June 28 – Mike Tyson bites off a piece of the ear of Evander Holyfield in the third round of their WBA Heavyweight title fight, getting disqualified by referee Mills Lane.
July 9 – Mike Tyson's boxing license is suspended for at least a year and he is fined $3 million for biting Evander Holyfield's ear in a televised match.
Ryder Cup – Europe won 14½–13½ over the United States in team golf.
Tiger Woods creates an uproar with his record 12-shot victory at the Masters, and becomes the first Masters winner of African-American descent. He set the record for the lowest to-par score of −18, and the lowest 72-hole score of 272. He also rises to the No. 1 ranking on June 15, in only his 42nd week as a professional – the fastest ascent to the No. 1 ranking.
The Grand National Saturday meeting was abandoned after two coded bomb threats were received, causing evacuation of the course. The race was eventually run on the following Monday.
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is formed from the Major Indoor Lacrosse League (MILL), with the decision to move from league ownership of all teams to individual team ownership.
The following is a list of major noteworthy MMA events during 1997 in chronological order.
Date
Event
Alternate Name/s
Location
Attendance
PPV Buyrate
Notes
February 7
UFC 12: Judgement Day
—
Dothan, Alabama, United States
3,100
—
UFC rule change, split main tournament into heavyweight (200lbs+) and lightweight (Under 200lbs) divisions. Eight-man tournament ceases. Introduction of titles. Superfights cease.
May 30
UFC 13: Ultimate Force
—
Augusta, Georgia, United States
5,100
—
Closed fisted strikes to the head were banned for this event only.
July 27
UFC 14: Showdown
—
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
5,000
—
UFC rule change, requires fighters to use 4–6 oz gloves.
October 11
Pride 1
—
Tokyo, Japan
47,860
—
Pride FC's first event.The event featured one kickboxing bout between Branko Cikatić and Ralph White.
October 17
UFC 15: Collision Course
—
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, United States
—
—
UFC rule change, redefined permissible striking areas.
December 21
UFC Japan: Ultimate Japan
UFC 15.5
Yokohama, Japan
5,000
—
This event featured the first appearance of longtime UFC announcer Mike Goldberg.
19 May – Brisbane, Australia: In the final of the only Super League Tri-series to be played, New South Wales defeat Queensland 23–22 at ANZ Stadium before a crowd of 35,570. It sets a new record as the longest game of rugby league ever played before being decided by a field goal during extra time.
12 October – Christchurch, New Zealand: The 1997 New Zealand season culminates in the Waikato Cougars 34–18 victory over the Canterbury Reds at Rugby League Park, Waikato defeated Canterbury 34–18 to win both the Challenge Cup and the Rugby League Cup.
In the Super League II, on Sunday 28 September, with the final of the Premiership was won by Wigan Warriors who defeated St. Helens 33–20. At the end of the season Bradford Bulls were crowned League champions by virtue of finishing the season at the top of the table.