A look at events in history of UFC
Here’s a look at key events during the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Nov. 12, 1993 — UFC 1 is held at McNichols Sports Arena in Denver
January 2001 — Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, operating under the name Zuffa LLC, buy the UFC from Semaphore Entertainment Group for $2 million
Jan. 17, 2005 — “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show debuts on Spike TV
April 9, 2005 — Forrest Griffin beats Stephan Bonnar to win the “TUF” Season 1 title in a fight that is cited as the best in UFC history and is largely credited with saving the struggling organization
December 2006 — The UFC acquires World Extreme Cagefighting and World Fighting Alliance
March 27, 2007 — The UFC acquires chief international rival, Pride Fighting Championships
June 18, 2008 — Lorenzo Fertitta steps down operational role at Station Casinos to focus on UFC’s international expansion
July 11, 2009 — UFC 100 at Mandalay Bay
March 12, 2011 — The UFC acquires its chief domestic rival, Strikeforce
Aug. 18, 2011 — Fox announces a seven-year deal to broadcast UFC events on network and its cable outlets
Nov. 12, 2011 — The UFC appears on network television for the first time as Junior dos Santos knocks out Cain Velasquez in the first round of UFC on Fox 1
Feb. 23, 2013 — Ronda Rousey beats Liz Carmouche in the main event of UFC 157, the first female fight in the UFC
Dec. 2, 2014 — Reebok is announced as the exclusive outfitter of the UFC, with a uniform policy set to begin in 2015.
July 1, 2015 — The UFC’s anti-doping program, administered by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, goes into effect.
July 9, 2016 — UFC 200 takes place at T-Mobile Arena, the organization’s first event at the new venue
July 11, 2016 — Zuffa sells the UFC to investment group led by WME-IMG