5 similarities between UFC 1 and martial arts movie Bloodsport
The first-ever UFC event revolutionized combat sports. It provided a venue to determine who the best overall fighter was by allowing individuals with various martial arts backgrounds to compete against each other.
It was a successful event that eventually led to the promotion being considered the epitome of combat sports. The event saw an underdog story of sorts when Royce Gracie defeated larger opponents to become the first ever ultimate fighting champion. He demonstrated that Gracie jiu-jitsu was effective regardless of the size of his opponent.
It is also important to note that there were many elements at the event that were similar to the film Bloodsport. The film was released in 1988 and starred Belgian actor Jean-Claude Van Damme. It was significant for Van Damme as it led to him becoming a household name in Hollywood and a popular action hero. After watching the inaugural event and Bloodsport, the similarities become increasingly apparent. This list will look at five similarities between UFC 1 and the film Bloodsport.
#5. Multiple fighting styles represented at UFC 1
What made the inaugural UFC event unique was that it introduced MMA to a North American audience. The sport was already in its preliminary stages in Japan through promotions like Pancrase. But now, the North American audience were going to find out how effective each fighting style was in actual competition.
There were numerous fighting styles represented at the event. Among those featured included jiu-jitsu, shoot fighting, karate, sumo wrestling, boxing, and kickboxing. Looking back, Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock were the best overall fighters as they were both well-versed in submissions. In Shamrock's case, he was capable of setting up takedowns with his striking.
Below is a clip from the movie Bloodsport showing various competitors training in their original martial arts form:
It shared similarities with Bloodsport as fighters from many different martial arts backgrounds were featured and highlighted in the film. The montage showcased each fighter's own unique preparations for Kumite, a mixed martial arts competition in the movie.