What does UFC stand for?
It stands for Ultimate Fighting Championship and it’s a competition involving different martial arts such as boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, karate, etc.
Undoubtedly, people who have cable TV at home are more familiar with the so called Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). However, after the UFC – Rio, we can say that the sport achieved great popularity, since it could be seen on traditional broadcast television by anyone.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship was invented by Arthur Davie, who is an advertising executive, and Rorion Gracie, who is a specialist in jiu-jitsu and who wanted to promote his school of martial arts - which was focused on fighting at close quarters.
In the beginning, Gracie used to invite specialists in any martial arts to face him or any of his learners in a real fight aimed at discovering the most effective techniques. These competitions would then originate what is now known as UFC.
Originally, competitors were pitted against one another with minimal rules (no biting or putting the finger in the opponent’s eyes) . Later, fighters employed multiple martial arts into their style while promoters adopted additional rules aimed at increasing safety for competitors and to promote mainstream acceptance of the sport. As a consequence, the sport has gained more and more supporters around the world, from children to old citizens.
In Brazil, the UFC Rio contributed to the dissemination of MMA. Great Brazilian fighters entered the octagon, including Minotauro, Shogun and the worldwide phenomenon Anderson Silva. The fights were spectacular, and for those who enjoy this sport, the event was like World Cup. Fortunately, the Brazilian fighters had an overwhelming performance.
Take a look at the trailer:
To conclude, we’d like to point out something that Vitor Belfort highlights: "People think that MMA is brutal and that we're crazy." He also says he wishes MMA was as popular as football.
Extra:
The Ultimate fighting championship has some divisions concerning the fighters’ weight. These are the divisions:
- Bantamweight : 55 to 61 kg
- Featherweight : 62 to 66 kg
- Lightweight : 67 to 70 kg
- Welterweight : 71 to 77 kg
- Middleweight : 78 to 84 kg
- Light Heavyweight : 85 to 93 kg
- Heavyweight : 94 to 120 kg
What is your opinion about this ‘new’ sport?
Do you like it?
Do you think it will ever be as popular as football?
B6 Tue / Thu 2:30 p.m. - Camila Pereira
