2018 marks 25 years since the UFC debuted in 1994, and to mark the occasion the UFC is putting out a 25-part documentary series entitled UFC 25 Years in Short. Described as the UFC’s take on ESPN’s award winning 30 for 30 show, the episodes will give fans new details on familiar stories, like the true history of the Octagon and John McCain’s campaign to ban human cockfighting from television.
The series kicks off September 14th with a special preview on YouTube: ‘COUNTRY BOY CAN SURVIVE: The Story of Matt Hughes’ Fight for Survival.’ As the title indicates, this episode focuses on welterweight legend Matt Hughes and his miraculous recovery after his truck was hit by a train in June of 2017.
Future episodes will premiere every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 3PM EST on UFC Fight Pass.
Here’s the episode list for September, with October and November episodes to be revealed later:
Film #1 – OCTO: The Disputed Origin Story of the UFC Octagon
In 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.
Premier Date: Monday, September 17Film #2 – THE LION’S DEN: The Story of the First Mixed Martial Arts Team
In 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.
Premiere Date: Wednesday, September 19Film #3 – ULTIMATE ACCESSORY: The Story of the UFC Championship Belt
Since 1995, UFC belts have become the ultimate accessory prized by all MMA fighters, but their history is a little known, and often surprising, story.
Premiere Date: Friday, September 21Film #4 – BLACKOUT: The Story of the Political Crusade to Keep UFC Off TV
In 1996, a political crusade to ban ultimate fighting successfully pressured the cable TV industry to stop airing UFC events, nearly extinguishing the new sport.
Premiere Date: Monday, September 24Film #5 – JUDGEMENT DAY: The Story of the UFC Getting Run Out of Town
In 1997, UFC 12 was set to take place in Buffalo. However, the day prior, New York changed its laws to effectively ban MMA in the state for the next 20 years. The event then found a new home in Dothan, Alabama.
Premiere Date: Wednesday, September 26Film #6 – THE ICE AGE: The Story of Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell, UFC’s Breakthrough Star
Chuck Liddell, who connected with knockout punches and with fans around the world like no UFC fighter before him, became UFC’s first true crossover superstar.
Premiere Date: Friday, September 28