This Day in MMA History: Oct. 22 (UFC 50)

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On Oct. 22, 2004, the Ultimate Fighting Championship was in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for UFC 50.

In the main event, Tito Ortiz defeated the debuting Patrick Cote by unanimous decision. Cote was a short-notice replacement for Guy Mezger, who, prior to his and Ortiz’s planned rubber match, suffered a stroke, which would precipitate his retirement from the sport. Elsewhere on the card, Matt Hughes regained his (at the time vacant) welterweight title with a last-second submission of Georges St. Pierre, Rich Franklin submitted Jorge Rivera in the third round of a grueling war of attrition, veteran Evan Tanner submitted then-surging young prospect Robbie Lawler and Frank Trigg TKOd Renato Verissimo.

In addition to the action, UFC 50 is also memorable for being the event at which Dana White announced that the UFC would produce a reality show called “The Ultimate Fighter” which would air in the new year.

Continued Reading » Original Recap by Josh Gross: Hughes Roars, Ortiz Bores at UFC 50