1993: Octo

E1

In 1993, the UFC was born in an 8-sided cradle of combat, and promoters, TV producers, and Hollywood set designers still dispute who is the Octagon’s true creator.

1994: Lion's Den

E2

In 1994, Ken Shamrock assembled the first ever MMA team, the Lion’s Den, and showed that success in the ultimate individual sport was a team effort.

1995: The Ultimate Accessory

E3

In 1995, the first UFC championship belt was made for the Gracie vs Shamrock Superfight, which ended in a draw, so nobody won the belt, and it was lost for decades.

1996: Blackout

E4

In 1996, a political crusade to ban ultimate fighting successfully pressured the cable TV industry to stop airing UFC events, nearly extinguishing the new sport.

1997: Judgement Day

E5

In 1997, UFC 12 was to take place in Buffalo, but a day prior, New York state changed its laws to effectively ban MMA. UFC 12 needed a new home, in a new state, on 24 hours notice.

1998: The Ice Age

E6

In 1998, Chuck Liddell made his Octagon debut, and began an unlikely rise for a down-to-earth man who would become the UFC's first breakout superstar.

1999: Country Boy Can Survive

E7

In 1999, Matt Hughes launched a legendary career, but it was after hanging up his gloves, that he faced the toughest fight of his life.

2000: Combatant in Chief

E8

In 2000, casino owner Donald Trump offered a lifeline to the struggling UFC and began holding events at the famed Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.

2001: 3 Guys and 3 Letters

E9

In 2001, the Fertitta brothers bought the failing UFC and installed Dana White as its president, setting the stage for the three friends to revolutionize combat sports forever.

2002: Before & After

E10

In 2002, renowned Hollywood photographer Kevin Lynch began a project with the UFC vividly re-framing the public perception of what it means to be a UFC fighter.

2003: Matter of Pride

E11

In 2003, UFC President Dana White entered Chuck Liddell into PRIDE FC’s Middleweight Grand Prix tournament, with hopes of winning the larger battle for MMA world supremacy.

2004: Bully Proof

E12

In 2004, Georges St-Pierre debuted in the Octagon and began one of the most dominant runs in UFC history - an unlikely path for a victim of childhood bullying.

2005: Reconnecting with Reality

E13

In 2005, The Ultimate Fighter reality series saved the UFC from failure, and 13 years later, the inaugural cast reunited for an extraordinary event, to break bread and bust b@lls.

2006: The OGs

E14

In 2006, Arianny Celeste began her run as a UFC Octagon Girl, becoming the most famous ever to carry a round, and transforming the role from event eye-candy to brand icon.

2007: Finding Forrest

E15

In 2007, Forrest Griffin, the original Ultimate Fighter, scored an upset victory that elevated him from reality TV star to true championship contender, one of many chapters he authored in the UFC history books.

2008: Bound by Valor

E16

In 2008, the UFC held the first of many live events that raised millions of dollars for military causes, deepening the bond between the MMA organization and the U.S. Armed Forces.

2009: Worth the Wait

E17

In 2009, Daniel Cormier made his mixed martial arts debut and began one of the most storied careers in the sport's history.

2010: We Are Live

E18

In 2010, the UFC production team built an arena in the desert for one night of fights, exemplifying their bold approach and commitment to creating an unmatched live event experience.

2011: New York State of Mind

E19

In 2011, the UFC changed their tactics in the long battle to legalize mixed martial arts in New York state, and finally started to turn the tide.

2012: Take Me with You

E20

In 2012, UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos made an unlikely friend and took him on the journey of a lifetime.

2013: Breaking Barriers

E21

In 2013, women fought in the UFC Octagon for the first time and, led by Ronda Rousey, launched a revolution in combat sports.

2014: Bad Blood, Good Business

E22

In 2014, Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier ignited their intense feud, leading to a pair of the UFC's most successful Pay-Per-View events, and confirming the notion that "Bad Blood" sells.

2015: Tested

E23

In 2015, the UFC partnered with the United States Anti-Doping Agency on a groundbreaking program to combat the use of performance enhancing drugs.

2016: Agents of Change

E24

In 2016, Hollywood talent agency Endeavor, led by Ari Emanuel, purchased the UFC for $4 billion in the largest transaction in sports history.

2017: MacMania

E25

In 2017, Conor McGregor showed his transcendent star power by turning an inconceivable idea into an irresistible event that defied all expectations and captured imaginations around the world.