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Home , Ken Shamrock, Patrick Smith (fighter), Royce Gracie, UFC 1

UFCANNIVERSARY Starting a

FightFifteen years after they revolutionized combat sports, athletes and organizers remember the very first UFC.

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By Jake Rossen “I wrote up a 65-page business plan and made a COM COM . . presentation to Rorion’s students, family and friends. AG AG M M We were able to raise a quarter of a IGHTER IGHTER F F million dollars.” — EAL EAL R R 32 R EAL F IGHTER M AG . COM I Iwsdigudrrudfgt nSnFacso hntw,br-ncl oraet nNwYr iybc nte’80s.” the in back City York New in tournaments bare-knuckle Chinatown, Francisco, San in fights underground doing was “I ewr bet as ure famlindollars. million a of quarter a raise to able were We friends. and family students, Rorion’s to presentation a Davie: Gracie: Rorion it. was that choke and and them, down everybody take I’d Usually, easy. future referee): and UFC student (Gracie McCarthy John “Big” list mailing $100,000. a over did grossed We and years. the over collected had he Davie: Art them. distribute help to offered and matches, challenge taped Gracie’s by mesmerized was who man advertising an Davie, stu- Art first was his dents of one ’80s, late the in Torrance dojo in a to garage his from teaching his moved he When 1978. in California to himself imported had Gracie Rorion Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian of art joint-torquing martial family’s his with ated infatu- be would public American the Believing for Championship. 1993, Fighting 12, Ultimate November the on title: there overcooked sensationally convene a to financiers with curiosity nervous pay-per-view more bizarre even a and athletes nervous of group a led that hw ieti nBai o 0yas tsntignew. nothing It’s years. 30 for in this like had shows We’ve this.” do let’s “Rorion, Art said, and So along be. came to them like I’d as focused as really theyweren’t but else, somebody with show barred] holds [no live iln n a,teUCto 0pattoeso iprt ata rsadwthda hyglaie skeptical a galvanized they as watched and arts martial disparate of practitioners 10 took UFC the raw, and Violent u twspeieyDne’ ako oihn tltccmiso oitree lnyo limited-liability coverage— of plenty intervene, to commission athletic polish—no of lack ’s precisely was it But flclcluei on ntepriglto ieHg tdu eoeaBocsgame. Broncos a before Stadium High Mile of point lot high parking the the and in lungs, constricts found altitude is record—the culture on local is of worse or below Denver 20 than cold—minus places It’s glamorous winter. more the probably in are there phenomenon, international an birth to looking you’re f rt pa6-aebsns lnadmade and plan business 65-page a up wrote I oinhd2,0 ae nadatabase a in names 25,000 had Rorion RY A S R E V I N N A C F U y[hleg ace]wr pretty were matches] [challenge My edsusdtepsiiiyo on a doing of possibility the discussed We epc o i r ntems icrlwypsil:b qezn h idoto o only self-defense. not about of beliefs out traditional wind of the years squeezing also by but possible: opponents, way his visceral most the in art his earned participant for frailest-looking respect the and cracked, bones flowed, Blood audience. stateside combat. no-holds-barred of idea ancient the to savvy marketing necessary the brought Davie Art Deal the of Art The nhnro h rmto’ 5hanvray h atcpnsadda rkr fteinau- the of brokers deal and participants the anniversary, 15th promotion’s the of honor In rnfr o mrcncluevee ata arts. martial viewed forever culture to American conspired how which transform of all teeth, flying the and posturing the jitters, consistency—the of degrees varying with and contentiously oftentimes ua F pk to spoke UFC gural fasbiso hold. submission a of glimpse first their was it viewers, American North many For sion. televi- view per pay on submission by win to fighter first the being of achievement notable the holds Shamrock Ken Hook Heel Historic elFighter Real Davie: participants. for looking went Davie arrange-ment. view per pay a secured and (SEG) Group Entertainment Semaphore provider content with up Promotions—teamed W.O.W. Gracie—collaborating as and he advances, Davie’s rebuffed Showtime and HBO After ae Bncuhr mt,altoeguys. those all Smith, “Bonecrusher” James Gracie: Rorion ih.Te intwn i od hstp fthing. of type this do to him want didn’t They fight. could understood I who Samoan big a Meng, about WCW to talking was I Alexio. Dennis approached I n nteronwrsremembered— words own their in and prahdDnWlo,wotre sdown. us turned who Wilson, Don approached I etle oeeyoyw could. we everybody to talked We

