The birth of Brazilian jiu-jitsu -- The war of the worlds -- Fight night -- Hybrid wrestling : Pancrase -- The lion's den -- The tournament -- The great UFC PR battle -- Pride arrives -- Remodeling the UFC -- Frank Shamrock and the Alliance -- Gracie vs. Saku -- Enter the Fertittas -- The UFC survives -- MFS -- Tito vs. the lion's den -- Randy vs. Chuck -- The growth of Pride -- The ultimate fighter -- Post-TUF -- Pride before the fall -- TUF 3 -- Ortiz vs. Liddell -- Bob Sapp -- The return of Captain America -- Rampage -- UFC buys Pride -- The couture controversy -- Upsets -- The battle for Britain -- Looking forward -- Challenges.;From the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) meager beginnings to its present-day glory, this in-depth chronology reveals all the information needed to understand the contemporary world of mixed martial arts, where the backroom deal-making is as fierce as the fighting. Between the UFC's controversial president, Dana White, the political persecution that the sport has suffered from politicians like John McCain, and the tumultuous careers of its greatest stars, mixed martial arts (MMA) competition has garnered more than its fair share of the spotlight in recent years. This thorough history provides fans with the whole story behind the Ultimate Fighting Championship, including profiles of MMA's greatest stars such as Ken Shamrock; the immense popularity of mixed martial arts events in Japan; the influence of the Fertitta family, whose Las Vegas connections opened the door for the UFC to succeed; and, finally, Spike TV's role in making mixed martial arts a national obsession.