UFC Overview
UFC unites some of the finest mixed martial artists from around the globe for exciting battles in its Octagon arena. You can stream fights on ESPN+ streaming service or Hulu’s Disney trio bundle; local TV channels may also broadcast some UFC events as well as UFC-exclusive websites.
UFC stands out as an exciting real combat sport; unlike WWE which relies heavily on scripted entertainment for entertainment purposes. Victors in UFC are determined by how they perform inside an octagon.
Origins
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an action sports competition between fighters from various martial arts styles. It began in 1993, when Rorion and Royce Gracie, along with businessman Art Davie, came together to form an event which would showcase their fighting styles’ effectiveness.
UFC’s success can be attributed to its unique business model, consisting of pay-per-view events and digital and social platforms. Furthermore, its popularity increased thanks to The Ultimate Fighter reality television show which appealed to a broad audience and featured Ronda Rousey who brought unprecedented showmanship and trash talking into the octagon.
Combative Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) takes place inside a cage and may end either by referee stoppage or submission, with fighters using kicks, punches, clinching techniques and grappling tactics to secure victory.
Rules
Before the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts were put in place, fights had few restrictions or rules. There were no judges, time limits or rounds; all matches needed to end by either knockout, submission or the fighter’s corner calling it off.
Fighters must weigh-in at their venue on the day of a bout, either hitting their specific weight class or going a half-pound above or below it. Once this step has been completed, they have 24 hours to rehydrate before their fight takes place.
MMA fighters must wear four-ounce open-finger gloves, mouth guards and protective chest gear in accordance with Fight League rules. Striking behind the neck or head may cause serious or even fatal injuries and is strictly forbidden; referees will typically give soft or hard warnings upon first offense, with repeat offenses leading to point deductions and potentially more penalties from officials.
Payouts
UFC fighter pay has long been the subject of debate. Some of its biggest names, like Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey, have earned millions but that does not indicate equal earning across all fighters in UFC tiers and fight counts; UFC fighters receive performance bonuses depending on quality of performance and amount of PPV revenue generated by each performance bonus earned.
New fighters typically begin with lower-tier contracts, but as they gain momentum and become more sought after, their earnings increase accordingly. A recent unsealing of documents in an ongoing antitrust lawsuit by MMA journalist Bloody Elbow revealed payout information for some top fighters such as Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva.
Promotions
The UFC boasts some of the world’s greatest fighters across multiple weight classes and is widely recognized as one of the premier mixed martial arts promotion worldwide. It offers weekly Fight Night events as well as 12 pay-per-views each year.
UFC matches feature fighters from multiple disciplines, such as boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling, with each match decided by submission or knockout – making UFC matches much different from WWE in that they are real combat sports competitions rather than mere entertainment shows.
UFC events feature some of the world’s greatest MMA fighters, such as Israel Adesanya and Max Holloway, putting their bodies on the line every time they step inside an Octagon and drawing crowds to pay-per-view events to see them live in action.
Social impact
Initial criticism directed at UFC was directed toward its strict rules and lack of consideration for fighter welfare, leading to a negative public image and impacting business performance negatively. Over time however, they have worked diligently on strengthening their CSR practices.
The company has also expanded its presence overseas markets. To promote its matches, partnerships were formed with national televisions in various countries to promote them; also fighters from different target markets were hired in order to attract a greater audience.
UFC athletes go beyond just fighting – they also take an active part in charitable work for their local communities. Poirier is no exception – raising funds to combat climate change in Louisiana has been part of his legacy as a fighter.