ufc

The Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC, evolved from the Brazilian contact sport vale tudo. The UFC began in 1993 as a way to determine what style of martial arts is most effective when a person has no weapons, but must combat another individual. As the competition grew, competitors realized in order to win they would need to be cross-trained in a variety of fighting styles. This desire to be trained in a multitude of martial arts and fighting techniques led to the birth of Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA, a combination of skills and moves that allow fighters to compete standing or prone completely unarmed. The UFC hosts more than 20 MMA fights a year worldwide.