In a very modest office across the street from the Burbank Airport here in Southern California, we started this magazine almost nine years ago. We called it Grappling because we wanted to capture the essence of Royce Gracie’s exploits in the UFC.

As most of you know, the mixed martial arts (MMA) world has been on fire ever since Royce (pronounced “Hoyce”) torched the competition in the early Ultimate Fighting Championships. With his flawless groundwork against bigger and stronger opponents, he ignited the sport’s popularity.

While those of us who have been around the sport since the beginning initially knew MMA as NHB (no-holds barred), a new generation of fans has come to know the sport as MMA and/or “ultimate fighting.” Hence, a few years ago, we added Ultimate to our name and have been known as Ultimate Grappling ever since.

Well, we’re about to adapt once again.

Beginning with the April issue, Ultimate Grappling is going to become Ultimate MMA. But that’s the only change. It's the same staff, and our full-color magazine will still feature stories for new fans, casual fans, hardcore fans and fighters.

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