The UFC, a mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada, is owned and operated by Zuffa, a subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings.
It holds the distinction of being the largest MMA promotion company in the world since 2011, and showcases 12 weight divisions (eight for men and four for women) in events held across the globe. The company adheres to the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts.
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| Ultimate Fighting Championship | UFC |
Since its inception in 1993, with the first event held in Denver, Colorado, the UFC has organized over 600 events. The early competitions aimed to identify the most effective martial art through contests with minimal rules and no weight classes between fighters of different fighting disciplines.
In subsequent events, more rigorous rules were created and fighters began adopting effective techniques from various disciplines, leading to the creation of present-day mixed martial arts.
Dana White has been the company's president since 2001, and under his leadership, it has grown into a global multi-billion-dollar enterprise.
In 2016, UFC's parent company, Zuffa, was sold to a group led by Endeavor, including Silver Lake Partners, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, and MSD Capital, for $4.025 billion. In 2021, Endeavor bought out Zuffa's other owners for a valuation of $1.7 billion.
The UFC has expanded its reach through television deals and expansion into new markets, including Australia, Asia, Europe, and the United States.
In 2015, the company earned $609 million, and its most recent domestic media rights agreement with ESPN was valued at $1.5 billion over a five-year term.