Video: Watch UFC 1 Event That Started The Movement
The full broadcast of the UFC 1 event that started the movement known as the worldwide leader in mixed martial arts (MMA) has surfaced. The official YouTube channel of the Las Vegas-based promotion released the show.
The event was held at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado, on November 12, 1993. It was broadcasted live on pay-per-view (PPV) where it pulled in 86,000 buys and saw 7,800 fans in attendance.
There was an eight-man tournament format used with the winner receiving $50,000. This was a different company with different rules. The fights only ended by submission, knockout, or the fighter’s corner throwing in the towel.
Also, for each fight, there were no weight classes, time-outs, or judges. In fact, there were only two rules which carried a $1,500 fine if fighters broke those rules. Those rules being no biting or eye gouging.
UFC 1 Event Results
In the end, Royce Gracie won the tournament by beating Gerard Gordeau via rear naked choke. You can read the full results here:
Finals
- Royce Gracie def. Gerard Gordeau Submission (rear naked choke)
Semi-finals
- Royce Gracie def. Ken Shamrock Submission (sleeve choke)
- Gerard Gordeau def. Kevin Rosier TKO (corner stoppage)
Quarter-finals
- Ken Shamrock def. Patrick Smith Submission (heel hook)
- Royce Gracie def. Art Jimmerson Submission (mount)
- Kevin Rosier def. Zane Frazier TKO (corner stoppage)
- Gerard Gordeau def. Teila Tuli TKO (head kick)
Alternate bout
- Jason DeLucia def. Trent Jenkins Submission (rear-naked choke)
