A Look At UFC’s Vast Expansion To Worldwide Success As The Fastest Growing Sport In The World

UFC

BY NISAR KHAN

Over twenty years in, and the UFC has already emerged as the fastest growing sport in the World. Starting as a smalltime company that was criticized, it has vastly expanded over time in a truly remarkable story.

20 years and counting, the Octagon has expanded Worldwide. UFC.COM

The Octagon took its place on British soil last weekend in the opening fight night to a series that would go across Europe and Asia. A sold-out O2 Arena, that witnessed Alexander Gustafsson knock out Jimi Manuwa, was a real exemplification of the UFC’s global grasp.

Back in November of 1993 is where it all began. 2,300 people were in attendance in Colarado for UFC’s first ever event. At the time, the sport would undergo criticism – for inhumane fighting and its classification as a sport brought it under scrutiny. 

Little rules were incorporated with the “MMA” branding early on, and it was really seen as a ruthless spectacle with near to no rules, although this was not entirely exact with things such as groin strikes or biting banned. 

UFC 1 was a tournament, where eight fighters would go through three fights maximum to win $50,000. Royce Gracie, an undoubted pioneer in the sport won, with a submission of Gerard Gordeau in the final to win. 

All fights were finished on the night that the UFC was established. 86,000 people bought it, but the UFC would soon have to adapt to really be appreciated as a Worldwide sport. 



In the early years of the UFC era, there were no weight divisions, and it was highly-believed from martial artists that technique could overcome size in a fight.

It would take eighteen events in the space of four years before the UFC would venture out of US territory. Of course this is logical, as the sport needed to be appreciated back home in the states before heading on outwards.

There was an early reputation of the UFC of extreme violence of which would quickly concern the American authorities. 

Senator John McCain opposed the UFC openly and his campaign led to 36 states banning the sport. This would force the UFC to reform, and they did so, working with state athletic commissions and introducing stricter rules.

While the core parts of the sport such as striking, wrestling and grappling were retained, the less favorable elements that gave the sport a nature of violence helped the organization to grow into a sport and that would be key for International success.

Attendance was relatively low at times, but its steady increase was in correlation as criticism dwindled, with the UFC moving towards a more established sport.

In December of 1997, the UFC organization step foot on Japanese soil for UFC Ultimate Japan. With the inclusion of stricter rules, the UFC was able to go forth. 

The first seven years leading up to the 21st century were slow for the UFC were criticism was always sounding off and the organization learned many lessons to adapt and become the fastest growing sport in the World. 

Many have credited the Fertita Brothers and Dana White for really propelling the UFC. After they bought it for $2 million, they were able to grow the sport like no one could have imagined. 

From then on in, it would grow and grow. After setting a record high 150,000 pay-per-view buys at UFC 40, it would be smashed to 300,000 over a year later at UFC 52. The UFC had become mainstream, emerging as a top PPV sport.

Buying other MMA organizations would further enhance the UFC as it began to expand Worldwide. 

China, Japan, Germany, Australia, UK, Brazil and others had been gripped by UFC. 

Its really astonishing how the UFC went from such a criticized sport on the brink of a collapse to the fastest growing sport in the World, set to take over more with a UFC Fight Night tour spanning the Globe. 

Watching UFC in London made many aware of how powerful the UFC has become, and now rivals a sport like boxing. 

The Octagon continues to make its esteemed journey around the World, further surging the UFC into a prominent era of success.

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Benson Bounces Back as the Octagon Invades the Windy City

BY NISAR KHAN

UFC

UFC on FOX 10: Henderson vs. Thomson

Saturday 25 January 2014

United Center, Chicago, IL.

CHICAGO – Benson Henderson was victorious in the main event of UFC on FOX 10 in Chicago, defeating Josh Thomson in a well-fought main event.



A total of eleven fights were featured on the whole card in the tenth edition of “FOX UFC Saturday”, coming live from Chicago for the third consecutive year in January. 

Five of those fights featured finishes, with some of the best action coming in the main event and preliminary main-event.

Benson Henderson defeated Josh Thomson via Split Decision in the main event, a decision that was deemed controversial by a few critics as it seemed Thomson’s grappling gave him the edge in the fight. But the arguments went strongly either way.

Preliminary Action Overview

Four out of the seven undercard fights were finishes to kick start a wild night in the Windy City.

It all started just twenty-five seconds into fight action, with Nikita Krylov made quick work of his opponent, Walt Harris. Exchanging strikes early on, Krylov landed a head-kick which dazed Harris, allowing “Al Capone” to relentlessly strike away before the referee stoppage.

George Sullivan, Hugo Viana and Chico Camus were the winners via unanimous decision, defeating Mike Rhodes, Junior Hernandez and Yaotzin Meza respectively.

A stunning wheel-kick with just seconds remaining of Round 2 would prove conclusive as Daron Cruikshank got the win over Mike Rio. The breathtaking kick was followed up by a bombardment of strikes for the stoppage.

Having lost a title fight in September last-year, Eddie Wineland bounced back impressively, landing a ferocious right hand to reply to a leg kick, sending Yves Jabouin to the mat. After some reluctant defense by Jabouin, Wineland managed to get his back and pound away for the victory.

Alex Caceres and Sergio Pettis threw it down in a compelling and back-and-forth preliminary main event, with Caceres emerging as the late victor with a rear-naked choke. With just over twenty seconds remaining, Sergio would be forced to tap out to the choke to culminate a wild encounter in Chicago.

Jeremy Stephens def. Darren Elkins
Unanimous Decision (29 – 28, 30 – 27, 30 – 27)

Jeremy Stephens opened the main card with a comfortable win over Darren Elkins, with his stand-up and takedown prevention proving vital in his victory.

After exchanging early strikes, the fight went to the ground momentarily following Darren Elkins’ slip. However, Jeremy Stephens decided to take it back to the feet, where he was excelling against his opponent and scored affirmatively.

At numerous times during the fight, we saw Darren Elkins diving for either a double-leg or single-leg takedown, but to no significant avail.

A good win for Jeremy Stephens, as he hopes it is one of many to come in the near future.

Donald Cerrone def. Adriano Martins
Knockout (Head-Kick, 4:40 of Round 1) 

Donald Cerrone delivered an incredible highlight-reel head-kick knockout to Adriano Martins in the first round to send a statement to the Lightweight Division.

Despite a lone takedown attempt from the “Cowboy”, in the four-and-a-half minutes of action, the two exchanged on the feet.

Looking focused and aware of the task in hand, Cerrone’s Muay-Thai background was emerging with hard leg-kicks.

Then suddenly, following numerous kicks to the leg, Donald Cerrone landed a perfect shin-to-neck head-kick that knocked Martins completely out, before demonstrating great sportsmanship by not inflicting further damage knowing that Martins was already out.

Donald Cerrone delivered on his promise, with his focused approach definitely working in this fight. Can the Cowboy string together more wins for a title run?

Stipe Miocic def. Gabriel Gonzaga
Unanimous Decision (30 – 27, 29 – 28, 30 – 27)

Stipe Miocic managed to avoid Gabriel Gonzaga’s big shots in a convincing victory for his eleventh career win.

Gabriel Gonzaga had the better in the opening round, with a couple of leg kicks and generally some clean striking.

However, as the bout progressed, it would be Stipe Miocic’s boxing skills that would provide him with the threshold in the bout, keeping Gonzaga well away and jabbing away to pick up points from the judges.

In the final round, Miocic came relatively close to putting Gonzaga away, leaving him dazed for a while as the battle took to the ground, but the clock would tick down.

Back-to-back wins for Miocic, bouncing back from a loss to Stefan Struve in 2012, and Miocic is looking good once again to keep a big-hitter at bay.

Benson Henderson def. Josh Thomson
Split Decision (48 – 47, 49 – 46, 47 – 48)

Benson Henderson prevailed in a well-fought bout with Josh Thomson to bounce back from his title loss and defeat a game opponent.

Benson Henderson was able to escape some early trouble, after Josh Thomson landed an early takedown following a leg kick. For the majority of the round, Thomson worked on his back and looked for the choke, but eventually Henderson managed to escape carrying Thomson’s body weight with him. Soon after, the two would exchange again, before Thomson this time escaped an arm triangle. Josh Thomson landed a big takedown to end the round, indefinitely sealing the first round in his favor.

Back-Off: Benson Henderson upright with Josh Thomson applying pressure up against the fence.

A lot of action in the clinch would ensue in the second round. Benson Henderson scored with some calf-kicks, but yet again Josh Thomson would open up an advantage getting Benson’s back. Yet again, Benson Henderson proved the stronger man, lifting Josh Thomson up and forcing him to release the body triangle. Both had their fair share of strikes too, with the feeling out process well and truly over, as both men got to the action and went for it.

Clinch: Benson Henderson scores on the clinch-game with Thomson

As the fight went through its midpoint, Benson Henderson took more control. Josh Thomson seemed to be carrying a hand injury, with reports that his right hand was broken. Benson Henderson out-wrestled his opponent in the round, despite Thomson still throwing the hand that was damaged. Despite Benson Henderson’s half-attempts to finish the fight, it would go to the main event rounds…

The fourth round was a much more contested one than the previous round. Josh Thomson took away the thoughts of his injured hand and wrestled with Benson Henderson, applying pressure yet again getting on his back. The Chicago crowd embraced a few laughs when Benson Henderson swept hair of his face when Josh Thomson was on his back, but the showboating would then come from Thomson, fist pumping while on Henderson’s back.

Showboating: Josh Thomson hypes up the crowd while on Henderson’s back.

They would complete the fight with another well-contested round in the fifth. Josh Thomson’s numerous takedowns where his standpoint in the round, while hooks to the body and kicks to the body were scoring points for the former Champion.

It was unfortunate for Josh Thomson since he damaged his hand in the second round, and that is what could have held him back. Impressive by both men, and Benson Henderson’s physical strength, striking and wrestling plays a pivotal role in his victory over Josh Thomson.

Comment: Benson Bounces Back in a Wild Night in Chicago

Well that’s it for another FOX UFC Saturday, and it’s another entertaining one.

First of all, a well-contested main event. A lot of justification following this bout could point Josh Thomson’s hand injury as a key part in Benson’s victory – but that takes little away from his fantastic performance today. This could start a resurgence for “Smooth” Benson Henderson.  While Josh Thomson, who was in line for a title shot, deserves credit for taking the fight and taking it to Henderson.

Donald Cerrone delivered some of the best of the night in my opinion, a terrific head-kick. While the main event and preliminary main event were Fight of the Night candidates. Too bad Gonzaga didn’t show up in the expected manner in the co-main event.

Benson Henderson is victorious in what could be the start of his resurgence having lost his title. So long Chicago for now, as the Octagon looks ahead to UFC 169 next week.

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UFC FIGHT NIGHT 26: Sonnen Makes Quick Work of Shogun in Round 1 Submission Shocker

By Nisar Khan

BOSTON – Chael Sonnen submitted Shogun Rua in a first round shocker in the main event of UFC Fight Night 26.

Chael Sonnen celebrates after making Shogun tap out. (via MMAFighting)

PRELIMS:

CONNOR McGREGOR VS. MAX HOLLOWAY

Irishman Connor McGregor battled in front of a vibrant Boston crowd at the TD Garden who gave him a huge reception upon his arrival. McGregor had a lot of hype surrounding him going into this fight as he battled 21-year-old Max Holloway.

Connor McGregor surges forward looking for the finish.

Connor McGregor had an excellent first round, demonstrating great kicks and incorporating some great acrobatics into his arsenal. The 21-year-old Max Holloway took some damage as Connor McGregor invited him to take more strikes. There was more of the same in the second round, but this time we saw Connor McGregor’s ground game. While Max Holloway may have kept a great guard, it was also a great struggle as McGregor dominated the first two rounds. There was more of the same in the third round with more ground and pound as Connor McGregor dominated the three rounds. 

A great showcase of unorthodox skills, striking and a dominant performance by Irishman Connor McGregor, who defeated Max Holloway via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26). Connor McGregor picks up another win, and now fans are excited for the next time he fights.


BRAD PICKETT VS. MICHAEL McDONALD

Two top Bantamweights battled with the young Michael McDonald battling Brad Pickett.

Michael McDonald came out with a ferocious flurry of punches early into Round 1, many Bantamweights would have been down and out at that point but his toughness was on full display when he was able to continue the fight. There was a lot of swelling on his face from the vicious strikes but Pickett gained some time on the ground. There was more ground game in the second round, but McDonald would pick up the win with a great submission, a combination of an arm-bar and triangle choke leaving Pickett no other option but to tap out. –

McDonald may have beaten Pickett’s resolve, but not his chin.

Superb striking in the first round, but that was not good enough to beat Brad Pickett’s very durable chin, but it was the submissions that came to his advantage with the Triangle Choke making Pickett tap out and Michael McDonald defeats Brad Pickett via Submission (triangle choke).

UFC Fight Night 26 kicked off with some great action in the prelims. We witnessed a war between Brandao and Pineda, a great showcase of unorthodox offense from the Irish Connor McGregor and another superb victory for Michael McDonald. It set up for a fantastic main card.


MAIN CARD:

JOE LAUZON VS. MICHAEL JOHNSON

The bonus-winning Joe Lauzon stepped back into the Octagon to battle Michael Johnson in the firsr fight of the main card.

Michael Johnson’s speed gave him a huge edge in the first round, and his striking had Joe Lauzon in dire straits. Lauzon took some hard hits, but his endurance allowed him to continue strong in front of his home crowd. Johnson slowed down in Round 2, allowing Lauzon to contend with him much better than in the previous round. The second Round went at a much slower pace with less significant moments though Lauzon seemed to stay in it with better success in Round 2 as oppose to Round 1. A takedown just before the end of the round could have been of great significance on the scoring cards.

“I need you to work like you’ve never worked before”

               – Coach to Joe Lauzon ahead of Round 3

Joe Lauzon was exhausted after taking a lot of punishment in Round 1.


Joe Lauzon just seemed too exhausted to put out any take downs or any huge strikes, the damage acquired from Round 1 took it’s toll. However, he remained resilient, and managed to get to the end, but not get the win.

Michael Johnson looking on top form as he defeats Joe Lauzon via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25) in an incredible performance.

URIAH HALL VS. JOHN HOWARD

It was a battle of prime knockout artists as TUF 17 runner-up Uriah Hall took to the Octagon to battle Boston’s own John Howard.

Uriah Hall was quick and stealthy in the first round, going for an early takedown before allowing Howard to get up for stand-up striking. Twice in the first round, Uriah Hall went for the spinning kick, reminiscent to his TUF 17 knockout, but Howard was able to move out the way. John Howard pressurized Uriah against the cage, including a Guillotine attempt. It was a much slower round as Howard managed to contain Hall. Going into Round 3 it seemed like a very close fight. But the third round was again slow and quite lackluster, and the final 20 seconds were the most entertaining, with Uriah Hall diving as he went for a kick, and Howard came close to nailing him and if that hit, it would have been lights out. It goes to the judges and John Howard wins via Unanimous Decision.

A fight that had too much mutual respect, it is the UFC and after all it is a fighting business. Hall may now be subject to some criticism for the performance, but the biggest underdog on the card John Howard defeats Uriah Hall via Split Decision.


MATT BROWN VS. MIKE PYLE

Welterweights Matt Brown and Mike Pyle, and there win streaks collided, with one streak coming to an end in a bout that would make or break contendership.

Matt Brown ended it quickly with a huge knee before finishing the bout via TKO.

Brown’s winning streak continues as he defeats Mike Pyle via TKO in Round 1.


URIJAH FABER VS. IURI ALCANTRA

Bantamweights Urijah Faber and Iuri Alacantra engaged in a great ground war when they fought in the main card.

The first round witnessed a great ground battle and showcase of superb wrestling by both combatants, this continued throughout the other rounds in a grueling bout, and Faber scored over 130 ground strikes. Fatigue built in after Faber grinded out on the ground. Faber rises to the occasion with nasty ground and pound dominating Alcantara. Faber wins by unanimous decision.

Urijah Faber after his win.

ALLISTAIR OVERREEM VS. TRAVIS BROWNE

After an enthralling strike war between the two giants, Overreem looked like he was closing in on the victory to finish Travis Browne, but he approached Browne with no respect and walked straight into a face kick and he was out. Once again, Overreem does not respect the striking, and he pays for it.

On Point: Travis Browne knocks out Overreem with a vicious head kick. (via UFC.com)

CHAEL SONNEN VS. SHOGUN RUA

Chael Sonnen was quick to defeat Shogun Rua and cut straight to the action by taking down Rua. Rua struck back with his own takedown attempts and after a wrestling scrap Chael Sonnen had locked in the Guillotine tight on Rua and he tapped out.

Shocker.

 
FULL RESULTS:
 
 ONLINE PRELIMS

• James Vick def. Ramsey Nijem via Submission (Guillotine)
• Ovince St. Preux def. Cody Donovan via Knockout (Round 1)
• Manny Gamburyan def. Cole Miller via Unanimous Decision

TV PRELIMS

• Diego Brandao def. Daniel Pineda via Unanimous Decision
• Steven Siler def. Mike Brown via Knockout (Round 1)
• Connor McGregor def. Max Holloway via Unanimous Decision
• Michael McDonald def. Brad Pickett via Submission (Triangle Choke)

MAIN CARD

•  Michael Johnson def. Joe Lauzon via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)
•  John Howard def. Uriah Hall via Split Decision
•  Matt Brown def. Mike Pyle via TKO (Round 1)
•  Urijah Faber def. Iuri Alcantara via Unanimous Decision
•  Travis Browne def. Alistair Overreem via Knockout
•  Chael Sonnen def. Shogun Rua via Submission

THE BREAKDOWN:

 BEST FIGHTS:

Faber vs. Alcantara – The Bantamweights take the best fight on the main card, a great ground war between Faber and Alcantara proved for great entertainment.

BEST CHIN:

Brad Pickett – Although the Bantamweight would tap out from a Traingle Choke in the second round from Michael McDonald, he did not go down in the vicious flurry of punches in Round 1. Michael McDonald even acknowledged this, how he hit him so hard and so many times yet he was not finished. Props to Brad Pickett for the incredible resilience there.

HOMECOMING LOSS IN BOSTON:

Joe Lauzon – Although he fought through it, Boston’s Joe Lauzon fell short against Michael Johnson, of who looked on top form.

BIGGEST SHOCK:

Shogun taps – Shogun tapping was the last outcome I would have expected from the fight, Chael Sonnen applies a strong Guillotine to submit the former Light Heavyweight Champion.

DISSAPOINTMENTS:

Shogun, Uriah Hall, Overreem – Overreem has not learned from his mistakes, if you don’t show respect to your opponent, you will get knocked out.. Meanwhile Uriah Hall had a lackluster performance and Shogun tapping out was something I did not expect at all.
Chael Sonnen makes a huge statement and shows that he is still the fighter that we first saw, he has submitted Shogun Rua. Plus, Alistair Overreem has suffered another loss, and Faber prevailed against Alcantara in a great ground war.



UFC has kicked off from it’s new home on FOX SPORTS 1.

 By Nisar Khan

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