COURTESY OF ART DAVIE (2). PREVIOUS PAGE: COURTESY OF ART DAVIE

SUSUMU NAGAO tdn]SotBsa a eti napiain and application, an in sent had Bessac Scott student] r rudm n ad Ilk o,kd o a fight!” can You kid! you, like “I said, and me around his arm put Rorion him. stomping the and to sweep him a taking with up ground wound I with. fight street a into basicallygot I fighter a was There else. anywhere unlike are aekuketunmnsi e okCt back City York New in tournaments bare-knuckle Chinatown, doing Francisco, was San I in me. fights fight underground would nobody and years 13 for Rosier: Kevin gimmick. going a was be there to line the along somewhere thought I Shamrock: wanted really teacher. I his guy the was that realized I him, to talking in Davie: Frazier: Zane was he devastating. knew be I to and going was, Gordeau who knew I Hoost. But afford couldn’t from—I came Hoost Ernesto Davie: it. get they it, want people the look if don’t but I fights], me. [street take for they kicker, high a am I Because Gordeau: Gerard a erie e hmokbcue[his because Shamrock Ken recruited had I oda aeoto h aesho that school same the of out came Gordeau ee huh h vn ol happen. would event the thought never I h r aaetunmnsi California in tournaments pro The a h SAkcbxn champ ISKA the was I a aaecapo nEurope. in champion a was I ecigpol rvtl thshuerte than rather house his at privately people teaching Davie: Rickson. champion family edged acknowl- and Rorion between dealings ness busi- over created gulf the from stemmed also selection the visual, impressive an was mercy for beg types muscular making rail-thin artist a martial of idea the While style. family’s his represent to choice Rorion’s was Gracie Royce 175-pound Six-foot-one, would. he Indeed tournament. have the would in I guy me lightest told the They you.” sue to promoting going we’re We’re poster, you. a on is name Your committed. n akdot hysi,“el o led verbally already you “Well, said, happening They was out. backed what and out found I after back it, came to [but] commit verbally did I . in Jimmerson: Art 1. on 8 was knuckle It a fight. broke street I a Denver, it. in for into left get I to before wanted days wrestlers Four any if see to ing Tuli): Teila (formerly Wily Taylor McDonald’s. a to way next was school I a though had even I fight overweight. the took I ’80s. the in oinhdafligotwt i rte over brother his with out falling a had Rorion a akdi h o 0light 10 top the in ranked was I i etyasadmittedly years best His eidhm ei Rosier Kevin him, behind atHsUD Prime USDA His Past ac gis Zane against match rgt o i first his won (right) ei Rosier Kevin — rze nsheer on Frazier hywr look- were They toughness. 33 R EAL F IGHTER M AG . COM 34 R EAL F IGHTER M AG . COM W huh farn hthdama n ecudput could we Hollywood.” and is moat off...This fighters a the dropping had and ring that the ring a of thought “We mine. fence was copper electrified the But idea. moat Davie: Hollywood. is This them. announcing togas Roman and trumpets with off, people fighters the dropping and ring the around running chariots on [or] alligators outside, put the could we and moat a had Gracie: Rorion be. to going was it know what didn’t really We all things. said different He these grass. clay. then be mats, to said going he was Then it then dirt, was be it to Then going gravel. be to going was surface Frazier: fight. a fight’s A doesn’t difference. street…man, a the make or ring, a cage, a in Gracie: Royce there.” in you put is we’ll Royce done, When us. with You’re You fight. doing? can’t you are “What said, Rorion it. McCarthy: talked. ever and hardly Rorion Rickson that, After Academy. the at over o’ hn aeu ihthe with up came I think don’t I ttetm,Rro a adthe said had Rorion time, the At a u nm plcto for application my in put had I liaoso h usd,[r hrosrnigaround running chariots [or] outside, the on alligators RY A S R E V I N N A C F U er on e noafight a into get gonna We’re etogto igthat ring a of thought We ftefmu Octagon. famous the of neryDvesketch Davie early An oietedate. the Notice rvt hleg ac nCalifornia. in match in challenge Gracie private Royce a to lost he when first-hand Jiu-Jitsu Gracie playbook. witnessed Gracie had the DeLucia of out right was choke that a with Jenkins Trent out (left) tapped DeLucia Jason match, alternate an In Flattery of Form Sincere A aigfc-fs trn ace ihteBrazilians. the with matches were staring Tuli face-offs, with having Samoans the that from there walkie-talkie down the security on reports get would I lobby. Davie: work. quite didn’t It confrontations. avoid to hotel the floorsof separate on them book to told was arrangements, travel of charge in was who wife, McCarthy’s map. the of corners all from Denver on descended fighters show, the of week The schematic. Octagon pragmatic more the realized company fencing California A hr a o fpsuigdw nthe in down posturing of lot a was There - oinGracie Rorion

