Introducing: The ghostwrite | UFC “Ruby” 400% ghost

The Octagon

The boundaries in sports are for the most part just lines that have been painted on a court or a field. Place a hand or foot or ball or skate on one side of a particular line or another and it could mean the difference between winning or losing. The difference between a fair or foul ball. Three points or two. A fourth down or a first. An ace or a fault. In versus out of bounds. Paint or chalk, they’re all just imaginary lines, like those on a map.

But The Octagon is different. A mere mention of the shape and you already know what sport is being discussed and probably already have an image in your mind of two warriors preparing for battle. No, we’re not talking about the slightly obscure Chuck Norris movie from the 80’s that also featured Lee Van Cleef. We’re talking about UFC and the very real, very physical boundary imposed upon its participants by its octagon-shaped arena.

A trademarked, hallmark of UFC, The Octagon (a proper noun), has been in use since the UFC’s first event in 1993. The shape itself serves multiple purposes. It prevents fighters from trapping each other in a confined area the way a boxer might try to force their opponent into a corner, preventing retreat and making a counter attack more difficult. It affords the fans in-person as well as those at home a better viewing experience. And, The Octagon is just plain fucking cool to look at and to say. Ok fine, we made that last one up.

But let’s take a second to examine the coolness of shapes. Triangle = math class, boring. Square = a synonym for being uncool. Pentagon = government stuff, also boring. Hexagon = beehives, meh. Heptagon = probably not a real thing. Octagon = octopuses (not octopi), stop signs, the eight-sided arena of UFC, super awesome. See? Octagon = the coolest shape.

Sorry, we got sidetracked…There is another practical element of The Octagon that separates it from the rings of other combat sports. The fence. The 750 square-foot ring is enclosed on all sides by coated fencing with lots of safety padding at every corner, edge, and crease. This is meant to keep the fighters safe and prevent them from accidentally falling out of The Octagon like traditional boxing or kickboxing rings, risking unnecessary injury.

While the shape of the arena is unique to UFC, it’s really the 5 foot, 9 inch-high fence that creates the aforementioned physical boundary. It is simultaneously seen and unseen. An unnamed third participant that affects the outcome of every match without throwing a punch, holding an armbar, or landing a flying knee.

The ghostwrite | UFC “Ruby” 400% ghost

This ghost tells the story of the artists, né modern-day gladiators, who pass through the gates of the Octagon and engage in battle. Winners get to raise the gold UFC Legacy Champion Belt. And, should a gladiator defend their title, a ruby is affixed to the belt to remind us of their greatness.

This ghost carries the imprint of the fence that is omnipresent in all UFC bouts. It also dons the seal of the UFC Legacy Championship belt upon its head, with one single ruby attached to remind us of the artists who have danced in The Octagon and emerged victorious. Are you not entertained?!