Held in Detroit on May 17, 1996, UFC 9 was a pivotal moment for the Ultimate Fighting Championship for several reasons. It was the first UFC event not to feature a tournament format, instead employing the card structure we are familiar with today: a series of one-off matchups, usually with the most prestigious or important fights at the end. While other elements of modern MMA, such as weight classes and the prohibition of shoes, were still years away—not to mention the term “mixed martial arts” itself—the adoption of boxing-style card structure was a significant early move.
This Day in MMA History: May 17
