UFC London is right around the corner. Taking place this Saturday, July 23rd. We thought for Throwback Thursday this week, we’d take a look at the first event the UFC held in London, UFC 38.
For this event, we need to go all the way back to July 13th, 2002. On that day UFC 38 took place and was named UFC 38: Brawl in the Hall. The name was in homage to the venue, which was the famous Royal Albert Hall. The attendance wasn’t quite what we see nowadays, with only 3,800 people watching the event live. As a PPV it sold 45,000 times.
The Card
This card was short, with only seven fights from start to finish. Here is the card from top to bottom. Fighters in bold represent the UK.
Welterweight Championship – Matt Hughes vs Carlos Newton
Heavyweight – Frank Mir vs Ian Freeman
Middleweight – Mark Weir vs Eugene Jackson
Lightweight – Leigh Remedios vs Genki Sudo
Light Heavyweight – Philip Miller vs James Zikic
Preliminary Card
Light Heavyweight – Renato Sobral vs Elvis Sinosic
Light Heavyweight – Chris Haseman vs Evan Tanner
At the time the card wasn’t anything special. Looking back it is more favourable with several fighters going on to achieve big things both inside and outside the UFC. A primarily heavier event, taking place in 2002. This was before the three lighter weight classes were introduced to the company. As well as being well before women would compete in the UFC.
Some now legendary names on the card, let’s take a look at the results.
Results
Matt Hughes def. Carlos Newton via TKO (punches) Round 4 3:27
Ian Freeman def. Frank Mir via TKO (referee stoppage) Round 1 4:35
Mark Weir def. Eugene Jackson Via KO (punch) Round 1 0:10
Genki Sudo is def. Leigh Remedios via Submission (RNC) Round 2 1:38
Phillip Miller def. James Zikic via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29.28, 29-28)
Renato Sobral def. Elvis Sinosic via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Evan Tanner def. Chris Haseman via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Key Names Who Competed
Evan Tanner
The event opener saw future Middleweight champion Evan Tanner earn the win. After this fight, he would win once more before losing and deciding to go to Middleweight. After his decision, he went on a four-fight winning streak. One that featured a young Robbie Lawler. In the fourth fight seeing him claim gold. He lost it after only one fight.
A record of 32-8, and a former title holder. Evan sadly passed away at the age of 37, in tragic circumstances. A man whose MMA reputation isn’t what it should be, he opened the UK’s first ever card.
Renato Sobral
A name that is synonymous with early 2000s MMA. Renato Sobral fought a who’s who of the top competition in his career. In 2004 and 2005, he made two winning appearances in the UK promotion Cage Rage. Finding his way back to the UFC in 2006 he would fight for the Light Heavyweight title in a losing effort to Chuck Liddell.
He retired with a professional record of 37–12. A stalwart at the top of the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight divisions. He never won the big one but has a great career competing with some of the all-time greats in both winning and losing efforts.
Genki Sudo
A name UK fans might not be familiar with. Genki Sudo is a legend in Japan. All but three of his 21 fights took place in Japan, this being one of them. He was fun both inside and outside the cage and may be known for his spectacular entrances. Some included elaborate costumes and choreography.
Retiring with a 16-4-1 record. Genki had a good MMA career that was predominantly in Japan. Held in high regard there, it’s great to know one of his only UFC appearances took place in the UK.
Frank Mir
At the time Frank Mir was a 4-0, 23-year-old looking to make a splash in the UFC. 2-0 in the promotion he was expected to continue his winning form and defeat Ian Freeman. He didn’t. However, this didn’t halt Mir too much, who would win four in a row afterwards. Culminating in him winning the UFC Heavyweight championship.
Seemingly retired from in-ring competition. His record sits at 19-13. Always at the top of the Heavyweight division, Frank would compete against some of the very best in The sport. If it wasn’t for an accident outside the cage he may be considered one of the greatest to ever do it. A submission specialist he still holds UFC records to this day despite not competing in the company since 2016.
Carlos Newton
One-half of the main event was Carlos Newton. Looking to reclaim his Welterweight title after he lost it to the same man he faced at UFC 38. Carlos won the belt from Pat Miletich one year prior. He would hold the belt until November when he lost it to Matt Hughes, who won via KO (slam).
16-14 as a pro. His career never picked up again after his UFC championship run. A solid competitor who had the talent to go far. He never found his footing to make himself a divisional mainstay. Still achieving gold Carlos Newton is a somewhat forgotten champion.
Matt Hughes
Defending his belt in a rematch at UFC 38. This was Hughes’s second defence of five before he lost the belt. He went on to regain it and once again defend it twice. With two championship reigns and a total of seven defences. If you were to make a Welterweight Mount Rushmore he might have to make it.
Retiring with an impressive 45-9. His wrestling dominance in the early 2000s Welterweight division was unseen at the time. Holding on to a belt for as long as he did was quite rare at the time. Unfortunately, his out-of-cage antics have taken away from the career he had, but at the time he was competing he was one of the best.
Summary
The first London event was an important one to the growth of the sport. With stars and future stars alike. The UFC 38 card goes down in history for a few reasons. An entertaining night of fights, maybe it just proves there is something in the UK water. As every time the UFC arrives on our shore we deliver.
Still available to watch on the UFC Fight Pass, maybe check it out before Saturday’s most recent London event.
Do you remember UFC 38?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
