UFC

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport and produces events worldwide. Based in the United States, the UFC has seven weight-divisions and enforces the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. Dana White serves as the president of the UFC.

Inspired by vale tudo tournaments in Brazil, the UFC and the sport of MMA have roots in the ancient Olympic combat sport of Pankration. In 1993, the UFC held its first competition in Denver, Colorado. Showcasing fighters of different disciplines — including boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, Muay Thai, karate and other styles — the UFC sought to identify the most effective martial art in a real fight.

With a cable-television deal and expansion into Canada, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Asia and new markets within the United States, the UFC as of 2011 has gained in popularity, along with greater mainstream-media coverage. As of 2001 viewers can access UFC programming on pay-per-view television in the U.S., Brazil , Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Italy. UFC programming can also be found on Spike, Versus, and the Fox Network in the U.S., on ESPN in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as in 150 countries and 22 different languages worldwide. UFC also carries a mobile site for on-the-go users and a Sports Bars page for fans to find places showing the pay-per-view. It is also available on the Roku streaming player.