UFC 3
| Company type | Mixed martial arts event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mixed martial arts |
| Founded | September 9, 1994 |
| Headquarters | Charlotte, North Carolina , United States |
| Parent | Ultimate Fighting Championship |
Ultimate Fighting Championship III (subsequently retitled UFC 3: The American Dream) was a mixed martial arts (MMA) competition organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on September 9, 1994, hosted at the Grady Cole Center located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event was broadcast live via pay-per-view across the United States and was later made available on home video formats.
History
The event known as UFC 3 showcased an eight-fighter tournament offering a $60,000 cash prize. The contest featured no divisions by weight, no time constraints or rounds, and lacked judges; matches concluded only through submission, knockout, referee intervention, or towel surrender. This edition introduced the first instance where referees were empowered to halt bouts. The officiating referee was "Big" John McCarthy.
Steve Jennum, initially a substitute competitor, secured victory in the tournament by overcoming Harold Howard through submission caused by strikes, despite participating exclusively in the final round. Jennum stepped in for Ken Shamrock, who withdrew from the championship match due to injury. This tournament marked the first occasion where Royce Gracie did not claim the title; Gracie withdrew prior to his semifinal bout, likely fatigued from his earlier quarterfinal fight. In response to Jennum's unexpected success as an alternate, UFC implemented preliminary alternate qualifying matches to minimize fatigue differences and promote equitable competition.
UFC 3 bracket
1Felix Mitchell replaced Keith Hackney following Hackney’s injury.
2Harold Howard advanced to the final after Royce Gracie’s corner conceded.
3Steve Jennum substituted for injured Ken Shamrock.
Encyclopedia awards
In the October 2011 edition of the UFC Encyclopedia, the following fighters received recognition:
- Fight of the Night: Royce Gracie vs. Kimo Leopoldo
- Knockout of the Night: Keith Hackney (victorious over Emmanuel Yarborough)
- Submission of the Night: Royce Gracie (victorious over Kimo Leopoldo)
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Ultimate Fighting Championship flagship events
- 1994 in mixed martial arts
- Mixed martial arts events in North Carolina
- Sports competitions in Charlotte, North Carolina
- 1994 in sports in North Carolina
- 1990s in Charlotte, North Carolina
- September 1994 sports events in the United States