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The beginning of the fight game
The UFC was originally started by Art Davie, an advertising executive, and Rorion Gracie, a noted master of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The goal was to stage a tournament featuring fighters of all types of martial arts in order to determine who was truly the king of the fight game -
Creation of WOW(War of the Worlds)
In 1993 twenty eight investors contributed to the creation of WOW promotions. The idea was declined by many television programs other than the Semaphore Entertainment Group (SEG) who became a partner in May of 1993. The SEG devised the name The Ultimate Fighter. -
The First Fight (UFC 1)
UFC 1 used an eight-man tournament format, with the winner receiving $50,000. The tournament featured fights with no weight classes, rounds, time-outs, or judges. The two rules, no biting or eye gouging. The match only ended by submission, knockout, or the fighter's corner throwing in the towel. Gloves were allowed, as Art Jimmerson showed in his Quarterfinal bout against Royce Gracie. Royce Gracie was the winner of the tournament defeating Gerard Gordeau. -
Zuffa to the rescue
SEG stood on the brink of bankruptcy. Dana White approached them in 2000, with an offer to purchase the UFC. A month later, in January 2001, the Fertittas bought the UFC for $2 million and created Zuffa, LLC as the parent entity controlling the UFC. -
UFC 31 The Ultimate Fight Card
This UFC event was the most hyped event ever in the orginization as it featured
(1) The UFC debut of “The Prodigy,” BJ Penn
(2) Shonie Carter’s infamous spinning backfist KO of Matt Serra
(3) Chuck Liddell knocking out former heavyweight champ Kevin Randleman in 78 seconds
(4) Carlos Newton ending Pat Miletich’s reign atop the welterweight division
(5) A heavyweight classic between Randy Couture and Pedro Rizzo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXFUSjrXhQE -
The Ultimate Fighter TV series
The Ultimate Fighter a reality television show featuring up and coming MMA fighters in competition for a six-figure UFC contract, with fighters eliminated from competition via exhibition mixed martial arts matches was introduced to several networks, each one rejecting the idea outright. The idea when then brought to Spike TV program who bought the program and became a instant success. -
Ultimate Fighter 1
This fight finale introduced the first of many amazing ultimate fighter endings where Forrest Griffin a former light heavyweight fought Stephan Bonner a now UFC Hall of Famer. The Ultimate Fighter showed everyone that the series adopts true fighters into the game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNj4eTFx9Wk -
Paper View Explosion
Chuck Liddell vs Randy Couture second fight caused a boom in paper view sales from a previous 150 000 benchmark to 300 000. Although in the third fight between these two rivals it attracted
410 000 paper view buyers. This fight had an attendance of 11 000 people, selling a total gate $3,382,400. -
Strikeforce
Dana White revealed that Zuffa had purchased Strikeforce. Following the purchase, the UFC signed many of Strikeforce's top stars and champions, such as Jason Miller, Nick Diaz, Dan Henderson, Alistair Overeem, and Cung Le. These fighters changed the game introducing new blood into the UFC as they caused a lot of problems for UFC original fighters. -
UFC 87
This card introduced George St. Pierre beggning his second rain as the welterweight champion. Brock Lesnar and Jon Jones also made their debut's. This event was truly the spark to each fighters superstardom. -
UFC and Fox TV Partnership
The Ultimate Fighting Championship and Fox announced a seven-year broadcast deal. In the main event, Junior dos Santos abruptly dethroned then-undefeated UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez by knock-out at 1:04 in the first round. The telecast peaked with 8.8 million viewers tuning into the fight with an average audience of 5.7 million, making it by far the most watched MMA event of all-time and the most watched combat sports. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Fighting_Championship -
Women enter the world of MMA
Dana White confirmed with Jim Rome the UFC would feature women's MMA with the signing of its first female fighter, Strikeforce bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. The UFC purchased the contracts of 11 female fighters from Invicta Fighting Championships to launch their 115-pound Strawweight division. Eight of the Invicta fighters took part in the 20th season of The Ultimate Fighter. -
The Lawsuit
In December 2014, a lawsuit was filled by several fighters against Zuffa claiming the organization restricts fighters' control over their careers and earning potential. This has caused an ongoing debate and struggle over how UFC sensitive information should be handled. Later that year, a 12–16 month investigation began. Thus far, both sides have provided well over 100,000 documents. -
UFC makes Reebok official gear sponsor
The UFC and Reebok held a press conference to announce an exclusive deal for Reebok to become the worldwide outfitter for the UFC. Fighters also received royalty payments representing 20 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness. The deal itself is reported to be worth 70 million dollars which is what the fighters will be paid over the next six years which is roughly 260 thousand dollars per UFC fight card. All kits had the fighters name on the back and could be customized -
Bellator 138 : Unfinished business
The rematch between Kimbo Slice and Ken Shamrock finally happened after in 2008 Ken Shamrock pulled out of the fight due to a cut over his eye. Ken had Kimbo in a rear naked choke but unfortunately he could not hold on and Kimbo recovered with fight ending punches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FQWZZbonHU -
UFC 189 : The Bloodbath
UFC 189 was the rise of Conor to stardom with his absolutely stunning performance against Chad Mendes who fought for the injured Jose Aldo. 10 000 people came to view the weigh-ins. Robbi Lawler and Rory MacDonald fight was the most privileged fight to watch as both would fight till death. This was also a great moment for Canada as Rory MacDonald a Canadian native was got a shot at one of the toughest fighters in UFC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fb_DxfFuu4 -
UFC 194: The McGregor show
This card featured Conor McGregor facing Jose Aldo for the featherweight championship of the world. Throughout preparation for this fight, Conor made himself widely known to the world with his display of arrogance and cockiness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY7r-DwtjD8
McGregor did back up all this talk with a stunning 13 second knockout on Jose Aldo , giving him the featherweight belt. This day marked beginning of McGregors reign. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXuHTPGiumg -
UFC 200: Hero's or Villians??
UFC 200 was supposed to feature the most greatest fight in UFC history. McGregor was supposed to face Rafeal Dos Anjos for the Lightweight belt but unexpectedly decided to retire but this was all media propaganda. McGregor failed to report to a press confrence and he was pulled from the event. This card also featured Jon Jones the number 1 pound for pound fighter who was stripped of the belt to go up against Daniel Cormier the current Light heavyweight champion. Cormier pulled out with injury. -
UFC 202 : The bounce back
McGregor and Diaz rematch was a highlight of the year where Conor McGregor beat Nate Diaz via decision after a crushing defeat to him in their previous fight. McGregor completed his revenge against Diaz but another fighter to made a comeback. After Anthony Johnson's crushing defeat against Daniel Cormier , the UFC saw him no longer a a force in that weight division. Johnson knocked out Glover Teixieira who hadn't been finished in over a decade in 13 seconds. Johnson now has a title shot. -
The Fight of the Century
It is not official but speculation says the Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor will go toe to toe as it was reported that McGregor obtained a boxing license in California. Reports indicate that this fight will make alot of revenue -
The Return of the Rush
According to Dana White, the UFC has reached an agreement to the return of George St Pierre. GSP probably one of the most dominant fighters in the UFC has come back to compete. A lot of attention has sparked up on who he will fight first and a possibility is Conor McGregor which is what the fans want. Fans will see whether the UFC is gonna take the money route or GSP long term route.
