The biggest organizations in MMA

• By MATT RAMSAY
• Special to 2theadvocate.com
• Published: Jun 30, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:30 p.m.

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In 1993, Rorion Gracie, Art Davie and Robert Meyrowitz set out to find the best fighters in the world.

They planned for the fighters to compete in an event with basically no rules that would allow them to defeat their opponents in any way possible. This was a no-holds-barred event that featured many extremely violent fights with brutal endings. The Ultimate Fighting Championship was born.

Even though these fights were exciting to watch, political pressure over the violence increased, and Pay-Per-View dropped the events from its roster. This almost caused the death of the UFC and the sport of Mixed Martial Arts in the U.S.

Soon, Gracie, Davie and Meyrowitz wanted out. They got their wish when they struck a deal with casino owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta and boxing promoter Dana White. White and the Fertittas bought the UFC for $2 million in 2001 and created Zuffa LLC as the parent company to manage the organization.

The Fertittas brothers, with White at the forefront, took UFC to all-new heights after they not only signed new deals with PPV, but also signed recognizable fighters such as Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, Mark Coleman, Tito Ortiz, Matt Hughes and B.J. Penn.

The UFC became the benchmark of MMA with a television deal, its expansion into foreign markets, its record–breaking Pay-Per-View profits and its buyout of its biggest competitor, Pride LLC.

Even though the UFC is currently the leader in MMA action, there are several other notable organizations coveting the top spot.

Elite XC, founded in November 2006 by Showtime Productions and Pro Elite, is the second largest MMA organization in the world. Elite XC does not have the best fighters, but they are arguably some of the most marketable fighters in the world.

Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson, for instance, is not known for what he has done in the MMA arena the Octagon, but what he has done outside of it. Ferguson became famous for taking backyard bare-knuckled fights and for being one of the most intimidating figures in any sport today. Ferguson was such an Internet sensation that Elite XC decided to take him purely from a marketing perspective.

Although risky because of his past, signing Ferguson worked out great for Elite XC. Their viewing numbers have soared since his first fight, which was with Bo Cantrell. Ferguson was also in the main fight against James Thompson. on the nationally televised primetime MMA event Although he was not impressive in winning his fight, he did deliver a solid knockout in overall ratings for the show. Elite XC recorded 6.5 million viewers during the Ferguson vs. Thompson fight, one of the most ever for a MMA event.

Elite XC is clearly building its organization around Ferguson, but also has quality fighters in Frank Shamrock, Robbie Lawler, Yves Edwards and Nick Diaz.

They have also capitalized on a women’s division. Gina Carano, MMA fighter and Gladiator “Crush” on “American Gladiators,” is undefeated in professional MMA bouts. This MMA contestant also has graced the cover of numerous fitness magazines.

In addition, Elite XC has a partnership with the MMA organization Strikeforce. Strikeforce has an undefeated fighter named Cung Le.