Ruthless aggression of the old school... Dan Severn - The Dark Night of the Beast in MMA

Dan Severn is a legend of martial arts and combat sports. Known for his superior wrestling skills and ground-and-pound technique, Severn quickly made a name for himself in the fledgling world of mixed martial arts. In this video, we'll be exploring the early days of his MMA career, from his first fights in the early 90s to his rise to prominence in the sport.
#mma

[@TheWorldofBoxing]

Thanks for watching! However, we need your support. We've had a drop in views lately. Write any comment and give a thumbs up, it will help a lot in promoting this video🥊

[@emperortrevornorton3119]

Wrestling might not be given the respect and reputation it deserves but the the men and women of Olympic style wrestling know that they can turn quite a number of people into pretzels 🥋🤼‍♂️🤼👨👨

[@chazhuber1]

You might have a drop in views because you don't know how to pronounce terminology correctly or recognize what submissions are what

[@douglasbueno7481]

​@@emperortrevornorton3119Severn tried do It and Royce finish him Jiu Jitsu it's The best.

[@thealleycat]

Done

[@charlespancamo9771]

Those suplexes he did in his debut are specific ones called german suplexes. Sometimes pro wrestlers or mma fighters will link them together like that and it's truly something to behold as you can see. Mentioning that would have added to the video as they are a much beloved and popular move in the wrestling world.

[@midnightsnack1306]

Old school UFC was the closest thing to a real life Bloodsport.

[@viper22jc]

@S7 nah, oldschool ufc there was not weight classes and people had to fight 7 matches with no time limit and win them all in one day to be the champion.

[@Andrew-qc8jh]

MORTAL KOMBAT!!!!

[@bradthomas1027]

​@@viper22jc brutal

[@blockmasterscott]

@S7 Nah, not even close. Pride has weight classes and a lot of rules, it's nothing like those first few seasons of UFC.

[@blockmasterscott]

OMG so true.

[@glasshalffullofwhatever3106]

The moves, the endurance, the Burt Reynolds haircut, the 80s sport briefs, the dad bod...and lastly...the stach.....this guy definitely built differently..

[@brosephbroman7564]

Indeed. I'm 6'9" and trained. But even that stach has me a little intimidated lol.

[@panzfaust9812]

Can tell he's a decent guy from early fights

[@samuellp1146]

@@panzfaust9812 he was very decent, that fight with Gracie, he could have won it easily with ground and pound.

[@MH-zg5yw]

Severn was an old school wrestler. Looking like a bodybuilder doesn't make a person a better fighter or wrestler

[@glasshalffullofwhatever3106]

@@MH-zg5yw well aware...

[@greekstreek370]

Dude has over 125 mma fights under his belt and fought well into his 50’s. A true beast

[@rocketspushoffair]

i think he's part Greek!!!!

[@EyBossPusi]

No Turkish ​@@rocketspushoffair

[@rocketspushoffair]

@@EyBossPusi Same thing, at least 1/3 of Turks are actually Greeks, they were taken as young kids and raised Turkish.

[@GonnaGetYouBoi]

@@rocketspushoffairhe does greco roman wrestling. maybe thats where the confusion came

[@rocketspushoffair]

@etYouBoi No, I'm coming from the very real possibility that he could be part Greek. Around 600 hundred years ago, the Turks were already recruiting young Greeks and raising them as Turks to fortify their armies. Before the fall of Constantinople, the Turkish border next to Greece was not where it is today, it was much more inland, Greeks lived there, it was all Greek. Istanbul was formerly Constantinople. Turks ruled Greeks for 400 years, until 1821 Greeks got their independence back. Winston Churchill said “people will not say any more that the Greeks fight like heroes but heroes fight like Greeks.”

[@MrSphandor]

This guy was like an old time gladiator. He didn't have the roided action figure body but the strength and endurance were massive. Great video.

[@nunyabisness4300]

Dan had old man strength.

[@charlescummings6222]

That's the word I was looking for. That kind of strength is very specific. Like farmer strength or something.

[@Oromanowarful]

That's what matters more than looking pretty for the pictures, I think so anyway

[@ianb.174]

100% he was a real warrior, not a performer first

[@Fire_ov_Renewal]

​@@Oromanowarfulfuck yeah!

[@fieryjalapenos4442]

I wrestled against his son David. Never again. That was a horrible experience. His dad taught him well.

[@jesseroel8362]

Lmao

[@zachlukehart7622]

I went to school with David, Dan was my first wrestling coach.

[@fieryjalapenos4442]

@@zachlukehart7622 Coldwater or Bronson? I believe I wrestled him at an invitational while he was still at Coldwater.

[@zachlukehart7622]

​@@fieryjalapenos4442Coldwater, I started freestyle in 6th grade with him. I remember him being so big for a middle schooler 😂

[@fieryjalapenos4442]

@@zachlukehart7622 I also recall him being quite a big guy in 8th grade as well. Could have passed for a Senior. Hell, probably could have bought beer.

[@skipper4126]

Dan Severn and Don Frye, the two most feared Moustaches in MMA history.

[@negativeionz]

These old school UFC fights were great because not everyone was multi-disciplined and polished and essentially with most learning and training the same series of techniques that became very rules-centric. Here things were rough, fighters were specialists, you got to see how individual styles fared against each other, and it was brutal. Great video.

[@jungleking6743]

old Ufc, you can see how each athelete had a specific background and added other skills to it, like dan was a wrestler and added some striking and ground and pound, but he was still a wrestler not a mix martial artist, others were bjj guys, boxers, kick bxers and the list goes on

[@pauloserggio740]

você deveria aprender a falar a minha língua.

[@kalebrosenberg8294]

yeah well it got more professional

[@akiraic]

@@pauloserggio740 cala a boca, não passa vergonha

[@necromantik3191]

​@@jungleking6743I always enjoyed a bit of extra 'j' with my bjs.

