When Worlds Collide Part 2:
By Henry Walter
Art Jimmerson vs Royce Gracie
In 1993 the very first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event was held. The event was co-organised by the Brazillian Rorion Gracie, who was hoping to use the event to prove the superiority of the fighting style his family had pioneered, Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
The tournament featured no weight classes, rounds or time restraints and had very few rules. The tournament saw eight fighters representing various martial arts. The sole boxing representative was fringe cruiserweight contender Art Jimmerson.
Jimmerson’s first bout was against Jiu-jitsu practitioner Royce Gracie, son of Jiu-jitsu legend Helio Gracie.
Most of the fighters involved had little idea what to expect from the format and Jimmerson unsuccessfully tried to pull out of the tournament at the last-minute. In the end he participated but looked never had the look of a man who thought he would do well.
Jimmerson bizarrely entered the ring wearing just one boxing glove on his left hand. As the fight began both men circled each other with Gracie looking focused and Jimmerson looking tentative. Jimmerson never even attempted to throw a punch and Gracie managed a take down with his first serious attack. Jimmerson hastily tapped out (signalling surrender) at the two-minute mark, eighteen second mark before Gracie had even had a chance to attempt any holds or chokes.
Gracie went on to win the tournament and Jimmerson would go on to become the head boxing coach at the UFC gym in California.
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