MARCUS BOESCH/ALLSPORT USA

COURTESY OF ART DAVIE Frazier: knuckles. wrap their to strikers allowing not his by of brother favor in deck the stacking Rorion was believing meeting, rules the at a stir caused handlers his and Frazier when prematurely began almost bouts Friday’s ad O,m o.H’ on obekm rsand arms my he?” break isn’t to and legs, going me He’s at God. up my looked “Oh, He said, ground. leg the double on a him in put him a and grabbed into I went and We area that.” ballroom past back get flicking can’t I’m He when jab? me a beat out to going is Royce think you McCarthy: cream. cake having ice was and I pounds. 340 about was I . Rosier: fight. real a be to going was it think didn’t later I because days four Denver to went then and ] Shamrock: a be to going was “work.” it partial maybe that week that until up Davie: now. have I control the have out. didn’t ass I his knocked would’ve I time, that at because Shamrock: everybody. to was I how that’s And bag.” body a leave in to here going You’re ass. f---ing your kick to going I’m what. f---ing “So said, I Shamrock.” Ken name’s said, “My He anything. or physique his see couldn’t I and Frazier: h rce n rzlasjumped Brazilians and Gracies the Frazier: bad very or good very either be to going is happens that thing was, next thought The I all And it. said he when up stood he and something saying was (alternate): DeLucia Jason hand? and your home wrap run go to going you are street, Gracie: Rorion brother.” your for up this set to rules the changing “You’re Rorion, told I argument. hmokwsnros ekp thinking kept He nervous. was Shamrock twsagetcac osem agtrin daughter my see to chance great a was It eadIgtit ue huge huge, a into got I and He hre oinadall and Rorion charged I a e hmok ewsalbnldup bundled all was He Shamrock. Ken saw I imro ad Hwi h ol do world the in “How said, Jimmerson etoe oJpnadfuh [in fought and Japan to over went I face, my in gotten never would’ve Frazier fyur nafgto the on fight a in you’re If Rickson . xliigi w seconds. finished two are in you explaining rules, no have you not if is But allowed. what and allowed is what explain to there Gordeau: aehr opry ’lseyutmro ih at night tomorrow you arena.” anyone see the If I’ll fight. party, to to here here know came came don’t I I but “Hey, guys, said, you and about them to turned I quiet. Wily: can you and “Me said, now.” right I go face. Rickson’s in got I up. utsge yppr h hl omgot room whole The paper. my signed just I inteppradIg.Ters stayed rest The go. I and paper the sign I ac,Tl’ ih with fight Tuli’s match, notntl become unfortunately oda etaquick a sent Gordeau ihih-elfodder highlight-reel n iln message violent and ntevr is UFC first very the In etegatwould giant gentle hsi o real for is This o er ocome. to years for osetclfans: skeptical to el ui aka Tuli, Teila alrWily Taylor The . 36 R EAL F IGHTER M AG . COM aln o ae,sitn.I a horrible. was It spitting. names, you calling h ad Ta’ t”Segtu n left. and up got She it!” “That’s said, She McCarthy: went It fear. their silent. hide dead to trying and pads [backstage] hitting everyone was that, into to flying Prior go row. teeth front his the and mouth the in him kicks Shamrock: down. me chop nervous. to so going got was just he knew I I experienced. was he eyes his in Wily: DeLucia: ahead. lay might whatever for themselves prepared fighters the introduction, an through burped Wallace commentatorBill As broadcast. cable a for $14.95 paid spectators couch-bound Arena; Sports McNichols Denver’s for sold were tickets 5,000 Nearly 1993. 12, November night, Fight nwntigaotGreu u ol see could I but Gordeau, about nothing knew I epewr hoigs-,sern tyou, at swearing s--t, throwing were People h ot etfyn ih ym wife. my by right flying went tooth The uige ont i ne n Gerard and knees his to down goes Tuli RY A S R E V I N N A C F U oda (standing). Gordeau Gerard of technique rior supe- and instinct killer ice-cold the for match no were durability and chutzpah Rosier’s Savagery Semifinal o h is w n afmnts a osa few a snap to place. had into I back minutes. things half a and two first the me for destroyed He ribs. my me cracked solar-plexus, got groin, the the in in me got He unbelievably. me hurt Rosier: dirty. very are teeth the because Gordeau: fights foot. two his next in the teeth fought with He it. of side the in lodged DeLucia: stuff dirtiest mind. The my throat. into his came or eyes his or groin his for that going at by me myself embarrassed to really death would’ve or I life point. was It first. at angry was I Wily: he maybe think dead. I be then would And shin. my with fence, kick could the from I away farther was head his If foot. Gordeau: ’ ldta ybohrtrwi h oe,but towel, the in threw brother my that glad I’m Fair i ewt htoehn ih.He right. overhand that with me hit [Frazier] oda’ otwsboe ntowt teeth with two in broken was foot Gordeau’s o aet aemdcnsfrsxweeks six for medicines take to have You my in bone little a and hand my broke I

