Ep 4. UFC Pt. 1: No Holds Barred

In the early 1990s, a new form of combat emerged that would change the world of martial arts forever - Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The UFC was a no-holds-barred, anything-goes fighting tournament that pitted fighters from different martial arts backgrounds against each other in the octagon.

This episode of Dark Side of the '90s explores the rise of the UFC and the controversy that surrounded it in its early days. The episode is broken up into two parts, with the first part focusing on the origins of the UFC and the early tournaments.

The episode starts by exploring the origins of the UFC. The idea for the tournament came from Brazilian jiu-jitsu master Rorion Gracie, who wanted to prove that his martial arts discipline was superior to all others. Gracie teamed up with advertising executive Art Davie to create the UFC, and they held the first tournament in Denver, Colorado in 1993.

The early tournaments were wild and unpredictable, with fighters from different martial arts backgrounds facing off against each other with few rules or restrictions. This unpredictability helped to draw crowds to the events, but it also led to controversy. Critics argued that the UFC was too violent and that it encouraged brutality.

One of the most infamous fights in the early days of the UFC was the bout between Royce Gracie and Gerard Gordeau at UFC 1. Gracie, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert, was much smaller than his opponent, but he was able to submit Gordeau in just a few minutes. The victory proved that size and strength weren't always the most important factors in a fight and helped to establish Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a legitimate martial art.

As the popularity of the UFC grew, so did the controversy. Politicians and media figures began to call for the sport to be banned, and some states did indeed outlaw it. The episode explores the arguments from both sides of the debate, with some arguing that the UFC was too dangerous and others claiming that it was no different from boxing or other combat sports.

The episode also delves into the personal stories of some of the UFC's early stars. Ken Shamrock, one of the sport's most famous fighters, talks about his journey from troubled youth to UFC champion. Other fighters, such as Mark Coleman and Dan Severn, share their experiences of the early days of the sport and the challenges they faced in the octagon.

Overall, this episode of Dark Side of the '90s provides a fascinating look at the birth of the UFC and the controversy that surrounded it in its earliest days. With interviews from fighters, promoters, and critics, as well as archival footage of some of the most memorable fights, this episode is a must-watch for fans of combat sports and anyone interested in the cultural and social trends of the 1990s.