In the early years of Mixed Martial Arts competition, the Ultimate Fighting Championship received a reputation as human cock fighting. The match's violent nature soon caused them to be banned in many states. Since that time a strict system of rules has evolved, protecting the fighters from serious or career ending injuries. This is now the world's fastest growing professional sport.
The early UFC matches featured martial artists from different styles competing, in what was billed as no rules combat. The objective was to determine the most effective fighting art. There were no weight classes and very few rules.
The matches were often bloody, brutal affairs. Some viewers were offended and found the fights to be abhorrent. Sometimes the fighters sustained serious injuries while competing. Senator John McCain of Arizona began a campaign to have the events banned in all 50 states. Thirty six states did eventually ban no holds barred fighting.
Responding to the criticism, the UFC revamped its rules and state athletic commissions gradually began to allow the events again. There are now 31 fouls listed in the rules, including engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct that does cause an injury to an opponent.
These rules prohibit such conduct as butts to the head, eye poking, biting, hair grabs, fishhooks, attacking the groin, gouging, small joint manipulation, throwing the opponent onto his head or neck, and throwing the opponent over the fence. Striking the spine or the back of the head, downward elbow strikes, throat strikes, clawing, kicking or kneeing the head of an opponent on the ground, and kicking the kidney with the heel are not allowed.
Medical suspensions are issued when a fighter sustains serious injury. A doctor's clearance is required for the fighter to resume competition. For matches held over seas, without a regulating commission, the promoter handles medical suspensions in house, overseen by a former Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director.
The competition mixed martial arts industry has been consolidated and standardized. World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), International Fight League (IFL), Pride Fighting Championships, and World Extreme Cagefighting have all been acquired by, or have merged with the UFC.
The popularity of the sport version of UFC has grown far beyond that of the original exhibition model. It is now the world's fastest growing professional sport and has surpassed both boxing and professional wrestling in revenue and viewership. In 2006 it set a $222,766,000, all time pay per view industry record for annual revenue.
Events at casino venues and mainstream acceptance on television and cable television has increased the sport's visibility. The Ultimate Fighter a reality television program, UFC Unleashed and Countdown has added exposure and made the sport profitable. Harley Davidson and Anheuser Busch InBev have been acquired as sponsors.
Ultimate Fighting Championship competitions are actually no more dangerous than many other contact sports, including boxing which has had numerous fatal injuries. There is potential for serious injury, or death in motor sports. Many sports, such as American football, have potential for serious injury due the velocity created playing the sport while running at full speed. These popular UFC events are now seen in 130 countries, and UFC tickets are available online.
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