UFC

What is it UFC?

UFC – Ultimate Fighting Championship.

History Early competition

On November 12, 1993. Art Davie functioned as the show's booker and matchmaker. The television broadcast featured kick boxers Patrick Smith and Kevin Rosier, savate fighter Gerard Gordeau, karate expert Zane Frazier, shoot fighter Ken Shamrock, sumo wrestler Teila Tuli, boxer Art Jimmerson and 175 lb.  Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Royce Gracie—younger brother of UFC co-founder Rorion, whom Rorion himself hand-picked to represent his family in the competition. Royce Gracie won the event, submitting Jimmerson, Shamrock and Gordeau. The show proved extremely successful with 86,592 television subscribers on pay-per-view. Story early competition#

Rules

1 – Although the advertising said There Are No Rules, there were in fact some rules: no biting, no eye-gouging and no groin attacks. Fights ended only in the event of a knockout, submission or the corner throwing in the towel. Despite this, the first match in UFC 1 was won by referee stoppage, even though it was not officially recognized as such at the time.2 – Groin attacks were unbanned. Time limits were dropped ending the need for judges. Modifications to the cage were added 3 – The referee was officially given the authority to stop a fight in case of a fighter being unable to defend himself. A fighter could not kick if he was wearing shoes. This rule would later be discarded, then changed to 'no kicking with shoes while on the ground' and then reinstated, before finally being discarded. UFC 4 – After tournament alternate Steve Jennum won UFC 3 by winning only one bout, alternates were required to win a pre-tournament bout to qualify for the role of an alternate. 5 – The organizers introduced a 30-minute time limit. UFC 5 also saw the first Superfight, a one-off bout between two competitors selected by the organizers with the winner being crowned 'Superfight champion' and having the duty of defending his title at the next UFC. 6 – The referee was given the authority to restart the fight. If two fighters were entangled in a position where there was a lack of action, the referee could stop the fight and restart the competitors on their feet, in their own corner. In UFC 6 they officially adopted the 5-minute extension to the 30-minute rule which had been used in UFC 5. Ultimate Ultimate 1995 – This event was the first to introduce the no fish-hooking rule and to reinstate judges. Time limits were changed to 15 minutes in the quarter-finals, 18 minutes in the semi-finals and 27 minutes in the finals. 8 – Time limits changed to 10 minutes in the first two rounds of the tournament, 15 minutes in the tournament final and Superfight. Time limits would continually change in the later UFC events. Fights could now be decided by a judges decision if the fight reached the end of the time limit. The panel was made up of three judges who simply raised a card with the name of the fighter they considered to be the winner. In this fashion, a draw was not possible since the only two possible outcomes of a decision were 3 to 0 or 2 to 1 in favor of the winner. 9 – To appease local authorities, closed fisted strikes to the head were banned for this event only. 

The commentators were not aware of this last minute rule that was made to prevent the cancellation of the event due to local political pressures. Referee "Big John" McCarthy made repeated warnings to the fighters to "open the hand" when this rule was violated. However, not one fighter was reprimanded. UFC 9 was also the last UFC event to feature the superfight. Ultimate Ultimate 1996 – This event was the first to introduce the "no grabbing of the fence" rule. 12 – 

The main tournament split into a heavy and lightweight (division; and the eight-man tournament ceased. Fighters now needed to win only two fights to win the competition. The Heavyweight Champion title was introduced, replacing the Superfight title. 14 – The lightweight division was re-branded middleweight. The wearing of padded gloves, weighing 110 to 170 g, becomes mandatory. Gloves were to be approved by the UFC. Hair-pulling, groin strikes and kicks to a downed opponent became illegal. 15 – Limits on permissible striking areas were introduced. Headbutts, elbow strikes to the back of the neck and head and small joint manipulation became illegal. 21 – Five minute rounds were introduced, with preliminary bouts consisting of two rounds, regular non-title bouts at three rounds, and title bouts at five rounds. The "ten-point must system" was introduced for scoring fights. 28 – The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board sanctions its first UFC event, using the newly developed Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. Major changes to the UFC's rules included barring knee strikes to the head of a downed opponent, elbow strikes to the spine and neck and punches to the back of the neck and head. Limits on permissible ring attire, stringent medical requirements, and regulatory oversight were also introduced. A new weight class system was also introduced. This new set of rules is currently the de facto standard for MMA events held in the U.S. and is still in use by the UFC. 31 – Weight classes are re-aligned to the current standard. Bantamweight moves from 150 to 155 and becomes known as lightweight. Lightweight becomes known as welterweight, middleweight becomes light heavyweight, and a new middleweight class is introduced at 185 pounds. 43 – In the event of a stoppage fights restart in the position the fight was stopped. 94 – After an incident where Georges St-Pierre was accused of putting vaseline on his back, corner men were disallowed from bringing Vaseline into The Octagon. Lubricant may now only be applied outside The Octagon before the commencement of the first round. 97 – Foot-stomps are banned. 98 – Foot-stomps are allowed again. 133 – Speedo style trunks are banned. 138 – First 5-round non-title main event.

Fitters

Anderson Silva (2006-2012)

-Georges St. Pierre (2007-2013)

Jon Jones (2010-2013)

Rich Franklin (2003-2006)

Alina Kim