Quinton Jackson unified UFC and Pride Fighting Championships gold. | Photo: Sherdog.com
7. Quinton Jackson vs. Dan Henderson
UFC 75 “Champion vs. Champion” | Sept. 8, 2007 -- London
Spike TV
Jackson made his presence felt in the Octagon some three months earlier by scoring a technical knockout victory over reigning 205-pound champion and company figurehead Chuck Liddell in the first round at UFC 71. Meanwhile, with the popular Pride Fighting Championships promotion under Zuffa ownership and on the brink of closing up shop for good, Henderson entered the UFC as the Japanese promotion’s 185- and 205-pound champion.
“Rampage” earned the nod from the judges in a competitive five-round affair, weathering an early onslaught from Henderson in the first two frames to finish strong over the final 15 minutes. It showcased a different side of Jackson, as he was able to prevail in a grind-it-out battle instead of relying on the formidable power that dispatched Liddell. With the win, Jackson was able to unify the belts from the two promotions.
Though the broadcast was tape delayed, it attracted an audience of 4.7 million viewers to the channel, besting the previous Spike TV/UFC record of 3.1 million set by the show featuring the third and final match between Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock in October 2006.
“The ratings are further proof that the tide in American sports is changing,” Kay said. “Young men, who constitute the Spike TV core audience, prefer the incredible action and athleticism of the UFC to more traditional sports.”
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