From the archives: the very beginning of the UFC

(l to r) Coach Vince Salvador, Epic Fighting Champion Tyler Sidders and fellow coach Charles Martinez after another big win on September 13, 2013 at Epic Fighting 20 at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel in San Diego, CA. Photo: Jim Wyatt

Charles Martinez a well respected instructor at The Arena in Point Loma, San Diego, CA passed along this gem “Brutal beginnings of the UFC” from YouTube. “Good little video discussing the first UFC,” states Martinez. “I remember it so clearly, remember where I was, the moment I walked in and that first fight. I was hooked from the first moment.”

In that first Ultimate Fighting Show in November, 1993, they had the legendary Royce Gracie, who was one of the first to introduce Brazilian Jiu-jitsu as a technique of self-defense, facing the recognized MMA heavyweight champ Ken Shamrock. In the very first round Gracie prevailed by getting Shamrock to tap out.

Another classic: Frank Shamrock versus Bas Rutten 3