This has to be one of the most brutal finishes in MMA history. Undoubtedly the most brutal finish in the UFC Gary Goodridge vs Paul Herrera. This can be hard for even the most extreme martial arts fans to watch. This video has been viewed over 13 million times via Fightingdad YouTube.
UFC – Early days
Today the UFC is more popular than ever and grows year on year. Once upon a time fights were not even able to be sanctioned in most states. UFC events were often held on Native American reservations, as these locations were not subject to state athletic commissions regulations. UFC 1, was held in 1993 at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. However, due to strict regulations and opposition from state officials, the UFC was forced to find alternative locations for its events. At the time the sport was widely ridiculed and felt dirty. Today UFC is shown nearly every single week of the calendar year and is worth over $7 Billion.
Lack of rules
In the early days of the UFC, there were only a few rules in place. As the UFC grew in popularity, concerns were raised about the safety of the fighters and the legality of the events. This led to the implementation of new rules and regulations designed to protect the fighters and ensure that the events were held in a legal and safe manner.
UFC 4 – Nut Shots
The first major changes to the rules came in 2000, when the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board (NJSACB) took over regulatory control of the UFC. The NJSACB introduced a number of new rules, including weight classes, time limits, and stricter regulations around fouls and disqualifications.
UFC 8 – 1996 – Goodridge vs Herrera
Since 1993 there has been many brutal finishes over the years. But one that stands out as particularly savage is the crucifix elbow assault that Gary Goodridge unleashed on Paul Herrera in UFC 8. The fight, which took place in 1996, saw Goodridge take Herrera down immediately with his superior grappling skills. It only 13 seconds for the fight to be stopped but arguably it should have been even sooner.
As Herrera lay on his back, Goodridge managed to secure the crucifix position, trapping both of Herrera’s arms with his legs and landing a barrage of elbows to his opponent’s face. The first few strikes were brutal enough, but Goodridge didn’t stop there. With a look of almost primal intensity on his face, Goodridge rained down blow after blow, each one landing with sickening force. Goodridge landed eight vicious elbows, each one seemingly more brutal than the last. When the referee FINALLY stopped the fight, Herrera was left lying on the canvas, still.
For many fans of the sport, the crucifix elbows on Paul Herrera remains one of the most brutal and unforgettable finishes in UFC history.
Despite the severe beat down, you would expect Herrera to be suffering long term effects from this night. However, it was Goodridge that developed Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) – AKA punch drunk syndrome from his martial arts career.
Herrera was actually Tito Ortiz’s high school wrestling coach. He is also friends with Tank Abott. Ortiz used Herrera to get his foot in the door to the world of MMA. Ortiz became one of Tank Abbott’s sparring partners before eventually finding his way to the UFC.
So Herrera is partly responsible for bringing one of the most influential fighters into the mma world.
What is the most brutal stoppage in mma history?
Undoubtedly, the most brutal finish in the UFC was Gary Goodridge vs Paul Herrera. Goodridge landed 8 unanswered elbows to Herrera while locked in a crucifix hold.