MARCUS BOESCH/ALLSPORT USA

LEFT TO RIGHT: ALLSPORT USA; SUSUMU NAGAO hn a ojs odhm nwi a five- a was it knew round. minute I him. hold just to was thing u pafgt u tdd’ upiem equit he me surprise didn’t it but fight, a up put Gracie: Royce Jimmerson: hand. his break to want didn’t he that times many Gracie: Royce it. loved They them?” of two wear to want sure don’t “You you like, were, Gracies] [the They in. Royce sucker lv noehn opoetm adadas to also and hand my protect to hand wore one I on hurt.” glove get You’ll a man. it, do “Don’t have say, and guys backstage your it.” go do to don’t builder confidence this, a do What to want don’t you if and “Listen, that said, at looked lawyers, but people boxing really Jimmerson: throat. my in tube in a with up hospital woke the I failure. respiratory gurney into a right on went me I put and They does.” he asthma. “Yes, had said, wife I My if asked and chest my to listened medics Frazier: hsgnrto per ed obr h ace,i ih o eoe.Bt h hmok n rce aesn n ehw h r usigcresi MMA. in careers While pursuing members. are family who different nephews five and included sons and have years Gracies 14 and spanned Shamrocks has the that Both feud over. family be a not It’s might 1. it UFC hatchet, at the time bury first to the ready for appears met generation MMA this American of Families First two The 1 Part Shamrock: vs. Gracie dahwteg okdutlIgti there.” in got I until worked gi the how idea ewstrwn oeamaso us u looked I but guys, on armbars some throwing was he W ace bu 0mntso Gai’]fgt where fights [Gracie’s] of minutes 10 about watched “We hycridm u ftern.Tepara- The ring. the of out me carried They ti n went, and it at hnh o edw,m whole my down, me got he When not were who time, the at managers My esi ewsgigt i eso me hit to going was he said He tsrrsdm hth inteven didn’t he that me surprised It ft ol tpthat stop could I Pfft, ealhdt hr noye tank. oxygen tank. an oxygen share own to his had all had We He thing. of kind that TV, DeLucia: lag. didn’t jet I my tired. over got get I really short, was it though Even view. per Shamrock: beat up.” standing could you I way no there’s “Man, afterward, said He Smith: Patrick life. his in fight has a dad in been My never them. after run back to dad starting my was hold he to because had I you!” kill scream- gonna “He’s were ing, guys his All hallway. the in standing was Shamrock: to around. used moving I’m nervous. getting started I heights. of scared Jimmerson: environment. was his he of see out could lost, I anything. know didn’t he because oc a i w omwt closed-circuit with room own his had Royce ple h is umsinhl npay on hold submission first the applied I Smith Patrick ring. the enter to first was I tslk hba ieyur nacoe or closet a in you’re like phobia, a like It’s e antgigt tn pwt me. with up stand to going wasn’t Ken a no had I . e Shamrock Ken — 37 R EAL F IGHTER M AG . COM 38 R EAL F IGHTER M AG . COM E U G O L I P E ih a victory a was fight mrcnmrilat,i a Kt a orsystem your say to in OK was was truth it the arts, what martial discover American to us allowed “It vrGai family Gracie over eoeeiigthe exiting before ceue i last His schedule. auaai June in Sakuraba 95 econtin- He 1995. 