SI Films to release feature-length documentary on UFC 1 this Fall

The story of the first UFC event has been told and retold over various platforms during the more than 25-year history of the organization. But what could be among the most in-depth accounts to date is coming later this year.

The Emmy winning SI Films group has announced, in conjunction with Mandalay Sports Media, the production of a feature-length account of UFC 1 titled “Origin of the Octagon.”

The film will be directed by John Mason Gordon, who promises to reveal “largely unknown stories” from the historical event, which took place Nov. 12, 1993 in Denver. That includes first-hand accounts from creators, fighters and executives who were all involved with the planning, execution and fallout of the event.

The documentary will be released in Fall 2019 on Sports Illustrated TV and subsequently will be distributed internationally.

“We are incredibly selective as to what constitutes an ‘SI Film,'” Josh Oshinsky of SI TV said in a press release. “The DNA of Sports Illustrated is in top of class storytelling in any medium, and we believe UFC 1 is the next signature piece of premium content that helps make SI TV a must-have service for any thoughtful sports fan. The team at Mandalay Sports Media and our team at SI TV are incredibly passionate about this never-before-told story and believe it will be equal parts viscerally gripping and fascinatingly enlightening.”

The documentary is still in production and a specific release date has yet to be set.

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