UFC 16: Frank Shamrock Knocks Out Zinoviev
UFC 16: Battle in the Bayou was held on March 13, 1998, at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, Louisiana. The eight-bout card from the early UFC era included Frank Shamrock’s middleweight title defense, a new under-170-pound tournament, and heavyweight matchups. The event listing and Sherdog both place the show at the Pontchartrain Center; Sherdog specifies Kenner, not New Orleans.
Miletich wins the under-170-pound tournament
The UFC called this division lightweight at the time; it was later renamed welterweight. The tournament gave fighters under 170 pounds their own bracket. Pat Miletich advanced by defeating Townsend Saunders by split decision, then beat Chris Brennan by submission with a shoulder choke in the final. UFC records describe this as Miletich’s tournament win; it was not a UFC title fight. The UFC’s retrospective on Miletich confirms his two victories at UFC 16.
Shamrock retains his title with a 22-second slam
In the main event, Frank Shamrock defended his middleweight championship against Igor Zinoviev. Shamrock lifted and slammed Zinoviev, ending the fight by knockout 22 seconds into the first round. The result was a title defense for Shamrock, not an upset loss or a title change. The UFC event page and Sherdog’s event record list Shamrock as the winner.
Other bouts on the card
Tsuyoshi Kosaka defeated Kimo Leopoldo by unanimous decision. Jerry Bohlander submitted Kevin Jackson by armbar, and Mikey Burnett stopped Eugenio Tadeu with punches. Chris Brennan submitted Courtney Turner, while LaVerne Clark stopped Josh Stuart.
UFC 16 results
- Middleweight title: Frank Shamrock defeated Igor Zinoviev — KO (slam), round 1, 0:22.
- Lightweight tournament final: Pat Miletich defeated Chris Brennan — submission (shoulder choke).
- Lightweight tournament semifinal: Pat Miletich defeated Townsend Saunders — split decision.
- Tsuyoshi Kosaka defeated Kimo Leopoldo — unanimous decision.
- Jerry Bohlander defeated Kevin Jackson — technical submission (armbar).
- Mikey Burnett defeated Eugenio Tadeu — TKO (punches).
- Chris Brennan defeated Courtney Turner — submission (armbar).
- LaVerne Clark defeated Josh Stuart — TKO (punches).
Archived listings use different round and elapsed-time notation for some older bouts. The results above give exact timing for Shamrock’s title defense. Consult the UFC event page and Sherdog’s results for the full record.
Sources
Article Tags
UFC 16, Frank Shamrock, Igor Zinoviev, Pat Miletich, Chris Brennan
