was.
160
00:07:07,093 --> 00:07:08,362
I throw bales of hay around,
161
00:07:08,386 --> 00:07:09,864
I should be able to throw
somebody around.
162
00:07:09,888 --> 00:07:11,782
-Severn's trying for a reversal.
163
00:07:11,806 --> 00:07:13,284
And gets his 2 points.
164
00:07:13,308 --> 00:07:15,703
-I would come at you
with such an onslaught,
165
00:07:15,727 --> 00:07:17,705
and I'd overwhelm most people.
166
00:07:17,729 --> 00:07:20,124
-Doing a nice job trying
to get this turn.
167
00:07:20,148 --> 00:07:23,711
-After failing to qualify for
the 1984 Olympic wrestling team,
168
00:07:23,735 --> 00:07:27,298
a disappointed Severn decides to
try a career in pro wrestling.
169
00:07:27,322 --> 00:07:29,050
{\an8}♪♪
170
00:07:29,074 --> 00:07:31,802
He easily gets work on the
independent wrestling circuit.
171
00:07:31,826 --> 00:07:33,304
But in the early '90s,
172
00:07:33,328 --> 00:07:35,848
Severn is turned on
to the new competition
173
00:07:35,872 --> 00:07:38,142
gaining favor with fight fans.
174
00:07:38,166 --> 00:07:40,061
-I didn't know that the UFC
even exists.
175
00:07:40,085 --> 00:07:44,023
A friend of mine who watched
the first two,
176
00:07:44,047 --> 00:07:47,360
he copied them
on an old VHS tape.
177
00:07:47,384 --> 00:07:50,112
Viewers of this eventually
will go, "What's a VHS tape?"
178
00:07:50,136 --> 00:07:53,991
{\an8}♪♪
179
00:07:54,015 --> 00:07:56,952
-Throughout the '90s,
as VHS players arrive
180
00:07:56,976 --> 00:07:59,163
in millions of Americans'
living rooms,
181
00:07:59,187 --> 00:08:01,457
selling and sharing bootlegged
VHS recordings
182
00:08:01,481 --> 00:08:05,252
of movies and other forms
of entertainment is booming.
183
00:08:05,276 --> 00:08:09,590
This underground market helps
build awareness of the UFC.
184
00:08:09,614 --> 00:08:14,512
-Besides that 85,000 or 90,000
that saw it on pay-per-view,
185
00:08:14,536 --> 00:08:19,475
there were 300,000 VHSes
being sent all over the world.
186
00:08:19,499 --> 00:08:21,268
[ Cheers and applause ]
187
00:08:21,292 --> 00:08:22,561
-He showed them to me
and he says,
188
00:08:22,585 --> 00:08:24,105
"You ought to think about
doing this."
189
00:08:24,129 --> 00:08:26,399
So I watch it, I'm seeing
some of these athletes,
190
00:08:26,423 --> 00:08:28,275
they're being soccer kicked
in the face.
191
00:08:28,299 --> 00:08:30,319
I'm seeing teeth flying out.
I thinking, you know...
192
00:08:30,343 --> 00:08:33,656
I said to him,
"I'll give it a try."
193
00:08:33,680 --> 00:08:35,408
-Art Davie, the co-creator
194
00:08:35,432 --> 00:08:37,159
of the Ultimate Fighting
Championship
195
00:08:37,183 --> 00:08:38,619
and its chief matchmaker,
196
00:08:38,643 --> 00:08:40,996
is impressed by Severn's
wrestling experience.
197
00:08:41,020 --> 00:08:44,041
And in 1994, he puts
the fighter on the card
198
00:08:44,065 --> 00:08:46,502
for the UFC's fourth tournament.
199
00:08:46,526 --> 00:08:48,379
-Now, did I tell
a single family member?
200
00:08:48,403 --> 00:08:49,755
No!
201
00:08:49,779 --> 00:08:52,675
[ Crowd cheering ]
202
00:08:52,699 --> 00:08:55,052
My kids simply knew that...
203
00:08:55,076 --> 00:08:58,431
Dad worked every weekend.
204
00:08:58,455 --> 00:09:00,725
{\an8}-Severn continues to work.
205
00:09:00,749 --> 00:09:02,601
{\an8}Takes an elbow to the head.
206
00:09:02,625 --> 00:09:03,894
-I didn't want them to worry.
207
00:09:03,918 --> 00:09:06,105
-Again, you see,
steps up too hard...
208
00:09:06,129 --> 00:09:09,817
-It's an astonishing debut.
209
00:09:09,841 --> 00:09:13,612
Severn then goes on to win
not one but three championships,
210
00:09:13,636 --> 00:09:16,991
{\an8}including a beatdown
of the UFC's biggest superstar,
211
00:09:17,015 --> 00:09:19,160
{\an8}Ken Shamrock.
212
00:09:19,184 --> 00:09:20,494
-Ka-kush!
213
00:09:20,518 --> 00:09:21,871
When are you gonna...
Ka-kush!
214
00:09:21,895 --> 00:09:23,289
Going to... ka-kush!
215
00:09:23,313 --> 00:09:24,331
Tap?
216
00:09:24,355 --> 00:09:25,374
Ka-kush!
217
00:09:25,398 --> 00:09:28,377
{\an8}♪♪
218
00:09:28,401 --> 00:09:31,046
[ Laughing ] I'm the guy that,
219
00:09:31,070 --> 00:09:33,758
I'm gonna grab you
by the scruff of the neck
220
00:09:33,782 --> 00:09:38,596
and I'm gonna shove your face
into the cow pie of reality.
221
00:09:38,620 --> 00:09:41,265
-As Severn prepares to capture
another championship
222
00:09:41,289 --> 00:09:43,100
in Niagara Falls,
223
00:09:43,124 --> 00:09:46,437
it's the UFC itself that is put
into a political chokehold.
224
00:09:46,461 --> 00:09:49,273
With the event officially
prohibited in New York,
225
00:09:49,297 --> 00:09:51,317
critics hope the Ultimate
Fighting Championship
226
00:09:51,341 --> 00:09:53,444
is down for good.
227
00:09:53,468 --> 00:09:57,782
They soon learned the UFC can
take a punch and keep fighting.
228
00:09:57,806 --> 00:10:01,285
-They had an alternate location
in Alabama...
229
00:10:01,309 --> 00:10:03,162
Dothan, Alabama.
230
00:10:03,186 --> 00:10:07,374
God knows everybody knows
where Dothan, Alabama, is.
231
00:10:07,398 --> 00:10:10,669
-I tried not to get caught up
in any of the bullshit.
232
00:10:10,693 --> 00:10:13,172
I have to compete.
233
00:10:13,196 --> 00:10:14,840
-When we land in Dothan,
234
00:10:14,864 --> 00:10:16,967
it was probably
like 2:00 in the morning,
235
00:10:16,991 --> 00:10:19,136
and some guys went right
to work right there.
236
00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:21,847
-With less than 24 hours
before the opening bell,
237
00:10:21,871 --> 00:10:23,766
there isn't even time
to sell tickets.
238
00:10:23,790 --> 00:10:25,601
It's kinda like going...
Open doors,
239
00:10:25,625 --> 00:10:27,353
whoever wants to come in
and watch us...
240
00:10:27,377 --> 00:10:30,481
I mean, it just... they were
up against a lot of things.
241
00:10:30,505 --> 00:10:32,733
-Amidst a torrent of controversy
242
00:10:32,757 --> 00:10:35,653
that runs deeper
than Niagara Falls,
243
00:10:35,677 --> 00:10:39,198
it's the Ultimate Fighting
Championship.
244
00:10:39,222 --> 00:10:41,283
{\an8}-The following night,
as the lights go up
245
00:10:41,307 --> 00:10:43,619
{\an8}on the octagon
in the Dothan Civic Center,
246
00:10:43,643 --> 00:10:46,497
{\an8}the UFC comes off the mat.
247
00:10:46,521 --> 00:10:50,876
{\an8}♪♪
248
00:10:50,900 --> 00:10:53,045
-The city of Dothan came out
in droves to watch.
249
00:10:53,069 --> 00:10:54,672
The place was packed.
250
00:10:54,696 --> 00:10:57,424
All the people, the fans,
they knew what was going on
251
00:10:57,448 --> 00:11:00,344
and they supported
what the UFC was trying to do.
252
00:11:00,368 --> 00:11:02,179
They supported the fighters.
253
00:11:02,203 --> 00:11:05,474
Vitor Belfort was a brand-new
fighter that no one knew.
254
00:11:05,498 --> 00:11:06,934
{\an8}-Lands a right to the head.
255
00:11:06,958 --> 00:11:08,626
{\an8}Another! Another!
256
00:11:09,752 --> 00:11:10,980
That's it!
257
00:11:11,004 --> 00:11:12,731
That's it. It's over.
258
00:11:12,755 --> 00:11:15,317
-And he put on just, you know,
a blazing performance
259
00:11:15,341 --> 00:11:17,778
and winning
the heavyweight tournament
260
00:11:17,802 --> 00:11:20,072
and just all these things
that happened.
261
00:11:20,096 --> 00:11:24,118
-Things including the debut
of the UFC's newest commentator.
262
00:11:24,142 --> 00:11:25,870
-Unbelievable victory.
263
00:11:25,894 --> 00:11:28,080
-Comedian Joe Rogan
is handpicked
264
00:11:28,104 --> 00:11:30,583
by Semaphore Entertainment's
marketing guru.
265
00:11:30,607 --> 00:11:32,376
-I brought him in for UFC 12.
266
00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:35,129
So he got thrown
right into the fire.
267
00:11:35,153 --> 00:11:36,881
{\an8}Hi, I'm Campbell McLaren.
268
00:11:36,905 --> 00:11:38,924
{\an8}I'm the co-founder of the UFC,
269
00:11:38,948 --> 00:11:41,385
and now I run a great company
called Combate Global.
