Started in 1993, the Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) brand is in its fourteenth year of operation as a professional mixed martial arts organization offering the premier series of MMA sports events.
The UFC organization follows a rich history and tradition of competitive MMA dating back to the Olympic Games in Athens. About 80 years ago, a Brazilian form of MMA known as Vale Tudo (anything goes) sparked local interest in the sport.
Then, the UFC organization brought MMA to the United States. The goal was to find “the Ultimate Fighting Champion” with a concept to have a tournament of the best athletes skilled in the various disciplines of all martial arts, including karate, jiu-jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, grappling, wrestling, sumo and other combat sports. The winner of the tournament would be crowned the champion.
Once the UFC brand was launched, MMA popularity surged in Brazil, followed by immense interest in Japan where these bouts became major events.
In January 2001, under the new ownership of Zuffa, LLC, the UFC brand completely restructured MMA into a highly organized and controlled combat sport. As a result, the UFC organization now offers twelve to fourteen live pay-per-view events annually through cable and satellite providers. UFC fight programs are also distributed internationally throughout the world, including broadcast on Viewer’s Choice in Canada, MAIN EVENT in Australia, Globosat in Brazil and Setanta and Bravo in the United Kingdom.
Response to the UFC brand of MMA has been tremendous, resulting in a growing fan base that has grown exponentially through the years.
To read more go to this cool link
http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=LearnUFC.History
http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=LearnUFC.History
