On October 26 th , UFC® is set to make its return to its home in the region for a landmark 20 th event in Abu Dhabi for UFC® 308: TOPURIA vs HOLLOWAY. For over a decade, UFC has brought mixed martial arts excellence to the UAE with no signs of stopping. Over the course of 30 years, UFC has earned legions of fans worldwide, inspiring generation after generation of MMA hopefuls. MMA legends of the famed Octagon®, such as Conor McGregor, Anderson Silva, Khamzat Chimaev, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Amir Albazi, have left their mark on the UFC and the hearts of fans all over the world. While the UFC name and its fighters have become iconic, not many are aware of how the world’s biggest MMA organisation started and how far back its history goes.
Beginnings
Going back to 1993, UFC pioneered the industry having started as a platform for different fighting styles to compete against each other. Originally marketed as a gladiator-style contest, UFC’s early years were vastly different from the institution it has become today, including different rules of conduct and the absence of weight classes. Dana White, UFC President and CEO, was instrumental in propelling the organisation forward and transforming it from a niche spectacle into the global juggernaut it is today. Introducing regulator-approved rules, timed rounds, and weight classes, White legitimised and repositioned the sport and UFC.
Turning Point
As the organisation continued to evolve, one of the key factors that transformed UFC into what it is today and how it has shaped modern MMA took place 12 years after its initial start, was through reality TV. “The Ultimate Fighter”, a reality TV show designed to find the next UFC star aired in 2004 and made UFC mainstream. The show became a platform that introduced UFC athletes, their stories, dreams and ambitions. A ratings hit, the finale between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar gave the show and the sport massive attention, igniting UFC’s modern era. The popularity of “The Ultimate Fighter” led to a surge in UFC viewership and made MMA a household topic. Fans became invested in the fighters stories, and the drama of the show built a narrative that went beyond the Octagon. This new interest not only revitalized the UFC’s brand but also opened doors to big-name partnerships, network deals and global exposure.
Today
Following nonstop expansion, UFC amplified its presence across international markets including Brazil, Canada, Europe, and Asia, gaining international interest and uncovering global MMA talent. Now the premier MMA organisation, UFC boasts a roster of elite fighters from over 80 countries with more than 700 million fans, 40 live annual events broadcasting to over 900 million households in over 170 countries, cementing MMA’s place in mainstream sports culture.
A Home in in the UAE
In 2010, the first UFC event made its way to the Middle East, reaching a passionate MMA fanbase and finding its regional home in Abu Dhabi with UFC® 112: INVINCIBLE, welcoming global MMA legends of the Octagon and continuously thrilling audiences in the UAE capital. The excitement continues as UFC returns to Abu Dhabi this year with a title fight for the ages between featherweight champion Ilia Topuria as he challenges #2 Max Holloway, with a long-awaited co-main event as Rob Whittaker clashes with Khamzat Chimaev in an unmissable middleweight matchup.
About the author
Hari Bhagirath is the former Chief Creative Officer at BRAVE Combat Federation. Currently, he heads Strategic Relations and Financial Communication for a major Fortune 100 organization. He is also the co-founder of Totem Capital, a private wealth management initiative.
