UFC: 25 Years In Short

Season 1

A 25-part series of documentary shorts celebrating the UFC silver anniversary. Viewed as a whole they form a mosaic narrative of the UFC’s amazing evolution, characters and lasting influence.

Where to Watch UFC: 25 Years In Short • Season 1

25 Episodes

1993: Octo - The Disputed Origin Story of the UFC Octagon
E1
1993: Octo - The Disputed Origin Story of the UFC OctagonIn 1993, the UFC was born in an 8-sided cradle of combat, and promoters, TV producers, and Hollywood set designers still dispute who is the Octagon’s true creator.
1994: The Lion's Den - The Story of the First Mixed Martial Arts Team
E2
1994: The Lion's Den - The Story of the First Mixed Martial Arts TeamIn 1994, Ken Shamrock assembled the first ever MMA team, the Lion’s Den, and showed that success in the ultimate individual sport was a team effort.
1995: Ultimate Accessory - The Story of the UFC Championship Belt
E3
1995: Ultimate Accessory - The Story of the UFC Championship BeltSince 1995, UFC belts have become the ultimate accessory prized by all MMA fighters, but their history is a little known, and often surprising, story.
1996: Blackout - The Story of the Political Crusade to Keep UFC Off TV
E4
1996: Blackout - The Story of the Political Crusade to Keep UFC Off TVIn 1996, a political crusade to ban ultimate fighting successfully pressured the cable TV industry to stop airing UFC events, nearly extinguishing the new sport.
1999: Country Boy Can Survive - The Story of Matt Hughes’ Fight for Survival
E5
1999: Country Boy Can Survive - The Story of Matt Hughes’ Fight for SurvivalMatt Hughes was a dominant UFC champion, but after his hall of fame career came to a close, he faced his toughest fight ever, this time, for his very survival.
1997: Judgement Day - The Story of the UFC Getting Run Out of Town
E6
1997: Judgement Day - The Story of the UFC Getting Run Out of TownIn 1997, UFC 12 was to take place in Buffalo, but a day prior, New York state changed its laws to effectively ban MMA. UFC 12 needed a new home, in a new state, on 24 hours notice.
2002: Before & After - The Story of Kevin Lynch’s Iconic UFC Photos
E7
2002: Before & After - The Story of Kevin Lynch’s Iconic UFC PhotosIn 2002, renowned Hollywood photographer Kevin Lynch began a project with the UFC vividly re-framing the public perception of what it means to be a UFC fighter.
2003: Matter of Pride - The Story of UFC's Rivalry with Japan’s PRIDE FC
E8
2003: Matter of Pride - The Story of UFC's Rivalry with Japan’s PRIDE FCIn 2003, UFC President Dana White entered Chuck Liddell into PRIDE FC’s Middleweight Grand Prix tournament, with hopes of winning the larger battle for MMA world supremacy.
2005: Reconnecting with Reality - The Story of The Ultimate Fighter 1 Cast Reunion
E9
2005: Reconnecting with Reality - The Story of The Ultimate Fighter 1 Cast ReunionIn 2005, The Ultimate Fighter reality series saved the UFC from failure, and 13 years later, the inaugural cast reunited for an extraordinary event, to break bread and bust b@lls.
2011: New York State of Mind - The Story of the Fight for Legalization in NY State
E10
2011: New York State of Mind - The Story of the Fight for Legalization in NY StateMisperceptions about MMA lead to a ban in the state of New York, but the issue was hijacked by corrupt politicians with ulterior motives.
2004: Bully Proof - The Story of GSP’s Evolution from Bully Victim to UFC Badass
E11
2004: Bully Proof - The Story of GSP’s Evolution from Bully Victim to UFC BadassAs child, Georges St-Pierre was targeted by bullies, until his father put him karate class, and GSP built himself into a fighting machine, and a UFC champion.
2000: Combtant in Chief - The Story of Donald Trump’s History in Combat Sports
E12
2000: Combtant in Chief - The Story of Donald Trump’s History in Combat SportsWhen Donald Trump opened his Atlantic City casino to the struggling UFC, it was the start of an unlikely friendship between the current POTUS and UFC president Dana White.
