Martial Arts enthusiasts have a reputation for being honorable, highly skilled and self disciplined. Their study of the Martial Arts genre of their choice leads them forward on a path of self-improvement. Their physical training requires a mental attitude of devotion to an ideal. They strive to reach their physical potential through time-honored practices and a personal commitment to excellence. However, as well as the student's competition with himself, competition with others is a natural, healthy outgrowth of his pursuit of excellence. Without competition and the honest assessment of their own weak and strong points, how would a student of Martial Arts know whether or not his performance is improving? The drive to excel comes with the inevitable drive to exceed the skill level of comparable students. This normal human desire to compete and to win is the basis for all organized sporting events. It has long been evident that there is an appeal for spectators in sporting displays of Mixed Martial Arts. The spectators are made up of people of all skill levels. Everyone enjoys seeing a competition between experts. Whether the spectator is actively involved in the sport or is a couch potato with no athletic skills, he can appreciate watching a hard-won victory, or a crushing defeat. It is not only entertaining during the match, but spectators frequently become fans of particular contenders. This fan base is the support beneath the current popularity of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
What exactly is the Ultimate Fighting Championship?
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is a business, which was founded in 1993 by Art Davie and Rorion Gracie. Art Davie's background was in advertising and promotion, and Rorion Gracie is a member of the family, which has given its name to Brazilian wrestling, (also known as Gracie Jiu Jitsu.) The Gracie family has long been a multi-generational powerhouse in the Mixed Martial Arts field. Rorion's dedication to Brazilian Wrestling stems from his belief that this style of fighting is the best system for self defense in a street fight. So, when Davie and Gracie combined their skills and interests in the "Ultimate Fighting Championship," it was a real crowd pleaser that struck a chord with certain MMA fans.
The UFC sought to bring more safety and less controversy to matches which are known as No Holds Barred fights. As the name implies, this form of Mixed Martial Arts is a dangerous and sometimes deadly sport. The recent death of Texas MMA contestant, Sammy Vasquez only highlights the extreme nature of MMA fighting. The UFC takes steps to minimize the preventable dangers inherent in the staging of such fights. Despite the UFC's stringent rules, fighters take a calculated risk when stepping up to a UFC challenge.
UFC's New, Improved " No Holds Barred" Competitions.
Even though the promoters of UFC used the line, "There are no rules, " the organizers did, in fact, make it clear to contestants that certain tactics were not to be used. Contestants were warned that head butting was discouraged, along with the pulling of hair, and direct groin strikes. Furthermore, as public outcry caused an outright ban of Ultimate Fighting in thirty-six states more restrictions were introduced. There was a total ban on the gouging of eyes and on the use of teeth by the opponents. With the introduction of weight classes, the five-minute round and the inadmissibility of head and rear neck strikes, the spectacle gradually became less horrifying. All contestants had to wear gloves, also. This reduced the amount of blood spilled, drastically. With all these precautions in place, the UFC finally gained some mainstream acceptance. But it was still a young sport, and selling it to the general public was not yet possible, despite its popularity with its fans.
When the Feritta brothers and Dana White bought UFC in 2001, the entire operation was put under the control of Zuffa, LLC. Although the UFC had been driven underground by public outcry, the new owners were able to re-introduce it in a reality –show setting, with great success. The televised Ultimate Fighter series has now had 6 successful seasons, and is preparing for its 7th. It has gradually grown in acceptability and as it approaches 2008, appears to be the fastest growing sport in the United States.
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