UFC

UFC – A Venue for Professional MMA Competition

The UFC is the primary venue responsible for MMA competitions in the United States. Standing for Ultimate Fighting Championship, the company emerged from the efforts of Arthur Davie and Rorion Gracie. Gracie had been a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion while Gracie was a marketing executive. Bringing their talents together, they used their company to create revolutionary competitions. Media companies took notice, and within time the Ultimate Fighting Championship began showcasing their matches on various cable networks. They continue doing so today, which is one of the reasons why MMA has gained a cult following so quickly.

There are many sports represented in a UFC competition. Since it embodies MMA, athletes are trained in martial arts and/or combat sports. Among martial arts, it is common to see karate, kickboxing, Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu being represented. For contact sports, you might see boxing and wrestling. In either case, it is possible that opponents were skilled in one set and not another. This was especially common in earlier competition, before MMA gained a foothold. A typical match might pair a skilled wrestler against a boxing champion. Today this is not as common, as competitors are more likely to cross-train for different sports.

Violence is another factor that set UFC competitions apart. When the organization first began, very few limits were imposed on fighting. You couldn’t gouge out eyes, pull hair or head butt an opponent, but you could hit them in the groin. Other “low” fighting moves were also used, whether it meant hitting someone in the back or continuously beating on a knocked-out opponent. Outraged, Senator McCain and other politicians worked together to try to get these competitions banned. They were successful, as cable networks refused to show Ultimate Fighting Championship matches. It was only until the company made a serious overhaul that things went back to normal. And while their competitions are still a little more aggressive than others in the sporting world, at least the immediate danger has been minimized.

In conclusion, the UFC is an interesting starting point for anyone who wants serious competition. If you would like to become part of the action, begin by watching matches on television and/or attending live events. Once you get a feel for how things work, you can audition for The Ultimate Fighter. This is a reality show that gives beginning athletes an opportunity to enter into the MMA world. If you don’t get in, polish your skills through MMA classes and local competitions. Then try again. Repeat this process until you get noticed.