The Ultimate Fighting Championship was founded in 1993.
The first UFC event was held on November 12, 1993, at McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. The event was promoted by Art Davie and created with support from Rorion Gracie and other partners. Its original concept was to compare different fighting styles in a largely unrestricted tournament.
The early UFC used few formal weight divisions and had no fixed time limits in its opening tournament. Royce Gracie won the first event, using Brazilian jiu-jitsu to defeat larger opponents. The promotion later introduced weight classes, rounds, gloves, time limits, and a comprehensive ruleset as it sought wider athletic and commercial acceptance.
The UFC is now the largest and best-known mixed martial arts promotion, but its 1993 launch predates the modern regulated format. The organization’s early events are therefore often discussed separately from contemporary UFC competition.