Before a sold-out Mandalay Bay Event Center, UFC 44: Undisputed delivered the much anticipated shot in the arm Zuffa and MMA fans alike had been yearning for since the mega-successful UFC 40 nearly a year ago. On display was the new boxing style pay-per-view production and a heated Main Event, pitting UFC light heavyweight champion and Zuffa poster boy Tito Ortiz--returning to the octagon for the first time after a lengthy contract dispute--and 40 year-old light heavyweight interim champion Randy "The Natural" Couture in a match of epic proportions. The UFC heavyweight title was also up for grabs, as champion Tim Sylvia and challenger Gan McGee squared off in what was billed as The Battle of the Giants.

In a match that was moved into the leadoff position in order for it to be shown live in Japan, Hermes Franca spoiled TV time for the Japanese fans. After a slow start, which saw him lose the first round, Franca came out firing in the second. He first stunned Uno with a right kick and followed up with an awkward throw that planted Uno right on his forehead. After both fighters scrambled back to their feet, Franca unleashed a volley of punches that forced Uno to turn away.

He never saw the right hand that sent him crumbling to the mat at 2:46 of the second round and effectively ending his lightweight title hopes. Hermes Franca's stock rockets up with the upset win that sent him climbing the cage and jumping into the arms of his fans in the front row of the crowd.