Sherdog’s Top 10: UFC Middleweight Title Fights

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10. Rich Franklin vs. Nate Quarry
UFC 56
Nov. 19, 2005 | Las Vegas
Franklin for a time ranked among the mixed martial arts elite, and his brutal knockout on Quarry in the UFC 56 headliner remains a shining moment in his brilliant career. Quarry had become a known commodity through his appearance on Season 1 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” but vying for the middleweight title was a massive task for the Team Quest rep to tackle. As it turned out, Quarry was not in Franklin’s league, and it became evident as soon as the bout began. “Ace” blasted Quarry with punches from the outside and wrecked his nose roughly a minute into the match. The challenger never wavered and continued to try to take the fight to the Franklin. It did not matter. After separating from a clinch and with blood flowing from Quarry’s damaged nose, Franklin created the perfect distance and unleashed one of the most memorable straight lefts in the sport’s history before 12,000 fans at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The destructive blow connected with Quarry’s face, and he was instantly frozen. He fell backward and struck the canvas violently, his dreams of middleweight glory at an end.

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