270
00:11:41,409 --> 00:11:42,970
-Folks, it's gonna be
a barn burner.
271
00:11:42,994 --> 00:11:44,805
-We were having trouble
finding announcers,
272
00:11:44,829 --> 00:11:48,309
and I felt we needed someone
for more lighter moments.
273
00:11:48,333 --> 00:11:51,812
You know, I had a background in
doing comedy TV, so I knew Joe.
274
00:11:51,836 --> 00:11:54,648
-You're disturbing my erection.
Please leave the room.
275
00:11:54,672 --> 00:11:56,734
I'm watching the nice girl
in the program.
276
00:11:56,758 --> 00:11:58,736
[ Gibberish ]
277
00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:01,030
-And he did great.
He's just a great talent.
278
00:12:01,054 --> 00:12:02,323
-Anything we need to know,
279
00:12:02,347 --> 00:12:04,325
as soon as I find out,
you'll know.
280
00:12:04,349 --> 00:12:05,993
{\an8}Back to you guys.
281
00:12:06,017 --> 00:12:08,704
{\an8}-But not everyone has
such a great night.
282
00:12:08,728 --> 00:12:09,955
-And that's it.
283
00:12:09,979 --> 00:12:11,624
-Coleman's got him!
284
00:12:11,648 --> 00:12:13,751
Coleman choked him...
285
00:12:13,775 --> 00:12:17,713
-Dan Severn loses his
much-anticipated Superfight
286
00:12:17,737 --> 00:12:21,133
to three-time UFC champion
Mark Coleman
287
00:12:21,157 --> 00:12:24,887
-And there is the mutual respect
288
00:12:24,911 --> 00:12:28,432
shown by two great
American wrestlers.
289
00:12:28,456 --> 00:12:31,101
-It's Severn's final
Ultimate Fighting Championship
290
00:12:31,125 --> 00:12:32,394
of the '90s.
291
00:12:32,418 --> 00:12:34,730
-Nobody lasts forever,
292
00:12:34,754 --> 00:12:37,358
in no matter what
professional-level sport
293
00:12:37,382 --> 00:12:39,360
that you go into.
294
00:12:39,384 --> 00:12:41,654
I've had
one hell of a ride, but...
295
00:12:41,678 --> 00:12:43,322
who says I'm done?
296
00:12:43,346 --> 00:12:46,367
{\an8}♪♪
297
00:12:46,391 --> 00:12:49,578
-The future of the UFC
also remains a question.
298
00:12:49,602 --> 00:12:51,956
It may have won the battle
against New York,
299
00:12:51,980 --> 00:12:54,541
but its war with athletic
commissions and state officials
300
00:12:54,565 --> 00:12:56,293
across the country continues.
301
00:12:56,317 --> 00:12:58,587
-We're going to put in place
the most stringent
302
00:12:58,611 --> 00:13:00,631
regulations possible.
303
00:13:00,655 --> 00:13:03,884
-Just weeks after the UFC
is forced out of Buffalo,
304
00:13:03,908 --> 00:13:06,470
Governor Pataki
signs a new bill into law
305
00:13:06,494 --> 00:13:10,474
that bans no-holds-barred events
from the state of New York.
306
00:13:10,498 --> 00:13:13,018
-There was starting to become
a backlash of,
307
00:13:13,042 --> 00:13:17,106
"Oh, these guys are... you know,
they're pirates out there.
308
00:13:17,130 --> 00:13:18,983
They think that
they're untouchable."
309
00:13:19,007 --> 00:13:21,068
'Cause at the time,
310
00:13:21,092 --> 00:13:23,988
the UFC was kind of running
from regulation.
311
00:13:24,012 --> 00:13:28,283
{\an8}-The reason why most people
don't want it in their states
312
00:13:28,307 --> 00:13:31,745
{\an8}is that they are repulsed by it.
313
00:13:31,769 --> 00:13:33,747
-Anywhere that had regulation,
we can't go there.
314
00:13:33,771 --> 00:13:35,958
-They were constantly
in and out of court,
315
00:13:35,982 --> 00:13:37,710
no matter where we went.
316
00:13:37,734 --> 00:13:41,422
{\an8}I'm Ken Shamrock,
former UFC heavyweight champion
317
00:13:41,446 --> 00:13:44,466
{\an8}and former Pancrase champion.
318
00:13:44,490 --> 00:13:46,510
A lot of money being spent
319
00:13:46,534 --> 00:13:48,721
trying to keep
this thing rolling.
320
00:13:48,745 --> 00:13:50,180
And Bob Meyrowitz was the one
321
00:13:50,204 --> 00:13:52,891
that was, you know,
heading that up.
322
00:13:52,915 --> 00:13:54,685
Well, he wasn't able to pay me.
323
00:13:54,709 --> 00:13:56,979
When that happened,
I had to make a choice
324
00:13:57,003 --> 00:14:00,482
of whether or not
I would stay in the UFC.
325
00:14:00,506 --> 00:14:03,634
{\an8}♪♪
326
00:14:08,681 --> 00:14:10,242
-It's just a matter of time
in Ultimate Fighting
327
00:14:10,266 --> 00:14:12,411
before one opponent damages
the other very severely,
328
00:14:12,435 --> 00:14:15,039
up to and including death
within the ring.
329
00:14:15,063 --> 00:14:18,375
-In 1997, the Ultimate
Fighting Championship
330
00:14:18,399 --> 00:14:19,960
continues to be attacked
331
00:14:19,984 --> 00:14:24,131
by politicians
and the mainstream media.
332
00:14:24,155 --> 00:14:26,925
-It's dangerous, certainly
to the participants,
333
00:14:26,949 --> 00:14:29,094
but it's more dangerous
to us as a society
334
00:14:29,118 --> 00:14:32,389
to glorify or pay people
who engage in this activity.
335
00:14:32,413 --> 00:14:35,017
{\an8}-This story is about us.
336
00:14:35,041 --> 00:14:38,187
{\an8}What is drawing millions
of modern Americans
337
00:14:38,211 --> 00:14:39,855
to the bloody games?
338
00:14:39,879 --> 00:14:41,732
[ Cheering ]
339
00:14:41,756 --> 00:14:44,193
-But its reputation
as an outlaw organization
340
00:14:44,217 --> 00:14:47,237
perpetually on the run
from state regulators
341
00:14:47,261 --> 00:14:50,699
helps fuel a rising fascination
with the sport.
342
00:14:50,723 --> 00:14:53,994
{\an8}-It was hardly, like,
underground.
343
00:14:54,018 --> 00:14:56,080
We were everywhere.
344
00:14:56,104 --> 00:14:58,791
-So, listen, um, my friends were
telling me a little bit about
345
00:14:58,815 --> 00:15:01,210
this, um,
Ultimate Fighting thing.
346
00:15:01,234 --> 00:15:04,129
-You know, we were in
two episodes of "Friends."
347
00:15:04,153 --> 00:15:05,839
-Believe me, I don't want to get
hurt, either.
348
00:15:05,863 --> 00:15:09,176
-When Jon Favreau, who's playing
Courteney Cox's boyfriend,
349
00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:11,261
decides to join the UFC.
350
00:15:11,285 --> 00:15:14,139
-Let's get it on!
351
00:15:14,163 --> 00:15:16,183
-[ Grunts ]
352
00:15:16,207 --> 00:15:17,434
Ugh!
353
00:15:17,458 --> 00:15:19,144
-Cover of Mad magazine.
354
00:15:19,168 --> 00:15:22,481
We were super mainstream,
super mainstream.
355
00:15:22,505 --> 00:15:24,149
-Mainstream or not,
356
00:15:24,173 --> 00:15:26,151
the cable companies
that carry the sport
357
00:15:26,175 --> 00:15:28,237
face increasing
political pressure
358
00:15:28,261 --> 00:15:31,448
to drop the UFC from
their pay-per-view services.
359
00:15:31,472 --> 00:15:35,160
-Back then,
cable's dirty little secret
360
00:15:35,184 --> 00:15:37,955
was about one-third of their
revenue was coming from porn.
361
00:15:37,979 --> 00:15:39,665
{\an8}There wasn't the Internet,
right?
362
00:15:39,689 --> 00:15:41,708
{\an8}It was a different time.
363
00:15:41,732 --> 00:15:45,796
So, there was rumblings
in Congress
364
00:15:45,820 --> 00:15:49,466
that Congress was gonna look
at the adult programming.
365
00:15:49,490 --> 00:15:52,719
And cable goes,
"Well, we don't want
366
00:15:52,743 --> 00:15:55,848
to give that up, 'cause
that's, like, serious money.
367
00:15:55,872 --> 00:15:59,476
Let's turn off the UFC
and see if they like that."
368
00:15:59,500 --> 00:16:01,145
-The head of
the Senate committee
369
00:16:01,169 --> 00:16:03,021
that oversees the cable industry
370
00:16:03,045 --> 00:16:07,276
is none other than John McCain,
the UFC's archnemesis.
371
00:16:07,300 --> 00:16:08,902
He raises no objections
372
00:16:08,926 --> 00:16:11,905
when major cable operators
unilaterally cut off
373
00:16:11,929 --> 00:16:14,450
their customers' access
to UFC content.
374
00:16:14,474 --> 00:16:17,494
Tens of millions of potential
pay-per-view customers
375
00:16:17,518 --> 00:16:19,663
vanish in an instant.
376
00:16:19,687 --> 00:16:21,206
-We were in major decline.
377
00:16:21,230 --> 00:16:22,875
We were only on satellite,
378
00:16:22,899 --> 00:16:25,502
which at that time
maybe had 10% of global homes.
379
00:16:25,526 --> 00:16:28,338
So we, you know,
lost 90% of our audience.