[@patrickjmt]

i'm so old, i remember renting and watching this on vhs in my bo-hunk town... i remember watching severn vs gracie

[@LM77va]

I remember renting these from a mom and pops video shop. They put these videos in the XXX-rated section in the back. That introduced me to the porn world. LOL

[@tomf4087]

Where is this porn world you speak of?

[@LM77va]

@@tomf4087 it's a magical place that I cannot reveal the location of.

[@blackhawkmonk812]

You’re so old you got me through high school math - absolute legend

[@billj4525]

You probably aren't nearly as old you saying. What are you early 40s? Still pretty young, but I get your point. Watching VHS and renting them feels like such a long time ago that you feel old, and I am old enough to have watched VHS too lol, although I was little kid. I remember watching this fight on VHS as well. Severn was a beast. I actually heard of UFC for the first time when Ken Shamrock came to the wwf and they discussed it.

[@shomaribey2013]

Does anyone remember the old Capcom game Final Fight? Dan Severn looks exactly like the character Haggar. 🤣

[@chaosdromanah8620]

Mayor Mike Haggar...😂😂

[@dnavega]

tottaly!

[@RicoLC85]

Mike haggar. Mayor of New York 😅

[@user-nu8vw1ow4n]

Should said it was Inspire from him.

[@willb1742]

Awesome observation ❤

[@funforall9741]

This guy is everything you want in a fighting legend, fair, respectful, the kind of guy you know is a gentle person when he isn't ripping you to shreds

[@swaylee181]

Half the people he fought were smaller than him. Not impressed

[@swaylee181]

@@mahalkita7351 I weight a hundred pounds less than him. All I'm saying is if he fought more people his size than maybe. You don't have to get triggered over it

[@101snapper]

@@swaylee181 He'd eat you for breakfast

[@XtremeSceptic]

and an epic tash!

[@tolkienfan1972]

​@@swaylee181 there were no weight classes because people thought martial arts skill could make up the difference. You're talking with hindsight. We know more today

[@TornadoF60]

No doubt ! He is a real Beast ! 127 fights and over 101 wins and he fought 10 times in a year ! Impressive !!

[@corneliussmiff2773]

I have met Dan. He is literally the opposite of what you expect. Such a sweetheart of a person and really friendly with a particular talent for chit-chat. Met him at a signing around circa 2002. Such a nice dude.

[@Simply_Anthony83]

As a 40 yr old I watched all of these live. Legal groin shots, no weight class. It was wild

[@SuperIyotube]

And I think it's like a 1 day league, where fight continues after another 😅

[@Simply_Anthony83]

@@SuperIyotube You're right, I forgot that you fought like 3 times in one UFC

[@shonunezekiel]

You might enjoy Burmese Boxing - like Muay Thai but with no gloves and with headbutts allowed.

[@SERGIO-cr6uy]

You're 40 years old? 40, correct? 2023 - 40 = 1983 Meaning in 1994 you would be 11. Since, this wasn't broadcast on TV, when you said "live", you must have meant going there. Who would allow an underage to enter? Times must have been different back then but sounds like a pile of crap to me.

[@devinpledger2251]

Same I was in elementary school

[@tntkop]

When Dan retired, he lost a lot of weight, so he learned to play piano and sing. He changed his name to Freddie began a second career as the lead singer for the rock band QUEEN. The rest is history.

[@jktuert8630]

That sounds gay.

[@user-kb5bc2ob3x]

Freddy was dead for almost 4

[@user-ljc5150]

😂

[@williamdavis9562]

This comment almost made me spit up my drink. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@kristiansomogyi744]

Bahaha

[@SubFlow22]

Nostalgia, I was a senior in high school. That match against Gracie is what put me on my now 26-year journey in Jiu-Jitsu, I got my blue belt from Royce himself in 2005. Still rolling every week.

[@user-nj8xt2wy1k]

Only part of the video I had a slight issue with. Joyce defeated Dan. True BJJ fashion. I thought the narrative in the video was disrespectful. I believe that fight was my first MMA bout to watch. I have been a BJJ and Gracie fan ever since. Years later I watched the older Gracie through Joe Rogans links. Amazing training.

[@logangodofcandy]

BJJ is not a real fighting style. It's just for sweaty men to hug each other. I carry deadly weapons, in case I have to fight. You play because you dudes.

[@delgande]

​@@logangodofcandyusing weapons isn't fighting, it's attempted murder and a war battlefield is not what bjj is intended for anyway so it's a moot point

[@basedmoonman9341]

​@@user-nj8xt2wy1k I'm a BJJ and catch wrestling practitioner, and there was nothing disrespectful in my opinion. What was disrespectful was snubbing catch wrestlers in early UFC because of the Gracie's and BJJs losses against it. They viewed it as too dangerous, because the Gracie's historically always lost against the Brazilian catch wrestlers. They went as far as disabling a man for life because they lost against catch wrestling in a massive stadium show. If anything, the UFC in its early days was extremely disrespectful to catch wrestlers, and other art practitioners, like allowing BJJ to use full gi, but not allowing other artists to dress in their art's traditional attire. The early UFC was nothing but a promotion for BJJ.

[@jrsixowfour8674]

Dan Severn belts are combat sports history legend. He was a Gladiator when the sport was no holds barred

[@80srocknroller]

The only person who held MMA and pro wrestling championship belts simultaneously

[@antwnishero6209]

Also Ken Shamrock

[@MikeSchlesinger]

Pro wrestling belt is worthless as is pro wrestling. It's not a sport.

[@kosanstanojevic]

@@MikeSchlesinger but everyone knows it is not a sport, so whats your point?

[@soldierx345]

​@@MikeSchlesinger correct on the 2nd point, it's sports entertainment. On the 1st point, all entertainment is worthless aside from the fact that it brings joy.

