UFC 29: Ortiz and Miletich Slam the Door on Japan’s Challengers
On December 16, 2000, UFC 29: Defense of the Belts delivered two successful championship defenses at Differ Ariake in Tokyo, Japan. Tito Ortiz submitted Yuki Kondo, and Pat Miletich submitted Kenichi Yamamoto on a seven-fight card where only one contest reached the judges.
Watch the original fight video
The champions finish the job
Ortiz ended Kondo’s challenge with a neck-crank submission at 1:52 of the first round. Miletich needed a little longer against Yamamoto, securing a guillotine choke at 1:58 of round two. Both champions left Tokyo with their belts after forcing their challengers to submit.
Those outcomes gave the event’s title a literal payoff. The two championship contests ended by submission, with neither defense depending on a close decision or a disputed scorecard. Kondo’s opportunity lasted less than two minutes; Yamamoto’s challenge extended into the second round.
Hallman needs just twenty seconds
Dennis Hallman produced the quickest finish of the night, submitting Matt Hughes with an armbar twenty seconds into their opening round. Chuck Liddell and Jeff Monson provided the card’s only distance fight, with Liddell winning a unanimous decision after three rounds.
Matt Lindland stopped Yoji Anjo with punches at 2:58 of round one. Fabiano Iha also won by first-round TKO, finishing Daiju Takase at 2:24. Evan Tanner stopped Lance Gibson with punches and elbows in the opening round.
Six finishes across seven bouts left little work for the judges. The champions’ submissions anchored the show, but Hallman’s rapid armbar ensured the supporting card had its own standout moment.
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UFC 29, Tito Ortiz, Pat Miletich, Dennis Hallman, Matt Hughes, Tokyo
