The entity of the UFC [Ultimate Fighting Championship] is the world's leading mixed martial arts sports association, formed in January, 2001 by Zuffa, LLC. The UFC features a strong ownership and a depth of management experience across a spectrum of live event sports, television production and ancillary business development. The New UFC is positioned well for the future as the standard bearer for the evolving and exciting sport of mixed martial arts. BODY: Ultimate Fighting is a proprietary term of the UFC. It is defined as mixed martial arts competition between high level professional fighters who utilize the disciplines of jiu-jitsu, karate, boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and other forms in UFC live events. UFC competitors or "Ultimate Fighters" are among the best-trained and conditioned athletes in the world. While this is a highly intense sport, fighter safety is of paramount concern to UFC ownership and management: it is noteworthy that no competitor has ever been ser iously injured in a UFC event. Competitors may only use UFC and commission approved 4-6 oz gloves, designed to protect the hand but not large enough to improve the striking surface or weight of the punch. Commission approved MMA shorts and kickboxing trunks are the only uniforms allowed. Shirts, gis and shoes, and the problems they present for grabbing are not allowed.
In 1993, UFC events were the first to feature an eight-sided competition configuration which has become known worldwide as the UFC Octagon. The UFC Octagon is unique from any other fighting arena because the octagonal shape and structure have become inherently associated with Zuffa and the UFC brand name among mixed martial arts consumers, other mixed martial arts organizations and the national media. The UFC Octagon is regularly featured on UFC Pay-per-view events, UFC Fight Night and The Ultimate Fighter reality TV series. The UFC Octagon creates a neutral arena to showcase the skills of UFC mixed martial arts athletes. The UFC organization has established a reputation for providing the maximum safety to the fighters with commission approved ring structures, canvas, and all safety padding and fences. Zuffa makes major investments to ensure the safety of competitors in the UFC Octagon -- as a result, when people see the Octagon they associate it with the reputation and qu ality delivered only by Zuffa at UFC events. RESOURCES:
