How did UFC started?

The Legend goes that Art Davie (advertising dude) and John Milius (screen writer and filmmaker) from California, both Rorion Gracie’s students, got together with Rorion (Helio’s oldest son) and came up with plan to make vale tudo style tournament.

They found inspiration in Brazilian no rules fights and at that time already published video serial “Gracie’s Challenge”. If you don’t know what is Gracie challenge you should check it out on youtube

Here is example:

In short, it was a way to promote jiu-jitsu sport; all Gracie’s academies were open for any other martial art and challenge the all to come at any time. As a result they captured serial of videos, where jiu-jitsu style dominates over other martial arts over and over again other martial artest were taken to the ground, punched few times and then arm-bared or rear choked.

But back to UFC. Company they founded in ‘92 was “WOW promotion” and they pitched unsuccessfully to both HBO and Show time (who would know) and finally landed contract with SEG (Semaphore Entertainment Group). And that is ladies and gentlemen how was UFC born.