380
00:16:28,362 --> 00:16:31,967
-The UFC also loses
one of its biggest stars.
381
00:16:31,991 --> 00:16:36,180
{\an8}-Ken Shamrock was getting
courted by the WWF at the time.
382
00:16:36,204 --> 00:16:37,931
-He left home at the age of 10
383
00:16:37,955 --> 00:16:40,267
and lived in his car
when he was a teenager.
384
00:16:40,291 --> 00:16:42,060
He learned to fight
on the streets.
385
00:16:42,084 --> 00:16:43,437
-Vince McMahon is there,
386
00:16:43,461 --> 00:16:45,189
and Vince offered him
a lot of money.
387
00:16:45,213 --> 00:16:47,441
He's a good-looking guy and
he was very popular at the time.
388
00:16:47,465 --> 00:16:51,612
So, you know,
he stepped away from the UFC.
389
00:16:51,636 --> 00:16:53,238
-I had kids, I was married,
390
00:16:53,262 --> 00:16:55,407
so I was supporting my family
through fighting.
391
00:16:55,431 --> 00:16:58,994
There's one thing
that I've done all my life,
392
00:16:59,018 --> 00:17:01,246
and that's fight.
[ Crowd cheers ]
393
00:17:01,270 --> 00:17:04,500
{\an8}If I could do it right,
I would be able to showcase
394
00:17:04,524 --> 00:17:07,377
{\an8}my submission skills
and all the things that I did
395
00:17:07,401 --> 00:17:09,630
{\an8}as a fighter
in the pro wrestling ring.
396
00:17:09,654 --> 00:17:11,340
{\an8}-Oh, he'll make... Oh!
397
00:17:11,364 --> 00:17:12,966
{\an8}But you... you don't...
398
00:17:12,990 --> 00:17:14,301
{\an8}Look at that.
Right in that arm bar.
399
00:17:14,325 --> 00:17:15,802
Taking him right down.
400
00:17:15,826 --> 00:17:19,014
-Ken arrives at the WWF
at the perfect time
401
00:17:19,038 --> 00:17:21,350
during the so-called
Attitude Era.
402
00:17:21,374 --> 00:17:22,809
{\an8}-And a catapult!
403
00:17:22,833 --> 00:17:24,061
{\an8}Ugh!
404
00:17:24,085 --> 00:17:25,729
{\an8}Throws him like a javelin!
405
00:17:25,753 --> 00:17:27,397
-The company is moving away
406
00:17:27,421 --> 00:17:29,900
from its traditional
family-oriented programming
407
00:17:29,924 --> 00:17:31,527
in favor of edgier,
408
00:17:31,551 --> 00:17:33,695
more physical
and controversial content,
409
00:17:33,719 --> 00:17:35,739
courting the same young
male demographic
410
00:17:35,763 --> 00:17:39,451
as the Ultimate
Fighting Championship.
411
00:17:39,475 --> 00:17:41,119
{\an8}-This is a conscious effort
on our part
412
00:17:41,143 --> 00:17:43,830
{\an8}to open the creative envelope,
so to speak,
413
00:17:43,854 --> 00:17:46,458
{\an8}in order to entertain you
in a more contemporary manner.
414
00:17:46,482 --> 00:17:49,670
[ Indistinct shouting ]
415
00:17:49,694 --> 00:17:51,529
-Luckily for me, it worked out.
416
00:17:54,156 --> 00:17:55,592
{\an8}-Shamrock is an animal.
417
00:17:55,616 --> 00:17:57,511
And McMahon's enjoying
this, too!
418
00:17:57,535 --> 00:18:00,222
Nowhere for The Rock to go!
419
00:18:00,246 --> 00:18:03,600
-Ken's departure is a huge loss
for the UFC,
420
00:18:03,624 --> 00:18:06,395
leaving it in need
of a new lucky shamrock
421
00:18:06,419 --> 00:18:08,146
to help them fill the void.
422
00:18:08,170 --> 00:18:11,817
Fortunately, Ken's adoptive
brother is waiting in the wings.
423
00:18:11,841 --> 00:18:13,360
{\an8}-My name is Frank Shamrock.
424
00:18:13,384 --> 00:18:15,862
{\an8}I'm the first-ever
UFC middleweight champion.
425
00:18:15,886 --> 00:18:18,365
{\an8}They call me "The Legend."
426
00:18:18,389 --> 00:18:20,659
-Like his brother Ken,
427
00:18:20,683 --> 00:18:23,704
Frank's early years
are troubled and tumultuous.
428
00:18:23,728 --> 00:18:26,123
-I left home
when I was 11 years old.
429
00:18:26,147 --> 00:18:27,582
I grew up in a home of abuse.
430
00:18:27,606 --> 00:18:31,628
And so I learned
to commit crimes
431
00:18:31,652 --> 00:18:35,173
to get out of my home
and other situations.
432
00:18:35,197 --> 00:18:36,842
-And just like Ken,
433
00:18:36,866 --> 00:18:39,594
Frank is taken in by
Bob Shamrock's ranch for boys
434
00:18:39,618 --> 00:18:41,596
in Susanville, California,
435
00:18:41,620 --> 00:18:46,143
and is eventually adopted
by Shamrock.
436
00:18:46,167 --> 00:18:49,062
-Bob Shamrock is the first
father figure
437
00:18:49,086 --> 00:18:51,565
and man in my life,
and he gave me great advice...
438
00:18:51,589 --> 00:18:52,816
You know, build your body,
439
00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:54,484
build your mind,
build your spirit.
440
00:18:54,508 --> 00:18:57,946
-But at 18, Frank isn't ready
to hear Bob's guidance
441
00:18:57,970 --> 00:19:01,241
and returns
to life on the street.
442
00:19:01,265 --> 00:19:02,701
-I was on a crime spree...
443
00:19:02,725 --> 00:19:05,579
A literal, straight crime spree
every day.
444
00:19:05,603 --> 00:19:09,666
I was charged with 20
felony counts of burglary,
445
00:19:09,690 --> 00:19:11,418
stolen property, grand theft,
446
00:19:11,442 --> 00:19:13,462
larceny,
everything you can imagine.
447
00:19:13,486 --> 00:19:17,924
-Frank is placed in California's
maximum security
448
00:19:17,948 --> 00:19:19,968
Folsom State Prison,
449
00:19:19,992 --> 00:19:23,305
where the 18-year-old
quickly learns how to survive.
450
00:19:23,329 --> 00:19:24,931
{\an8}♪♪
451
00:19:24,955 --> 00:19:28,143
-3 1/2 years
of nothing but lifting weights
452
00:19:28,167 --> 00:19:29,811
and stretching and focusing
453
00:19:29,835 --> 00:19:32,939
and studying bodybuilding
and biomechanics.
454
00:19:32,963 --> 00:19:37,319
You know,
I was incredibly strong.
455
00:19:37,343 --> 00:19:39,821
Nobody ever punked me
or got over on me.
456
00:19:39,845 --> 00:19:43,325
And many, many people tried.
457
00:19:43,349 --> 00:19:45,619
I guess the lesson is
if you wanna be a great fighter,
458
00:19:45,643 --> 00:19:47,329
go to prison for a few years.
459
00:19:47,353 --> 00:19:50,415
-In 1993, Frank completes
his sentence.
460
00:19:50,439 --> 00:19:55,170
Now 21 years old, he's finally
ready to listen to Bob's advice.
461
00:19:55,194 --> 00:19:58,131
-Bob Shamrock met me
at the gates of Folsom Prison
462
00:19:58,155 --> 00:20:00,675
and said, "Here's the deal."
463
00:20:00,699 --> 00:20:02,386
UFC had just started.
464
00:20:02,410 --> 00:20:05,514
And Ken, my brother,
he'd already been in UFC 1.
465
00:20:05,538 --> 00:20:08,183
Everything was exploding
in popularity.
466
00:20:08,207 --> 00:20:11,186
And so, you know, Bob,
being the dad, was like,
467
00:20:11,210 --> 00:20:13,855
"This is the natural course
for you, if you can get
468
00:20:13,879 --> 00:20:16,149
your life together,"
and then the next day,
469
00:20:16,173 --> 00:20:17,734
he dropped me off
at the Lion's Den.
470
00:20:17,758 --> 00:20:19,986
-The Lion's Den
is a training facility
471
00:20:20,010 --> 00:20:23,240
that Ken creates during
his early days at the UFC,
472
00:20:23,264 --> 00:20:26,827
where he readies a new team
of elite mixed martial artists.
473
00:20:26,851 --> 00:20:28,912
Bob wants Frank
to be one of them.
474
00:20:28,936 --> 00:20:31,873
-My dad loved him
and spoke highly of him
475
00:20:31,897 --> 00:20:35,001
and wanted me to mentor him,
476
00:20:35,025 --> 00:20:36,795
and that was enough for me.
477
00:20:36,819 --> 00:20:38,422
I would do
whatever my father wanted to do
478
00:20:38,446 --> 00:20:39,756
to take care of him.
479
00:20:39,780 --> 00:20:42,175
-He absolutely did not
want me there.
480
00:20:42,199 --> 00:20:44,428
-He had long hair
down to his butt.
481
00:20:44,452 --> 00:20:46,304
And I don't care who you are...
When you go into prison,
482
00:20:46,328 --> 00:20:49,224
you come out with an attitude.
That's just... you have to.
483
00:20:49,248 --> 00:20:50,958
I treated him hard.
484
00:20:52,334 --> 00:20:54,563
-Ken beat the living shit
out of me.
485
00:20:54,587 --> 00:20:56,982
{\an8}♪♪
486
00:20:57,006 --> 00:20:59,901
-When you're in the Lion's Den,
you got no favoritism.
487
00:20:59,925 --> 00:21:03,572
And so I did what I did
because he had to respect me.
