Watching the sumptuous production values of the modern Ultimate Fighting Championship, with the brand being valued at more than $12 billion in 2023, it is curious to remember that in October 1997, just over 26 years ago, the UFC held one of its most important events under a circus tarp, with a capacity for fewer than 500 people.
Despite the small structure, set up outside a small casino in Biloxi, Miss., UFC 15 brought a historic card that, in addition to the heavyweight title fight between Maurice Smith and “Tank” David Abbott, featured the long-awaited super fight between Vitor Belfort and Randy Couture, winners of the UFC 12 and 13 tournaments respectively.