[@DBBMed]

​@@kosanstanojevic maybe the matches but alot of idiots still think the kafabe is real. They actually believe the whimsical tough guy stories

[@mrfuriouser]

I met Dan, after UFC 4, and had the chance to "roll" with him at an old movie studio. Seeing as how we were separated by about 12 weight classes, we decided just to talk a bit and take some pictures. He autographed his action figure for me, as well as military pressing me for a killer photo. He is as nice as you'd expect and very personable. I still have both the action figure and the picture. Cheers!

[@madpriest7822]

What year was this and what are some more details? Like what happened What did he say? What was this for certainly you have something more to say about this

[@bigh6109]

12 weight classes 😂😂😂👏🏼 You need to make that photo your Profile pic that is epic. If Dan had better striking awareness he would have possibly ended Gracie as well. Only thing is the mechanism of striking also favors Gracie style as seen previously but think Dan just too powerful early on if he turned it up a level. Incredible athlete and explosive style insane strength and his character all made him not just great fighter but fan favourite. 💪🏼👍🏼

[@mrfuriouser]

@@madpriest7822 Maybe 2001/2002?...I would really need to check again! It was a promotional contest sponsored by a local radio station. A friend of mine won and took me along, as she knew nothing about him, but she knew of my wrestling history and how much I appreciated his skills. I really didn't go there to interview him with a bunch of questions about specific people, but we did talk about the difficulties of being a pro-fighter at that time (excluding boxing). He was certainly not making tons of money then. The UFC became something more because of these early guys sharing all they had.

[@mrfuriouser]

@@bigh6109 Great idea! Although, it is an old Polaroid instant photo- but maybe that makes it even better? I am not sure...it's worth a try!

[@bigh6109]

@@mrfuriouser SHARE THE GLORY!!!!! 😂😂😂

[@houmus649]

Dan's mustache tested positive for steroids.

[@dr.vinnyboombatz22]

And Crabs.

[@mb8591]

😂😂😂

[@rlmpproductions]

People don't even realize that he was fighting multiple people in one night! Dude was really a beast! 💪🏾💯

[@Mr.PerfectCurtHennig]

Seeing Don Frye in Dans corner was PERFECT

[@b1slee267]

Absolutely. Them damn dans and dons! lol

[@kingjames1586]

Delivering fist in yo Face is better 🤜😵‍💫

[@zeropoint546]

BY THE POWER OF MUSTACHE

[@Thor-Orion]

Al Snow is there too!

[@larrymiller3849]

​@@zeropoint546 😂😅💪

[@sylvesterbestertester1013]

This was the best time in the UFC. No million dollar gyms, pro trainers, big money. Almost no rules, no weight classes. Nobody really knew what they were getting into. It will never be like that again. People brought whatever they had and just got in there and fought.

[@axlsane427]

Absolutely. What we see today is just a pale imitation.

[@xxxYYZxxx]

I'll never forget the first time I saw a "Tapout" sticker on an SUV, ca 2001. I knew the golden age had come to an end.

[@luceatlux7087]

seems like a whole lot of things are homogenized and made kinda' soulless in the current age... popular regards tend to miss the forest for the trees. too much data and not enough wisdom i guess...? or maybe it all just feels this way :) (I get that the above sentiment is vague and expressed moronically. the stupid truth is that i just believe that there is something important that is increasingly going missing, but it's dfifficult to put a finger on what it is precisely i hear it with every template-forged individual i quietly listen to and i feel it every time i examine people's feelings regarding the popular consensus of reality. incidentally, lots of large, ad nauseum, non-novel egos today too and the way they tend to manifest is pretty nauseating (imo, of course)) just fun musing/venting... (and desperately searching for validation from another weirdo who may feel a tiny bit of what i mean... not rly interested in horribly insulting and aggressive criticism)

[@oogba71]

Gladiator matches instead of sporting events

[@sylvesterbestertester1013]

@@oogba71 You got that turned upside down. Back then, the average fight was around 3 min. The longest was this one, Royce vs Severn and that one was 15 min. At the time, it seemed like a very long time. Today's guys are in there taking quadruple the head shots the guys in the beginning where. And there's 15 to 25 min for each fight. That seems quite a bit more gladiator than the first 10 UFC's

[@mrwayne8018]

When I was a child and I use to play Final Fight, Mike Haggar always reminded me to Dan Severn!!

[@stillmattwest]

Those old school UFC matches were brutal. They're lucky no one got killed. I remember watching them, though. It was obviously the birth of a whole new fighting sport.

[@EyBossPusi]

Because, fights are stopped easily. Compared to other combat sport like boxing and Muay Thai.

[@marcbrodeur630]

Had a chance to train with him. Sucked that I was the biggest guy in class. I was the training dummy that received the brunt of the blows. He is a really great teacher and man.

[@Spazticspaz]

honestly the biggest honor because when you see the young cats go up and compete and win you kno u played a part in that.

[@benjahbarnacles2937]

Wow! This guy is seriously amazing . You must be pretty brutal yourself ! Training dummy for this guy?! No thank u I would like to live 😂

[@Operator_68]

LOL I feel your pain, same thing happened to me in my Taekwondo/Hapkido/Judo training, Sensei always picked me to "demonstrate" on. I'm glad he did though, reacting to his speed instead of other students put me far ahead in terms of reaction time.

[@KingMuncheez]

How big are ur cauliflower?

[@ginox1x792]

​@@KingMuncheezi'm now allex "the broken Elf".😂 My sensei also used me as the dummy because I had judo and Tang Su Do backgrounds. I'm 60 btw

[@kenricnarbrough8191]

What a legend. I got into mma much later so missed out on this mans incredible style and story. Thanks

[@rafaelcabralwilliams]

Dan was a true pioneer of the sport and every fighter on earth owes him a piece of his own game.