488
00:21:03,596 --> 00:21:05,615
-It's a brutal initiation
489
00:21:05,639 --> 00:21:08,743
that drives a wedge
between the two Shamrocks.
490
00:21:08,767 --> 00:21:10,579
-Ken and I became brothers
later in life,
491
00:21:10,603 --> 00:21:13,081
so we didn't have
that youth bonding,
492
00:21:13,105 --> 00:21:16,793
you know, that childhood thing
that gets really close.
493
00:21:16,817 --> 00:21:18,670
And all of our personal issues
got in the way
494
00:21:18,694 --> 00:21:20,922
of what could have been
and should have been
495
00:21:20,946 --> 00:21:23,633
just a healthy relationship,
you know, brother relationship.
496
00:21:23,657 --> 00:21:27,095
{\an8}-But Ken's tough love turns
his hardworking brother
497
00:21:27,119 --> 00:21:30,640
{\an8}into a contender.
498
00:21:30,664 --> 00:21:32,851
Following in his brother's
footsteps,
499
00:21:32,875 --> 00:21:35,687
Frank starts his
mixed martial arts career
500
00:21:35,711 --> 00:21:40,150
at Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling
in Japan.
501
00:21:40,174 --> 00:21:44,529
But Frank is reluctant to follow
Ken into Ultimate Fighting.
502
00:21:44,553 --> 00:21:46,990
-The UFC was Wild W...
There were no rules.
503
00:21:47,014 --> 00:21:49,284
People were just
getting jacked up.
504
00:21:49,308 --> 00:21:51,161
It didn't look like a sport.
505
00:21:51,185 --> 00:21:53,789
-He's gotta break that hold that
he choked himself out of.
506
00:21:53,813 --> 00:21:55,957
-Honestly, I was terrified.
507
00:21:55,981 --> 00:21:58,668
It looked like street fighting.
508
00:21:58,692 --> 00:22:01,463
-Now making his UFC debut...
509
00:22:01,487 --> 00:22:05,175
-But I'd met Art Davie, and we'd
started talking about the UFC
510
00:22:05,199 --> 00:22:06,635
and he sold me on it.
511
00:22:06,659 --> 00:22:08,512
Art was a great salesman.
512
00:22:08,536 --> 00:22:14,768
{\an8}-...please welcome
Frank Shamrock!
513
00:22:14,792 --> 00:22:16,228
{\an8}-The middleweight division.
514
00:22:16,252 --> 00:22:18,772
{\an8}Shamrock and Jackson
now under way.
515
00:22:18,796 --> 00:22:21,149
{\an8}-And then, you know,
when I fought Kevin Jackson,
516
00:22:21,173 --> 00:22:23,068
{\an8}it was like beating a child.
517
00:22:23,092 --> 00:22:24,903
{\an8}-Go right now, right now!
518
00:22:24,927 --> 00:22:26,821
{\an8}-Devastating knee.
519
00:22:26,845 --> 00:22:28,698
{\an8}Oh, and there's a submission
on Jackson.
520
00:22:28,722 --> 00:22:30,158
{\an8}Over already!
521
00:22:30,182 --> 00:22:32,035
{\an8}Frank Shamrock!
522
00:22:32,059 --> 00:22:34,496
-Frank is brought in
just as the UFC
523
00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:37,249
is introducing weight classes
to the tournaments.
524
00:22:37,273 --> 00:22:39,626
-The first-ever
middleweight champion
525
00:22:39,650 --> 00:22:41,419
in the UFC.
526
00:22:41,443 --> 00:22:44,422
It took just 22 seconds.
527
00:22:44,446 --> 00:22:46,258
-It's a Guinness World Record.
528
00:22:46,282 --> 00:22:47,843
And that's when I realized like,
529
00:22:47,867 --> 00:22:51,137
"Wow, I am way ahead
of everybody out there."
530
00:22:51,161 --> 00:22:53,848
{\an8}-Frank is on track to be
the most devastating
531
00:22:53,872 --> 00:22:56,601
{\an8}Ultimate Fighter
in the league's brief history.
532
00:22:56,625 --> 00:22:59,771
But when the UFC loses
the cable companies,
533
00:22:59,795 --> 00:23:03,233
he wonders if there will even be
a league for him to dominate.
534
00:23:03,257 --> 00:23:06,278
-You can't lose 90%
of your revenues and audience.
535
00:23:06,302 --> 00:23:07,779
Just, you can't.
536
00:23:07,803 --> 00:23:10,448
You know, as I'm stepping
onstage to be a champion,
537
00:23:10,472 --> 00:23:12,391
it's all dying
and falling apart.
538
00:23:18,272 --> 00:23:19,749
-Despite the ongoing controversy
surrounding the UFC...
539
00:23:19,773 --> 00:23:21,459
-Critics say Ultimate Fighting
is a vicious,
540
00:23:21,483 --> 00:23:24,129
bloody spectacle
only masquerading as a sport.
541
00:23:24,153 --> 00:23:27,591
- it continues to attract new
contenders to the tournament.
542
00:23:27,615 --> 00:23:29,259
{\an8}- Let's get it on!
- And we're looking at
543
00:23:29,283 --> 00:23:32,012
{\an8}a big size difference here...
- At UFC 13,
544
00:23:32,036 --> 00:23:34,264
a last-minute alternate
brings a new level
545
00:23:34,288 --> 00:23:36,641
of combat skills
to the octagon...
546
00:23:36,665 --> 00:23:39,561
-Couture trying to sink
the choke on that big neck.
547
00:23:39,585 --> 00:23:41,146
- and goes on to win
548
00:23:41,170 --> 00:23:44,024
the evening's
heavyweight championship.
549
00:23:44,048 --> 00:23:48,194
-Randy Couture!
550
00:23:48,218 --> 00:23:52,157
{\an8}-Randy Couture is viewed,
quite rightly, as a pioneer.
551
00:23:52,181 --> 00:23:54,242
{\an8}-Punch by Couture.
Looking to move.
552
00:23:54,266 --> 00:23:57,162
{\an8}-Over his career, Couture
will blend wrestling, boxing,
553
00:23:57,186 --> 00:24:00,832
{\an8}and jiujitsu like no other
MMA fighter...
554
00:24:00,856 --> 00:24:02,459
{\an8}- Oh!
- There's a takedown.
555
00:24:02,483 --> 00:24:05,378
{\an8}-...revolutionizing the practice
of mixed martial arts.
556
00:24:05,402 --> 00:24:06,796
{\an8}-He chose to charge.
557
00:24:06,820 --> 00:24:08,548
{\an8}All I had to really do
was change levels.
558
00:24:08,572 --> 00:24:10,258
{\an8}He walked right into
the double leg.
559
00:24:10,282 --> 00:24:12,135
-Couture continuing to punish...
560
00:24:12,159 --> 00:24:14,387
-With the Couture era,
561
00:24:14,411 --> 00:24:17,307
{\an8}there came a level
of athleticism that was just,
562
00:24:17,331 --> 00:24:19,309
{\an8}you know, the next level.
563
00:24:19,333 --> 00:24:23,396
That was the whole era
of Mark Kerr and Mark Coleman.
564
00:24:23,420 --> 00:24:25,065
These guys were monsters.
565
00:24:25,089 --> 00:24:28,234
{\an8}-Mark Kerr quickly going
after his opponent,
566
00:24:28,258 --> 00:24:29,903
{\an8}Greg "The Ranger" Stott.
567
00:24:29,927 --> 00:24:31,446
{\an8}The Ranger goes down.
568
00:24:31,470 --> 00:24:34,324
{\an8}-These fighters dropping bombs
out of the sky.
569
00:24:34,348 --> 00:24:37,827
And it was known as ground...
Take you to the ground...
570
00:24:37,851 --> 00:24:40,163
And pound...
Pound the... out of you.
571
00:24:40,187 --> 00:24:42,040
Ground and pound.
572
00:24:42,064 --> 00:24:45,585
-The UFC's finances are also
taking a serious beating,
573
00:24:45,609 --> 00:24:47,504
now that cable companies
have pulled
574
00:24:47,528 --> 00:24:49,172
the Ultimate Fighting
Championship
575
00:24:49,196 --> 00:24:50,757
from their services.
576
00:24:50,781 --> 00:24:52,133
-Budget cuts happened right away
577
00:24:52,157 --> 00:24:53,635
as soon as we lost
our major carriers.
578
00:24:53,659 --> 00:24:55,553
In fact,
when I fought Jeremy Horn...
579
00:24:55,577 --> 00:24:56,846
{\an8}-Here we go.
580
00:24:56,870 --> 00:24:58,723
{\an8}The middleweight title
on the line.
581
00:24:58,747 --> 00:25:02,435
{\an8}-...we didn't have money for
a complete pay-per-view show.
582
00:25:02,459 --> 00:25:03,812
{\an8}-This is about to be
the longest fight
583
00:25:03,836 --> 00:25:05,355
{\an8}of Frank Shamrock's career.
584
00:25:05,379 --> 00:25:07,524
{\an8}-So, I fought the first fight
of the night...
585
00:25:07,548 --> 00:25:09,818
We recorded it,
never told anybody about it.
586
00:25:09,842 --> 00:25:11,736
{\an8}-And this baby's getting good!
587
00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:13,947
{\an8}-And then we sold that fight
588
00:25:13,971 --> 00:25:16,032
{\an8}along with other
champions' fight
589
00:25:16,056 --> 00:25:18,076
{\an8}in a pay-per-view
called Night of Champions.
590
00:25:18,100 --> 00:25:20,662
{\an8}We were trying to get creative
591
00:25:20,686 --> 00:25:23,707
{\an8}and do whatever
we could to keep it going.
592
00:25:23,731 --> 00:25:26,418
{\an8}-Everything became cheaper.
They wanted to renew...
593
00:25:26,442 --> 00:25:28,169
{\an8}renegotiate my price.
