Mixed Martial Arts Phenomenon (Part 2)

Roots

Beginning in 1993 as a collaborative effort between advertiser Art Davie and Rorion Gracie pitting two combatants of different combat styles in a bloody gladiator match, the UFC was labeled and marketed as an innovative sport with no rules. Hair pulling and groin shots were allowed, and there were no weight classes. It was deemed too violent for TV, and the organization relied on PPV sales to drive the company forward.

After many years of struggling with controversy and slipping support from athletic commissions, the UFC nearly bankrupted before being bought by casino executives Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta eight years ago. The Fertittas used their connections with the Nevada State Athletic Commission and became sanctioned in Nevada in 2001.

The UFC was still hemorrhagging money though, losing $30 million in the first three years after purchase. The Fertittas needed a miracle.

Things were looking bleak for the sport. Organizations overseas seemed to be the only areas where mixed martial arts were flourishing. Nearly all hope was lost.

But then, the Fertittas saw a silver lining in a sky full of black: the possibility of a prime-time reality show.

Rebirth of an empire

"The Ultimate Fighter" launched in 2005 on Spike TV with gigantic success. The show featured up-and-coming fighters in competition for a UFC contract. It quickly became one of the most-watched television shows running.

The success spawned more seasons and more shows, with Spike TV airing live UFC events periodically.

In 2006, the UFC broke the PPV all-time record for a single year of business with $226 million in revenues, which surpassed Vince MacMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment and boxing. Since then, boxing has retook the record in 2007 with $250 million in PPV sales. The UFC is expected to retake the record in 2008.

In a period of six years, the UFC went from being on the brink of bankruptcy to gracing covers of Sports Illustrated. From modest beginnings in 1993 to economic explosions in the new millenium, the UFC has been through it all. Quite an accomplishment for a sport that isn't even old enough to drive yet.