10 Crazy Facts About UFC 1

There’s no disputing the Gracie family’s place on the highest pedestal of Mixed Martial Arts, with the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialists absolute icons of the sport.

Back during UFC 1, however, the mustachioed Rorion Gracie found himself in quite the pickle.

One of the co-founders of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Rorion was under threat from his own family members. That was down to a number of factors that irked the rest of the Gracie clan.

Firstly, Rorion had gone behind the family’s back to trademark the ‘Gracie Jiu-Jitsu’ name in North America. Then, the original plans of having Rickson Gracie represent the family at UFC 1 were turned on their head after Rorion and Rickson had a massive falling out – which was the reason why Royce Gracie was brought in as the star of UFC 1.

By the time UFC 1 rolled around, Rorion Gracie was fearing for his life as his family flew in for the Denver, Colorado-held event. So much so, he even approached ‘Big’ John McCarthy – himself then a lawman – to help him find a firearm to protect himself with.

Luckily for Rorion, all of this family drama - as is so often the case - fizzled out, and he was all smiles as he presented younger brother Royce with his winner's payday.