UFC: Top 7 fighters between 1993 and 1998

#4 Dan Severn (9-3)

Dan Severn - Won two UFC tournaments

“The Beast” Dan Severn debuted at UFC 4, dominating the competition until he met two-time tournament winner Royce Gracie in the final. Gracie outdid Severn with a triangle choke.

Severn returned at UFC 5, an event which was subtitled “Return of the Beast” after him.

This time Severn went one better, defeating Joe Charles, Oleg Taktarov and finally Dave Beneteau in the final to win the tournament.

Severn was then granted a crack at the inaugural Superfight Championship versus Ken Shamrock at UFC 6. Severn made a critical error when he ducked his head too low whilst pressing Shamrock against the fence, allowing Shamrock to submit him with a choke.

Bouncing back, Severn entered the Ultimate Ultimate 1995 tournament in December, impressively defeating a difficult field of Paul Varelans, Tank Abbott and Taktarov to win his second tournament of 1995.

From there, Severn was given a rematch with Shamrock at UFC 9 and defeated him by split decision to win the Superfight Championship.

It was a title Severn would lose in his first defence as the belt was unified with the brand new UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 12. Mark Coleman overcame Severn to become the first UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Severn’s title loss marked his final appearance in the promotion until the year 2000.