594
00:25:28,193 --> 00:25:30,839
I thought, "Do I want to do this
for the rest of my life?"
595
00:25:30,863 --> 00:25:32,507
So I never worked
for them again.
596
00:25:32,531 --> 00:25:34,592
How many times can I get
close-ups of an open wound,
597
00:25:34,616 --> 00:25:37,721
I mean, and play it back
in slow motion?
598
00:25:37,745 --> 00:25:39,472
Eh. Alright.
599
00:25:39,496 --> 00:25:43,560
-It was tough all around,
financially.
600
00:25:43,584 --> 00:25:47,230
{\an8}-Seems as if, that Shamrock
has fell into some disfavor
601
00:25:47,254 --> 00:25:49,816
with some WWF fans, but...
- [ Screaming ]
602
00:25:49,840 --> 00:25:54,070
-The UFC's dwindling profits
led to Ken Shamrock's exit.
603
00:25:54,094 --> 00:25:56,156
But just one year
into his new job,
604
00:25:56,180 --> 00:25:59,701
the WWF is proving to be more
than he bargained for.
605
00:25:59,725 --> 00:26:02,162
{\an8}-I thought that when I went into
pro wrestling I'd be home more
606
00:26:02,186 --> 00:26:04,581
{\an8}'cause I didn't have
to train as much, right?
607
00:26:04,605 --> 00:26:07,500
{\an8}That wasn't true.
I was actually gone more.
608
00:26:07,524 --> 00:26:09,878
{\an8}I was not happy.
I didn't want to be there.
609
00:26:09,902 --> 00:26:11,629
My marriage is crumbling.
610
00:26:11,653 --> 00:26:15,008
I was getting farther
and farther away from my kids.
611
00:26:15,032 --> 00:26:18,720
-Ken also indulges in the kinds
of behavior that will bring down
612
00:26:18,744 --> 00:26:23,558
many professional wrestlers
in the Attitude Era.
613
00:26:23,582 --> 00:26:26,770
-Everything coming at me,
and beautiful women,
614
00:26:26,794 --> 00:26:28,646
drinks on the house.
615
00:26:28,670 --> 00:26:30,690
You're sitting there
and you're like,
616
00:26:30,714 --> 00:26:33,693
"Yeah, okay. Why not?
It can't hurt me."
617
00:26:33,717 --> 00:26:35,445
It's like, "I'm just doing it
for a short time.
618
00:26:35,469 --> 00:26:36,905
I'm just having fun."
619
00:26:36,929 --> 00:26:38,573
Almost takes your soul away,
620
00:26:38,597 --> 00:26:40,575
like you're not
the same person you are,
621
00:26:40,599 --> 00:26:41,993
and people see it.
622
00:26:42,017 --> 00:26:43,745
They look at you and think,
"Well, you're...
623
00:26:43,769 --> 00:26:45,455
You're slowing down,
you're getting older.
624
00:26:45,479 --> 00:26:47,832
You're not the fighter
you used to be."
625
00:26:47,856 --> 00:26:52,170
{\an8}-As Ken's skills deteriorate,
so do his fortunes at the WWF
626
00:26:52,194 --> 00:26:55,048
{\an8}as they begin writing new,
less favorable storylines
627
00:26:55,072 --> 00:26:57,133
for the former Ultimate Fighting
champion.
628
00:26:57,157 --> 00:26:58,551
-[ Shouting ]
629
00:26:58,575 --> 00:27:00,220
-And there's a DDT!
630
00:27:00,244 --> 00:27:02,013
-I was starting to get beat
all the time,
631
00:27:02,037 --> 00:27:04,307
which was really hurting
the Ken Shamrock brand.
632
00:27:04,331 --> 00:27:06,601
Ken Shamrock,
the Ultimate Fighter.
633
00:27:06,625 --> 00:27:08,269
- Well, he's...
- Oh, man!
634
00:27:08,293 --> 00:27:09,521
-He's gonna go down.
635
00:27:09,545 --> 00:27:10,980
-The world champion in Pancrase,
636
00:27:11,004 --> 00:27:13,024
the world champion in the UFC
637
00:27:13,048 --> 00:27:14,859
is now going to be damaged
638
00:27:14,883 --> 00:27:18,571
because now they're starting
to beat me on a regular basis.
639
00:27:18,595 --> 00:27:20,198
-With heavy hockey equipment on.
640
00:27:20,222 --> 00:27:22,534
-I couldn't let that happen,
because I worked too hard
641
00:27:22,558 --> 00:27:24,202
to get to where I was at.
642
00:27:24,226 --> 00:27:26,704
And so that's when I made
the decision
643
00:27:26,728 --> 00:27:28,581
that I was gonna leave.
644
00:27:28,605 --> 00:27:32,627
-But leaving the WWF
only deepens Shamrock's feelings
645
00:27:32,651 --> 00:27:35,797
of isolation and depression.
646
00:27:35,821 --> 00:27:37,549
-There was a time
I wasn't fighting
647
00:27:37,573 --> 00:27:39,259
and I wasn't doing the WWF
648
00:27:39,283 --> 00:27:42,971
and I was hanging out
and I was separated.
649
00:27:42,995 --> 00:27:46,432
I remember ecstasy was a form
of a pill that I could take
650
00:27:46,456 --> 00:27:48,101
that would put me
in this euphoria.
651
00:27:48,125 --> 00:27:51,271
I would feel good.
I could drink, have fun.
652
00:27:51,295 --> 00:27:54,399
I was literally trying to bury,
I guess,
653
00:27:54,423 --> 00:27:58,236
the... the insecurity
and the loneliness.
654
00:27:58,260 --> 00:28:00,321
{\an8}♪♪
655
00:28:00,345 --> 00:28:04,284
-Once your purpose
656
00:28:04,308 --> 00:28:07,078
is taken away from you
as a professional athlete,
657
00:28:07,102 --> 00:28:09,455
there's a lot of damage
to your body,
658
00:28:09,479 --> 00:28:13,293
but it's also very demanding
on the psyche.
659
00:28:13,317 --> 00:28:16,963
-I had this house that
overlooked the San Diego Stadium
660
00:28:16,987 --> 00:28:19,924
where the Chargers used to
play at and the Padres play.
661
00:28:19,948 --> 00:28:22,010
So when you walked out
on the balcony,
662
00:28:22,034 --> 00:28:25,346
you'd see out over the stadium.
663
00:28:25,370 --> 00:28:28,641
I was friends with a lot
of the guys that ran the club,
664
00:28:28,665 --> 00:28:31,102
some bikers... don't want
to mention the names...
665
00:28:31,126 --> 00:28:35,773
And they ran the girls
in the strip club in San Diego.
666
00:28:35,797 --> 00:28:39,068
So, all the girls at 2:00
or 2:30 in the morning,
667
00:28:39,092 --> 00:28:40,320
when they'd get off
their shifts,
668
00:28:40,344 --> 00:28:42,196
they would come over
to my house.
669
00:28:42,220 --> 00:28:44,908
{\an8}♪♪
670
00:28:44,932 --> 00:28:47,785
We had a stripper pole
in the middle of my floor.
671
00:28:47,809 --> 00:28:50,705
We had a Jacuzzi in my bedroom
that was marble.
672
00:28:50,729 --> 00:28:53,541
I had this bed that had mirrors
that went from one ceiling
673
00:28:53,565 --> 00:28:54,834
all the way around.
674
00:28:54,858 --> 00:28:57,712
It was a Playboy mansion.
675
00:28:57,736 --> 00:28:59,505
It became this weekend thing,
676
00:28:59,529 --> 00:29:02,300
and all of a sudden
it turned into five months.
677
00:29:02,324 --> 00:29:04,886
{\an8}♪♪
678
00:29:04,910 --> 00:29:07,639
I didn't care.
I just literally...
679
00:29:07,663 --> 00:29:10,183
The next day
was all I looked at.
680
00:29:10,207 --> 00:29:12,125
I didn't have a future.
681
00:29:13,877 --> 00:29:17,523
It got to this point to where
I felt like it was over.
682
00:29:17,547 --> 00:29:19,817
-As Ken hits rock bottom,
683
00:29:19,841 --> 00:29:22,070
the MMA league
that made him a star
684
00:29:22,094 --> 00:29:23,947
is also imploding.
685
00:29:23,971 --> 00:29:28,201
-I did the most amazing things
in this sport,
686
00:29:28,225 --> 00:29:30,954
in the smallest audience
we've ever had.
687
00:29:30,978 --> 00:29:33,289
I was like, "No, we can't.
We got to fix this."
688
00:29:33,313 --> 00:29:35,357
[ Indistinct conversations ]
689
00:29:40,278 --> 00:29:42,090
-But by the middle
of the decade,
690
00:29:42,114 --> 00:29:44,676
the violence inside
and outside the squared circle
691
00:29:44,700 --> 00:29:47,011
reaches a new level
of brutality.
692
00:29:47,035 --> 00:29:48,638
-He can barely stand up.
693
00:29:48,662 --> 00:29:51,933
-A 1996 match at New York's
Madison Square Garden
694
00:29:51,957 --> 00:29:55,228
devolves into a riot,
injuring 22 people.
695
00:29:55,252 --> 00:29:57,272
[ Indistinct shouting ]
696
00:29:57,296 --> 00:30:01,234
One year later, Mike Tyson
achieves a new level of infamy
697
00:30:01,258 --> 00:30:04,195
after chomping down
on Evander Holyfield's ear.
698
00:30:04,219 --> 00:30:06,197
-And it's really getting
very nasty.
699
00:30:06,221 --> 00:30:08,366
Some other people
are trying to join in.
700
00:30:08,390 --> 00:30:10,868
{\an8}-But somehow,
the so-called sweet science
701
00:30:10,892 --> 00:30:13,413
{\an8}manages to duck
the political fistfight
702
00:30:13,437 --> 00:30:16,082
{\an8}that hammers the UFC
for most of the decade.
