‘The Rise and Rise of the UFC‘, presented by Adam Catterall of TNT Sports, is an engaging documentary that follows the UFC‘s incredible journey from humble, chaotic beginnings to a global sports juggernaut. Catterall, who serves as the audience’s perfect guide, explores how the UFC became synonymous with modern mixed martial arts with a sense of passion and curiosity.
The documentary begins with a scene that contrasts the old with the new: Catterall observes a children’s kickboxing class led by Jason Baird, a kickboxing instructor while reflecting on how martial arts once seemed like an impossible career path. This sets the tone for the documentary’s exploration of how dramatically the sport has transformed. The transition from niche to mainstream is humorously illustrated when Catterall later plays the UFC video game with two children, symbolising MMA’s cultural relevance and accessibility.
From there, the documentary takes us to Las Vegas, where Catterall delves deeply into the history of the UFC. We’re transported back to UFC 1 when the sport was raw, unregulated, and brutal—far from its current polished spectacle. This historical perspective is bolstered by appearances by key UFC figures including Laura Sanko, Mark Goddard, Michael Bisping, Lawrence Epstein, and Marc Ratner. Their reflections on the UFC‘s early days combine expert analysis and emotional resonance, highlighting the organisation’s incredible evolution.
One of the pivotal moments covered is Senator John McCain’s infamous campaign to ban the UFC, which he called “barbaric.” This section focuses on how important rule changes, such as the addition of rounds, gloves, and weight classes, were to the UFC‘s survival and growth. The documentary also provides an intriguing look at Dana White’s early days, when his attempt to become a boxing trainer led him to the Fertitta brothers. Their shared interest in Brazilian jiu-jitsu would eventually lead to the $2 million purchase of the UFC, which was both a risk and a brilliant business move.
The documentary delves into the UFC‘s early struggles, particularly the difficulty of promoting MMA to a mainstream audience. White and the Fertitta brothers understood that while striking was easy to market, the ground game was more difficult to sell to fans, which is where Joe Rogan’s enthusiastic commentary came in handy. Despite financial difficulties and rejection by television networks, the UFC persevered, and the introduction of The Ultimate Fighter reality show proved to be a watershed moment. This show saved the UFC financially and laid the groundwork for its future success, culminating in the explosive growth that followed.
Catterall walks us through the UFC‘s expansion milestones, including global sanctioning, landing a broadcast deal, bringing in female fighters, and Ronda Rousey’s rise to superstardom. Rousey’s influence on the UFC and women’s sports cannot be overstated, and the documentary does an excellent job of highlighting her contributions. Other fighters, such as Molly McCann, raise important issues such as pay equality, but the UFC‘s pay structure is demonstrated to be merit-based, rewarding fighters who draw large crowds and perform well.
The documentary also discusses Conor McGregor‘s meteoric rise, whose brash personality and fighting abilities catapulted both him and the UFC into the mainstream commercial spotlight. The UFC‘s $4 billion sale to Endeavour and subsequent $1.5 billion deal with ESPN mark the organisation’s emergence as a legitimate sports powerhouse.
Catterall also visits the UFC‘s cutting-edge headquarters and Performance Institute, which were built in 2017 and represent the organisation’s dedication to its fighters and the sport’s future. The documentary then shifts to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, during which Dana White’s determination kept the UFC running, restoring a sense of normalcy in a world that had stopped. The establishment of Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, where fighters could compete safely during the pandemic, is portrayed as an impressive feat of innovation.
The documentary concludes with Catterall attending UFC 300, a historic event that brings the UFC‘s incredible journey full circle. Interviews with fighters and live event footage serve as reminders of how far the UFC has come—from a controversial, fringe spectacle to a celebrated global phenomenon.
Overall, ‘The Rise and Rise of the UFC‘ is an insightful and exciting look at how the UFC grew to become one of the world’s largest sports organisations. The documentary weaves together history, business, and personal stories from key figures to provide a comprehensive look at the UFC‘s journey. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to MMA, this documentary offers a detailed and compelling look at the sport’s meteoric rise.
‘The Rise and Rise of the UFC‘ premieres on discovery+ on September 7th and will air on TNT Sports 1 at 10:30 pm on September 14th. It will also be available to stream on discovery+.
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