A look at some key dates in UFC history

By Houston Mitchell

July 11, 2016 10:22 AM PT

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A look at some key moments in the history of UFC:

Nov. 12, 1993

WOW Promotions, started by Art Davie, and Semaphore Entertainment Group creates and promotes UFC 1, an eight-man tournament won by Royce Gracie. Gracie goes on to win three of the first four UFC tournaments.

April 7, 1995

UFC 5 is the first to feature time limits (20 minutes for early rounds, 30 minutes for the final round). Dan Severn wins the tournament.

April 1995

After UFC 5, Davie and WOW promotions sell their interest in UFC to SEG. Davie remains as UFC’s matchmaker until 1997.

May 17, 1996

UFC 9 is the first event that doesn’t feature a tournament.

Feb. 7, 1997

Mark Coleman defeats Dan Severn to become the first UFC heavyweight champion.

July 27, 1997

UFC makes padded gloves mandatory and bans kicks to the head while the opponent is down.

Dec. 21, 1997

Frank Shamrock becomes the first middleweight champion

July 16, 1999

At UFC 21, 10-point scoring system is used for the first time. Also for the first time, undercard fights are two five-minute rounds, maincard fights are three five-minute rounds and title fights are five five-minute rounds.

January 2001

Zuffa LLC, a company formed by Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta and Dana White, buy UFC for $2 million.

Oct. 22, 2004

UFC 50 is held in New Jersey, headlined by Matt Hughes vs. Georges St-Pierre.

Jan. 17, 2005

“The Ultimate Fighter” television reality show debuts on Spike TV and the series becomes a breeding ground for new fighters.

March 27, 2007

UFC buys Pride Fighting Championships, its main rival in Japan.

July 11, 2009

UFC 100 is held in Las Vegas, headlined by Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir. It does a then-MMA record 1.7 million buys on pay-per-view.

March 12, 2011

UFC buys another of its rivals, Strikeforce.