| A number of people in Virginia, Washington DC | | | | and gained national attention, and not all of it was |
| and Maryland, have heard of the UFC. The | | | | good. Thirty-six states banned the "no holds |
| Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the largest | | | | barred" version of fighting and ultimately, the UFC |
| mixed martial arts promotional organization in the | | | | decided to work with the state athletic |
| world. The UFC focuses on heavy weight classes, | | | | commissions to created a universal set of rules |
| while the WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting) | | | | for UFC competitions. The Ultimate Fighting |
| focuses on the lighter weight classes. The UFC | | | | Championship worked hard to increase the |
| began as a one-event tournament in the early | | | | popularity of its fights. By 2006, a UFC event |
| 1990's. There were only a few rules in this | | | | gained more viewers than boxing and the WWE. |
| tournament, and it was billed as a "no holds | | | | The UFC created its rules in conjunction with the |
| barred" event. Because of this, the UFC and | | | | New Jersey athletic commission. They called these |
| mixed martial arts became popularized as brutal | | | | rules the "Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts." |
| and inhuman, and people didn't take it seriously as | | | | These have become the standard rules for MMA |
| a sport. Over time, rules and restrictions were put | | | | competitions in the United States. One important |
| in place and eventually, mixed martial arts was | | | | rule put into place was the institution of rounds. |
| recognized as a sport by the athletic commissions | | | | Each match would now consist of three rounds of |
| of many states, and public opinion began to turn in | | | | five minutes each, with a one minute rest period |
| a positive direction toward the sport. | | | | between rounds. Weight classes were also |
| In 1992, the original UFC tournament was devised | | | | instituted. The UFC hosts fights in an arena |
| with the initial intent of having eight superior | | | | surrounded by an octagonal cage called "The |
| martial artists face off against each other to | | | | Octagon." This became standard for all bouts a |
| determine which martial art was the most | | | | few years ago. The clothing the competitors |
| dominant. Most martial artists at that time were | | | | wear became standardized. Fighters wear shorts, |
| proficient in just one martial art. So the question | | | | but no shoes. They must also wear lightweight |
| was, "Can a wrestler beat a boxer?" The | | | | gloves. |
| tournament set to find this out. These martial | | | | The Ultimate Fight Championship played an |
| artists had little to no experience with fighters of | | | | important role in the development of the sport of |
| different martial arts, so they didn't know how to | | | | MMAs. Standardizing the rules and upgrading its |
| fight or defend themselves against the others. | | | | image have been important UFC accomplishments. |
| There were few rules and no weight classes. | | | | Your first step in making your dream come true |
| Royce Gracie, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu artist, won three | | | | in fighting at the UFC is to join a MMA school. If |
| of the first four events. He was a small man, but | | | | you live in the Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC |
| powerful. And he proved the idea that a smaller | | | | area, you can check out Lloyd Irvin's, Mixed |
| person could use the martial arts, especially | | | | Martial Arts Academies. They offer a 30 day free |
| Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, to dominate larger opponents. | | | | trial program on any of the MMA programs. Join |
| Leverage and technique could win out over size. | | | | now, and get one step closer to your dream! |
| The UFC bouts were broadcast on pay per view | | | | |