The early UFC events from 1993-2001 had very few rules, allowing techniques like eye gouging and head butting. This led to more injuries and unfair fights. Royce Gracie was the first UFC champion by using ground fighting to defeat larger opponents. Over time, weight classes and more structured rules were added to promote safety and fairness. By 2001, the UFC had evolved into the modern sport it is today with standardized rules and weight divisions.

3. 24 ft by 24 ft All supporting poles are covered with pads Canvas floor

4. Old UFC Started in 1993 Few Rules No biting, ‘fish-hooking’ an opponent’s face, eye gouging and throat strikes. Were the only things illegal. Crazy Ideas Alligator Moats and Electric Fences UFC’s excuse for few rules – “ To allow fighters of many disciplines to compete fairly and freely, without inhibiting any particular style. This (initial) format existed to encourage competition, not injury," The lack of rules actually led to more injuries and lack of fairness

5. UFC 1 The Beginning' (Nov. 12, 1993) Allowed a limitless number of five-minute rounds Contests typically lasted no more than one or two rounds. Royce Gracie, first Champion, ground fighter

6. UFC 2 March 11, 1994 Rounds and time limits were removed ‘ Main event' fights were still in progress as the allotted pay-per-view time block ended Fans got mad, and time limits were put back in for all fights.

7. No Weight Classes A fight that has gained notoriety in old UFC was between Kempo fighter Keith Hackney and American sumo Emmanuel Yarbrough. The biggest man to ever be inside the Octagon, Yarbrough measured 6'8" and weighed 668lbs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYoF3F3nbBY

8. Old UFC Continued The tourney of Dec. 16, 1995 was the first UFC event to feature judges. Judges would score fights and determine a winner, if no one tapped out or was knocked out during the time limits of the fight.

9. Old UFC Ground fighters ruled the first 4 years of UFC. By UFC 8, seven out of eight fights were won by fighters who did not specialize in ground tactics. The first four years saw a change to a more direct style of fighting in UFC, the next four years saw UFC slowly create better rounded rules of fighting, for the safety and fairness of the fighters By January 2001 the New UFC was born

10. 4-6 oz. gloves, 100% leather

11. Weight Classes Lightweight - over 145 lbs. to 155 lbs. Welterweight - over 155 lbs. to 170 lbs. Middleweight - over 170 lbs. to 185 lbs. Light Heavyweight - over 185 lbs. to 205 lbs. Heavyweight - over 205 lbs. to 265 lbs.

12. Fight Durations Non-Championship Bouts 3 Rounds Championship Bouts 5 Rounds All rounds are 5 minutes 1 minute breaks between each round

13. Fouls/Point Deductions Head Butting Hair Pulling Striking the spine or back of the head Kicking the head of a grounded opponent. Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent. Attacking an opponent after the bell No groin or throat strikes

14. Ways to Win Submission by: Physical tap out. Verbal tap out. 2. Technical knockout 3. Knockout

15. Win via Scorecard Unanimous Decision Split Decision Majority Decision Unanimous Draw Split Draw Majority Draw

16. Knockouts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYnOo6W3aZ0

17. Bibliography &quot;UFC.&quot; 2007. Zuffa. 25 Nov 2007. <http://www.ufc.com/>. Montgomery, Cliff. &quot;The History of UFC.&quot; Extreme Pro Sports . 2007. 25 Nov 2007. <http://www.extremeprosports.com/full_contact_fighting/history_of_ufc.html>.