4)wn nto on went (41) e otae for travel to ues ettreUFC three next i w fthe of two win reua fight irregular oc Gracie Royce eiasand seminars anan an maintains tournaments rmto in promotion ia Kazushi rival inthv l h answers.” the all have didn’t 2007. ihig o h is iei h itr of history the in time first the For fighting. RY A S R E V I N N A C F U eundt MMA, to returned ihigfrPride, for fighting uefgtcham- Superfight inbfr mak- before pion 4)bcm the became (44) ynShamrock, Ryan n oeinto move a ing e Shamrock Ken nln’ Cage England’s s11i MMA. in 1-1 is ae i son, His Rage. rsln.He . professional h F and UFC the eetyin recently F’ first UFC’s ie ata arts martial mixed nyoc more— once only coli Holland. in school eadGordeau Gerard 5)fuh pro- fought (52) aa n1995— in Nakai n o usa runs now and esoal na in fessionally retl bout freestyle ost Yuki to loss a t oi,M. and ., Louis, St. 4)rtrdfrom retired (45) n/M y in gym ing/MMA He record. 33-18 Ar oigi 2002, in boxing ean long- a remains cuuaiga accumulating oon box- a co-owns ieemployee time fPpiCola. Pepsi of Jimmerson t fe oedryfgtn on fighting dirty some After aki h hk t14 to 1:44 at choke the in sank i h hl tournament. whole the win reyamt,RyeGracie Royce admits, freely oda’ at hc he which part, Gordeau’s h 5,0 Tap $50,000 The aeFrazier Zane — aur 08has 2008 January 4)cniusto continues (42) i eodstand- record his epast open to plans He ih profession- fight ihr lk in Blake Richard elhcu in club health a hei,Ariz., Phoenix, aeFrazier Zane ly osto loss a ally; n t4-11. at ing y2010. by ohpe ohmi u yhnso his on hands again. my neck put I if him to happen to Gracie: Royce seriously. guy the take didn’t I because myself with disgust just was There mind. my changing of thought no was Shamrock: continue. he to so tried quit, the he [of that go regretted let he I choke], as soon as but business. quit, the He in he’s gi, the without gi, With grapple. to how knew Shamrock Gracie: Royce there. in got I that went, and it at looked I but guys, on armbars was some throwing he where fights his of minutes 10 about watched We was. Gracie Royce who out Shamrock: eddi n ieadpol went, God!” my people “Oh, and time one it nephew. did my We was one and kid my One was canvas. the off kids blood of the couple mopping a have to idea great a Gracie: Rorion a oie o h iwre until worked gi the how idea no had I . 68kickboxing 66-8 a ufl,NY,and N.Y., Buffalo, M eodand record MMA eiigi 2000. in retiring - professional 2-6 4)aasda amassed (46) atMAfight. MMA last ihinner-city with neeti one in interest a expressed has enwworks now He ei Rosier Kevin eodbefore record hlrnin children o etadIke t There it. knew I and beat got I finding in interested wasn’t I eke htwsgoing was what knew He Ken s--t. of full He’s huh twudbe would it thought I ft ol stop could I Pfft, 4)fcdRoyce faced (45) itr vrEric over victory pi 08with 2008 April rmtcTKO dramatic a arc Smith Patrick n submitted and ertre to returned He iaso F 2 UFC of finals “Butterbean” a e view per pay rmstrikes. from rcei the in Gracie eeiinin television Esch.

