The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the largest Mixed Martial Arts promotion company in the world, which hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport and produces events worldwide. Based in the United States, the UFC has eight weight divisions and enforces the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts.Dana White serves as the president of the UFC while Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta control the UFC's parent company, Zuffa, LLC.

The first UFC event was held in 1993 in Denver, Colorado. The purpose of the event was to identify the most effective martial art in a real fight between competitors of different fighting disciplines, including Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Wrestling, Muay Thai, Karate and other styles. In subsequent competitions, fighters ventured outside their base style to utilize effective techniques from other disciplines, which indirectly helped create an entirely separate style of fighting known as present-day mixed martial arts.

With a cable-television deal and expansion into Canada, Europe, Australia the Middle East,Asia and new markets within the United States, the UFC as of 2011^[update] has gained in popularity, along with greater mainstream-media coverage. As of 2001^[update] viewers can access UFC programming on pay-per-view television in the U.S., Brazil, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Italy. UFC programming can also be found on FX, Fuel TV, and Fox in the U.S., on ESPN in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as in 150 countries and 22 different languages worldwide. UFC also carries a mobile site for on-the-go users and a Sports Bars page for fans to find places showing the pay-per-view. It is also available on the Roku streaming player.

Chad Edward Mendes (born May 1, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Wrestling for Hanford High School, Mendes finished 8th in the state of California as a sophomore at 103 lbs in 2001. He placed 5th as a junior at 112 lbs in 2002. And 3rd as a senior at a 119 lbs in 2003. Mendes was also a Cadet All-American.

Mendes wrestled for Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA. He finished his career with an overall record of 64-14. As a senior, Mendes finished the year with a 30-1 record; he placed 2nd in the 2008 NCAA championships at 141 lb., falling to Ohio State's J Jaggers in the title match. That year, Mendes was Pac-10 Wrestler of the Year. Mendes also received All-American honors in 2006, finishing 6th at 125 lb.

Structurally, Chad Mendes is knows to apply the Lay-and-Pray fighting methodology within his strategic and tactical approach to each MMA bout. This is primarily due to his extensive wrestling background with limited experience in the area of various striking and submission arts.

Alexander L. Gustafsson (born January 15, 1987) is a Swedish professional mixed martial artist who has competed for Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki, Shooto, FinnFight and UFC in his career. He is currently signed with the UFC fighting in their light heavyweight division. As of April 2012, Gustafsson is ranked the #7 light-heavyweight in the world by MMAWeekly and as #4 by Fight! Magazine

Gustafsson started training MMA in 2006, and before that he trained in boxing which he started when he was around 10 years old. Before signing with the UFC, Gustafsson fought mostly in smaller promotions in Sweden and other parts of Europe. By 2009, he had racked up a perfect pro-record of 8-0, with 6 wins coming by the way of KO/TKO.

He made his UFC debut against Jared Hamman on November 14, 2009 at UFC 105. Gustafsson won the fight via KO at 0:41 in round 1.

His next fight was against Phil Davis at UFC 112 in the preliminary card. Gustafsson was defeated by Davis due to submission (anaconda choke) at 4:55 of the first round. Prior to this, Gustafsson showed good wrestling and takedown defense which Joe Rogan praised him for. Gustafsson even attempted a takedown of his own. Finally he succumbed to Davis' takedown and was submitted.

Clayton Charles Guida (pronounced /ˈɡwiːdə/; born December 8, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist and currently fighting in the UFC as a lightweight. Guida was the first Strikeforce Lightweight Champion and held the title until being defeated by Gilbert Melendez at Strikeforce: Revenge. As of October 2011, Guida is ranked as the #8 lightweight fighter in the world by Sherdog and #6 lightweight by MMAWeekly.com.

Guida is renowned for his relentless pressure and unending stamina.

During the early stages of his MMA career, Guida worked as a carpenter (leading to his nickname, "The Carpenter") while training and fighting in his spare time, compiling a professional record of 20-6.

Clay was generous enough to finance the inspirational video played before the state championship matches. He stepped in with the money after the Illinois High School Association was not able to pay for it.^{[unreliable source?]} Clay is a former Illinois wrestler for Johnsburg High School.

Guida was successful in his UFC debut, submitting Justin James in the second round at UFC 64.

Glover Teixeira (born October 28, 1979 in Sobrália, Minas Gerais, Brazil) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who currently competes in the light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Teixeira is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Luigi Mondelli. Teixeira currently trains and instructs at The Pit with instructor John Hackleman, former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell, and also with UFC, WEC veteran and current DREAM fighter Antonio Banuelos.

His background includes a variety of grappling and MMA tournaments: Grappler's Quest, NAGA, Sport Fight (where he was the light heavyweight champion). Under submission wrestling rules, he grappled well known fighters Jeff Monson and Brandon Vera. He won the 2009 Brazilian ADCC trials in the under 99 kg division and in the 2011 Brazilian ADCC trials he took the second place.

Teixeira defeated UFC and PRIDE veteran Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou by KO on October 12, 2006 at WEC 24.

Teixeira was featured in the second season opening episode of the MMA reality television series TapouT.