When did smaller MMA events start?

Underground
1

I know UFC started around 1993. Later on Pride came out.

When did the smaller MMA events start in the US?

Did they start out as style vs style like the early UFC's or by the time they started was the whole cross training in effect?

How come UFC is still one of the top MMA events? If Donald Trump decided to promote MMA events and bought all the best fighters, would the UFC be equal to all the smaller MMA events?

thanks,
Perry

2

Extreme Challenge started in 1996... first as Quad-City Ultimate on Jan. 20, 1996.