Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has completed its network television debut as UFC on FOX 1 delivered as promised to the fans -- both the veteran hardcores and the curious potential new enthusiasts -- in attendance at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. on Sat., Nov. 12, 2011.
After months of hype and speculation, the world finally got to see what UFC on FOX is going to look like, from the pre-fight programming on Fuel TV, to the actual FOX broadcast booth and back to Fuel TV, once again, for the post-fight wrap-up show.
Some fans complained about there only being one fight on the hour-long inaugural broadcast. UFC president Dana White made his opinion clear on their respective criticism.
The gist of it? "Shut up."
All in all, UFC on FOX ended up being an entertaining night of fights and a fairly successful debut for the UFC on the mainstream airwaves.
After the jump, MMAmania.com takes a look back on the key moments that comprised UFC on FOX -- for better or worse:
In the main event, the two baddest heavyweights on the planet entered the Octagon to settle the debate: Who is tthe greatest heavyweight on Earth today?
Cain Velasquez came into the event looking unbeatable, owning a perfect 8-0 record in the UFC and looking every bit the part of the champion.
Junior dos Santos, for his part, hasn't looked too shabby himself, winning all seven of his UFC bouts by bludgeoning his opponents with top-level boxing and killer instinct.
After an insane amount of build-up, the climax finally came when "JDS" caught Velasquez with a massive overhand right that clipped the champion behind his ear and sent him crumbling to the mat.
Dos Santos wept for joy. Velasquez vowed to return. There was somber mourning mixed with elated rejoicing. It was an epic smorgasbord of emotion.
Read a full recap of the Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos fight at UFC on FOX here.
Afterwards, it was uncovered that dos Santos came into the fight with a fairly serious knee injury, but was able to fight through the pain en route to bringing home the championship belt.
During the post-fight coverage, Velasquez took some criticism from UFC president Dana White for his fight strategy. Former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar also weighed in on why he felt Velasquez came up short.
Watch the video highlights of the Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos fight at UFC on FOX here.
In the co-main event, Clay Guida and Ben Henderson battled it out for the right to be the rightful long-haired energetic heir to the number one contender spot in the lightweight division.
For three rounds, fans who checked out the fight via Facebook or FoxSports.com were treated to a fight that went everywhere, did everything and left no box unchecked.
Ultimately, "Bendo" outclassed "The Carpenter" and earned the unanimous decision nod. Both fighters took home the bonus for "Fight of the Night." Well deserved, I might add.
Afterwards, it was announced that Henderson would be taking on lightweight strap holder Frankie Edgar on Feb. 25 as the main event when the UFC travels to the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
Read a full recap of the Clay Guida vs. Ben Henderson fight at UFC on FOX here.
Ricardo Lamas put the featherweight division on notice with a terrific submission win over Cub Swanson. His second round arm-triangle victory earned him the bonus for "Submission of the Night."
Dustin Poirier, a disciple of former Ultimate Fighter (TUF) cast member Tim Credeur, got in on the submission fun with a second round D'Arce choke that left his opponent, Pablo Garza, gasping for air and tapping so he could get some.
But that's enough from us, Maniacs. What was your favorite UFC on FOX highlight?
For complete UFC on FOX results and a detailed recap of all the action click here. To check out a recap of the UFC on FOX early prelim fights that were streamed online via Facebook click here. Want to know what happened with the rest of the UFC on FOX "Prelims" portion of the card? To read a full recap click here, here and here.
And just in case you want to get up to speed on the entire UFC on FOX fight card from top to bottom click here.