UFC Credential and Pass Overview
Credentials and passes evolve in style and size. Our chart about shows progress from 1993 to present day
Credential and Pass Era Distinction
Passes and credentials are far different compared to tickets, in that they change dramatically over time. Size, color and style are just some of the ways to determine an era. Also, access level to the event will be given a predetermined color or scheme. This is far different from ticket, which generally stay the same for decades.
GOLD AGE
SILVER AGE
BRONZE AGE
GOLDEN AGE OF CREDENTIALS
The Generation One of UFC credentials is from UFC 1 to UFC 30. During this time, the UFC was in its infancy and the fights did not have rules or time limits. Emerging heroes in the sport included Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn, Don Frye, Mark Coleman and Tank Abbott.
GOLDEN AGE
Generation One (1993-2001)
The Gen 1 credentials were uniform in size and made by the OTTO Printing & Entertainment Graphics with the exception being the later UFC Japan events. Event credentials included some or all the following variations: All Access, Fighter, Press, Photo and Staff (UFC Brazil Only). Most of Gen 1 credentials were issued by the UFC parent company SEG, with the exception of UFC 30, being the first event under the new owner Zuffa.
SILVER AGE OF CREDENTIALS
UFC 31 was the first event a Gen 2 credential was used. The Silver Age of Credentials was a period of rules advancement and eventual widespread commercial success in mainstream American. Silver Age heroes included Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Matt Hughes, Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre.
SILVER AGE
Generation Two (2001 -2012)
The Gen 2 credentials were larger than the Gen 1 credentials and sometime varied in size depending on the event. The front of the credential would include a artwork depicting the fighters on the main event or artwork of the event poster.
BRONZE AGE OF CREDENTIALS
On the eve of the Bronze Age of Credentials the UFC confirmed they would feature women's MMA with the signing of its first female fighter, Ronda Rousey. She subsequently became the first female UFC champion, and would successfully defend her title six times. Some standouts of the Bronze Age of Credentials included Cain Velasquez, Fabricio Werdum, Jose Aldo, Ronda Rousey and Dominick Cruz.
BRONZE AGE
Generation Three (2012-2014)
Sometime late in 2012 the UFC began using the Gen 3 type credentials. These credentials were smaller in size than the Gen 1 and Gen 2 and were horizontal instead of the usual vertical designs. The Gen 3 was basic in appearance without artwork and little information.
MODERN AGE OF CREDENTIALS
The Modern Age in Credentials, which began in the mid-2014 and continues to present day, is broken down to three different types of credentials Gen 4, Gen 5, and Gen 6.
MODERN GEN FOUR
Generation Four (2014-2018)
The Gen 4 credentials are uniform in size with artwork similar to the Gen 2 credentials.
MODERN GEN FIVE
Generation Five (2018)
The Gen 5 credentials are similar in size to the Gen 4 and event information, but lacked any artwork in their design.
MODERN GEN SIX
Generation Six (2018-Present)
The Gen 6 credentials are the size of a credit card is basic looking, with no artwork and basic information that changes slightly from event to event.