UFC 5: The Return of the Beast was the fifth mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It took place at the Independence Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 7, 1995. The event used an eight-man tournament format, with the winner receiving $50,000, and the first ever UFC Superfight. The event also featured two alternate fights, which were not shown on the live pay-per-view broadcast. The tournament had no weight classes, or weight limits. Each match had no rounds; therefore no judges were used for the night. This was the first UFC event to feature any kind of time limits. A 20 minute time limit was imposed for the quarterfinal and semi-final round matches in the tournament. The finals of the tournament and the Superfight had a 30 minute time limit, though not necessarily enforced, as the Superfight went 36 minutes before being called a draw. The referee for the night was 'Big' John McCarthy. Dan Severn won the event by defeating Dave Beneteau with a keylock.

This UFC event was the last with the involvement of Rorion Gracie, ostensively because the introduction of new rules had diluted Gracie's (and his family's) vision for the UFC and vale tudo fighting. Gracie and his partner Art Davie later sold WOW Promotions, co-promoters of the event, to WOW's partner, Semaphore Entertainment Group. Royce Gracie also ended his involvement following Rorion's departure.

Results

Bracket

¹John Hess was forced to withdraw due to injury. He was replaced by Dave Beneteau.

See also

• List of UFC events

Sources

• Official UFC website
• UFC PPV Buys Explode in 2006

Mixed martial arts events