[@JB-hl1qx]

I remember renting these from the video store in the 90s . It was unlike anything we'd seen before. People are desensitized and numb to MMA fights now ,but watching these as a kid when it was fresh and new was UNREAL !!!

[@calcifiedinnerbaldur]

Tbf UFC nowadays is a lot different to how it was back then. It's far more sanctioned, & with adding rounds it's clear they were trying to emulate boxing. I'd trade a few of the new rules for the old ones.

[@glossypompom4465]

Totally agree. I was in my teens in the 90’s and remember going to a sleepover and someone had a VHS of some UFC. It was ruthless absolutely fucking savage. Porn would have been less hardcore. It was pure fighting - there was no sport. I loved it

[@JB-hl1qx]

@@glossypompom4465 you got that right !!! Growing up when we did was AWESOME.

[@everettwhite9874]

I rented them too the first time at CamLej. Those fights were so exciting and I rented the every DVD as soon as they became available. As a matter of fact I bought several DVDs that I still have. 😊 I believe practically everything was legal except eye gouging. The UFC fights today seem watered down compared to those early fights. Still, I’m a UFC fan as ever.

[@everettwhite9874]

@@calcifiedinnerbaldurYeah like the Kimo and Tank fight where they were punching in the groin. 😮😂

[@dobiqwolf]

I remember when I first saw Dan UFC fights in the 90's, that german suplex performed in a real fight left me speechless.

[@robd1329]

Im seeing this for the first time and it left me speechless! He slammed him into the future!

[@Lewks]

I enjoyed this a lot. Thank you. I was craving some knowledge about the early UFC and this hit so many bells. Some of the things that were allowed back in the day were gnarly.

[@boachan888]

It's always good to see respectful videos about individual carriers. Nice

[@ARealbigclub]

How can wrestling not be considered a martial art, it's one of the best fighting techniques there is.

[@oahts5906]

So glad i learned wrestling in middle school. Taught me skills for life. Hell i should brush up on it.

[@MrEazyE357]

Couldn't agree more!

[@Bialy_1]

The explanation for your question is in the video... it is kinda amazing that you can watchit and do not lear anything from it.😅

[@lancehobbs8012]

Because in wrestling ( Greco Roman, olympic and even most folk wrestling) there ARE no submissions . That makes it hard to win with submisions in a submission grappling competition. It's also hard to win with strikes becsuse there ARE no strikes .

[@bigorsetomatoesauce6403]

Majority of wrestling in UFC is all about hugging and using weight no excitement

[@BretMGreen-gt4tg]

My family went to school with the Severns. Very nice family. I never met Dan but graduated with his younger sister. As a graduate of Montrose High School, you always look back at the Severn family and what they did for wrestling at our school.

[@heytrentson]

My dad and myself also graduated from montrose! my dad is Dewayne Williams. he maried Lisa (hosea back then) my dad is good friends with rod severn. Small world! do you know my parents?

[@thejohn6614]

​@@heytrentsonI don't know your dad but I know your mom really well. Jk 😜

[@stevenbender66]

I thought he went to Coldwater High School. Maybe he moved to Coldwater after high school. I know he was very famous around here.

[@MarcillaSmith]

I had the pleasure of meeting him at BattleJax 1 in 2000. Yes, he seemed like a genuinely friendly person.

[@RebelSoul_]

I remember when ufc first started. Me and my buddies watched damn near every single one. I miss Dan he was ruthless.

[@tommulchy1]

Dan was an absolute trailblazer for the wrestling world. now wrestling has become the most important element in today’s MMA Fighter

[@Speeves]

I legit just took a private lesson from Dan Severn. So much knowledge given in just 1hr. A true legend.

[@dude8223]

Ask him about his tap out to Royce, I did. He got mad and denied he taped out. I lost respect 4 him, no shame in loosing to a master, and he gave Royce a hard time. He had no reason to be ashamed and pretend he did not tap.

[@Speeves]

@Dude he did talk about that fight but not about the tap (I didn't ask) but you could tell he wasn't happy about it and has a dislike there whether towards Royce/ the gracies or the fight in general idk, but I wasn't interested in digging because I was there to learn and work on things for my game.

[@dude8223]

@Speeves yeah, best u stuck to learning, woukd suck if you bruised his ego and he asked u ti leave. When I spoke to him it was withing a yr of 2 of that fight. I figured by now he came to understand how effective Gracie JuJitsu is and would not feel like it was weak to loose to a master. But he was a real fighter with real skill, can't take that away from him. Look how long it took Royce to tap him, he has that to be proud of.

[@jj-qx1oo]

how can I get to train with him?

[@Speeves]

@jj3287 idk lol my gym brought him in for a seminar and we had the opportunity to sign up for private lessons while he was in town.

[@denimjeanz916]

This man wasn’t a beast, he hunted beasts. A legend ❤

[@charleswolf1812]

no

[@Hero4fun77]

Yeah, that sound better than just being a beast with no brain.

[@gregoriusbernardus8065]

i didnt know freddie mercury can wrestle

[@FrancoisSauer-ys3qc]

😂😂 Was wondering where I have seen this guy.

[@angusarnott8666]

This video was alot better than I thought it would be , it was very cool watching his fighting evolve , great video!

[@billysmith915]

Literally my first Executive Protection contract was Dan Severn. It was laughable… he was the size of a bear! We both chuckled at the irony because I’m only 5’8. Super nice man, I still remember he talked about his love of wildlife photography. 🇺🇸

[@pamlemm903]

What is an executive protection contract? Like a body guard? Thanks!

[@billysmith915]

@@pamlemm903 Yes ma'am... I was an armed attendant for the duration of his visit to where we were. I knew the area, where to go and not go, good relationship with the local police etc. Just made sure he was generally tended to if he needed anything.

[@pamlemm903]

@@billysmith915 right on thanks for elaborating!

