The UFC is among the most violent sports in the world, but there’s something about it that’s just too mesmerizing. Everything about the sport is real, contrary to WWE, where things are mostly staged. 

Some movies got me into Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in the first place, such as Never Back Down and Undisputed. However, I’ll keep my focus on UFC and list down some facts about the sport that you probably didn’t know before. Let’s dive in!

There Haven’t Been Any Casualties

Considering how violent the sport is, there have never been any casualties during UFC matches. One would expect major head injuries or anything that could prove to be fatal. However, it is surprising that nothing of the sort has ever happened. 

You will be surprised to know that UFC or MMA is actually a lot safer than a lot of other contact sports, such as Boxing, Muay Thai, or even American Football, all of which have seen cases of casualties during matches. 

The UFC Almost Didn’t Exist

Back in 1996, the sport almost ceased to exist because certain politicians termed it “too dangerous” to become a sport. Senator John McCain actually termed it “human cockfighting” (rooster fights) because of how violent the sport was in nature. 

He also made a call for the sport to be banned but there were certain rule changes and safety measures due to which the sport wasn’t banned. In fact, the sport kept going onwards and upwards to what it is today.

Quick Info!

How to Watch UFC Events?

You can easily stream UFC events online. Plus, with a provider like Xfinity, you can order Pay Per View Programming. What’s more, you can take it to the next level by bundling your TV and Xfinity Internet plans to never miss a moment of action.

A Fighter’s Personality Has a Lot to Do with the Sport

If you think that all a fighter needs is fighting skills, then you are mistaken. If a fighter cannot trash-talk their opponent before a match, then that can have a bad impact on their career. Therefore, every fighter needs to assert dominance and trash-talk before every match. 

If a fighter wants more recognition, then they will need effective trash-talking skills and a dominant personality, which is why more aggressive and outspoken fighters are preferred over meek ones. 

The Octagon Is an Integral Part of the Sport

You must have noticed how all the fighters always fight in an octagon-shaped ring. It is intentional since the Octagon is an important part of the UFC. It was first created by Jason Cusson. He was inspired by the 1980 film “The Octagon,” starring Chuck Norris, which makes a lot of sense. 

Plus, if you think about it, then the Octagon makes UFC stand out as a sport since all other sports have a square or rectangle-shaped ring. WWE has a square-shaped ring, and so does boxing. Karate, however, is done on square mats. UFC stands out with its Octagon-shaped ring. 

America’s First MMA Fighter

You will be surprised to find out who America’s first MMA fighter was. It was President Theodore Roosevelt! (Technically, at least). Not only did he fulfill his duties as an American President, but he was also fond of wrestling, and boxing, and he also practiced Judo Karate. 

He was also the first ever American to earn a brown belt in martial arts! You mix all the fighting styles, and you have Mixed Martial Arts. This gives you all the more reason to learn Mixed Martial Arts! 

Celebrities with Shares in the UFC

Since UFC is among the fastest-growing sports not just in the United States but all over the world, it is only natural that celebrities would want to invest in the sport. Conan O’Brien was among the first ever celebrities to invest in the sport, even when it wasn’t legal in all the states. 

Some other celebrities include Tom Brady, Ben Affleck, Jimmy Kimmel, Calvin Harris, Mark Wahlberg, Adam Levine, and Maria Sharapova! 

The First Ever UFC Event Had No Weight Classes or Time Limits

The first-ever UFC event was more or less an unfair one. There was a lack of a time limit and weight classes. This led to smaller fighters coming face-to-face with larger opponents, and they had to fight until one was knocked out, raising the stakes of the fight. 

In later events, weight classes were implemented to ensure fairness in all the fights. There was also a time limit to maintain even more fairness in fights. This also made fights much safer. 

In sum, UFC is a complex and intriguing world; it holds many secrets and surprises. There is more to uncover about the sport, its history, and its fighters.

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