When the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was launched in 1993 some fans expected to see the type of "no-holds barred" matches that usually only happen in a pub car park late on a Saturday night. Others waited for martial arts masters to step into the UFC's octagonal cage and win each match with the "death touch".

What fight fans did get was the reality of what happens when fighters using different styles compete against each other and the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) was born. MMA fighters compete using a variety of different disciplines including boxing, kickboxing, karate, judo, jiu-jitsu, taekwondo, Thai boxing and wrestling.