The event is widely regarded as one of the most significant events in UFC history, marking a critical turning point for the promotion under Zuffa ownership. Headlined by Tito Ortiz vs Ken Shamrock for the Light Heavyweight Championship, it delivered a major rebound in pay per view performance after prolonged losses. It attracted mainstream media coverage on an unprecedented scale and, notably, received positive coverage that helped legitimize the UFC in the U.S. sports landscape.