The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company in the world[3] that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport[4][5] and produces events worldwide.[6] Based in the United States, the UFC has eight weight divisions and enforces the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts.[7] Dana White serves as the president of the UFC while Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta control the UFC's parent company, Zuffa, LLC.[8][9][10] Inspired by vale tudo tournaments in Brazil, the first UFC event was held in 1993 in Denver, Colorado. Showcasing fighters of different disciplines — including boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do, 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[11] the Middle East,[12] Asia[13] 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 FX, Fuel TV, and Fox[14] 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.[15] It is also available on the Roku streaming player.[16]
