UFC 26: Randleman Holds Off Rizzo, Miletich Stops Alessio
UFC 26: Ultimate Field of Dreams took place on June 9, 2000, at the Five Seasons Events Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Two championships were on the line: heavyweight titleholder Kevin Randleman met Pedro Rizzo, while welterweight champion Pat Miletich defended against John Alessio. It was a regular eight-bout card, not a tournament. The event also featured Matt Hughes, Jens Pulver and Shonie Carter, giving the night a deeper story than its two title fights alone.
Two titleholders retain their championships
Randleman entered after taking the heavyweight belt from Pete Williams at UFC 23. Against Rizzo, he had to manage a dangerous striker over five rounds. The judges awarded Randleman a unanimous decision, allowing him to keep the title. The result was an important defense against one of the division’s most feared kickboxers, rather than a quick finish or a change of champion.
Miletich’s defense ended differently. He submitted Alessio with an armbar at 1:43 of the second round, preserving the welterweight championship he had held since Ultimate Brazil in September 1998. Alessio had challenged the champion with an opportunity to make his name, but Miletich’s grappling settled the bout before the judges were needed.
Hughes and Pulver add notable wins
Hughes stopped Marcelo Aguiar by doctor-stoppage TKO at 4:34 of round one. The win continued Hughes’ rise in the welterweight division, where he would soon become a title challenger. Lightweight contender Jens Pulver defeated João Roque by unanimous decision, while Shonie Carter also earned a decision, over Adrian Serrano.
The rest of the card included a second-round disqualification win for Amaury Bitetti over Alex Andrade, Tyrone Roberts’ unanimous decision against David Dodd and Ian Freeman’s second-round TKO of Nate Schroeder. Across eight fights, the results included two title defenses, four decisions and several distinct finishes. That variety helps explain why UFC 26 was more than a pair of championship bouts.
UFC 26 official results
- Heavyweight title: Kevin Randleman def. Pedro Rizzo by unanimous decision after five rounds.
- Welterweight title: Pat Miletich def. John Alessio by submission (armbar), round 2, 1:43.
- Tyrone Roberts def. David Dodd by unanimous decision.
- Amaury Bitetti def. Alex Andrade by disqualification, round 2, 0:43.
- Matt Hughes def. Marcelo Aguiar by doctor-stoppage TKO, round 1, 4:34.
- Jens Pulver def. João Roque by unanimous decision.
- Shonie Carter def. Adrian Serrano by unanimous decision after two rounds.
- Ian Freeman def. Nate Schroeder by TKO, round 2, 2:13.
Sources
Article Tags
UFC 26, Kevin Randleman, Pedro Rizzo, Pat Miletich, John Alessio