[@Deetroiter]

I couldn’t imagine anyone attacking Dan Severn. You’d have to be a real fool. Even if you didn’t know him, physically looking at the guy you know he could kick some ass. Definitely has the presence of a brawler

[@billysmith915]

@@Deetroiter Yes sir, you’re absolutely correct! However, you know, as well as I do alcohol, and a group of buddies causes a false sense of security. But yes, I totally agree with you. That guy was a freaking monster.

[@matarleon7128]

I got to sit down and talk to Dan. He wasn’t just a wrestler but a genius at his craft. He taught me the four legs of a table top. If I lived close to him I would train under him all day! Much respect Dan!

[@KattD.]

If your not training now anyway... Then your just a talker. Get off your arse and train anyway. Any type of training is better then none at all! 🎤 Drop

[@devriestown]

​@@KattD.Ok buddy 👌

[@dublessings]

​@@KattD.Where did he say he doenst train??

[@FromThePagesOfTheBoys]

​@@KattD.STFU, you don't know if he doesn't train.

[@D0OMZ4]

@@KattD.🤨

[@erikkennedy4351]

Love the MMA content, especially early UFC. crazy seeing how far the sport has truly come. Rules, strategy, presentation, all of it.

[@jkeithv65]

I had the pleasure of helping train Dan for the Ultimate Ultimate UFC in 1995. We also trained Don Frye for some of his UFC battles after that. Dan was always very polite, and the furthest from having an ego. He would joke about his nickname The Beast, because he typically was very mild mannered. It was an honor to train, and learn from, an athlete of his stature and skill. Some great memories from a time when the UFC was a very unique and exciting competition. I'll always have the utmost respect for Mr Severn.

[@sirisoj]

Dude conquered the world singing Bohemian Rhapsody and years later joined to MMA and rule again. What a legend!!! 😅

[@paulc8509]

Thinking the same thing 😅

[@novAviator01]

He’s actually just a viltrumite

[@amanloop]

conquered AIDS too!

[@haon2205]

Yes I find him rather familiar too 😂

[@fistovuzi]

momma, just killed a man. folded his butt up to his head, head a snap and now he's dead.

[@Shadowrulzalways]

Wrestling is a martial art. Japanese Jujutsu came from Japanese wrestling and various Chinese arts. The triangle choke is not a Brazilian move. It was used in Judo long before BJJ and in Japanese Jujutsu long before Judo. In fact, Dan actually practiced Jujutsu when he competed in Japan.

[@scoobydoo7275]

Really cool to find out he's a big Jujutsu and Judo guy. I train Japanese Jujutsu 45 minutes south of Flint, Michigan. I thought he was just some wrestler but he hits really close to home for me, quite literally!

[@noahway13]

Nobody cares.

[@MrEazyE357]

I would argue that wrestling is a contender for the number 1 martial art, if there is such a thing. You DO NOT want to tangle with a skilled wrestler. They will break whatever ego you may have quickly.

[@Shadowrulzalways]

@@MrEazyE357 you do realize that judo and jujitsu has been wrestling more times than you can count. 😂😂

[@shanesmythe9101]

Bjj came from judo brah

[@user-ks6xd7xv4r]

That was the 80's! His coaching along with coach Romero helped me throughout my life, thanks brother 👍

[@MichaelSorensen-bl3ec]

I remember seeing most of these matches back in the day. These guys had a lot of heart.

[@neototem4110]

I remember when Severn first came on the scene and have been a fan ever since. Never forget everybody in the room laughing at the "high school wrestler guy" and it was just myself and a friend backing him on the bet. This dude did NOT look like some WWF gimmick play and what a lot of people didn't understand back then is jiujitsu cats had problems with wrestlers that never came up facing off against karate/tae kwon do/muay thai nuts. I was a little nervous when he started throwing blows in later matches, but after seeing that first headbutt lol nah this was a dude ready to weaponize whatever for the win. Glad somebody made this vid for him, brings back memories of the era❤

[@sombraarthur]

"and what a lot of people didn't understand back then is jiujitsu cats had problems with wrestlers that never came up facing off against karate/tae kwon do/muay thai nuts." What problems? Gracies had no trouble with him. NO BJJ guys had problems with him. BJJ is different, mate. It still is to this day. No wonder BJJ is way more famous and widely used in MMA and other fighting sports because of that exact reason, as it being THE top martial arts when it comes to grappling/chokes/holds/ ground stuff in general. Nevermind Royce Gracie fighting a guy that was AT LEAST 4 weight categories ABOVE him, and still winning.

[@williamdavis9562]

@@sombraarthur "Gracie had no trouble with him." 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@sombraarthur]

@@williamdavis9562 Yep, he had no trouble. Gracie still won, or are we seeing two different things? Royce was at least three wieght classes UNDER Severn, and still won. WON, motherfuker. Without trouble. BJJ >>>>> Wrestling.

[@TheButtman420]

@@sombraarthurthe only reason he won was because dan wasnt throwing any punches or kicks. It would have been different if he had j/s

[@sombraarthur]

@@TheButtman420 Royce had fought againts strikers that were MUCH, MUCH better AND more powerful than Severn, and won, easily. Sakuraba was THE ONE who overthrown the Gracies, and to this day, no one else could. If Severn was indeed kicking and punching, Royce would have ended that fight faster. There is a reason why the top MMA fighters ALL are well versed in BJJ, not in Grappling.

[@Antipodean33]

That Oleg fella may have technically lost, but he went further than the distance and was still standing, thats impressive

[@andysenadbajric]

Great fights!!! Awesome techniques!!!

[@louisbertaux5193]

Excellent narration! Great job explaining the difference between early UFC with no rules, compared to MMA today. The "Beast" proved that wrestling is the ultimate unarmed combat sport!

