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How has UFC evolved since its inception

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We all have an idea or a memory in our head about the most popular UFC fights, that’s because it is the most important mixed martial arts company in the world. Its importance has grown over time and now is a fully respected global company. In fact, UFC are even selling their own MMA gear now.

When the rules that carry out this sport were established, they were called mixed martial arts. The sport is MMA, but the company behind this is known as UFC, Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Early stages

How has UFC evolved since its inception - UFC
PC: Bleacherreport

In 1993 these fights began between the competitors, and the company did not present any rules to respect in during the one-on-one combat. Since they were mixed martial arts they could incorporate any martial art to compete and without a weighting limit. The principle of the UFC was very grotesque since there was no establishment of rules and the competitors let themselves go to the limit.

After witnessing scenes that were not supposed to be part of that sport, for example, kicks whilst grounded, head butts and so on. The people behind this new business and ‘sport’ new that they had to introduce some common rules.

Prohibiting these attacks and establishing weight categories was key to the success of UFC. For the process of regulating this sport and turning it into a money-making machine was not without some pain and suffering. It was necessary to fight against all odds within the UFC itself and against influential politicians such as U.S. Senator and former U.S. presidential candidate John McCain so that the sport could survive times of hardship and then flourish.

It wasn’t until seven years later in 2000 that the MMA was accepted by several U.S. state athletic commissions with well-structured rules. Shortly thereafter, UFC was sold by the Semaphore Entertainment Group for $2 million to brothers Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, who began building their empire in 2001.

In 1993 it marked the beginning of the UFC company and what we know today as the MMA. It would be a tournament where the most effective fighting art in one-on-one fights without rules (except biting or catching an eye) would be disputed.

It consisted of eight fighters from different styles of martial arts, including two kickboxers, two karate fighters, one sumo fighter, one boxer, one wrestler, and one Jiu Jitsu fighter (who was the winner in the form of Royce Gracie). Basically, it was an event that served to promote Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) because Gracie was able to demonstrate that once the fight was brought to the floor, many of the fighting skills could be neutralized (punches, kicks) in order to seek to win with some sort of surrender submit.

Growing Up

It wasn’t until seven years later in 2000 that the MMA was accepted by several U.S. state athletic commissions with well-structured rules. Shortly thereafter, UFC was sold by the Semaphore Entertainment Group for $2 million to brothers Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, who began building their empire in 2001.

In 2000, the first event in the United States since the New Jersey Athletic Control Board adopted a unified MMA rulebook with established weight divisions and a set of rules aimed at protecting the health of fighters. Without these rules, there would be no MMA, much less CFU, at this time.

Present Day

Today, UFC is owned and operated by Endeavor Group Holdings, along with a few other companies. Now, in 2020 UFC has become one of the most talked about sporting events and a huge global business. The most recent event, UFC 249, reportedly received over 700,000 pay-per-view subscribers. Even during a time when COV-ID19 is affecting all major sports, UFC still managed to give their loyal viewers something to watch.

Also, now if you are a successful UFC fighter then you can make some serious money. Not only from the fighting, but from the sponsorship side of things too. Some people are even questioning if UFC is going to become even bigger than its counterpart boxing. That is a huge shout but one that isn’t so farfetched now that you have MMA celebrities. 

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