Ultimate Fighting Championship
American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Endeavor Group Holdings along with Silver Lake Partners, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, and MSD Capital through Zuffa, LLC. The UFC is the largest MMA promotion company in the world and features the highest-level fighters in the sport on its roster.
History[edit | edit source]
The UFC was founded in 1993 by Art Davie, Rorion Gracie, and Bob Meyrowitz. The first event, UFC 1, was held on November 12, 1993, at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. The event aimed to identify the most effective martial art in a real fight between competitors of different fighting disciplines, including boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, muay Thai, karate, and other styles.
Early Years[edit | edit source]
In its early years, the UFC was known for its no-holds-barred approach, with minimal rules and no weight classes. This led to criticism and political pressure, resulting in the implementation of stricter rules and regulations. The introduction of weight classes, rounds, and the adoption of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts helped the UFC gain legitimacy and acceptance.
Zuffa Era[edit | edit source]
In 2001, the UFC was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, a company owned by Frank Fertitta III, Lorenzo Fertitta, and Dana White. Under their leadership, the UFC underwent significant changes, including improved production values, marketing strategies, and the introduction of The Ultimate Fighter, a reality television series that helped popularize the sport.
Modern Era[edit | edit source]
The UFC has continued to grow, hosting events worldwide and featuring some of the most famous fighters in the sport, such as Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, and Khabib Nurmagomedov. The organization has also expanded its reach through partnerships with major broadcasters and digital platforms.
Rules and Regulations[edit | edit source]
The UFC follows the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, which include weight classes, timed rounds, and a list of fouls. Fighters compete in an octagon-shaped cage, and bouts are overseen by a referee and judges.
Championships[edit | edit source]
The UFC awards championship titles in various weight classes, ranging from flyweight to heavyweight. Champions are determined through a series of fights, and title defenses are a key aspect of a fighter's career.
Impact and Legacy[edit | edit source]
The UFC has played a significant role in the global popularity of MMA, helping to establish it as a mainstream sport. The organization has also contributed to the development of MMA as a legitimate athletic competition, with a focus on safety and sportsmanship.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- "UFC History." UFC.com. Accessed October 2023.
- "The Evolution of the UFC." ESPN.com. Accessed October 2023.
- "Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts." ABCBoxing.com. Accessed October 2023.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Royce Gracie, winner of UFC 1
Ken Shamrock, early UFC fighter
Logo of The Ultimate Fighter
UFC event promotion in Times Square
Strikeforce cage
Arianny Celeste, UFC ring girl
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD