Inspired by Brazilian vale tudo, the UFC began in Denver, Colorado in 1993 as a single-event tournament designed to find the world's best fighters, regardless of their fighting style (whether boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, karate, Brazilian jiu jitsu or other disciplines). Although they did prescribe a limited number of rules, promoters marketed fighting in the UFC as no holds barred, and contests were often violent and brutal, leading critics like Senator John McCain to dub the sport "human cockfighting." Political pressures eventually led the UFC into the underground as pay-per-view providers nixed UFC programming, nearly extinguishing its public visibility.

As political pressure mounted, the UFC reformed itself, slowly embracing stricter rules, becoming sanctioned by State Athletic Commissions, and marketing itself as a legitimate sporting event. Dropping the no holds barred label and carrying the banner of mixed martial arts, the UFC has emerged from its political isolation to regain its position in pay-per-view television.

With a cable-television deal and expansion into Canada, Europe and new markets within the United States, the UFC as of 2009 has gained in popularity, along with greater mainstream-media coverage. As of 2009 viewers can access UFC programming on Spike in the United States and Canada, on ESPN in the United Kingdom as well as in 33 other countries worldwide.

81.Breaking .Point

82.Pride .Of. A.Champion

83.Serra.Vs. St-Pierre2

84.III.Will

85.Bedlam

86.Jackson.Vs.Griffin.

87.Seek.And.Destroy.

88.Breakthrough

89.Bisping.Vs.LEBAN

90.Silva.Vs.Cote

91.Couture.Vs.Lesnar.

92.The.Ultimate.2008

93.Franklin.Vs.Henderson

94.St-Pierre.Vs.Penn.2

95.Sanchez.VS.Stevenson

96.Jackson.VS.Jardine

97.Redemption

98.Evans.VS.Machida

99.Countdown

100.Making.History

101.Declaration.Penn.VS.Florian.Repack

102.Couture.VS.Nogueira

103.Franklin.VS.Belfort

104.Shogun.VS. Machida

105.Couture.VS.Vera

106.Ortiz.VS.Griffin.Full

107.Penn.VS.Sanchez

108.Evans.VS.Silva