Dan Severn remembers

Written by Keith

Saturday, 04 July 2009 01:59

Friday, July 03, 2009 - by Mick Hammond - MMAWeekly.com  To celebrate the upcoming UFC 100, MMAWeekly.com spoke to one of the promotion’s first big stars and innovators, Dan “The Beast” Severn. Severn, who captured three UFC titles – two eight-man tournaments and a superfight crown – ushered in the era of the wrestler, establishing it as the premier discipline for many years to come, earning a spot in the company’s Hall of Fame. The man nicknamed The Beast by NFL Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown, due to his ferocity in the cage, spoke about the early days of the UFC, how it changes his life and what he hopes the promotion does to preserve and celebrate its history. MMAWeekly: To start off, Dan, tell us how you first became aware of the UFC. Dan Severn: When the UFC first emerged I was living in Cold Water, Mich., at the time and they did not have pay-per-view capabilities, and so I did not know about it until a friend of mine out of Detroit showed me the first two UFCs on tape. Watching people getting kicked in the face, kneed – these aren’t exactly skills I possessed. But my friend was pointing out Royce Gracie and how jiu-jitsu looked like wrestling to him; so I figured if I could get close enough to a guy to punch him and close the distance without getting struck, I could get them in clinch and welcome them to my world. MMAWeekly: What was it like the first time you stepped into the cage, and how did things change for you afterwards? Dan Severn: Only a couple people knew I was going to do my first UFC. I told not a single family member. I did not want them to be nervous. I said, “Well if things go wrong, I’ll tap out or verbally tell the referee to put an end to the fight. I’m an adult, and I’ll make my own decision on this one.” But I didn’t want anyone to worry about me. Things did go well for me, other than I was a runner-up the first time out. Of course things changed for me, because of the exposure of going in there and doing the things I was doing. They’d never seen one person launch another human being like I did – they thought I was going to break a guy’s neck. They had just not seen the things I could do, the way I was kind of mauling people with great ferocity and that. It brought a lot of attention to me – both good and bad – with people wanting to cash in on you or things of that nature. MMAWeekly: During the early days of the sport, when it was not regulated by state athletic commissions, how real was the threat of being seriously injured or death? Dan Severn: The first time I signed the contract, I saw in black and white, printed on the contract, “In the event of your accidental death,” I was thinking, “Wow, as long as he doesn’t bite me or stick his finger in my eye – which were the only two rules – he could pretty much do anything else he wanted to.” I was thinking that there were a lot of ugly things I could do to an individual, and take his life, if I so desired. I actually had one particular match against Oleg Taktarov (at UFC 5) where I had him pinned up against the cage wall, and I’m raining down with knees and I had split him all open. He had so much blood running off his forehead that it had filled up his eye wells that he couldn’t even see me. He eventually turned his head to the side and I thought if I throw a knee now right into his temple, with my power and strength level, using my body weight and mechanical leverage, I could have hurt him really bad. I could have crushed his skull and killed him, but that’s not why I’m out there. I’m looking to secure victory the nicest way possible in a not so nice sport. MMAWeekly: When it all started, did you ever think you’d become so revered and eventually end up in the UFC Hall of Fame? Dan Severn: Well, no, it never crossed my mind. You’re just out there doing your thing, try to win, protect yourself and so forth. It feels great to be recognized by your peers, the fans and be voted into the Hall of Fame. It shows no matter how old you get, you still have that as a title, and it walks with you. MMAWeekly: The UFC is having their 100 show upcoming, and in retrospect, what are some of the moments or fighters that stick out to you during the promotion’s history? Dan Severn: (Fighters such as) Keith Hackney, “The Giant Killer," and how he got his nickname because of a particular match (against Emanuel Yarborough at UFC 3). The tournament format and Marco Ruas basically chopping down big Paul Varelens (at UFC 7) with these vicious leg kicks, or Don Frye winning the “David versus Goliath” tournament down in Puerto Rico. You have Jerry Bohlander, who weighed like 180 pounds, takes on 300-pound Scott Ferrozzo (at UFC 8), and chokes him out by using his garment against him. There are some incredible things that need to be brought back to life and shown. I hope that they would do that, and bring back some of the guys that actually helped to lay down the groundwork for all of it. MMAWeekly: Those are some memorable moments, for sure. Thanks for taking time out for us, Dan. Is there anything you’d like to say to the fans in conclusion? Dan Severn: If (anyone) has interest in whatever I’m up to, since there’s too much to mention, go to my website DanSevern.com. If they want, we have a 10,000 square foot training facility in Cold Water, with ongoing classes from amateur wrestling to professional wrestling, mixed martial arts and kids classes. I work a lot, but I enjoy what I do. The greatest test is the test of time. Some people may only remember me from what I did in the UFC, some people may only remember me from what I did in pro wrestling, and some people may even remember what I did in my amateur wrestling days. I won my first national title in 1972, so when I say I’ve been terrorizing athletes for decades, oh, I literally mean it. I don’t look my age or act my age. There are those in life who will sit on the sidelines and watch life pass them by, and there are those who engage the game, and I’m an engager. The biggest rush I get in competition is when the fans start chanting, “Beast, Beast!” That’s the biggest vitamin-b shot you can ever have. When you get into that third round and start wearing down, literally hearing them helps me dig a little deeper and put in more effort on top of it all.

Last Updated on Saturday, 04 July 2009 02:07