Creation of the UFC

Nov 22, 2024

Campbell McLaren, the TV producer behind the UFC, discusses the groundbreaking birth of the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993, emphasizing its unruly and chaotic fights. He reveals how he used controversy for clever marketing, which drew fierce criticism, most notably from Senator John McCain. McLaren also shares insights on the early struggles and pushback the organization faced, including a powerful New York Times article that threatened its future. His unique perspective brings to life the dramatic inception of a now-global phenomenon.

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ANECDOTE

Zane Frazier's Asthma Attack

Campbell McLaren describes a mishap at UFC 1 involving Zane Frazier.
Frazier, from sea level, suffered from asthma in the high-altitude Denver arena, exacerbated by smoke, and was quickly defeated.

ANECDOTE

The Birth of the UFC

Campbell McLaren explains the UFC's origin, inspired by a Playboy article about Royce Gracie.
A VHS tape showcasing the Gracie family's jiu-jitsu prowess, including a brutal beach fight, sparked the idea.

ANECDOTE

Arnold's Input

Campbell McLaren consulted Arnold Schwarzenegger about the UFC concept.
Schwarzenegger, while intrigued, refused to participate, fearing it would damage his family-friendly image, but suggested the octagon.

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In 1993, a new combat sport was born. Its founders called it the Ultimate Fighting Championship – UFC.

It pitted all forms of mixed martial arts against each other with little to no rules and all contained in an octagon-shaped cage.

The first contest between a Samoan sumo wrestler and a Dutch kickboxer resulted in several teeth flying through the air.

It didn’t take long for the sensation to attract some big critics including the late US senator John McCain. He wanted it banned and labelled it a "human cockfight".

One of the men responsible for cooking up this new concept was TV producer Campbell McLaren.

He tells Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty how he used controversy to market the violent spectacle.

This programme contains descriptions of violence.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

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(Photo: Campbell McLaren. Credit: Getty Images)