UFC is the Gracie's heir, not Vale Tudo's. That's why several of the better martial artists in the world weren't even invited to the first tournaments while it was still under Gracie control. Guys like:
Oleg Taktarov
Marco Ruas
Gokor Chivichyan
Ernesto Hoost
Andy Hug
Mike Tyson
Aleksandr Karelin
Walt Bayless
Dave Schultz
Pawel Nastula
Kaensak Sor Pioenchit
Samart Payakaroon
Ramon Dekkers
ahahahah some good laughs with u my friend...
Hmmmm.. lets see the rest of ur msg...
Hmmm...
Hmmmmmmm...
ahahahhahaah
ok,lets go:
1/ Marco Ruas.
Marco Ruas was LUTA LIVRE, the Gracies were BJJ. Both were rivals, competitors, enemies in Brazil back in the days..
The Gracies helpin a Luta Livre guy to break through a new market like the American one, would be like the Houston Rockets helpin the Spurs to break through the Chinese market, thanks to their Yao Ming connection.
Its... stupid.
Even Marcos Ruas himself acknowledged it a few years later, they didnt owe him nuthin.
Obs: Marco finally got into the UFC in 1995, UFC7.
2/ All the Russians/Eastern Europeans u quoted:
1st UFC = 1993
End of the Cold War = 1992.
Do I have to explain?
3/ Oleg Taktarov´s case:
Oleg was selected to the UFC 5, 1995.
Why him, and no other russian?
Simply because Oleg was already in the States, as he was tryin to become an actor.
4/ Other fighters (Europe/Asia):
U have no clue. Absolutely none.
U seem to believe that, back in 1993, Rorion was travellin around the world, with a private jet, a super budget, callin anyone with his smartphone, followin people via instagram or facebook, and offering spots to fight at UFC.
Like he was scouting fighters all around the world.
ahhahahahhhhhhhahah
Laughable.
UFC 1 was a ROOKIE organization, they selected fighters the way they could, essentially local fighters, puttin adds in newspapers for instance.. Checkin their credentials, watchin SOMETIMES some of their fights in VHS... V-H-S.. Or u believe there already was Youtube in 1993???