703
00:30:16,106 --> 00:30:19,168
-Holyfield bit
by a dirty Mike Tyson!
704
00:30:19,192 --> 00:30:21,671
Lane signaling that it's over.
705
00:30:21,695 --> 00:30:24,215
-Two times!
706
00:30:24,239 --> 00:30:25,466
-Look out now!
707
00:30:25,490 --> 00:30:27,260
[ Indistinct shouting ]
708
00:30:27,284 --> 00:30:29,137
{\an8}-Arizona Senator John McCain
709
00:30:29,161 --> 00:30:31,723
{\an8}is adamantly opposed
to Ultimate Fighting,
710
00:30:31,747 --> 00:30:34,017
{\an8}even though
he's a big fan of boxing.
711
00:30:34,041 --> 00:30:35,685
{\an8}-You can't have a sport
712
00:30:35,709 --> 00:30:37,770
{\an8}where you allow
blows to the brain stem
713
00:30:37,794 --> 00:30:39,772
{\an8}in order to paralyze
your opponent.
714
00:30:39,796 --> 00:30:44,318
{\an8}-Senator McCain came out
against this very aggressively.
715
00:30:44,342 --> 00:30:46,362
{\an8}-John McCain said at the time,
716
00:30:46,386 --> 00:30:48,656
{\an8}"I believe in boxing."
He was a boxer.
717
00:30:48,680 --> 00:30:51,576
He would be at boxing events
all the time.
718
00:30:51,600 --> 00:30:53,619
-There was a lot of speculation
719
00:30:53,643 --> 00:30:56,748
about why he may have been
so adamant
720
00:30:56,772 --> 00:30:58,624
and so opposed to the UFC.
721
00:30:58,648 --> 00:31:00,918
-His family, his wife, you know,
722
00:31:00,942 --> 00:31:04,422
they were part of a distribution
company with Budweiser beer,
723
00:31:04,446 --> 00:31:06,924
who was the biggest sponsor
for boxing at the time.
724
00:31:06,948 --> 00:31:09,677
-And now Budweiser presents
the main event!
725
00:31:09,701 --> 00:31:13,222
-It was Budweiser beer.
So he had his reasons.
726
00:31:13,246 --> 00:31:16,392
-Whatever his reasons,
the attacks by McCain and others
727
00:31:16,416 --> 00:31:19,228
are crippling the UFC
financially.
728
00:31:19,252 --> 00:31:21,647
{\an8}-UFC was in pretty bad shape,
729
00:31:21,671 --> 00:31:24,776
{\an8}you know, and I am no longer
being consulted
730
00:31:24,800 --> 00:31:26,694
{\an8}on any part of the business.
731
00:31:26,718 --> 00:31:28,321
{\an8}-Bob Meyrowitz and I
732
00:31:28,345 --> 00:31:30,156
{\an8}had become friends,
and he just sat me down.
733
00:31:30,180 --> 00:31:32,158
{\an8}He's like, "Listen, you know,
here's the problem.
734
00:31:32,182 --> 00:31:34,243
We got to get back on cable."
735
00:31:34,267 --> 00:31:35,870
So that became my mission.
736
00:31:35,894 --> 00:31:38,581
I became the first talent
spokesman that would go meet
737
00:31:38,605 --> 00:31:41,584
with all the cable companies
and try to get us back
738
00:31:41,608 --> 00:31:45,129
onto cable
to get us back to where we were.
739
00:31:45,153 --> 00:31:47,882
-As Frank is attempting
to save the UFC,
740
00:31:47,906 --> 00:31:51,969
his brother Ken is trying
to save himself.
741
00:31:51,993 --> 00:31:54,347
{\an8}-I never used drugs
because I had to...
742
00:31:54,371 --> 00:31:57,266
{\an8}I used drugs
because I wanted to.
743
00:31:57,290 --> 00:31:59,685
Till I got to a point to where
I just said, "No more.
744
00:31:59,709 --> 00:32:00,937
I'm done."
745
00:32:00,961 --> 00:32:03,731
And I didn't want
to be with girls,
746
00:32:03,755 --> 00:32:05,691
I didn't want to be with people.
747
00:32:05,715 --> 00:32:08,152
I wanted to be alone.
748
00:32:08,176 --> 00:32:12,573
-An old friend from his days
at Bob Shamrock's ranch for boys
749
00:32:12,597 --> 00:32:14,867
gives Ken a new lease on life.
750
00:32:14,891 --> 00:32:17,954
-Once I got with Tonya,
none of this stuff was a factor.
751
00:32:17,978 --> 00:32:19,455
None of it.
752
00:32:19,479 --> 00:32:21,374
I've known her since I was
in the group home,
753
00:32:21,398 --> 00:32:23,042
so she's known
all my dark secrets,
754
00:32:23,066 --> 00:32:24,502
my skeletons in the closet.
755
00:32:24,526 --> 00:32:26,796
And she was going
through a divorce.
756
00:32:26,820 --> 00:32:28,256
We kind of just clinged
onto one another.
757
00:32:28,280 --> 00:32:30,133
We were always friends.
758
00:32:30,157 --> 00:32:32,552
When we got together,
it gave me a purpose.
759
00:32:32,576 --> 00:32:34,846
It gave me someone
who cared for me,
760
00:32:34,870 --> 00:32:39,684
truly understanding
what I needed, and was strong.
761
00:32:39,708 --> 00:32:42,562
You got to have somebody
that's gonna stand up and say,
762
00:32:42,586 --> 00:32:44,021
"You know where that's gonna go.
763
00:32:44,045 --> 00:32:46,399
Don't do it.
I'm not gonna let you do it."
764
00:32:46,423 --> 00:32:49,026
-As Ken builds a new family life
for himself,
765
00:32:49,050 --> 00:32:51,612
his brother Frank's ties
to the UFC family
766
00:32:51,636 --> 00:32:53,281
are stronger than ever.
767
00:32:53,305 --> 00:32:55,491
Frank even works with owner
Bob Meyrowitz
768
00:32:55,515 --> 00:32:59,203
{\an8}to try and save the organization
from a financial disaster.
769
00:32:59,227 --> 00:33:02,540
{\an8}-A big block from the outside.
Frank with an uppercut.
770
00:33:02,564 --> 00:33:04,083
-I knew Bob was hurting
for money.
771
00:33:04,107 --> 00:33:06,127
I knew he was
paying for it himself.
772
00:33:06,151 --> 00:33:08,171
You know, the money was coming
from somewhere, and it was Bob.
773
00:33:08,195 --> 00:33:10,214
{\an8}-Practically down and out,
774
00:33:10,238 --> 00:33:13,509
{\an8}Ultimate Fighting is trying
to become a legitimate sport.
775
00:33:13,533 --> 00:33:19,765
-I spoke at the Nevada Athletic
Commission with Bob Meyrowitz
776
00:33:19,789 --> 00:33:22,560
when he was trying to get Nevada
777
00:33:22,584 --> 00:33:25,479
to give us a license
for mixed martial arts.
778
00:33:25,503 --> 00:33:27,773
I presented right there with
him... "This is what we are,
779
00:33:27,797 --> 00:33:29,650
this is what we do,
please consider us."
780
00:33:29,674 --> 00:33:31,110
And then we were supposed
to have a follow-up one,
781
00:33:31,134 --> 00:33:33,613
which was our application
and all that stuff.
782
00:33:33,637 --> 00:33:36,532
-Winning a Nevada license
is far from a sure bet,
783
00:33:36,556 --> 00:33:39,744
but if successful, it could turn
around the finances
784
00:33:39,768 --> 00:33:42,872
at Semaphore Entertainment
and save the UFC.
785
00:33:42,896 --> 00:33:45,583
-In this world of ours,
Las Vegas, Atlantic City...
786
00:33:45,607 --> 00:33:47,668
{\an8}that's the bar of credibility
in the fight game.
787
00:33:47,692 --> 00:33:52,673
{\an8}So we feel that when we start
doing shows in those places,
788
00:33:52,697 --> 00:33:55,801
we will be respected
for the sport that we are.
789
00:33:55,825 --> 00:33:58,596
-But the application with
the Nevada Athletic Commission
790
00:33:58,620 --> 00:34:00,348
is suddenly in jeopardy.
791
00:34:00,372 --> 00:34:04,602
-The lobbyist calls Bob as we're
having dinner and says,
792
00:34:04,626 --> 00:34:06,979
"Hey, you can't take it
to the commission.
793
00:34:07,003 --> 00:34:09,523
It's not gonna pass.
Someone has changed their mind.
794
00:34:09,547 --> 00:34:11,776
Don't bring it
before the commission.
795
00:34:11,800 --> 00:34:14,987
It'll slow it down forever
in getting legalized."
796
00:34:15,011 --> 00:34:17,031
-I was told
we're not gonna get approved,
797
00:34:17,055 --> 00:34:19,075
and if we're not approved,
then we're done done.
798
00:34:19,099 --> 00:34:20,535
And we backed out.
799
00:34:20,559 --> 00:34:23,246
-It's a crushing blow
to the organization.
800
00:34:23,270 --> 00:34:26,999
{\an8}UFC manages to cobble
together another tournament.
801
00:34:27,023 --> 00:34:28,668
{\an8}And inside the octagon,
802
00:34:28,692 --> 00:34:30,711
{\an8}Frank Shamrock
can still put on a show,
803
00:34:30,735 --> 00:34:34,090
even if it marks the end
of the UFC.
804
00:34:34,114 --> 00:34:38,052
-Undefeated, undisputed...
805
00:34:38,076 --> 00:34:41,639
-In 1999, Shamrock defends
his middleweight championship
806
00:34:41,663 --> 00:34:45,643
{\an8}at UFC 22 against newcomer
Tito Ortiz.
