10 interesting facts about the UFC
If you are a fan of mixed martial arts, you certainly follow the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) events. The tournament is the biggest of its kind in the world and attracts fans from all over. Broadcast by more than 60 global partners, UFC reaches more than 165 countries and territories, in 40 different languages, reaching a total audience of 1.1 billion homes. Young people aged 18 to 34 are the biggest fans.
Want to know a little more about the UFC? It’s time! Check out some curiosities about the sport:
1. The UFC has Brazilian DNA. Its creator, Rorion Gracie, is the eldest son of Hélio Gracie, one of the creators of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, alongside his brother Carlos. The Gracie brothers played an important role in spreading MMA. A precursor to the current MMA (mixed martial arts), with many more rules than the previous version.
2. Before the octagon was defined as the stage for UFC fights, the organizers had many ideas about what the space where the fights would take place could be like. The boxing ring was not a good option because fighters could slide down the sides looking for a way out or hold on to the ropes to avoid falling. The intention is that they have no way out. Among the options studied were a round mat, with electrified panels to shock and prevent the fighter from thinking about running away, and an arena surrounded by a moat with alligators. The inspiration for the octagon came from the film starring Chuck Norris, “Octogon: School for Assassins”, released in 1980. The format’s advantage is that it does not allow any fighter to be trapped in the corner with no way out to continue fighting.
3. In the beginning, the UFC had practically no rules. Biting and sticking fingers in your opponent’s eyes were forbidden. Each fighter could wear their preferred costume and there was no weight limit.
4. The first UFC took place on November 12, 1993, at McNichols Sports Arena, in Denver (Colorado). Eight fighters faced each other in the knockout format until Brazilian Royce Gracie emerged as champion, submitting Dutchman Gerard Gordeau, in less than 2 minutes of fighting.
The first fight in the UFC
5. The first fight in UFC history lasted just 26 seconds with Dutchman Gerard Gordeau winning. A kick to the face knocked out North American Telia Tuli and caused him to lose a tooth.
6. In addition to being a world-renowned sports brand, UFC is also a content production company and the largest Pay-Per-View (PPV) event provider in the world. The entertainment and sports company WME IMG purchased the UFC for US$4 billion in 2016.
7. Brazilian Anderson Silva, also known as Spider, holds the record for consecutive wins in the UFC. There were 16, between 2006 and 2012.
The fastest knockouts
8. The fastest knockout in UFC history happened just 5 seconds into the fight. At UFC 239, which took place in June 2019, Jorge Masvidal threw a flying knee at Ben Askren and ended the fight.
9. North American Jim Miller holds the record for most fights in UFC history, with 36 appearances. His fellow countryman Donald Cerrone has the most victories in the championship: 23.
10. Brazil also had its MMA championship, between 1997 and 2003, the International Vale-Tudo Championship. Considered the third most important in the world, behind the UFC and the Japanese Pride. The main difference was precisely the less rigid rules. Fights lasted a maximum of 30 minutes and victory was by knockout or submission. The rules were pretty much just don’t bite, don’t stick your fingers in your eyes or mouth. Don’t hold onto the ropes, and don’t kick if you’re wearing flats. The memorable fight in which Canadian Gary Goodridge crushed Brazilian Pedro Otavio’s testicles led to the prohibition of putting hands or feet inside your opponent’s swim trunks.
