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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.
The UFC was the first major MMA organization, getting its start in 1991. Advertising executive Art Davie was working on an ad campaign that featured the underground sport of MMA. He became intrigued by the sport and became a student of Rorion Gracie, of the famed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu family.
Within a year of that, Davie proposed to Rorion Gracie and filmmaker John Milius that the three of them create and televise a mixed martial arts championship, an event featuring the world's best fighters showcasing a variety of fighting disciplines. The first event, known as UFC 1, was a huge success, and interest in MMA began to grow exponentially.
Strikeforce, which was a kickboxing organization in its earliest days, hit the world of MMA with the Shamrock Versus Gracie bout, which was a record-breaking event with the highest attendance of any mixed martial arts event in history. Strikeforce also sponsored a weekly MMA show on NBC, bringing mixed martial arts on to mainstream television where it gained an even larger audience.
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.
In addition, since the purchase, many division championships at Strikeforce have been left vacant by fighters who moved over to UFC. Currently, in the men's division, there are vacancies in the light heavyweight and welterweight divisions. The women's featherweight division also remains vacant. Strikeforce's contract with Showtime, however, has been extended until 2014, which indicates that for at least the next few years, the organization will continue to be a major player in MMA.
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.
Mixed martial arts looks to have a bright future, an interest in the sport continues to gain momentum. Fighters continue to improve their skills, and MMA athletes are increasingly focused on reaching expert levels in multiple fighting styles. Changes in Strikeforce and UFC will, of course, have far reaching effects on the sport worldwide, but most analysts agree that this sport will continue to change and the competition will become even stronger in the coming years.
The UFC was the first major MMA organization, getting its start in 1991. Advertising executive Art Davie was working on an ad campaign that featured the underground sport of MMA. He became intrigued by the sport and became a student of Rorion Gracie, of the famed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu family.
Within a year of that, Davie proposed to Rorion Gracie and filmmaker John Milius that the three of them create and televise a mixed martial arts championship, an event featuring the world's best fighters showcasing a variety of fighting disciplines. The first event, known as UFC 1, was a huge success, and interest in MMA began to grow exponentially.
Strikeforce, which was a kickboxing organization in its earliest days, hit the world of MMA with the Shamrock Versus Gracie bout, which was a record-breaking event with the highest attendance of any mixed martial arts event in history. Strikeforce also sponsored a weekly MMA show on NBC, bringing mixed martial arts on to mainstream television where it gained an even larger audience.
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.
In addition, since the purchase, many division championships at Strikeforce have been left vacant by fighters who moved over to UFC. Currently, in the men's division, there are vacancies in the light heavyweight and welterweight divisions. The women's featherweight division also remains vacant. Strikeforce's contract with Showtime, however, has been extended until 2014, which indicates that for at least the next few years, the organization will continue to be a major player in MMA.
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.
Mixed martial arts looks to have a bright future, an interest in the sport continues to gain momentum. Fighters continue to improve their skills, and MMA athletes are increasingly focused on reaching expert levels in multiple fighting styles. Changes in Strikeforce and UFC will, of course, have far reaching effects on the sport worldwide, but most analysts agree that this sport will continue to change and the competition will become even stronger in the coming years.
About the Author:
Nolan Barias loves writing about mixed martial arts benefits. For further information about a San Diego mixed martial arts gym or to find local coaches teaching jiu jitsu in San Diego, please go to The Arena MMA website now.
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