Sherdog’s Top 10: Greatest Moments in UFC History

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6. Department of Rules & Regulations

When the Ultimate Fighting Championship burst on the scene in 1993, it reveled in largely unsanctioned chaos, with the tagline, “There are no rules!” There were a few rules -- no eye gouging or biting -- but other dirty tactics like hair pulling, groin strikes and fish hooking were simply frowned upon. However, after the UFC began to gain some traction, it was essentially banned in the United States and could not secure sanctioning in any of the major states. In fact, you could not see UFC 23-UFC 29 unless you had a ticket.

Finally in 2000, the International Fighting Championships secured sanctioning in the state of New Jersey, and the UFC followed suit, just before Zuffa bought the hemorrhaging company from Semaphore Entertainment Group. Much stricter rules were already being implemented to keep fighters safer; an actual rounds system was integrated; and several other key changes were added to the UFC, thanks mostly to New Jersey state athletic commissioner Larry Hazzard. The UFC adopted the state’s “unified rules,” and once Zuffa moved in the following year, it was onward and upward for the promotion. It found its way back onto pay-per-view, and the rest is history.

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