Art Davie

Art Davie is widely recognized as one of the co-creators of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), having conceived and developed the mixed martial arts competition in 1993. He played a pivotal role in establishing the framework for modern MMA competition and bringing together diverse martial arts disciplines in a professional fighting format. In partnership with Rorion Gracie and others, Davie organized the first UFC event in Denver, Colorado, which introduced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to a mainstream American audience. His work in developing and marketing the early UFC events helped establish what would become a billion-dollar combat sports industry. Davie documented his experiences in the book "Is This Legal?: The Inside Story of The First UFC from the Man Who Created It" (2014), providing firsthand accounts of the challenges and controversies surrounding the sport's creation. Beyond the UFC, he has worked as a marketing executive and consultant in the combat sports industry. His contributions to martial arts were formally recognized in 2014 when he was inducted into the Legends of MMA Hall of Fame, acknowledging his role in revolutionizing combat sports entertainment.

Readers consistently highlight Davie's detailed behind-the-scenes account of UFC's creation in "Is This Legal?" Many cite his candid descriptions of early negotiations, business challenges, and interactions with fighters and promoters. Liked: - First-person perspective of UFC's formation - Technical details about event organization - Honest portrayal of conflicts with business partners - Personal anecdotes about martial artists Disliked: - Writing style described as "rough" and "unpolished" - Some readers found sections about advertising career less engaging - Several note the book needs tighter editing - Complaints about repetitive content Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 4.5/5 (127 reviews) Goodreads: 4.2/5 (89 ratings) One reader stated: "Essential history for MMA fans, but could have used a stronger editor." Another noted: "The business details make this different from typical fighting books." Most criticism focuses on writing mechanics rather than content. MMA fans appreciate the historical value despite stylistic issues.

Is This Legal?: The Inside Story of The First UFC from the Man Who Created It (2014) A first-hand account of the creation and early development of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, detailing the business challenges, legal hurdles, and organizational struggles faced in establishing the mixed martial arts competition.

Bruce Lee He wrote multiple books on martial arts philosophy and training methods that explored the integration of different fighting styles. His written works preceded and influenced the mixed martial arts movement that Davie helped establish.

John McCarthy As the original UFC referee, McCarthy wrote about the evolution of MMA rules and officiating in his book "Let's Get It On!" His insider perspective complements Davie's account of early UFC history.

Randy Couture Couture's autobiography details his journey through amateur wrestling into becoming a UFC champion. His writing provides insights into the athlete experience during the sport's transformation that Davie initiated.

Jens Pulver In his book "Little Evil," Pulver chronicles his path from early UFC events to becoming a champion. His story captures the development of MMA from its raw beginnings to a mainstream sport.

Forrest Griffin Griffin's books combine fighting experience with historical analysis of MMA's development. His writing style matches Davie's approach of mixing personal narrative with industry insights.