4. The Fox Debut
After years of building a once-crumbling organization into the empire we now know, the UFC was still typically only found on pay-per-view channels. Eventually Zuffa connected with Spike TV, but as the popularity of the UFC grew, it seemed inevitable that one of the major networks would take the bait. Finally, Fox stepped up to the plate with a multi-year deal, starting with a live event featuring a heavyweight title fight in November 2011.
Zuffa made waves throughout the combat sports world when it was revealed that only the main event between heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez and No. 1 contender Junior dos Santos would be aired. Dos Santos dethroned Velasquez in just 66 seconds, handing the American Kickboxing Academy ace his first career defeat. Fox executives liked what they saw and continue to air major UFC events on their flagship network, along with smaller shows on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2.
Number 3 » Gracie Rules UFC 1