Gerard Gordeau

At an early age Gerard Gordeau enjoyed fighting, and had many unofficial matches. The Dutchman later trained in savate, France's version of kick-boxing, and karate prior to competing in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). From 1978 to 1985, Gordeau was Dutch Kyokushin Karate Champion. In 1992, Gordeau won the World Savate Championship. In 1993, Johan Vocsh, a dutch gym owner, approached his fighters about competing in the first event by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). UFC was created to determine how different styles of fighters would match up. Of all the fighters in Vocsh's gym, only Gerard Gordeau was interested in UFC competition. The first ever match in UFC history happened between Gerard Gordeau and Taylor Wily at UFC 1: The Beginning (1993). Tuli charged toward Gordeau. Gordeau connected with a few punches and Tuli crashed against the cage. Gordeau landed a right roundhouse kick to Tuli's face, and then a right hook. Referee Joao Alberto Barreto intervened, Tuli stood up and looked disoriented. Gordeau stood ready to continue until Barreto officially stopped the fight. The bout lasted twenty-six seconds. Gordeau's right had was broken, and a few of Tuli's teeth were deeply embedded in his right foot. Backstage, physicians decided to leave the teeth, because removing them would risk exposing the foot to infection. Gordeau advanced to the tournament semi-finals against Kevin Rosier. He targeted Rosier's left leg with kicks. Rosier fell, Gordeau connected with punches and elbows to his head. A foot stomp to the ribs caused Rosier's corner team to throw in a towel and stop the fight after nearly one minute. Gordeau met Royce Gracie for the tournament championship. Gracie immediately went for a takedown by pushing Gordeau against the cage. Gordeau resisted by holding on the cage until referee Helio Vigio stopped him. Gracie took him to the ground, took control of his back, and applied a choke. Gordeau tapped the mat and Gracie's shoulder several times until Gracie broke the hold. UFC 1 was the only time Gordeau competed in the promotion. In 1995, Gordeau joined another MMA event with an open-weight tournament: Vale Tudo Japan 1995. Gordeau got the early advantage against the much lighter and shorter Yuki Nakai hurting him with strikes. Nakai survived to round four, got the fight to the ground and submitted Gordeau with a leg hold. Among Nakai's injuries was a swollen right eye, which he lost sight in as a result of Gordeau's eye gouging. It was the last time Gordeau officially competed.