¶ … Rise of Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed martial arts combat is a sport with an immense popularity that is still growing. This sport is also widely known as cage fighting, it is a full contact sport that allows fighters with different fighting styles and disciplines to compete. The popularity of this sport has increased from being an obscure and savage sideshow, to what it is now; a full blown mainstream and culturally iconic sport. There are various factors that contributed to the rapid and large growth of the sport. Since its early beginnings many companies and corporations have been established in the industry in order to meet the demands of fans all across the globe. Some of the more popular organizations within MMA include: Strike Force, UFC, Belator, Pride and WEC. MMA's rise in popular culture amongst mainstream sports can be attributed to a variety of factors. Many enjoy seeing the mixture of styles and cultures in the octagon, others like for its highly competitive and extremely athletic nature.
Some fans of MMA state that the violence and blood attracts them as they seek the thrill of knockouts and submissions. It is undeniable that MMA has edged out its place among the major sports due to its entertaining bouts and athletic showings. Mixed Martial Arts owes a lot of its success to Masterminds like Dana White, the current president and owner the UFC or Ultimate Fighting Championship. This organization is the most successful and recognized in the ranks of MMA. Thanks to the ingenuity and smart business management of White the UFC has become one of the most recognizable brands in sports and entertainment.
Having a successful organization such as the UFC within MMA has allowed for the sport to grow both in popularity and in profit. The athletes in MMA are some of the most recognized and admired athletes in the world, with legions of fans cheering them on. This MMA craze however, did not occur overnight. There were ingenious developments and business moves that had to occur in for MMA to become the sport that it is today.
The beginnings of Mixed Martial Arts competition can be traced to Brazil in the 1920's with a sport known as "Vale Tudo" whose literal translation from the Portuguese language is "anything goes." This sport was known as a combat sport with no rules except for the prohibition or weapon use, it was popular due to dangerous qualities and thrilling actions. From here the spirit of MMA and the UFC was born and adapted, from a renegade attitude that sought to please and satisfy the fans with a dangerous brand of sport. Vale Tudo or anything goes combat, was first seen in the United States when it was introduced by the Gracies, a family of mixed martial arts athletes who competed and dominated the sport in its early stages.
The Gracies have a prominent athletic combat history and are credited with creating the fighting style known as Brazilian Ju-Jitzu. America and world caught its first glimpse of MMA during the first Ultimate Fighting Championship tournament held in Denver Colorado on November 12, 1993. The tournament was broadcast live on pay-per view and was later released on video cassette. The format consisted of an 8 competitor tournament without weight classes, time limits or rules except for the prohibition of eye gouging and biting. The fights could only end by an opponent being knocked out, submitted or if the trainers decided to throw in the towel. The champion of the first tournament was Royce Gracie, he defeated Gerard Gordeu via submission with a rear naked choke hold and by doing so, took home a reported 50,000 dollars.
The UFC was first owned by Bob Meyrowitz who owned the company from its beginnings in 1993 and until he sold it for a reported two million dollars in 2000. During its initial stages the UFC and MMA as whole were not interested in being recognized, or being considered as legitimate sport. The owners and associates of organizations in MMA were unable to see the potential for the growth and popularity of the sport. They were more interested in turning in a quick profit, they did not recognize the huge economic potential of the sport, they could not imagine the UFC and MMA branching off into the many directions that it has. It is now associated with clothing apparel, food, soft drinks, fitness clubs, fitness equipment, film and a host of other ventures.
Studies have been conducted in order to understand not only the actual growth of the sport, but the spectator motivation behind...
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