UFC Japan: Ultimate Japan (aka UFC 15.5) was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on December 21, 1997, in Yokohama, Japan. The event was seen on pay per view in the United States, on cable TV in Japan, and was later released on home video. It featured a four-man heavyweight tournament, the first ever UFC Middleweight Championship bout, a Heavyweight Championship bout, a Superfight and was the first UFC appearance of MMA legends Kazushi Sakuraba and Frank Shamrock. It was the first event to be located in a country other than the United States or its territories. The undercard produced the inaugural UFC Lightweight Champion (under 185 pounds) from a four man tournament, Conor "The Mighty" Quinn. However, this division was disestablished after one successful title defence and the Champion's reign lasted a mere 94 days.
Credits
UFC 15.5: Ultimate Japan 1 Cast
| Name |
Character |
|
Randy Couture
He was 34, now 61 years old
|
as himself |
|
Tank Abbott
He was 32, now 59 years old
|
as himself |
|
Vitor Belfort
He was 20, now 47 years old
|
as himself |
|
Maurice Smith
He was 17, now 44 years old
|
as himself |
|
Kazushi Sakuraba
He was 28, now 55 years old
|
as himself |
|
Brad Kohler
He was 33, now 60 years old
|
as himself |
|
Marcus Silveira
|
as himself |
|
Yoji Anjo
He was 27, now 55 years old
|
as himself |
|
Frank Shamrock
He was 25, now 52 years old
|
as himself |
|
Joe Charles
He was 39, now 66 years old
|
as himself |
|
Kevin Jackson
He was 32, now 60 years old
|
as himself |
|
Tra Telligman
He was 32, now 59 years old
|
as himself |
UFC 15.5: Ultimate Japan 1 Crew
