The Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC, is known to any MMA fan around the world. It is an era defining institution in martial arts culture in the 21st century that continues to transform combat sports.
UFC is the largest and most important mixed martial arts promotion company in the world, located in Las Vegas. Having expanded abroad and having succursals in Asia and Europe, it is an institution that defines MMA culture globally. Go to this website to learn more about the latest UFC online gaming experience.
UFC was a pioneer that has operated MMA activies since the sport was introduced to the American public in early 1990s. It has defined much of the current MMA industry and remains its most prominent promoter both in the United States and the entire world.
Probably the most emblematic aspect of the UFC trademark is the infamous Octagon. The Octagon is the combat cage where UFC matches take place - and it has a surprising origin story.
The Cage
The Octagon is a metal cage with eight sides - hence its name, which literally translates as a form of eight angles. Originally built only for UFC use, it came to represent the industry standard for MMA arenas around the world.
The Octagon was initially designed and trademarked to be a unique piece, but its form soon became a staple of MMA cages to guarantee uniformity of matches between leagues.
However, the name Octagon remains in exclusive use by the UFC.
The Octagon is the basis of other UFC institutions. The match announcer is referred to as the "Veteran Voice of the Octagon", and the promoter models are referred to as "Octagon Girls".
Creation of the Octagon
The Octagon was designed to be an emblematic part of the game since very beginning.
UFC left nothing to the chance, and hired the already established video and film art director Jason Cusson to design the fighting cage.
Cusson had extensive creative portfolio, but little to no experience in the combat sport industry. While hiring him might have been a risk on the part of the UFC, the risk was well worth it,
The creative process took its inspiration from a surprising source.
The Inspiration
The main source for the fight cage came from nothing more or less than a Chuck Norris film.
The legendary action star starred in 1980 a film called simple "The Octagon". Most important source was the name - the film does not really contain figthting rings of any shape or size.
In the martial arts film Chuck Norris plays a karate master who takes on a team of ninja terrorists responsible for a series of homicides. Finally he must take on his step-brother who is controlling the malicious plot.
While the story of the movie is endearingly confusing and over the top, it managed to inspire one of the most important symbols of the MMA institutions - and kick-start Chuck Norris' career.
Chuck Norris is not Inspired by UFC; UFC is Inspired by Chuck Norris
Apart from the merits of the film itself, it is only fitting that a martial arts and action legend like Chuck Norris would have a role in the creation of the UFC.
Norris has given us numerous cult classic movies. He is also a black belt master in several martial arts - Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Tang Soo Do. He has also developed his own style of martial arts, Chun Kuk Do. He also trains Hollywood actors in martial arts.
Chuck Norris has also contributed to the martial arts community outside the film industry. He has written several books on themes around martial arts and fitness - but also on philosophy, religion, and literature.
The Octagon, the film that would inspire the UFC to create its famous fighting cage, was one of Chuck Norris' early high earning films, which established him as a serious action film star.