SUSUMU NAGAO

SUSUMU NAGAO Davie: medal. gold stupid that to McCarthy: mouth. had my just in I taste horrible paid. get a to enough just long, stay didn’t something. We or a coin put gold a They neck, town. his in around medallion sheriff new a was there said Shamrock: great. dinners. was their It getting and plates their getting men, Rosier: shorts. and T-shirts in going up ended Wily: atmosphere. of type Brazil in Carnival a be to it McCarthy: relaxed. and injuries nursed combatants other the while family his by aloft held was Gracie prize, $50,000 the claim to athletes other three conquered Having longer? little a choke about the How on what? hold So I times. head- of I couple when a That’s him what?” butted “So like, look a He me cheated!” gave “You saying, position, the from Gracie: Royce reason. it. the about that’s talk to And still have you You now, him. from bite Years to something. have do I then and him, to thing Gordeau: Fretn Sarah “Forgetting ok ihyouth with works alrWl,aka Wily, Taylor ui n enter- and music rdcin.He Productions. tre i own his started h eetJudd recent the rusadhas and groups anetlabel, tainment el Tuli Teila a ese in seen be can rdcdfilm produced Marshall.” Apatow– l Heart All twsatxd hn,btm n ybrother my and me but thing, tuxedo a was It odymrig o alfo e York New from call a got I morning, Monday h rcewmnwr aigcr ftheir of care taking were women Gracie The hnIfe oc hkn e a some- say I me, choking Royce feel I When (40) hyhdabakteafi.Rro wanted Rorion affair. black-tie a had They htwspr fm epniiiy had I responsibility. my of part was That hygv hc oRyeadbasically and Royce to check a gave They ’ akn ohm okn thim at looking him, to talking I’m h otpoii of prolific most the e fkrt with karate of tem F lmi hav- alumni, 1 UFC olo submitting of goal 32- eod In record. 33-21-1 isos ihthe with missions, n,h sdevelop- is he ing, diint teach- to addition hmoksLion’sShamrock’s e n remains and Den n yrdsys- hybrid a ing hosadsub- and throws 3)wn nto on went (39) n eeoe a developed ing ao DeLucia Jason ri ihKen with train tt Olympic to it officials. 4)hsa 0-4 an has (40) etywrsat works rently eod ecur- He record. rn Jenkins Trent evrsPepsi Denver’s oteDenver the to etr home Center, professional Nuggets. mrcnmrilarts. martial American redefined had (center) Gracie Royce and (right) Rorion seconds, 47 and minutes four totaling fights, three just In Completed Mission narpersonality on-air liaeFighting Ultimate fiitdmore officiated eoeretiring before Championship n20.H is He 2007. in ot o the for bouts o h Fight The for urnl an currently Bg John “Big” hn1,000 than McCarthy Network. o,Rlk recently Ralek, son, aa,submitting Japan, T fGai Jiu-Jitsu Gracie of pedteword the spread azie with Gadzhiyev o i second his won o nothing. Octagon for $40,000 said, a I build And didn’t on?” We go “Absolutely.” to going is “This asked, he Davie: answers. the system all your have say didn’t to OK was of it history arts, the martial in American time first the For fighting. in was Frazier: exploded. just It month. that 500 have to had he show, that After students. 120–150 had probably McCarthy: buys. 86,000 done had we that Wednesday by knew We operators. cable the from in numbers preliminary toget started We roof.” the through “We’re said, they and rac,Clf His Calif. orrance, oinGracie Rorion world-famous M otin bout MMA otne to continues hog his through cdm in academy narmbar. an Alavutdin fe h hw oinadItle and talked I and Rorion show, the After talwdu odsoe httetruth the what discover to us allowed It ttetm h F etof Rorion off, went UFC the time the At Communications, fe evn the leaving after o - n1997. in K-1 for aedisparag- made nie contro- invited es hnhe when versy ei currently is He eeoe of developer a n comments ing eeiinand television hi fDavie of chair e content. Web F owork to UFC bu MMA about r Davie Art a demolished was nDne,Colo., Denver, in h McNichols The n1999. in Arena 39 R EAL F IGHTER M AG . COM