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- Discover UFC ›
- The UFC
The UFC organization follows a rich history and tradition of competitive MMA dating back to the Olympic Games in Athens. About 80 years ago, a Brazilian form of MMA known as Vale Tudo (anything goes) sparked local interest in the sport.
Then, the UFC organization brought MMA to the United States. The goal was to find "the Ultimate Fighting Champion" with a concept to have a tournament of the best athletes skilled in the various disciplines of all martial arts, including karate, jiu-jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, grappling, wrestling, sumo and other combat sports. The winner of the tournament would be crowned the champion.
Once the UFC brand was launched, MMA popularity surged in Brazil, followed by immense interest in Japan where these bouts became major events.
In January 2001, under the new ownership of Zuffa™, LLC, the UFC brand completely restructured MMA into a highly organized and controlled combat sport. As a result, UFC now produces over twelve live Pay-Per-View events annually that are distributed residentially through North American cable and satellite providers including iNDEMAND Networks, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN Entertainment, Shaw Pay-Per-View, BellTV, Viewers Choice, SaskTel Max™ and via the Internet worldwide on UFC.com and Yahoo! Sports, and commercially through Joe Hand Promotions.
Response to the UFC brand of MMA has been tremendous, resulting in a growing fan base that has grown exponentially through the years.
Recently, UFC 129 sold 55,000 tickets in minutes - this event taking place on Saturday, April 30 became the largest paid audience in North American to witness a mixed martial arts event. UFC popularity continues to reach new heights as the 13th season of the hit reality series The Ultimate Fighter® delivered top ratings in male 18-34 and 18-49 demographics.
Beginning November 12, 2011 FOX will broadcast four fights annually. In spring 2012, The Ultimate Fighter®, UFC’s signature weekly reality TV show debuts on FX.
Globally, UFC programming is broadcast in over 149 countries and territories, reaching a half a billion homes worldwide, in 20 different languages.
The UFC organization is regulated in 45 of the 48 states with athletic commissions, recognized by the world's most prestigious sports regulatory bodies including the California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Pennsylvania State Athletic Commissions. The UFC organization strives for the highest levels of safety and quality in all aspects of the sport.
Under the strong leadership of owners Lorenzo Fertitta, Frank Fertitta III and Dana White, the UFC is the fastest growing sports organization in history, thriving across a spectrum of live sporting events, television production and ancillary business development.
THE EXECUTIVES
Frank Fertitta, Dana White, and Lorenzo Fertitta
When Frank Fertitta, Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta purchased the Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) in 2001, the trio embarked on a journey to make mixed martial arts the world’s most popular sport. Dedicated to exposing the masses to UFC’s heart-pounding action, incredible athletes and the best live event experience in all of sports, the three men resurrected mixed martial arts and gave it the opportunity for international success.
Since purchasing the UFC a decade ago, the Fertitta brothers and White have made it the fastest-growing sports organization in the world. Producing over 30 live events worldwide each year, the UFC also boasts the most successful and longest-running sports reality show in history, The Ultimate Fighter®. What’s more, the trio has brought the UFC’s hallowed Octagon® to cities across the world, from Los Angeles to London to Toronto to Abu Dhabi.
Today, the UFC is progressing at a rate never-before-seen in the professional sports world. UFC programming is available in over 354 million homes in more than 145 countries, in 19 different languages. The UFC also holds the distinction as the largest live Pay-Per-View event provider in the world.