[@EyBossPusi]

1v1

[@douglasbueno7481]

I miss seeing pure styles of Martial Arts facing each other soo epic, Nowadays in MMA everyone trains everything Striker trains Grappling and Grappler trains striking everything has evolved.

[@crASH_69]

Watch Street Beefs and you see mixed fighting styles colliding and how BJJ still wins every time (even against wrestlers).

[@paulvicentevcurimao5596]

Well severn used striking and kicking, which is not common in his sport. Had he used that in his first fight with gracie, gracie would have lost.

[@williamdavis9562]

The game has evolved for sure but it isn't nearly as interesting as it was back then. Pure styles facing each other was one of the greatest selling points of the early UFC. Not gonna lie I loved the circus aspect of it.

[@wild360]

Everyone's style is homogenized now. I preferred the styles clash of the old days as well.

[@wild360]

@@djdoc06 Oh completely. Everyone had to adapt. I guess it was only natural. Adding weight classes, again a natural progression, also helped with this homogenized style.

[@charlespancamo9771]

Those suplexes he did in his debut are specific ones called german suplexes. Sometimes pro wrestlers or mma fighters will link them together like that and it's truly something to behold as you can see. Mentioning that would have added to the video as they are a much beloved and popular move in the wrestling world.

[@0Turbox]

Severn is also a German surname.

[@tiltil9442]

@@0Turbox Severin maybe. Severn sounds fairly uncommon, tho

[@robd1329]

That was No joke! One suplexe is enough to kill a man! Even i said dammnnnnnnnn...thats gotta hurt!

[@advocate0426]

Love these - thank you for posting!!!

[@jeffa.8976]

Great Video. I was a teenager when I first started renting the UFC VHS tapes. I later got to meet and train with Dan when he did a seminar at my small local gym in the early 2000's. We even took him out for supper at our local favorite restaurant after. The next year I did a weekend seminar with Randy Couture and Dan Henderson for two 8 hour days of instruction. Out of those three superstars the submissions and techniques taught by Dan Henderson worked best for me, and I won matches with two chokes he taught me. He called the the "north south choke" and the "front choke". The front choke was pretty much my signature move.

[@thealleycat]

What a beautiful breakdown of these competitions. I understand how primitive these fights must look to the newer generation but this truly was the ending of the Dark Ages for martial arts. I appreciate the reverence given such pioneers in this video. Subscribed.

[@noahway13]

I think the UFC should require opponents to wear some kind of clothes. Even a judo uniform. It is more realistic to street fighting. And a harder floor. I have seen suplexes where the guy would have died in a street fight, and it barely fazes the MMA guys. I quit watching when all the new rules were imposed.

[@noahway13]

@@djdoc06 You are overthinking it. Just make everyone wear at least a heavy duty t-shirt, long slacks, and shoes. Maybe even standardized, handed out by the organization. I'm not going to go further down this rabbit hole on something never going to happen. Just a thought.

[@noahway13]

@@djdoc06 Yep. All the rules in the Olympics, and every other sport on the planet are too burdensome... Nobody can follow ESPECIALLY uniform rules. That would be CRAZY!!!!!

[@taiji1478]

I've got to say, I really appreciate those dark age martial arts. Took 8 weeks kenpo for self defense because I was a wuss. Busted up a kid's mouth for pushing me. 14 year old vs 16 year old. Then there was the shotokan punch that took out my dad. Another bully, disabled by white belt karate. Then there was the aikido in the parking lot at age 18 against a guy wailing on my little brother. More white belt butt kicking of bullies. Then there was the crazy lady took a swing at me, she high on meth. Double leg takedown and gently smothered her into submission.white belt bjj. Then the guy said he was going to kill me in my house because I asked him to quiet down. Put on my boots, raced downstairs. Turn at the waist, and double hand taiji push. Knocked him over. Banged the back of his head on the pavement. Lights out. At no time have I had delusions I could take on Liddell, Ortiz, Shamrock. Fedor. Bas. Tyson. But self defense against violent idiots and white belt martial arts work just fine, dude

[@rn6380]

I'm so glad to have stumbled upon the *original* UFC matches starting with #1, watching the dominance and legacy of Royce Gracie and the entire Gracie family. Dan Severn was an absolute thrill to watch. You could tell there were more than a few fighters that just had no idea what they were getting themselves into. I remember there was a guy that carried a full-size wooden cross over his shoulder while walking up to the octagon. Wild times.

[@carlwinslo]

The guy that carried the cross was Kimo Leoploldo. He fought Royce Gracie in UFC 3 and Royce won but took alot of damage from Kimo so he came out in the finals to fight a replacement (Steve Jennum) and before the fight started Gracies corner threw in the towel basically giving Jennum a free win in the finals. At which point Kimo ran out into the octagon and threw his hands up in victory even though he lost fair and square to Gracie. A man named Joe Son was Kimo's corner man in that fight. He went on to carry a cross out in UFC 4 only to get his testicles beat into a fine powder by Keith Hackney. He later went on to play the character Random Task in Austin Powers. (He was the guy that throws a shoe). Then after that he went to prison for gang raping a woman and then killing his cell mate. He is in prison for life. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

[@rn6380]

@@carlwinslo Aw, yiss I remember that now. Hackney railing that dude in the pills was unreal. I remember the commentators were like, well, there's no rule against that, but... dude, really. I remember one of the rules was no eye gouging. Very few if any other rules were around back then. I'm going to have to go dig through my attic now I'm sure I have those VHS tapes up there somewhere to rewatch the fights.

[@carlwinslo]

@@rn6380 They are online to watch if you Google them. Usually in bad quality though. The first few were no biting,no eye gouging,and no fish hooking. That was it. But I think around UFC 5 or 6 they added no groin shots and no headbutting.

[@UFOPhenomena]

recall.that too!

