The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts organization.

Inspired by Brazilian vale tudo, the UFC began in Denver, Colorado in 1993 as a single-event tournament designed to find the world's best fighters, regardless of their fighting style (whether boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, karate, or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, among other disciplines). Although there were a limited number of rules, promoters marketed fighting in the UFC as no holds barred and contests were often violent and brutal.