UFC: 10 Things That Helped Shape the Ultimate Fighting Championship
This is a list of 10 things that have significantly altered the course of the UFC and have helped define it to what it is today. From the fighters inside the cage, to the people outside of it, there are many different players and business moves that have molded the UFC into one of the greatest sports. Of course, this list is nowhere near the number of significant factors, but these are 10 that stand out very well.
*This list is in no particular order.
No. 10: Ring Card Girls
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Not the most defining aspect, but helpful nonetheless. With girls like Arianny Celeste and Rachelle Leah, the UFC has created some nice eye candy in a sport dominantly populated by sweaty, half-naked men fighting each other. With both of the aforementioned being showcased in Playboy and Maxim, they have inherently brought attention to the UFC. With special guests such as former Girls Next Door star, Holly Madison, it has been a job of simplicity, but importance.
No. 9: Joe Rogan, Mike Goldberg and Bruce Buffer
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These three men are what shape the PPV’s and other media. Without the booming and distinct voice of Bruce Buffer, the hype before the fight begins would not be the same. With Joe Rogan's and Mike Goldberg's expert announcing and their own comical banter and chatter creates a great commentary to listen to. They also host many side shows and are very involved in public events (within this note, Herb Dean, Stitch and other refs and cutmen deserve a shout out, although they are not employed by the UFC).
No. 8: Dana White, the Fertittas, Marc Ratner and Joe Silva
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These men have turned the sport of MMA into just that: A sport. They have built and managed the company and sport into a new era and into the fastest growing sport in the world today. Their business expertise and overall community involvement makes them true pioneers.
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No. 7: The Ultimate Fighter
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The Ultimate Fighter (moreso in early years) has significantly helped shape the roster of the UFC. Names such as Kenny Florian, Diego Sanchez, Josh Koscheck, Joe Stevenson, Rashad Evans, Matt Serra, Patrick Cote, Gray Maynard, Mike Swick, Chris Leben, Melvin Guillard, Matt Hamill, Michael Bisping, Nate Diaz, Jorge Rivera, George Sotiropoulos, Amir Sadollah, Ryan Bader, Roy Nelson, Court McGee and others all are well known fighters. And of course, the defining fight of Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar from TUF, season 1.
No. 6: Brock Lesnar
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Although his effects do not resonate through past years, the addition of WWE superstar Brock Lesnar has greatly complimented the UFC. It has created a bridge for WWE fans to come watch UFC and/or watch him fight. His sheer freakish stature and rough personality make him either a fan favorite, or a hated one. From a pure business standpoint, he was one of the greatest individual moves of the UFC to promote business.
No. 5: Georges St-Pierre, Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Jon Jones (and More)
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These are fighters that are helping or have helped shape MMA into its current stages. Their humble and well-spoken personalities, complimented by their abilities inside the cage are inspiring and set a very good example. All are very fan friendly, and are phenomenal athletes. They all prove to be great ambassadors for the sport, and not to mention all of them have been world champions.
No. 4: Acquiring Pride
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Zuffa purchasing Pride FC from Dream Stage Entertainment added or welcomed back some very notable fighters to the UFC: Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Mark Coleman, Mirko Filipović, Antonio Rodrigo Noqueira, Wanderlei Silva, Dan Henderson, Takanori Gomi and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. All have held championships.
No. 3: Buying Strikeforce
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Although not completely underway, you will start to see many of the great and notable fighters from SF slowly make their way over to the UFC. When contracts expire or organizations have fighter legal issues, they are welcomed next door to their parent company for renegotiation. You are seeing this with Jason “Mayhem” Miller and Jake Shields, and others will be soon to follow. Also, with one ownership, having matchups that cross the organizations names such as the highly requested GSP vs Diaz, is more than likely to happen more and more. Lastly, one day we may see women fighters fighting under the UFC banner.
No. 2: WEC Merger
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Acquiring the likes of greats such as Dominick Cruz, Urijah Faber, Joseph Benevidaz, Ben Henderson, Anthony Pettis and Jose Aldo, was a welcomed addition to the Zuffa roster. Not to mention the adding of two very exciting fast-paced weight classes.
No. 1: Royce Gracie
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You cannot even begin talking about the history of the UFC without Royce or one of his relatives coming up in conversation. His unparalleled jiu-jitsu truly defined the term mixed martial arts, and started the wave of fighters to really start focusing on other areas of fighting.
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