2013: Breaking Barriers - The Story of Ronda Rousey and the Rise of Women’s MMA
E13
2013: Breaking Barriers - The Story of Ronda Rousey and the Rise of Women’s MMARonda Rousey’s run of dominance in the UFC captivated the public far beyond the sports world, and blazed a trail for all female fighters to follow.
2009: Worth the Wait - The Story of Daniel Cormier
E14
2009: Worth the Wait - The Story of Daniel CormierIn 2009, Daniel Cormier transitioned from Olympic Wrestler to MMA rookie, launching a second act in combat sports and di cult journey to the top of UFC.
2012: Take Me with You - The Story of a Little Boy and the UFC Heavyweight Champion
E15
2012: Take Me with You - The Story of a Little Boy and the UFC Heavyweight ChampionIn 2007, Forrest Griffin, the original Ultimate Fighter, scored an upset victory that elevated him from reality TV star to true championship contender, one of many chapters he authored in the UFC history books.
2015: Tested - The Story of the UFC Anti-Doping Program with USADA
E16
2015: Tested - The Story of the UFC Anti-Doping Program with USADAIn 2015, UFC launched its anti-doping program with USADA, heralded as the most comprehensive program in pro sports.
1998: The Ice Age - The Story of Chuck Liddell, The First Mainstream UFC Superstar
E17
1998: The Ice Age - The Story of Chuck Liddell, The First Mainstream UFC SuperstarChuck Liddell connected, with knockout punches and with fans around the world, like no UFC fighter before him and became UFC’s first true crossover superstar.
2001: 3 Guys and 3 Letters - The Story of the Fertittas & Dana White
E18
2001: 3 Guys and 3 Letters - The Story of the Fertittas & Dana WhiteIn 2001, the Fertitta brothers bought the failing UFC and installed Dana White as its president. The opening moves from three friends who revolutionized combat sports forever.
2016: Agents of Change - The Story of the Biggest Deal in Sports History
E19
2016: Agents of Change - The Story of the Biggest Deal in Sports HistoryIn 2016, UFC shocked the world when it sold to a group led by the superpower talent agency WME-IMG, now known as Endeavor, in the largest transaction in sports history.
2008: Bound by Valor - The Story of the UFC and the U.S. Armed Forces Connection
E20
2008: Bound by Valor - The Story of the UFC and the U.S. Armed Forces ConnectionIn 2008, UFC held the first of many live events that raised millions of dollars to support military causes, part of the deep connection between UFC and the U.S. Armed Forces.
2006: The OGs - The Story of UFC’s Octagon Girls
E21
2006: The OGs - The Story of UFC’s Octagon GirlsIn 2006, Arianny Celeste began her run as a UFC Octagon Girl, becoming the most famous ever to carry a round, and transforming the role from event eye-candy to brand icon.
2014: Bad Blood, Good Business - The Story of Rivalries Fueling the Biggest Fights
E22
2014: Bad Blood, Good Business - The Story of Rivalries Fueling the Biggest FightsIn 2014, a brawl between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier in the MGM Grand lobby led to one of the most successful Pay-Per-Views in company history because “bad blood” sells.
2007: Finding Forrest - The Story of Forrest Griffin, a True UFC Original
E23
2007: Finding Forrest - The Story of Forrest Griffin, a True UFC OriginalIn 2007, Forrest Griffin beat Shogun Rua in a major upset, one of the many times the original Ultimate Fighter beat the odds to build a Hall of Fame legacy.
2010: We Are Live - The Story of UFC Live Experience and Those Who Bring it to Life
E24
2010: We Are Live - The Story of UFC Live Experience and Those Who Bring it to LifeThe UFC production crew has a distinctive broadcast style, unlike any other sports media presentation, creating the electric atmosphere that has shaped the UFC experience.
2017: MacMania - The Story of Conor McGregor’s Insane Star Power
E25
2017: MacMania - The Story of Conor McGregor’s Insane Star PowerConor McGregor’s skills as a fighter are undeniable, but he has emerged as a singular star, a true original, without peer and without limits.