In the world of Mixed Martial Arts, two organizations tend to stand out from the rest in terms of competition. Ultimate Fighting Championship and Strikeforce are both huge names in the sport, and both have had a huge influence on the development of MMA.
Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC, had its official start in the early 1990s. It developed from an idea proposed by entrepreneur Art Davie who was studying up on an advertising campaign for mixed martial arts, which was primarily an underground sport in the United States. He met Rorion Gracie and became a student of the Gracie's style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
About a year later, he met with Gracie and director/screenwriter John Milius and proposed that the three create a world class MMA competition and invite top fighters of various fighting styles and strengths to participate. The event, known as UFC 1, was a success, drawing a huge audience to the event as well as on television. Sports promoters throughout the world took notice, and interest in MMA quickly began to grow.
Strikeforce, on the other hand, began as a kickboxing organization. However, in 2006, Strikeforce broadcasted its first MMA event, the Shamrock vs. Gracie bout. While it was the organization's debut MMA event, for several years it held the record as the MMA event with the highest attendance. Strikeforce also is notable for pairing up with NBC in 2008 to present the weekly Strikeforce on NBC series, which continued to improve the sport's visibility and popularity.
In 2011, the company which owns UFC bought Strikeforce, and many worried that Strikeforce would simply be merged into the UFC. Its new owners, Zuffa, LLC., promised that the two would remain separate although they did lay off most of Strikeforce's employees and make a few other changes, as well.
Several key Strikeforce fighters also became part of the UFC after the purchase by Zuffa. This has left vacancies in several weight classes, including the women's featherweight division and the men's' welterweight and heavyweight divisions. Strikeforce does have a lucrative television contract with Showtime, which expires in 2014, so for at least the next few years, Strikeforce will continue to be separate from UFC.
Both UFC and Strikeforce follow the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, although there are a few differences. A Strikeforce bout takes place in a hexagonal cage where UFC bouts occur in an octagonal cage. Strikeforce also forbids fighters from taking an elbow to the head of an opponent who was on the ground; however, that rule was changed when Strikeforce was purchased by Zuffa.
The future of MMA, especially the future of Strikeforce, is often a subject of debate. What most MMA experts agree on is that as the sport continues to evolve, the athletes will become more skilled in multiple disciplines, thus continuing to set the bar higher for fighters.
Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC, had its official start in the early 1990s. It developed from an idea proposed by entrepreneur Art Davie who was studying up on an advertising campaign for mixed martial arts, which was primarily an underground sport in the United States. He met Rorion Gracie and became a student of the Gracie's style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
About a year later, he met with Gracie and director/screenwriter John Milius and proposed that the three create a world class MMA competition and invite top fighters of various fighting styles and strengths to participate. The event, known as UFC 1, was a success, drawing a huge audience to the event as well as on television. Sports promoters throughout the world took notice, and interest in MMA quickly began to grow.
Strikeforce, on the other hand, began as a kickboxing organization. However, in 2006, Strikeforce broadcasted its first MMA event, the Shamrock vs. Gracie bout. While it was the organization's debut MMA event, for several years it held the record as the MMA event with the highest attendance. Strikeforce also is notable for pairing up with NBC in 2008 to present the weekly Strikeforce on NBC series, which continued to improve the sport's visibility and popularity.
In 2011, the company which owns UFC bought Strikeforce, and many worried that Strikeforce would simply be merged into the UFC. Its new owners, Zuffa, LLC., promised that the two would remain separate although they did lay off most of Strikeforce's employees and make a few other changes, as well.
Several key Strikeforce fighters also became part of the UFC after the purchase by Zuffa. This has left vacancies in several weight classes, including the women's featherweight division and the men's' welterweight and heavyweight divisions. Strikeforce does have a lucrative television contract with Showtime, which expires in 2014, so for at least the next few years, Strikeforce will continue to be separate from UFC.
Both UFC and Strikeforce follow the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, although there are a few differences. A Strikeforce bout takes place in a hexagonal cage where UFC bouts occur in an octagonal cage. Strikeforce also forbids fighters from taking an elbow to the head of an opponent who was on the ground; however, that rule was changed when Strikeforce was purchased by Zuffa.
The future of MMA, especially the future of Strikeforce, is often a subject of debate. What most MMA experts agree on is that as the sport continues to evolve, the athletes will become more skilled in multiple disciplines, thus continuing to set the bar higher for fighters.
About the Author:
Nolan Barias loves writing about mixed martial arts benefits. For more information regarding a San Diego mixed martial arts gym or to find local coaches teaching jiu jitsu in San Diego, please visit The Arena MMA site now.
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