25 years ago today: Dawn of a new era in combat sports

It was 25 years ago today in 1993, when the dawn of a new era in combat sports was born as UFC 1 took place at McNichols Arena in Denver, CO. While it may be hard to believe 25 years have passed, a look back at how things were then versus now and it seems more like a century has gone by than a quarter of that.

UFC 1 was a tournament style format that featured eight fighters from various disciplines. That meant the eventual winner, UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie (Pictured above throwing the kick), would have to fight and win three bouts in one night. Not the easiest of tasks, especially considering there were no time limits, weight classes or rounds set for the scheduled fights. 

From that perspective, the fact that Gracie was in the Octagon a total of 4:59 for all three of his fights combined, just adds to his dominance and legend. However, as great as he was, it can’t be overstated that his skill in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, commonly referred to today as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and his opponents lack thereof was the overwhelming factor in his victories. So much so, that it changed the culture of martial arts forever.

Before UFC 1, if the term martial art was used here in the states, it either evoked thoughts of Bruce Lee throwing high flying kicks and “fists of fury” or David Carradine in the TV series ‘Kung-Fu’ spreading wisdom through his teachings from the Shaolin Temple. Any thought of grappling in martial arts solely referred to American wrestling. More importantly, a fight where a smaller man took on a larger man was always considered a mismatch. UFC 1 and Gracie’s exploits dispelled all that.  

25 years ago, the Ultimate Fighting Championship was looked at as something from out of the stone age with a carnival sideshow atmosphere to it. The combatants ranging from 175 pounds to over 400. Some wearing traditional martial arts uniforms, while others wore trunks. Some barefoot, while others wore wrestling or boxing shoes and one, though a boxer, wearing just one glove; as though he was Michael Jackson in the ‘Beat it’ music video. (See photo above)

The late senator John McCain referred to it as “human cockfighting” and even attempted to end it before the term Mixed Martial Arts even became part of the English lexicon. However, somehow it persevered; through events in southern cities like Duluth, Alabama and Indian Reservations alike, along with a period known as the dark age, it emerged to a new beginning.

Zuffa Entertainment purchased the rights to it in January 2001 and later that year with unified rules, including timed rounds, weight classes and universal equipment, including gloves, UFC 33 came out of the shadows. Though it was only a little more than seven years later, the evolution of both the sport and the athlete was clearly evident; and yet while that was only 17 years ago the evolving changes in the sport have continued at a rapid pace.

Pre-1993, most martial arts schools were referred to by their primary discipline; Karate, Taekwondo, Kung-Fu etc.  Today, you find "Mixed Martial Arts" schools and gyms in most every community. The athletes are considered some of the greatest and most skilled in any sport and that includes women who have become a major fixture. 

There are numerous MMA organizations both regional and worldwide that have arisen, but the UFC remains not only the granddaddy of them all, but also the most renowned. In 2016 Zuffa Entertainment, which originally bought the rights to it for two million dollars, sold it for over four billion. 

It has gone from farm show arenas to Madison Square Garden. It has progressed from channels such as Spike TV and ION Television to the Fox Network and in 2019 to a partnership with ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports. Since that fateful night 25 years ago, the UFC has gone on to produce over 450 events.

I can’t imagine the sport advancing any further than it is right now, but just when I think like that, a fight like the main event this past weekend between Chan Sung Jung ‘The Korean Zombie’ and Yair Rodriguez takes place. One for the ages, with a finish via a technique that has never been seen before; a ducking, no look, swing back elbow strike. I only hope I’m around 25 years from today on it’s 50^th birthday to witness the evolution.