In 1993, the world of martial arts was forever transformed by the inaugural UFC 1 event. Organized by Rorion Gracie, UFC 1 aimed to answer a question that had lingered for decades: which martial arts system truly reigned supreme in a real fight? For years, various styles claimed superiority, but there was no definitive way to prove it—until UFC 1 brought the best fighters from different disciplines into the octagon. This no-holds-barred event stripped away the mystique of untested martial arts systems and revealed which fighting techniques worked in combat and which didn’t.
Rorion Gracie, motivated by a desire to showcase the dominance of Gracie Jiu Jitsu, chose his younger brother, Royce Gracie, to represent their family. Although smaller in stature compared to the other competitors, Royce quickly demonstrated that technique, not size or strength, determined victory. One of the most memorable aspects of the Gracie presence was the Gracie Train—a tradition where the family walked in formation, leading Royce into the ring as a united front. This powerful image became symbolic of the Gracie family’s mission to show the world that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was the most effective martial art.
The Rules (or Lack of Them): The Wild West of Fighting
UFC 1 was unlike any modern MMA event. It had almost no rules, making it a raw and unpredictable showcase of fighting systems. Competitors were allowed to wear whatever they believed would give them an edge. This led to bizarre combinations, such as Art Jimmerson, a boxer, fighting with one glove on and one bare hand. Fighters could wear shoes, use boxing gloves, or fight with their bare fists, further adding to the chaos.
As for strikes, almost everything was legal. Kicks to the face of a downed opponent, groin shots, and headbutts were all allowed. The only restriction was on the use of the 12-to-6 elbow strike (an elbow coming straight down vertically), which was prohibited. This freedom meant that fighters were forced to adapt quickly or suffer the consequences, as seen in Gerard Gordeau’s brutal head kick to Teila Tuli, which set the tone for the no-holds-barred nature of UFC 1. It was a fight where anything could happen, and it often did.
The Rise of Jiu Jitsu and the Gracie Family
At the heart of UFC 1 was Royce Gracie, who shocked the world by dominating much larger opponents using the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Royce’s victories illustrated the power of grappling in a no-rules fight, where his ability to control and submit opponents proved more effective than flashy strikes or brute strength. In fights like Royce’s showdown with Ken Shamrock, viewers saw how BJJ could neutralize powerful strikers, forcing them into submission with precision techniques like the rear-naked choke.
Royce’s success was the culmination of Rorion Gracie’s vision to demonstrate that Jiu Jitsu was the ultimate martial art. The sight of Royce, backed by the Gracie Train, walking into the octagon alongside his family became one of the most iconic images in martial arts history. It wasn’t just a fight for Royce—it was a fight for the validation of Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and UFC 1 cemented its place as a dominant force in the martial arts world.
The Best Fights of UFC 1
While Royce Gracie’s matches are legendary, other unforgettable moments occurred during UFC 1. The brutal clash between Gerard Gordeau and Teila Tuli ended with a devastating kick to Tuli’s face, exemplifying the ferocity of the event. Another standout fight was between Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock, where Royce submitted the larger and stronger Shamrock in less than a minute, showcasing the undeniable power of technique over size.
These fights made it clear that UFC 1 wasn’t just an experiment—it was a revolution in martial arts. The event exposed the limitations of many traditional fighting styles and elevated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to new heights, proving that real combat required more than just striking or strength.
UFC 1’s Lasting Legacy
UFC 1 forever altered the landscape of martial arts. Gone were the days when a martial art could claim dominance without being tested in live combat. The event highlighted the importance of grappling and the need for a well-rounded approach to fighting. It also marked the rise of mixed martial arts (MMA) as a legitimate sport, blending elements of striking, grappling, and submissions.
The event’s format, its few rules, and its unpredictable nature forced martial artists from every discipline to rethink their training. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu became an essential skill, and the Gracie family’s influence spread across the world. UFC 1’s revolutionary approach to combat set the stage for the evolution of martial arts and introduced a new generation of fighters who would train in multiple disciplines to succeed.
UFC 1, driven by Rorion Gracie’s desire to showcase Gracie Jiu Jitsu, proved to be more than a mere competition—it became a defining moment in the history of martial arts. With fighters coming from all backgrounds and nearly all strikes allowed, UFC 1 was a test of what worked and what didn’t. The rise of Jiu Jitsu, the unpredictability of no-rules fighting, and the evolution of martial arts into MMA can all be traced back to this groundbreaking event.
Videos of UFC 1, including legendary fights like Royce Gracie vs. Ken Shamrock and Gerard Gordeau vs. Teila Tuli, offer a fascinating glimpse into a time when martial arts were tested in their rawest form. UFC 1 set the stage for a global shift in how martial arts were viewed, trained, and practiced—a shift that continues to influence the world of combat sports today.
