At UFC IX, the match making strayed away from what the previous eight UFC shows had been about; one-night tournaments. UFC IX wasn't up to snuff because of the lack of tournament. That was because Dan Severn and Ken Shamrock put on a stinker of a main event. But, the fans weren't fond if the non-tournament format and thus, UFC 10 brought back the tournament and even chose that title for their show. 

The show is most memorable because of Mark Coleman's debut. Coleman wrestled for the United States at the 1992 Olympics, placing 7th in the 220 pound division. Using a trademarked power wrestling style, Coleman unleashed hell on his opponents utilizing a game plan that is now called "ground and pound". Coleman blitzed through his first fight with Morti Horenstein in less than three minutes. He then defeated Gary Goodridge who tapped because he just didn't want to get beat up anymore. 

In the final, Coleman would face Don Frye, who was UFC 8's most impressive newcomer, and maybe most impressive newcomer ever considering how easily he won his first UFC tournament. Frye continued where he left off defeating Mark Hall in a long match and beating Brian Johnston who tapped out to strikes. 

Frye came in like a world beater, but Coleman outlasted him in a long and competitive fight beating him with strikes on the ground. While Frye and Coleman had similar pedigrees, with both of them being collegiate wrestlers, Coleman's size and strength was too much. It was a special fight, even if the fans didn't really know it while it was happening. Out the first 10 UFC events, Coleman and Frye were two of the most talented fighters in history. Both are reknown as legends today.

As a side note, Senator John McCain's influence, which nearly caused UFC IX to be changed if not for a last minute court agreement, caused UFC 10 to be moved out of Providence, Rhode Island. Because of all the negative press, the UFC had to move the show to Birmingham, Alabama, which had more lax rules when it came to regulation. This would also be Bruce Buffer's first UFC event.

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