UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the world's premier mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion and global media franchise. Founded in 1993, the organization has evolved from a single-night tournament in Denver into a multi-billion-dollar sports enterprise operating under TKO Group Holdings.
Cronologia
Overview
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was created in 1993 by Art Davie, Rorion Gracie, and John Milius alongside Semaphore Entertainment Group (SEG).
Originally established as a single-night tournament to evaluate different martial arts styles, the franchise underwent a massive corporate evolution following its purchase in 2001 by Zuffa, LLC (led by Frank Fertitta, Lorenzo Fertitta, and Dana White), its $4 billion acquisition by WME-IMG (Endeavor) in 2016, and its 2023 merger with WWE under TKO Group Holdings.
By 2026, the UFC has promoted over 750 live events, managing nearly 600 fighters across 11 weight divisions and broadcasting to more than 165 countries worldwide alongside an extensive footprint of video games, television series, and literature.
Origins
The UFC debuted on November 12, 1993, with *UFC 1* at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado.
The initial concept featured a minimal-rule, no-holds-barred tournament designed to determine the most effective combat discipline, which was famously won by Brazilian jiu-jitsu master Royce Gracie.
Despite strong early Pay-Per-View sales, the promotion encountered intense political backlash, famously labeled 'human cockfighting' by politicians like Senator John McCain, leading to cable cancellations and state bans. To survive, the promotion established sanctioned weight classes, mandatory gloves, and strict time limits, eventually leading to the adoption of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts under Zuffa ownership in 2001.
Fighters & Key Figures
I PEZZI DI UFC
Collecting
The UFC collecting landscape spans physical merchandise, print publications, and digital card systems integrated into video games.
Specialized card collectors track digital and physical releases featuring multiple rarity tiers—such as Head-to-Head (H2H), Limited Edition (LE), Champion, and High Energy (HE) cards—for legendary fighters including Georges St. Pierre, Bruce Lee, Demetrious Johnson, Dominick Cruz, and TJ Dillashaw. Gaming fans collect physical console releases spanning generations, from the early Dreamcast title *Ultimate Fighting Championship* to THQ's acclaimed *UFC Undisputed* trilogy and EA Sports' modern entries.
Trivia
The term 'human cockfighting' was famously used by Senator John McCain during early political backlash against the UFC.