807
00:34:45,667 --> 00:34:47,228
{\an8}-Let's get it on!
808
00:34:47,252 --> 00:34:50,648
{\an8}-I am tingling here.
I love both these athletes.
809
00:34:50,672 --> 00:34:52,525
{\an8}It's gonna be hard
to pick a winner.
810
00:34:52,549 --> 00:34:56,654
{\an8}-It's one of the UFC's classic
fights of the '90s.
811
00:34:56,678 --> 00:34:58,072
{\an8}- Third round.
- Third!
812
00:34:58,096 --> 00:34:59,949
{\an8}[ Cheering ]
813
00:34:59,973 --> 00:35:02,618
{\an8}-15 seconds.
Working Ortiz still.
814
00:35:02,642 --> 00:35:04,495
{\an8}- And he's down.
- And it is over!
815
00:35:04,519 --> 00:35:07,206
{\an8}-You know, I was a rock star.
816
00:35:07,230 --> 00:35:10,251
{\an8}-What a gutsy performance
by the champ!
817
00:35:10,275 --> 00:35:11,919
-But I was afraid to get hurt.
818
00:35:11,943 --> 00:35:14,839
You know, I was terribly afraid
to get hurt.
819
00:35:14,863 --> 00:35:16,716
And I hurt people, you know.
820
00:35:16,740 --> 00:35:18,384
{\an8}Look at Igor Zinoviev.
821
00:35:18,408 --> 00:35:20,303
{\an8}He never fought again.
822
00:35:20,327 --> 00:35:23,347
{\an8}And I heard his neck and
collarbone and shoulder breaking
823
00:35:23,371 --> 00:35:25,182
when I slammed him.
824
00:35:25,206 --> 00:35:27,393
This is a job you get in
to get out of
825
00:35:27,417 --> 00:35:29,478
as soon as you can.
826
00:35:29,502 --> 00:35:30,896
[ Crowd cheering ]
827
00:35:30,920 --> 00:35:32,273
-Let's have a big hand...
828
00:35:32,297 --> 00:35:33,607
-After two years
829
00:35:33,631 --> 00:35:35,609
as the undefeated
middleweight champion,
830
00:35:35,633 --> 00:35:39,322
Frank decides
to retire from the UFC.
831
00:35:39,346 --> 00:35:41,115
-This is your belt, my friend.
832
00:35:41,139 --> 00:35:43,868
If you want to retire it,
you take it home with you
833
00:35:43,892 --> 00:35:47,204
because you earned it
more than anybody else ever has.
834
00:35:47,228 --> 00:35:49,081
The greatest champion
in our history.
835
00:35:49,105 --> 00:35:51,292
- Thanks, Bob.
- Losing one of its biggest stars
836
00:35:51,316 --> 00:35:54,211
couldn't come at a worse time
for Meyrowitz.
837
00:35:54,235 --> 00:35:56,130
The UFC continues
to bleed money,
838
00:35:56,154 --> 00:35:58,507
and he has run out of options.
839
00:35:58,531 --> 00:36:00,176
-I know Bob was trying
to sell it,
840
00:36:00,200 --> 00:36:03,095
and then all of a sudden,
up popped, you know, Dana White.
841
00:36:03,119 --> 00:36:06,557
-Dana was the manager
of Tito Ortiz
842
00:36:06,581 --> 00:36:08,559
and was trying to get Tito
a new contract
843
00:36:08,583 --> 00:36:10,144
and Bob couldn't pay him.
844
00:36:10,168 --> 00:36:11,896
He says, "You know, I don't have
that kind of money."
845
00:36:11,920 --> 00:36:14,398
And he realized... he goes,
"These guys are in trouble.
846
00:36:14,422 --> 00:36:16,108
They would sell."
847
00:36:16,132 --> 00:36:19,195
-What begins as a contract
negotiation over one fighter
848
00:36:19,219 --> 00:36:23,532
turns into an existential moment
for the entire UFC.
849
00:36:23,556 --> 00:36:25,117
Soon, the reign of Bob Meyrowitz
850
00:36:25,141 --> 00:36:28,162
and the no-holds-barred era
will come to an end,
851
00:36:28,186 --> 00:36:30,247
and the Ultimate Fighting
Championship
852
00:36:30,271 --> 00:36:32,774
will change forever.
853
00:36:37,529 --> 00:36:39,048
-By the decade's end,
854
00:36:39,072 --> 00:36:40,633
Bob Meyrowitz's
Ultimate Fighting Championship
855
00:36:40,657 --> 00:36:42,051
is teetering close
to bankruptcy.
856
00:36:42,075 --> 00:36:43,761
Seeing a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity,
857
00:36:43,785 --> 00:36:47,473
manager Dana White approaches
Las Vegas casino owners
858
00:36:47,497 --> 00:36:51,644
Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta
with the idea of buying the UFC.
859
00:36:51,668 --> 00:36:54,688
The three partners return
to Meyrowitz with an offer.
860
00:36:54,712 --> 00:36:56,816
{\an8}♪♪
861
00:36:56,840 --> 00:36:59,402
-Bob was looking for a partner,
and he wanted Lorenzo
862
00:36:59,426 --> 00:37:01,779
to be his partner,
and Lorenzo said,
863
00:37:01,803 --> 00:37:04,156
"I'll buy the whole thing
or I'll buy nothing."
864
00:37:04,180 --> 00:37:06,659
And you go,
"Oh, you dirty bastards."
865
00:37:06,683 --> 00:37:09,370
But that's... that's business.
866
00:37:09,394 --> 00:37:12,248
-Bob always believed.
You know, he saw it
867
00:37:12,272 --> 00:37:14,125
and he's like,
"Yes, this is... this...
868
00:37:14,149 --> 00:37:16,419
There's something very special
about this."
869
00:37:16,443 --> 00:37:19,463
But he couldn't hang onto it,
I think, just financially.
870
00:37:19,487 --> 00:37:21,424
I just think it was too much.
871
00:37:21,448 --> 00:37:24,510
-In January of 2001,
Bob Meyrowitz sells
872
00:37:24,534 --> 00:37:27,763
his beloved sports franchise
to the Fertitta brothers'
873
00:37:27,787 --> 00:37:31,142
newly formed company Zuffa
for $2 million.
874
00:37:31,166 --> 00:37:34,270
And manager Dana White
gets a new title.
875
00:37:34,294 --> 00:37:35,938
-And joining me now, Dana White,
876
00:37:35,962 --> 00:37:37,815
president of the Ultimate
Fighting Championship.
877
00:37:37,839 --> 00:37:39,400
Dana, congratulations
on your first show.
878
00:37:39,424 --> 00:37:41,277
That's got to feel good.
- Thank you very much, James.
879
00:37:41,301 --> 00:37:42,945
I appreciate it.
We're very excited.
880
00:37:42,969 --> 00:37:45,448
-He knows so much
what the audience wants
881
00:37:45,472 --> 00:37:48,659
and has so guided the UFC
to where it is.
882
00:37:48,683 --> 00:37:50,953
-Basically, what we want to do
is we want to make this
883
00:37:50,977 --> 00:37:52,746
the Super Bowl
of mixed martial arts.
884
00:37:52,770 --> 00:37:56,750
-State regulators spent years
trying to take down the UFC,
885
00:37:56,774 --> 00:37:58,335
but the new owners
are well-funded
886
00:37:58,359 --> 00:38:00,713
and know how to play politics.
887
00:38:00,737 --> 00:38:02,798
Lorenzo Fertitta
is a former member
888
00:38:02,822 --> 00:38:04,884
of the Nevada State
Athletic Commission
889
00:38:04,908 --> 00:38:06,969
and quickly secures
the sanctioning
890
00:38:06,993 --> 00:38:09,513
Meyrowitz desperately needed
from the commission
891
00:38:09,537 --> 00:38:12,224
{\an8}but never received.
892
00:38:12,248 --> 00:38:16,145
{\an8}A return to cable pay-per-view
soon follows.
893
00:38:16,169 --> 00:38:18,439
-I gave a lot of credit
to the Fertitta brothers,
894
00:38:18,463 --> 00:38:20,149
who had brains, money, and balls
895
00:38:20,173 --> 00:38:23,486
and came in,
invested $50 million,
896
00:38:23,510 --> 00:38:26,405
and got it sanctioned
in New York, California,
897
00:38:26,429 --> 00:38:29,700
New Jersey,
the provinces in Canada.
898
00:38:29,724 --> 00:38:34,163
-As Zuffa stages a huge comeback
for the UFC, it coaxes
899
00:38:34,187 --> 00:38:37,208
{\an8}one of the sport's pioneers
back to the octagon.
900
00:38:37,232 --> 00:38:40,503
{\an8}In 2002, the now-legendary
Ken Shamrock
901
00:38:40,527 --> 00:38:44,924
faces off against Tito Ortiz
in a highly publicized match.
902
00:38:44,948 --> 00:38:47,635
-Many, many lesser men
would've tapped out long ago.
903
00:38:47,659 --> 00:38:50,346
-I fought Tito even though
I was past my prime
904
00:38:50,370 --> 00:38:52,598
'cause I felt like
this was my legacy.
905
00:38:52,622 --> 00:38:55,809
-Ken suffers a shocking loss.
906
00:38:55,833 --> 00:38:57,102
- They're gonna stop the fight.
- Wow!
907
00:38:57,126 --> 00:38:58,604
-It is all over.
908
00:38:58,628 --> 00:39:00,898
-But the grappler's return
is a win for White
909
00:39:00,922 --> 00:39:02,525
and the Fertitta brothers,
910
00:39:02,549 --> 00:39:04,777
the event nearly doubling
the pay-per-view numbers
911
00:39:04,801 --> 00:39:07,196
of their previous tournaments.
