UFC 18: Bas Rutten Stops Kosaka, Pat Miletich Retains Title
UFC 18: The Road to the Heavyweight Title took place January 8, 1999, at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, Louisiana. The seven-fight card featured a heavyweight tournament semifinal, the UFC welterweight title defense by Pat Miletich, and the Octagon debut of Dutch kickboxing and Pancrase star Bas Rutten. The UFC event’s search for a new heavyweight champion followed Randy Couture’s departure and the vacancy of the title.
Rutten stops Kosaka in his UFC debut
In the featured heavyweight bout, Bas Rutten met Japanese grappler Tsuyoshi Kosaka. Rutten, a longtime star of Japan’s Pancrase, won by TKO from punches, making a memorable first appearance in the Octagon. The UFC’s event archive lists the finish in round two at 2:15; some historical records present the bout’s extended-round timing differently.
Rizzo edges Coleman in the heavyweight tournament
Pedro Rizzo and former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Coleman met in a heavyweight tournament semifinal. Rizzo won by split decision.
Miletich defends the welterweight championship
Pat Miletich put his UFC welterweight title on the line against Brazil’s Jorge Patino. Miletich won a unanimous decision after the scheduled championship distance, retaining the belt. The matchup was a title defense, not part of the heavyweight tournament.
Tanner and Ortiz add decisive wins
Two other notable results came from Evan Tanner and Tito Ortiz. Tanner submitted Darrell Gholar, while Ortiz defeated Jerry Bohlander by doctor stoppage. Elsewhere on the card, Mikey Burnett earned a decision over Townsend Saunders, and LaVerne Clark stopped Frank Caracci.
UFC 18 results
- Bas Rutten defeated Tsuyoshi Kosaka — TKO (punches).
- Pat Miletich defeated Jorge Patino — unanimous decision, retaining the UFC welterweight title.
- Pedro Rizzo defeated Mark Coleman — split decision.
- Tito Ortiz defeated Jerry Bohlander — TKO (doctor stoppage).
- Mikey Burnett defeated Townsend Saunders — unanimous decision.
- Evan Tanner defeated Darrell Gholar — submission.
- LaVerne Clark defeated Frank Caracci — TKO.
The card’s defining results were Rutten’s UFC debut win, Rizzo’s decision over Coleman, and Miletich’s successful title defense. See the UFC event listing and Sherdog’s results.
Sources
Article Tags
UFC 18, Bas Rutten, Tsuyoshi Kosaka, Pat Miletich, MMA History
