UFC 17
| Company type | Mixed martial arts event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports entertainment |
| Founded | May 15, 1998 |
| Headquarters | Mobile , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Mixed martial arts competitions |
UFC 17: Redemption was a mixed martial arts competition organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on May 15, 1998, hosted at the Mobile Civic Center located in Mobile, Alabama. The event was broadcast live via pay-per-view across the United States and subsequently made available on home video.
History
This event showcased a four-fighter Middleweight Tournament alongside three Heavyweight Superfights, an alternate bout designed for potential tournament injuries, and a Heavyweight exhibition match. Additionally, a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship contest featuring reigning champion Frank Shamrock against challenger Jeremy Horn was recorded for future airing.
UFC 17 represented one of the final occasions the UFC employed the "tournament" structure, with only a few events following suit, notably UFC 23.
Ahead of the event, Olympic Gold medalist and UFC commentator Jeff Blatnick was announced as the promotion’s new commissioner. During discussions with fighters, Blatnick advocated for adopting the term Mixed Martial Arts instead of phrases like "No Holds Barred," aiming to elevate the sport’s reputation. He reinforced this terminology in media statements that evening. This moment is widely recognized as the earliest instance of "Mixed Martial Arts" being used to describe the contemporary sport, crediting Blatnick with coining the phrase.
The card marked the UFC debuts of notable competitors Dan Henderson and Carlos Newton, as well as featuring future standout Chuck Liddell in his first MMA appearance.
The subtitle Redemption alludes to Mark Coleman’s comeback following his defeat in the UFC Heavyweight Championship by Maurice Smith at UFC 14. Originally scheduled to face then-titleholder Randy Couture, Coleman’s opponent changed due to Couture’s injury withdrawal. As a last-minute substitute, Pete Williams, representing the Lion's Den, stepped in to challenge Coleman. Despite a strong start from Coleman, he showed signs of fatigue during overtime and was ultimately knocked out by a head kick delivered by Williams. The anticipated Coleman versus Couture bout would not materialize until twelve years later at UFC 109.
Results
Encyclopedia awards
In October 2011, participants were recognized in the UFC Encyclopedia with honors including:
- Fight of the Night: Dan Henderson vs. Carlos Newton
- Knockout of the Night: Pete Williams (def. Mark Coleman)
- Submission of the Night: Carlos Newton (def. Bob Gilstrap)