New Year, New Milestone As The UFC Turns 25

Last weekend, the UFC held the final major combat sports event of the year with UFC 219: Cris Cyborg vs. Holly Holm at the T-Mobile Arena. Cyborg won a unanimous decision in a striker’s dream of a fight, guaranteeing her place in history as one of the best mixed martial artist’s in history and a new symbol of the power of women athletes in the MMA business.

UFC 219: Cris Cyborg – Octagon Interview

Cris Cyborg meets with Joe Rogan inside the Octagon after her win over Holly Holm at UFC 219: Cyborg vs Holm. Subscribe to get all the latest UFC content: http://bit.ly/2uJRzRR Experience UFC live with UFC FIGHT PASS, the digital subscription service of the UFC.

Today marks the start of a year-long celebration of the organization’s 25th year anniversary, which was launched in Denver, Colorado on November 12th, 1993.   

Remembering UFC 1

With the UFC’s 23rd anniversary earlier this month we thought we would take a look back at how much the ultimate fighting championship has changed over the last 23 years. Remember to subscribe! Written and Voiced by Mike DelGaudio http://mikedelgaudio.com/ More TheMontageKing videos at http://www.5throundmma.com https://www.facebook.com/5roundmma/

What started as an idea in 1993 to put on the best fights with the best fighters in the world has changed the face of sports, UFC President Dana White said via release. I heard the word no over and over and we faced a ton of challenges, but UFC bounced back each time, bigger and better, to build legends and superstars, while creating some of the most memorable events in the history of sports. The first 25 years have been amazing and were just getting started.

undefined

undefined

UFC 1: THE BEGINNING, used an eight-man tournament format, with the winner receiving a $50,000 prize. The tournament featured fights with no weight classes, rounds, time-outs, or judges. There were only two rules, no biting or eye gouging. The match only ended by submission, knockout, or the fighter’s corner throwing in the towel. 

Brutal beginnings of the UFC

‘Fighting for a Generation’ re-lives the brutal early days of the UFC, when Royce Gracie and his unstoppable jiu-jitsu tore through the tournament.

Gloves were allowed, as Art Jimmerson showed in his now iconic Quarterfinal bout against Royce Gracie, where he fought with one boxing glove. The commentary team for the pay-per-view was Professional Karate Association world full-contact karate champion Bill Wallace, NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown and five-time world kickboxing champion and mixed martial artist, Kathy Long.

Gracie won the tournament by defeating Gerard Gordeau via submission due to a rear-naked choke, exposing the world to the power of the then-obscure “gentle art” of jiu-jitsu. 

Ultimate Royce Gracie: Final Fight

Every mixed martial artist in the world owes Royce Gracie, the original and three-time UFC tournament champion, a debt of gratitude. A true pioneer and UFC icon. Watch Royce’s last fight against Kimo Leopoldo at UFC 3, then watch the full collection on UFC FIGHT PASS: www.ufc.tv/category/ultimate-royce-gracie

Fans will have ample time to get used to the new 25th-anniversary commemorative logos, which along with additional creative designs, will be integrated into UFC broadcasts, across social and digital platforms, in-Octagon branding, UFC Fight Night collection, event posters, fan activations and merchandise throughout 2018. 

UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi, which takes place on Sunday, January 14, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri, will be the first event that incorporates the campaign.

Back to top