From a television finale to UFC 100

December 18, 2009 · decade retrospective

Sports Illustrated’s end-of-decade review identifies the first Ultimate Fighter finale and UFC 100 among mixed martial arts’ defining moments. The former helped establish a wider television audience; the latter demonstrated the scale the promotion had reached by July 2009.

For a Las Vegas archive, the value is in connecting individual nights with the business around them. The sport’s growth depended on recognizable competitors, television exposure and a way to turn new viewers into returning fans. The retrospective ranges beyond Nevada, so its full list should not be treated as a list of Las Vegas events. Its UFC chapters help explain the city’s combat-sports ecosystem.

Original summary by ArenaLV. The source article, photographs and audio remain with their publisher. Access conditions may vary.