2008 Woodie Awards
New and old blood move fight sport forward
With Liddell and Couture over, UFC's future hangs in the balance
Danny Acosta
Issue date: 3/7/06 Section: Detour
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Two men walk into a cage. One walks out. Blood dries up on the mat. This is Ultimate Fighting.
When the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) - a Mixed-Martial Arts (MMA) showcase - debuted in 1993 it was a real life fight club. Since then, the UFC has developed into a credible sport featuring rounds, weight classes, and world class athletes. The now world famous octagon (the eight-sided cage where the fight happens) is the pinnacle for MMA.
Between 1993 and 2005 the UFC faced a world of troubles. Politicians targeted the event as a decline of society. There were limited venues for fights. The UFC, however, persisted. It skyrocketed with the arrival and dominance of superstar Tito Ortiz. The bad boy from Hunting Beach, California did for UFC what Sugar Ray Leonard did for boxing.
On January 24, 2005 the UFC doubled its fan-base with the debut of the reality show The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) on Spike TV. The show was a mental and physical gauntlet; the prize was a six figure contract. It began with sixteen fighters being coached by UFC veterans Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, who were set to fight on pay-per-view at the end of the season. The finals were broadcast live on Spike TV featuring two prize fights. The Light Heavyweight fight between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar was an instant fight of the year candidate. The two stood bloody for fifteen minutes trading strikes. The UFC gave the defeated Bonnar a contract as well for demonstrating the UFC warrior spirit.
Sanchez (middleweight winner), Griffin, and Bonnar are since undefeated and considered by many to be the future stars of the sport. The personable fighters drew in ratings as much as the weekly fight did. The drama was thick throughout the season drawing millions of viewers weekly.
The big story that unfolded in season season of TUF was between the coaches. As the season progressed, the tension leading up to the rematch between Couture and Liddell became apparent. Liddell knocked-out Couture in the first round, which set up a third fight. The UFC had mixed reviews with TUF season two and pay-per-views leading up to Liddell vs. Couture 3. The final bout in the trilogy was the highest selling fight in UFC history and sold out in minutes.
When the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) - a Mixed-Martial Arts (MMA) showcase - debuted in 1993 it was a real life fight club. Since then, the UFC has developed into a credible sport featuring rounds, weight classes, and world class athletes. The now world famous octagon (the eight-sided cage where the fight happens) is the pinnacle for MMA.
Between 1993 and 2005 the UFC faced a world of troubles. Politicians targeted the event as a decline of society. There were limited venues for fights. The UFC, however, persisted. It skyrocketed with the arrival and dominance of superstar Tito Ortiz. The bad boy from Hunting Beach, California did for UFC what Sugar Ray Leonard did for boxing.
On January 24, 2005 the UFC doubled its fan-base with the debut of the reality show The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) on Spike TV. The show was a mental and physical gauntlet; the prize was a six figure contract. It began with sixteen fighters being coached by UFC veterans Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, who were set to fight on pay-per-view at the end of the season. The finals were broadcast live on Spike TV featuring two prize fights. The Light Heavyweight fight between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar was an instant fight of the year candidate. The two stood bloody for fifteen minutes trading strikes. The UFC gave the defeated Bonnar a contract as well for demonstrating the UFC warrior spirit.
Sanchez (middleweight winner), Griffin, and Bonnar are since undefeated and considered by many to be the future stars of the sport. The personable fighters drew in ratings as much as the weekly fight did. The drama was thick throughout the season drawing millions of viewers weekly.
The big story that unfolded in season season of TUF was between the coaches. As the season progressed, the tension leading up to the rematch between Couture and Liddell became apparent. Liddell knocked-out Couture in the first round, which set up a third fight. The UFC had mixed reviews with TUF season two and pay-per-views leading up to Liddell vs. Couture 3. The final bout in the trilogy was the highest selling fight in UFC history and sold out in minutes.