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.
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, 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.
Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of UFC, purchased Strikeforce in 2011. However at that that time, reports indicated that rather than merge the two organizations, they would remain as independent entities. Despite that statement, there have been many changes, and Zuffa terminated most employees at Strikeforce.
There are now several vacant weight classes in Strikeforce due to fighters moving over to UFC. The men have vacancies in the welterweight and the light heavyweight classes, and the women have lost the featherweight division. Fortunately for Strikeforce fans, Showtime did extend its contract until 2014 and Zuffa, LLC., has indicated that no more fighters will move to UFC for the present time.
While both organizations are governed by the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, Strikeforce has a few distinct differences. The Strikeforce cage is shaped like a hexagon, while UFC fighters fight in the octagon. Until the purchase by Zuffa, Strikeforce fighters also were not allowed to elbow an opponent's head when they on the ground. After the purchase, however, that rule was changed.
Worldwide, the sport of mixed martial arts continues to increase in popularity, especially in the United States thanks greatly to the work of UFC and Strikeforce promoters. In the future, many sports analysts predict that the competition will be even better as fighters better hone their skills in multiple styles of martial arts. Like other young sports, as time passes, the competition becomes more impressive year after year.
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.
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, 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.
Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of UFC, purchased Strikeforce in 2011. However at that that time, reports indicated that rather than merge the two organizations, they would remain as independent entities. Despite that statement, there have been many changes, and Zuffa terminated most employees at Strikeforce.
There are now several vacant weight classes in Strikeforce due to fighters moving over to UFC. The men have vacancies in the welterweight and the light heavyweight classes, and the women have lost the featherweight division. Fortunately for Strikeforce fans, Showtime did extend its contract until 2014 and Zuffa, LLC., has indicated that no more fighters will move to UFC for the present time.
While both organizations are governed by the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, Strikeforce has a few distinct differences. The Strikeforce cage is shaped like a hexagon, while UFC fighters fight in the octagon. Until the purchase by Zuffa, Strikeforce fighters also were not allowed to elbow an opponent's head when they on the ground. After the purchase, however, that rule was changed.
Worldwide, the sport of mixed martial arts continues to increase in popularity, especially in the United States thanks greatly to the work of UFC and Strikeforce promoters. In the future, many sports analysts predict that the competition will be even better as fighters better hone their skills in multiple styles of martial arts. Like other young sports, as time passes, the competition becomes more impressive year after year.
About the Author:
Nolan Barias loves writing about mixed martial arts advantages. For more 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 today.
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