The following is a list of major noteworthy MMA events during 2005 in chronological order.
Date
Event
Alternate Name/s
Location
Attendance
PPV Buyrate
Notes
February 5
UFC 51: Super Saturday
—
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
11,072
105,000
This event was originally going to be held in Japan. However was moved it back to
Las Vegas.
February 20
Pride 29: Fists of Fire
—
Saitama, Japan
22,047
—
—
March 26
K-1 Hero's 1
—
Saitama, Japan
—
—
K-1 Hero's first event.
April 3
Pride Bushido 6
—
Yokohama, Japan
—
—
—
April 9
The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale
—
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
—
—
This event is credited for saving the UFC from bankruptcy and launching the MMA into the mainstream American media.
April 16
UFC 52: Couture vs. Liddell 2
—
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
14,562
280,000
Dan "The Beast" Severn was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at this event.
April 23
Pride Total Elimination 2005
—
Osaka, Japan
45,423
—
Opening round to Pride GP 2005 middleweight tournament.
May 7
Rumble on the Rock 7
—
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
—
—
—
May 22
Pride Bushido 7
—
Tokyo, Japan
—
—
—
June 4
UFC 53: Heavy Hitters
—
Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
12,000
90,000
This event was originally going to be held in
Yokohama. However the lack of a sponsorship for the event moved it to
Atlantic City.
June 26
Pride Critical Countdown 2005
—
Saitama, Japan
—
—
Quarterfinals to Pride GP 2005 middleweight tournament.
July 6
K-1 Hero's 2
—
Tokyo, Japan
—
—
—
July 17
Pride Bushido 8
—
Nagoya, Japan
—
—
—
July 29
K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Hawaii
—
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
—
—
Event featured ten
K-1 kickboxing bouts and four K-1 MMA bouts.
August 6
UFC Ultimate Fight Night
Ultimate Fight Night
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
—
—
—
August 20
UFC 54: Boiling Point
—
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
13,520
150,000
—
August 28
Pride Final Conflict 2005
—
Saitama, Japan
—
—
Semifinals and final to Pride GP 2005 middleweight tournament.
Maurício Rua becomes the Pride 2005 middleweight Grand Prix champion.
September 7
K-1 Hero's 3
—
Tokyo, Japan
—
—
—
September 25
Pride Bushido 9
—
Tokyo, Japan
10,775
—
Quarterfinals and semifinals to Pride GP 2005 lightweight and welterweight tournaments.
October 3
UFC Ultimate Fight Night 2
Ultimate Fight Night 2
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
—
—
This event was aired at the same time
WWE was on, in a ratings battle.
October 3
UFC 55: Fury
—
Uncasville, Connecticut, USA
8,000
125,000
—
October 3
Pride 30: Starting Over
Pride 30: Fully Loaded
Saitama, Japan
—
—
—
November 5
The Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale
—
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
—
—
—
November 5
K-1 Seoul Hero's
—
Seoul, South Korea
—
—
—
November 19
UFC 56: Full Force
—
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
12,000
200,000
—
November 26
K-1 Hero's Lithuania 2005
—
Vilnius, Lithuania
—
—
—
December 3
Cage Rage 14: Punishment
—
London, England
—
—
—
December 3
Pride Shockwave 2005
—
Saitama, Japan
49,801
—
Finals to Pride GP 2005 lightweight and welterweight tournaments.
Takanori Gomi becomes the Pride 2005 lightweight Grand Prix champion.
Dan Henderson becomes the Pride 2005 welterweight Grand Prix champion.
December 3
K-1 PREMIUM 2005 Dynamite!!
—
Osaka, Japan
53,025
—
Event featured seven
K-1 Hero's MMA bouts and four
K-1 kickboxing bouts.