Man, a lot of people here don't know shit bout MMA or its origins. STFU and read about something before you talk, just because you watch MMA doesn't mean you are part of it.
If you want "original MMA" or "grass roots:laugh: MMA", call Doc Brown and have him bring his DeLorean. 1920's Rio de Janeiro, thats where it started, Vale Tudo(Everything Goes in Brazilian Portuguese) was created by Hélio Gracie to promote Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Rorion Gracie came to the United States and introduced vale tudo to America and helped create the UFC with Art Davie a southern California advertising executive. The UFC was started as a tournament to find the world's best fighters irrespective of their style, and was based upon Brazilian vale tudo fighting or No Holds Barred.
UFC and the sport of MMA had to evolve over the years everywhere except Brazil where Vale Tudo rules still apply. The UFC increased its cooperation with state athletic commissions and redesigned its rules to remove the less palatable elements of fights while retaining the core elements of striking and grappling. Weight classes were introduced at UFC 12; gloves became mandatory and kicks to a downed opponent, hair pulling, and groin strikes were banned at UFC 14. UFC 15 saw more limitations on permissible striking areas: strikes to the back of the neck and head, and small joint manipulations were banned. With five-minute rounds introduced at UFC 21, the UFC gradually re-branded itself as a sport rather than a spectacle.
