The UFC Creation
Is this Legal? is a memoir about the UFC creation by Art Davie, one of the three founders. Published in July 2014, it is a 271 page personal history of Davie’s four-year crusade to turn an advertising idea for a client into a sporting event. Davie had been eager to create an event to pit martial artists against boxers and wrestlers in a no-holds barred tournament. This is the real story of the UFC’s launch which spawned the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) by the man widely regarded as the “Creator of the UFC.”
Is This Legal? is a tell-all book about the executives, film stars, fighters, partners, staff and politicians who helped or tried to stop the franchise that established MMA. The UFC was unleashed on November 12, 1993, in Denver, Colorado on an unsuspecting public, with virtually no warning or fanfare. It instantly redefined action sports for a new generation.
The creation of ad man and serial entrepreneur Art Davie, the UFC entered nearly 90,000 US households through pay per view television. The show began with an explosion of blood—as 6’5 Dutch Savate champion Gerard Gordeau kicked 420 lbs. Sumo wrestler Teila Tuli flush in the face, less than one minute into the night’s opening fight. The blow not only sent Tuli’s tooth flying into the crowd, it knocked the martial arts and combat sports worlds on their asses. With the very first UFC, the new sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) was launched–although it was not called that yet. The fighting world would never again be the same.
The UFC Creation Launched a Sports Revolution
In IS THIS LEGAL? Davie explains how his idea to crown the World’s Best Fighter, painstakingly evolved into the UFC, which now stands as a multi-billion dollar sports franchise. Art Davie is the Dr. James Naismith and Abner Doubleday of MMA (with a touch of PT Barnum), yet his name is largely unknown. That is, until now. IS THIS LEGAL? tells the tale of perseverance and against-all-odds determination, as Davie worked tirelessly for four years to see his dream come to fruition, while meeting resistance at every turn. In the end, Davie was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018.
The Inside Story
Heroes, Villains, Fools and a Hollywood Director
IS THIS LEGAL? is the story of how martial artists, celebrities, sports, and businessmen came together. This was a highly improbable cast of characters. It included movie director John Milius, NFL running back Jim Brown, action film star Chuck Norris, Brazilian jiu-jitsu godfather Rorion Gracie and pay-per-view pioneer Bob Meyrowitz. The no-holds-barred account is not just for fight fans, but for lovers of mavericks in business and life. Whether you’re a hardcore supporter of mixed martial arts, or have never watched a single bout, you’ll be enthralled by Davie’s story of triumph. Art Davie created the sport of the 21st Century. He started a revolution, and his revolution was televised.
Everything Davie and Sean Wheelock could not fit into IS THIS LEGAL? is here on this website including documents, letters, contracts and photos. If you enjoy the book, this site will let you get even more from the early history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.