[@shreder89]

as someone who is a complete outsider to the world of UFC and MMA but has a general interest in combat sports, I find the origins of all this to be fascinating. No weight classes, no rounds, hits to the back of the head, it was WILD man! you could see that everyone was rough around the edges and naive, it still wasn't "optimized", they where still figuring out which was the best way to fight. Every fighter was unique and brought a different flare with him, I can see how this allowed for the creation of rich lore and exciment to each fight, amazing stuff!

[@KonohazFinest]

I remember as a kid watching the early ufc fights shit was wild and I've been a fan ever since.

[@monrepos1001]

Dan Severn fought in the UFC 10 years past his prime he is a legend imo.

[@mikefarley5358]

underrated comment! 100% he did, think about what he would have done if he was 27 coming into the UFC.

[@justindavis9199]

Yup, a "old" man champion 🏆.

[@JamesFromTexas]

With a man like him, his prime is whatever he says it is. 😂😂😂

[@williamwest9204]

And kept in mma till he was 57

[@pedrodutra4088]

Tapped out by a guy half his size lol

[@ShovelMonkey]

I remember watching those fights, and thoroughly enjoyed both Dan Severn's and Oleg Taktarov's time in all the fights they had. I loved how Oleg never backed down.

[@Deetroiter]

I agree, Oleg should be proud of his fights and skill. When I think back on the real UFC fighters, I always think of Oleg. He’s a legend in his own right

[@malootua2739]

Dan is like a real life all-American action hero if there ever was one

[@williammckinney567]

Dam lol 😂 true.

[@jmgonzales7701]

dude was so buff @@williammckinney567

[@laptv2144]

The weight difference is crazy in that first fight. I’m more impressed by that guy’s ability to defend himself

[@mgonzales56]

Wow, The Beast was incredible. I'm not much into this type of fighting, but this video made a fan out of me. Amazing fighter. Great video.

[@paysonfox88]

Anybody who does not consider wrestling a martial art, did not remember the great Gene hackenschmidt. Jean hackenschmidt was a wrestling legend from the late 1800$. He was an immensely strong individual, even by today's standards. He had wrestling matches with other great wrestlers of his age that lasted for hours.

[@Jlk-rm1jv]

It's really boring. Just hugging someone to submission.

[@ricardogalvan1031]

@@Jlk-rm1jv Hugging someone very tightly

[@pauldarthurs]

George Hackenschmidt?

[@qddk9545]

@@pauldarthurs No, Gene or Jean, he can´t decide 🙂 And I think it was closer to 1850$.

[@jprec5174]

@@Jlk-rm1jvpunching is dumb and risky. Grappling is the most efficient and effective form of fightinf. Bjj and this guy proved that

[@barbariansinbattle1687]

It was definitely epic to be able to watch the birth of UFC! I will never forget the excitement watching Severn, Gracie, Abbott, Hackney, Shamrock, Kimo, and all the rest I didn't mention! Very special!

[@BoboRoboMr]

Loved the video, made me remember of the old days watching UFC with my dad.

[@denverspin]

I love how he had respect for his opponent as he approached every fight

[@SmootholdGuy]

Dan was a monster. Horrible situation to be underneath this strong ass, determined, iron willed, behemoth. Classic fighter, and a great vid for those who didn't know the name of Dan Severn.

[@Deetroiter]

Dan Severn was/is strong as all hell. Old UFC was by far the most technical and realistic in my opinion. Everyone ‘run what you brung’…each fighter was unique in how they fought, unlike now where EVERYONE is the same moves and combinations, etc. no variety in modern UFC. Dan Severn made Michigan proud with his fighting and midwestern morals, we still love him to this day!

[@TrolledBy]

Nowadays you have to be jack of all trades. Being really good at one thing just isn't enough. We sometimes get some uniqueness like Yair Rodriquez with his flying spin kicks or all the crazy ground control wrestlers from -stan countries, but the top guys like Volkanovski and Adessanya are just good in every position.

[@Jordanthecool7]

I don’t think they were more technical then today’s fighters, but I agree it was more realistic though. Since at first their wasn’t a time limit, no gloves, less rules, ect. But I’d say todays fighters are much more smarter and well rounded .

[@dthorne4602]

Probably much less technical, but pure fighters. Today's best are considerably more technical than the early UFC guys.

[@fakename503]

Lol "D'Iam Noy bwaying gams I no detz bwastic wuuuuUhuhub!"

[@Lost7one]

delusion to think old ufc was more technical lol, insane.

[@fiLthy_Rx]

Warriors Dan Severin and Don Frye both harnessing the unbridled power of the almighty moustache.

[@maxv6837]

One of the GOATs to ever fight in MMA.

[@LiverAndOnions69]

I'm so blessed to grow up in the era I did. Dan Severn was one of my favorites

[@Based_Face]

I remember the first UFC dvd I ever bought was ‘UFC 5 Return of the Beast Dan Severn” and I was so pumped when I watched it. Dude was IN FACT a Beast.

[@MrLuganoman]

These were real good fights I don’t understand why you don't have more likes. Thank you

[@godbluffvdgg]

Dan and Don Fry's podcasts are so amazing! Funny, interesting and they're so endearing.

[@fortunateson2]

Not sure who I like to watch fight more, both are amazing combatants.

[@superimposedfun]

Imagine being a loudmouth at a bar some crass fool making a scene and Dan Severn and Don the Assassin Fry step to. Good thing Fry and Severn aren't bullies. It's funny hearing Don Frye talk about those early days and Mark Coleman one Coleman was injured and was gassed and was going to pull out of a tournament but he said that you looked around and saw that nobody else there even belong there he said if I send one of these guys out there they're going to get killed. So he fights thst was the fight where Coleman was so bad gassed he could barely stand after his last fight

[@godbluffvdgg]

@@superimposedfun Seeing Coleman beat up Don staggered me! I just couldn't imagine someone that tough!

