There have been works in mixed martial arts, some of them being admitted to by fighters in Pride. Remember, mixed martial arts comes more so from professional wrestling than it does from Bloodsport. The first mixed martial arts promotion that we have (minus one off vale tudo events) was Pancrase. Pancrase was set up by professional wrestlers, including Ken Shamrock, who wanted to prove to "elders" that a 'shoot' could be a draw.
That being said, I don't believe there has ever been a "work" in the UFC. I also don't believe something like Kimbo Vs Shamrock was a work either, just based on the type of action we saw in the fight. I have yet to see Tito Ortiz Vs Chael Sonnen, but based off of the character of both men I wouldn't put it past them. I'd only disagree with it being a work in regards to the fact that Ortiz was retiring after the fight, and it makes more sense promotionally for the company to want the guy continuing fighting (and likely headlining against Wanderlei Silva some point in the near future) to get the rub.
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