Alright... so, I said I'd be posting up some of the rare pics I have from my various collection of books, photos and magazines related to MMA. Most of the stuff, as far as I know and as far as searches have shown me, has not been put online yet (though, I'm sure some have at one point or another, I cannot access any easily).
Many of the books that the pics come from are long out of print and very expensive (such as the Gracie Way). There are many other photos floating around online from the very first UFC - the press conference, the lead up and fights themselves. However, the majority of the ones below are not online and come from inside the pages of said books.
Sorry that it's taken me a bit thus far, but unfortunately I am having trouble with my scanner on Windows 7...I hope to get it done by tomorrow. ANYWAY, earlier tonight I was going through some of this stuff and it was just so great I had to share.
Instead of scanning, I did my best to use my shitty cell phone (I don't own a smart phone, you yuppies) and get as clear (as possible) of pics to share in a little preview of what I'll be blogging on here. I have dozens of these sorta pics. Not just UFC 1 stuff - that is mostly taken from two books, Art Davie's, and the Gracie Way - but I am in the process of reading those 2 and the pics are something to behold.
I encourage you to share any pictures you have from the the first UFC (or any early, rare NHB pics) in the posts below. It would be great to turn this into a thread into a large collection of the best pics from the old days.
If you enjoy the read, please leave a comment letting me know what you think, as well as any suggestions you have and what else you'd like to see! Let's help this board to keep growing.
EDIT: As I started adding the pics, this turned into an article/retrospective writing of the first UFC and how it took place.
Scanning, posting and explaining all of the pics just brought it out, as I find the first UFC to be such a fascinating moment in history. If you take the time to read this, I salute you... and I do not think you will regret it.
Again, to anyone who reads and digs - replies and bumps are much appreciated. I did put a lot of time and effort into compiling/writing this. I hope both new and old fans alike can get some good info and fun out of this. Anyway....
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This is very first poster/design for what eventually became the UFC - Art Davie and Rorion Gracie's "War of the Worlds". It's not a well known fact that, before the Ultimate Fighting Championship moniker was coined, the title of the first event went through many changes. The above poster's artistic design was a nod to Greek Pankration, the Olympic sport combining boxing and wrestling thousands of years ago - recognized as the earliest form of combat resembling modern day MMA. Listed underneath the fighters (one wearing a gi, one wearing boxing trunks) was a list of styles represented in the tournament.
Though eventually deciding upon the UFC name, the company behind the UFC, owned by Davie and Rorion, was still called "WOW Promotions" until Rorion sold his stake in the UFC after their 5th event. You can see WOW Promotions written on the checks given to Royce after he wins the tournaments in each event.
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Another early concept, this was the title for what would was inching closer to becoming the UFC - "The World's Best Fighter". In Art Davie's book, there are multiple copies of rejection faxes and letters sent to him by ESPN, FOX and others, rejecting his idea for "the World's Best Fighter" to air on their network.
Fortunately, before everything went forward, the name that has become synonymous with the sport in America was chosen...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Ultimate Fighting Championship... or, simply, the UFC. To millions who don't know better, those 3 letters are the sport of MMA. Shown above is the poster made for the very first UFC. Though many believe the original poster for the first event is the image that is found on the VHS cover, this was in fact the original image and design used in promotion of the inaugural UFC.
Since the event hadn't taken place yet, no photos existed of combatants in the Octagon to use. Instead, a still image of an in ring Vale Tudo match from the Gracie Challenge tapes was settled on - notice the ropes, instead of a cage..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the very first piece of promotional material distributed by SEG and WOW to let the masses know the UFC was coming. Above is the full page ad put into Black Belt, and many other magazines at the time, advertising the show on pay per view.
These were sent out before all of the fighters were signed/locked down to compete in the event, which is why it does not feature any names. It also features an alternate shot from the Gracie in Action tapes as the background image.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are some of the early first sketches done by Art Davie, showcasing the brainstorming and initial ideas he had for the area that the fights would take place in.
Many of the books that the pics come from are long out of print and very expensive (such as the Gracie Way). There are many other photos floating around online from the very first UFC - the press conference, the lead up and fights themselves. However, the majority of the ones below are not online and come from inside the pages of said books.
Sorry that it's taken me a bit thus far, but unfortunately I am having trouble with my scanner on Windows 7...I hope to get it done by tomorrow. ANYWAY, earlier tonight I was going through some of this stuff and it was just so great I had to share.
Instead of scanning, I did my best to use my shitty cell phone (I don't own a smart phone, you yuppies) and get as clear (as possible) of pics to share in a little preview of what I'll be blogging on here. I have dozens of these sorta pics. Not just UFC 1 stuff - that is mostly taken from two books, Art Davie's, and the Gracie Way - but I am in the process of reading those 2 and the pics are something to behold.
I encourage you to share any pictures you have from the the first UFC (or any early, rare NHB pics) in the posts below. It would be great to turn this into a thread into a large collection of the best pics from the old days.
If you enjoy the read, please leave a comment letting me know what you think, as well as any suggestions you have and what else you'd like to see! Let's help this board to keep growing.
EDIT: As I started adding the pics, this turned into an article/retrospective writing of the first UFC and how it took place.
Scanning, posting and explaining all of the pics just brought it out, as I find the first UFC to be such a fascinating moment in history. If you take the time to read this, I salute you... and I do not think you will regret it.
Again, to anyone who reads and digs - replies and bumps are much appreciated. I did put a lot of time and effort into compiling/writing this. I hope both new and old fans alike can get some good info and fun out of this. Anyway....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is very first poster/design for what eventually became the UFC - Art Davie and Rorion Gracie's "War of the Worlds". It's not a well known fact that, before the Ultimate Fighting Championship moniker was coined, the title of the first event went through many changes. The above poster's artistic design was a nod to Greek Pankration, the Olympic sport combining boxing and wrestling thousands of years ago - recognized as the earliest form of combat resembling modern day MMA. Listed underneath the fighters (one wearing a gi, one wearing boxing trunks) was a list of styles represented in the tournament.
Though eventually deciding upon the UFC name, the company behind the UFC, owned by Davie and Rorion, was still called "WOW Promotions" until Rorion sold his stake in the UFC after their 5th event. You can see WOW Promotions written on the checks given to Royce after he wins the tournaments in each event.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another early concept, this was the title for what would was inching closer to becoming the UFC - "The World's Best Fighter". In Art Davie's book, there are multiple copies of rejection faxes and letters sent to him by ESPN, FOX and others, rejecting his idea for "the World's Best Fighter" to air on their network.
Fortunately, before everything went forward, the name that has become synonymous with the sport in America was chosen...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Ultimate Fighting Championship... or, simply, the UFC. To millions who don't know better, those 3 letters are the sport of MMA. Shown above is the poster made for the very first UFC. Though many believe the original poster for the first event is the image that is found on the VHS cover, this was in fact the original image and design used in promotion of the inaugural UFC.
Since the event hadn't taken place yet, no photos existed of combatants in the Octagon to use. Instead, a still image of an in ring Vale Tudo match from the Gracie Challenge tapes was settled on - notice the ropes, instead of a cage..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the very first piece of promotional material distributed by SEG and WOW to let the masses know the UFC was coming. Above is the full page ad put into Black Belt, and many other magazines at the time, advertising the show on pay per view.
These were sent out before all of the fighters were signed/locked down to compete in the event, which is why it does not feature any names. It also features an alternate shot from the Gracie in Action tapes as the background image.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are some of the early first sketches done by Art Davie, showcasing the brainstorming and initial ideas he had for the area that the fights would take place in.
