Sherdog’s Top 10: Disastrous Title Shots
No. 3
3. Evan Tanner vs. Tito Ortiz
UFC 30
Feb. 23, 2001 | Atlantic City, N.J.
Tanner had no chance against Ortiz, who was in his prime and just entering a period of time in which he carried the UFC on his shoulders. They met in the UFC 30 main event at the Trump Taj Mahal, and Ortiz defended his light heavyweight title in spectacular fashion.
After trading a few shots on the feet, they clinched. Ortiz softened Tanner with a knee to the body, secured double underhooks and lifted the future middleweight champion into the air before slamming him violently on his back. Tanner’s head struck the canvas with a sickening thud, immediately knocking him unconscious. Ortiz delivered a few follow-up punches, but they were meaningless to the outcome. The fight concluded in a mere 32 seconds and remains one of the most electrifying victories of Ortiz’s hall-of-fame career.
Number 2 » Exam Aced
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