912
00:39:07,220 --> 00:39:10,699
{\an8}-And now coming to the octagon,
913
00:39:10,723 --> 00:39:15,496
{\an8}the world's most dangerous man!
914
00:39:15,520 --> 00:39:19,250
{\an8}-The following year, Ken and
his chief rival, Royce Gracie,
915
00:39:19,274 --> 00:39:22,628
become the first inductees
into the UFC's Hall of Fame.
916
00:39:22,652 --> 00:39:25,339
-I thank you very much
from the bottom of my heart.
917
00:39:25,363 --> 00:39:28,050
God bless, and we'll see you
back in the ring!
918
00:39:28,074 --> 00:39:31,262
-It's a moment of triumph
for both Ken and the UFC.
919
00:39:31,286 --> 00:39:34,098
But as the sport
is becoming bigger than ever,
920
00:39:34,122 --> 00:39:36,600
Ken and his brother
are forced to say goodbye
921
00:39:36,624 --> 00:39:39,419
to the man
who transformed their lives.
922
00:39:41,045 --> 00:39:43,941
-Bob Shamrock ran those homes
923
00:39:43,965 --> 00:39:46,652
and created
that family structure,
924
00:39:46,676 --> 00:39:48,487
and it was wonderful for us,
925
00:39:48,511 --> 00:39:50,239
but for him,
he didn't take care of himself
926
00:39:50,263 --> 00:39:52,741
and eventually that led to
diabetes and then heart failure,
927
00:39:52,765 --> 00:39:55,452
and then he had a series
of heart attacks and problems.
928
00:39:55,476 --> 00:39:56,870
Then he moved in with Ken,
929
00:39:56,894 --> 00:39:59,623
and Ken was really
looking after him.
930
00:39:59,647 --> 00:40:05,337
-I truly believe that we were
able to put him back
931
00:40:05,361 --> 00:40:08,424
in a comfortable state of mind.
932
00:40:08,448 --> 00:40:12,094
{\an8}♪♪
933
00:40:12,118 --> 00:40:14,597
-I mean, he really
changed my life.
934
00:40:14,621 --> 00:40:17,182
{\an8}♪♪
935
00:40:17,206 --> 00:40:19,059
I just loved him so much.
936
00:40:19,083 --> 00:40:20,811
{\an8}♪♪
937
00:40:20,835 --> 00:40:23,897
[ Sniffles ]
938
00:40:23,921 --> 00:40:26,025
-Since then, the two brothers
have learned
939
00:40:26,049 --> 00:40:27,985
to put the past behind them.
940
00:40:28,009 --> 00:40:30,070
-There was a lot of things that
happened that caused Frank
941
00:40:30,094 --> 00:40:33,407
to... to probably be angry.
942
00:40:33,431 --> 00:40:35,951
Um, and not that
it was anybody's fault.
943
00:40:35,975 --> 00:40:38,120
It was just
the way things happened.
944
00:40:38,144 --> 00:40:40,623
-From a healing standpoint,
we were able to both
945
00:40:40,647 --> 00:40:44,793
move through, you know, what
had happened and our roles in it
946
00:40:44,817 --> 00:40:46,962
and kind of get back
to being brothers again.
947
00:40:46,986 --> 00:40:49,798
And that's where we're at now.
You know, where he's my brother.
948
00:40:49,822 --> 00:40:53,677
{\an8}♪♪
949
00:40:53,701 --> 00:40:57,181
{\an8}-Throughout the 2010s,
the UFC's popularity surges,
950
00:40:57,205 --> 00:40:59,058
{\an8}surpassing
the pay-per-view numbers
951
00:40:59,082 --> 00:41:01,769
of both boxing and the WWE.
952
00:41:01,793 --> 00:41:04,647
{\an8}♪♪
953
00:41:04,671 --> 00:41:06,190
-♪ There is no substitute ♪
954
00:41:06,214 --> 00:41:08,192
♪ For the ultimate
is what's in store ♪
955
00:41:08,216 --> 00:41:10,444
{\an8}-The new owners even finance
a reality show
956
00:41:10,468 --> 00:41:14,323
that introduces millions
of Americans to the sport.
957
00:41:14,347 --> 00:41:16,408
-Do you want to be
a [bleep] fighter?
958
00:41:16,432 --> 00:41:17,951
That is my question.
959
00:41:17,975 --> 00:41:20,788
-After a nearly 20-year ban
on the sport,
960
00:41:20,812 --> 00:41:24,500
New York State legalizes
mixed martial arts.
961
00:41:24,524 --> 00:41:28,879
Even Senator John McCain
eventually endorses the UFC.
962
00:41:28,903 --> 00:41:32,007
-They have cleaned up
their act enormously.
963
00:41:32,031 --> 00:41:34,426
Actually, this Ultimate Fighting
now is...
964
00:41:34,450 --> 00:41:36,679
Isn't a heck of a lot different
from boxing.
965
00:41:36,703 --> 00:41:39,682
-But it's an unprecedented
deal in 2016
966
00:41:39,706 --> 00:41:42,184
that makes headlines
around the world.
967
00:41:42,208 --> 00:41:44,436
-Some big news to tell you about
at the cross-section
968
00:41:44,460 --> 00:41:46,689
of business
and sports this morning.
969
00:41:46,713 --> 00:41:49,942
{\an8}-The UFC announced Sunday night
that the company had been sold.
970
00:41:49,966 --> 00:41:54,321
{\an8}-And has just clinched
a $4 billion sale.
971
00:41:54,345 --> 00:41:57,032
{\an8}It's the biggest ever
in professional sports.
972
00:41:57,056 --> 00:42:00,536
-Is this the happiest birthday
yet, after making $4 billion?
973
00:42:00,560 --> 00:42:01,954
-[ Laughs ]
974
00:42:01,978 --> 00:42:04,373
It doesn't suck.
[ Laughter ]
975
00:42:04,397 --> 00:42:07,084
-It's an astounding price tag
for a sports league
976
00:42:07,108 --> 00:42:09,670
that its founders
originally sold off
977
00:42:09,694 --> 00:42:12,214
for a reported
seven-figure deal,
978
00:42:12,238 --> 00:42:15,551
a fraction of
its current value today.
979
00:42:15,575 --> 00:42:17,553
-I knew it was the right
decision to make,
980
00:42:17,577 --> 00:42:19,012
and I had no regrets.
981
00:42:19,036 --> 00:42:20,848
I really didn't do this
for money.
982
00:42:20,872 --> 00:42:23,975
-And now a very proud member
of UFC Hall of Fame,
983
00:42:23,999 --> 00:42:25,811
the great Art Davie.
984
00:42:25,835 --> 00:42:28,939
[ Cheers and applause ]
985
00:42:28,963 --> 00:42:31,859
-You've made a 71-year-old man
pretty happy.
986
00:42:31,883 --> 00:42:33,736
God bless you all.
987
00:42:33,760 --> 00:42:37,322
-Look, that's the guy that
actually came up with the idea.
988
00:42:37,346 --> 00:42:39,616
He's the guy that actually
was able to put
989
00:42:39,640 --> 00:42:41,285
the right people together.
990
00:42:41,309 --> 00:42:43,579
He deserves a ton of credit.
991
00:42:43,603 --> 00:42:46,540
-I remembered seeing a billboard
and I looked at that billboard
992
00:42:46,564 --> 00:42:49,251
and thought, "You know,
I'm like a divorced father now.
993
00:42:49,275 --> 00:42:51,253
Somebody else is raising my kid,
994
00:42:51,277 --> 00:42:53,464
but they're doing
a goddamn good job of it."
995
00:42:53,488 --> 00:42:57,885
[ Cheers and applause ]
996
00:42:57,909 --> 00:43:01,513
-Today, the UFC is huge
and it employs thousands
997
00:43:01,537 --> 00:43:05,100
and entertains tens of millions.
998
00:43:05,124 --> 00:43:08,169
It is one of the largest sports
properties on planet Earth.
999
00:43:09,879 --> 00:43:13,817
This '90s era, it was ugly
and it was imperfect,
1000
00:43:13,841 --> 00:43:15,360
but it was innovative
and it was new.
1001
00:43:15,384 --> 00:43:17,863
-Can you outthink?
Can you overthink?
1002
00:43:17,887 --> 00:43:20,908
-I literally looked at it
as a game of chess,
1003
00:43:20,932 --> 00:43:23,619
a physical game of chess
where checkmate is gonna hurt.
1004
00:43:23,643 --> 00:43:29,833
{\an8}♪♪
1005
00:43:29,857 --> 00:43:33,670
-You see the poetry of somebody
overcoming fear
1006
00:43:33,694 --> 00:43:37,090
and anxiety and pain
to be victorious.
1007
00:43:37,114 --> 00:43:38,425
{\an8}-Let's get it on!
1008
00:43:38,449 --> 00:43:42,387
{\an8}-Combat is a part
of the human experience.
1009
00:43:42,411 --> 00:43:46,266
{\an8}-'92, '93...
There's no schools that do this.
1010
00:43:46,290 --> 00:43:47,851
{\an8}This didn't exist.
1011
00:43:47,875 --> 00:43:50,020
{\an8}It was no holds barred,
anything goes.
1012
00:43:50,044 --> 00:43:52,231
{\an8}And for us to be able
to be a part of that
1013
00:43:52,255 --> 00:43:54,691
{\an8}and change the culture
was awesome.
1014
00:43:54,715 --> 00:43:57,236
{\an8}I feel like I can fight
through anything
1015
00:43:57,260 --> 00:43:58,821
{\an8}and I will eventually win.
1016
00:43:58,845 --> 00:44:01,240
{\an8}I always feel that.
That's my heart, that's my soul.
1017
00:44:01,264 --> 00:44:04,034
{\an8}And I will always believe that,
till the day I die.
1018
00:44:04,058 --> 00:44:08,813
{\an8}♪♪