UFC (Ultimate Fighting Challenge) is a very fast growing sport in the United States and has been growing in popularity only recently in the sports long history. In many respects, Ultimate Fighting has surpassed in popularity over any other type of fighting or wrestling sport, as it is a combination of both. Less then ten years ago the sport was in danger of becoming bankrupt. A few people kept the sport alive by continuing to fund the event and sport and it made a stunning comeback. Now the sport, full of international fighters, has national events that are held on pay per view and can be seen world wide. There are many opportunities arising in the UFC and the sport is yet to meet its full potential as the fan base and popularity of the sport itself is concerned.

UFC is by most means, an anything goes sport that requires a great amount of strength, balance, quickness, and endurance. The UFC holds fights in different weight classes that depend on whether or not they are title fights. Title fights are classified under five weight classes. Lightweight: 146 to 155 lb (66 to 70 kg) Welterweight: 156 to 170 lb (71 to 77 kg) Middleweight: 171 to 185 lb (78 to 84 kg) Light Heavyweight: 186 to 205 lb (84 to 93 kg) Heavyweight: 206 to 265 lb (93 to 120 kg).

Non-title fights have a one pound leniency. In addition, there are four other weight classes specified in the Unified Rules which the UFC does not currently use: Flyweight: under 126 lb (57 kg) Bantamweight: 126 to 135 lb (57 to 61 kg) Featherweight: 136 to 145 lb (62 to 66 kg) Super Heavyweight: above 265 lb (120 kg). This is to ensure that the fight is fair as when two people enter a ring that know what they are doing. Typically the bigger person would win because of sheer mass and power to overcome the smaller opponent. Fights vary in number of rounds based on whether or not the fight is a title fight but last five minutes each. Typically, there is about a one minute break between each round for fighters to rest up before they get back in the ring again.

The way a winner is crowned is by four different means. A fighter can win by submission (where a fighter clearly taps out), knock out (where a fighter is in a state of unconsciousness), Technical Knock Out (TKO: where a fighter is hurt to a point where they cannot continue the fight), and by judges decision (where both fighters go the distance and one is crowned by a points system that is tallied by qualified judges). Judging occurs after each round is over with out a knock out or submission. The winner of the match (according to the judges at least) receive ten points and the loser receives nine or fewer. If the round is to be seen as a tie, then both fighters receive ten points.

UFC is a very challenging sport to one's body. Workouts include intense physical training and muscle building as well as endurance training. Learning how to deal with attacks and pain is also apart of the process as this is what the sport entails. Learning how to fight, both on and off your feet, in this growing sport, will allow you to become in shape physically as well as boost your confidence and self esteem. This sport is as street as you can get, as it prepares you for any kind of fighting an attacker may be throwing at you. You will learn how to defend kicks, punches, grabs, and locks as well as countering attacks with your own.