UFC dominates the mixed martial arts (MMA) industry. It is also one of the fastest-growing sports leagues, rivaling boxing’s popularity as the world’s most-watched combat sport. However, it only sometimes enjoyed the level of fame that it has now.
UFC has faced times of doubt about its continued existence throughout its existence. However, the valuation of these companies has skyrocketed from $2 million in 2001 to $4+ billion in 2016 amid controversy and financial difficulties.
The advancement, however, has worked very hard to achieve this stage. Due to rule modifications, improved marketing, and the addition of global fighting stars, Combined with UFC 282 odds, the UFC has risen to the top of the mixed martial arts (MMA) industry.
Read on as we walk down time lane and discover the UFCs founding facts:
Contents
When Did UFC First Debut?
Some types of MMA existed before the UFC (such as Vale Tudo), but they introduced MMA as we know it. Art Davie viewed Gracies in Action videos in the 1990s. In the series, Gracie’s family jiu-jitsu pupils fought other martial artists. Davie proposed a no-holds-barred competition called War of the Worlds to Rorion Gracie and John Milius.
Davie proposed it in 1993. After picking boxers and securing media and TV deals, the first WOW Promotions event began. On November 12, 1993, it was planned to be a one-time show. PPV statistics were terrific, so they made another event.
The initial event’s fighters trained in one martial art (kickboxing, BJJ, wrestling, etc.). Royce Gracie won the event with three transitions, proving grappling can counter for striking. The rest is history.
How did the UFC Start?
When the UFC initially started with UFC odds, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) was the clear winner in most matches. Gracie won three of the first four races despite being 80kg and without weight classifications. His grappling neutralized his opponents’ size advantage.
When the organization debuted, every event was a tournament. Therefore fighters fought three or four times a night. It wasn’t uncommon to see an injured fighter return to the octagon.
Even more impressive, the warriors had only a few rules. The offer advertised “no rules,” and it was almost true. Biting and eye-gouging were forbidden. You could kick in shoes without gloves.
Rule Changes
Public and official resentment against the UFC spread after three years. 36 of 50 US states rejected UFC events. Therefore authorities changed the regulations. It was understandable since it wasn’t uncommon to see a fighter target his opponent’s groin or mouth.
UFC worked with state athletic commissions to improve rules. First, UFC 12 abolished fish hooking and introduced weight divisions to avoid undue advantages. UFC 14 required gloves, and UFC 15 outlawed groin shots, headbutts, small-joint locks, and back-of-the-head punches.
Change of Ownership
In January 2001, the UFC brand reformed mixed martial arts (MMA) under the ownership of Zuffa, LLC and the direction of founders Frank Fertitta III, Lorenzo Fertitta, and Dana White. UFC, headquartered in Las Vegas with a global staff, puts on more than 40 live events each year that often sell out some of the world’s most illustrious arenas.
Broadcast and Fanbase
More than 1.1 billion TV households worldwide can watch UFC events thanks to the organization’s 165 global broadcast partners and the 40 languages in which they are televised. Among the most popular sports brands, UFC’s 40 percent millennial fan base is by far the largest.
Brands and Partnerships
UFC launched its Athlete Outfitting Policy and Fight Kit in July 2015. UFC’s exclusive international outfitter, Reebok, manufactured branded attire to boost the brand’s look and feel and offer MMA competitors high-quality gear.
In December 2015, UFC broke ground on a new global corporate campus in Las Vegas, which features a world-leading UFC Performance Institute to assist the scientific growth of athletes and coaches, injury prevention, treatment, recovery, and rehabilitation of professional athletes.
UFC extended its association with Cleveland Clinic for five years and contributed $1 million to the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study in February 2016. The study aims to discover the earliest and most subtle indicators of brain injury in athletes exposed to head trauma and to identify those more prone to acquire persistent neurological diseases.
Endeavor, Silver Lake Partners, and KKR acquired UFC in August 2016 in the largest-ever sports property deal. These facts have helped predict facts accurately for people who bet on UFC.