[@koettfaers]

What a formidable fighter with the true martial arts spirit. Respect is everything in Sports like this.

[@JS-ed2hg]

What a legend, thank you for such a professional video.

[@stevendphoto]

I remember seeing this on TV (live)... loved watching Dan...

[@JoeyRam.]

I was practicing Jiu Jitsu when UFC came out for the first time on Pay Per View. I remember that Severn was and still a very respectful fighter and human being, great example to follow. Thanks for the great memories...hope one day UFC consider (every now and then) one special fight in old school way.

[@JamesF-fd4rt]

They wouldn’t be able to get it licensed

[@JoeyRam.]

@@JamesF-fd4rt Signing a waiver will do.

[@fatherpaulstone896]

A new haircut would do

[@JoeyRam.]

@@fatherpaulstone896 I think you are in the wrong topic.

[@bonmac3693]

And big John single handedly takes over all of the fights .. what a perfect man to officiate the Octagon 💪💪

[@schmuelsonsradang4301]

This guy proved that no matter what your school.is what really matters is how you uses it. His style is simple but quick and effective. He's a very respectful fighter and the most effective I have ever see.

[@Rickardio_]

Great video. I met Dan 10 years ago at D&Bs during a UFC event. He couldn't have been nicer.

[@STROBdotNET]

Wow. I wonder how I never really noticed him before. He was a true master and legend! He also knew how to protect his face and never looked beaten after any match.

[@sharkysharkerson]

I remember all of these matches. They were so good. At the time, UFC was completely new to everybody, so it was very raw and there was little to no history to draw strategies from. So there was a lot of variety in the matches and styles.

[@chevalier41]

Thank you for all your effort

[@rlmpproductions]

Dans arsenal was too much! The head butts, the Buddha palms, the knees, the take downs, the suplexes, the dragging, grappling and torturing of his opponents will power was all too rare compared to the recognizable and familiar tactics they were used to in traditional martial arts! He was truly a savage beast released from a cage! 🙏🏾💯 I remember watching him as a kid with my heart racing like daaamn! 😮

[@jchowe07]

My best friend in highschool was a massive fan of "The Beast". I wasn't a huge UFC guy at the time, and being able to watch this bit of history gives me some perspective as to why my friend was such a huge supporter of Severn. Respect!

[@hectormunoz6052]

One thing that I'll never , ever forget is the sight of Dan hoisting both the UFC and the prestigious NWA belts over his hesd . Being a devoted Pro Wrestling fan and also a life long Mattial Arts enthusiast , i was witnessing something that i had , since childhood , played in my head over and over .

[@ClutchClick]

Well that’s gay lol

[@AbelSorin]

​@@ClutchClick... said a random dude, chewing on the asphalt.

[@ClutchClick]

@@AbelSorin I chew on asphalt because pro wrestling is gay? Ok bro. Have fun being gay

[@ClutchClick]

@@AbelSorin This comment is also gay lmfao

[@ateafan]

very informative video, I love this. Im not a consistent fan of martial art leagues and tournaments but I loved watching this video on Dan Severn! I was shown what just a high school champ (let alone a world champ) can do with wrestling one time, its no joke!

[@NickCutler]

Dan is literally one of the nicest people I’ve met in my entire life.

[@B34RD]

I remember watching UFC when I was young and had to rent them from the video store because it was too brutal for cable TV. Back then, it seemed to be the prerogative of each fighter to showcase their particular martial art. It was awesome. To be honest, without that, and with all modern fighters using the same style essentially, it's just not as exciting.

[@ethosterros9430]

Yea that's what it's all about. Mma is lame now everyone does the same thing

[@Seldomseen77]

Seeing Dan with that NWA heavyweight belt is priceless!!

[@YourManifoldWorld]

I remember this period of time!! What an amazing time to live this. The entire martial arts community all over the world were talking about pure styles vs. Adopting bits and pieces. I remember Dan from even before UFC but from shoot fighting.

[@andylopp7825]

Great fights I remember some of them back in the day! Keep doing good stuff

[@CharlieH4ll]

He was one of the main reasons catch wrestling was integrated into the mix

[@billhorrigan4388]

I was at the Severn vs Shamrock superfight in Detroit 1996. We watched them circle around each other for 20 minutes before finally locking up. Shortly after they were separated and then they continued to circle for the rest of the bout. It was boring and there was plenty of jeers. We were even chanting let's go Red Wings, the popular NHL team, to break up our boredom during the so called fight.

[@myplaxismodelisbetterthanyours]

Lmao, I watched on VHS, but remember this. 😂 It was nice to see the UFC evolve a bit and add rounds and rules to force them to engage

[@domls1317]

Wasn't this the event where they would get arrested if they punched each other? Lmao

[@angelsjoker8190]

Severn was something special. I remember watching his fights back then thinking he had a pretty high fight IQ and just instinctively knew how to hurt people beyond what he learned in wrestling. A bit similar to Jon Jones but not with the same malice intent. I wonder how he would have done in today's MMA world. The HW division still mainly consists of one-dimensional fighters (apart from maybe the Top3).

[@jonsolor1176]

You’re so right about hw being one dimensional. There should be no excuse for them

[@angelsjoker8190]

@@jonsolor1176 They are lazy slobs who see they can finish a fight with one power punch so they don't spend much time on grueling wrestling or grappling training or even cardio training. And then, once in a while there is someone who is two dimensional (Velasquez, Werdum, Miocic) or at least a technical striker (JDS, Gane) who runs through the division like a hot knife through butter. No wonder that a jacked up Jon Jones can resurge his career again making it look easy again after it looked like it became harder and harder at LHW.

[@jenniturtleburger3708]

The skill and technique of modern MMA is light years ahead of what it was in the early years. Idk if any sport has evolved and accelerated in skill as much as MAA has.