Why is MMA so popular? This is a question that I often get from casual sports fans. They see that MMA has become popular over the years, and wonder how it became such a phenom of a sport.
It is a sport and style of martial arts that you see everywhere now, even celebrities are showing their support and love for it.
In this article I will list the top reasons why MMA is so popular and the ground work it took to get us to this point.
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1 – The UFC
The UFC without a doubt has to be the biggest contributor to why MMA is so popular. During the earlier years of the UFC, Dana White the CEO of the UFC, said they couldn’t get it sanctioned anywhere.
People saw it as human cock fighting. And to be honest, in the early days it was. At the early development of the UFC there weren’t any rules when fighting.
It was a no holds barred type of thing. No weight classes, no rounds, no separation, no time outs, and no judges. You fought until your opponent quit or got knocked out.
The thing that changed everything was drafting and overseeing a bill that regulated the competitions – just like they did boxing.
UFC 28 was the first UFC event that was sanctioned by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board – held under the newly formed “Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts”.
The rules implemented:
- Fingerless gloves
- Weight classes
- No kicks to the groin (Point deducted)
- No kicking a fighter that has one knee on the mat (Disqualification)
- No eye gouging (Points deducted)
And a slew of other rules. The one match that propelled the UFC into the major spotlight, and changed the face of the organization, was the Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale between Forrest Griffin vs Stephan Bonnar.
It was an amazing – bloody war of a fight, and it really set the level of entertainment that fans could expect to see from MMA for years to come.
Today, UFC has grown internationally. It is currently sanctioned in 49 states, championed and supported by A-List celebrities, and adorned by people all over the world.
The UFC has pushed MMA into the spotlight and to the point of it being one of the most popular sports on the planet!
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2 – More People Getting Into MMA
Ever since the UFC has gained much popularity more people are getting into martial arts. You often hear coaches and owners of martial arts gyms saying that registration has significantly increased because of the UFC.
You’ve hear more people openly talk about their favorite fighters, going to martial arts events, and watching the Pay Per-view events together.
As mentioned before, A-List celebrities are embracing MMA. Even government official like the former president of the U.S. Donald Trump is close friends with Dana White.
You can see these Celebrities at the events, and on social media see them talking about their favorite fighters.
It’s amazing to see how much love MMA is receiving, and this love expands it’s popularity even further.
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3 – The Best Fighters Fight Each Other
One of the exciting things about mixed martial arts that contribute to it being so popular, is that the best fight the best.
Over the years boxing has declined in viewership and popularity, because the best fighters are avoiding fighting each other.
They all have something I call the “Mayweather Jr. complex”. This is where the best boxers of today avoid each other because they don’t want to lose and put a blemish on their record.
They want to try to mimic the record of Floyd Mayweather Jr. with 50 wins and 0 loses. The only issue with this is that Floyd fought the best!
MMA competitions differ in that the owners of the companies hire fight makers to put on the most exciting fights, and the only way that happens is if the best fighters, fight the best.
All the major organization like the UFC, Bellator, and One Championship have their best fighters fight each other, and as a result the matches are phenomenal! A great fight leads to more viewership and more ticket sales. More people want to be apart of it, and it becomes even more popular.
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4 – The Heavyweights Are Exciting
In combat sports the heavyweights are regarded as the Crem De la Crem. The reason being is that heavyweights are known to carry the sport.
People are excited and pay top dollar to see two big men fighting because they know that nine times out of ten, one will knock out the other.
It’s like watching Muhammed Ali dance around and out box his competition. Or when Mike Tyson use to knock out just about everyone within the first couple rounds.
Or when Franics Ngannou joined the UFC and completely obliterated his opponents with his one pinch knock out power.
People love to see a good knock out by two people they consider absolute giants! Heavyweight fighters in all of the MMA promotions have big and exciting heavyweights.
This adds to the appeal and popularity of the sport.
5 – Superstar Fighters With Big Personalities
MMA promotional companies like the UFC and Bellator have done a great job at turning fighters into superstars.
There are many fighters that stick out more than others due to them creating a persona everyone loves or loves to hate.
It doesn’t matter which end of the spectrum you’re on, if they love you and cheer you on, you will create a cult following and this may lead to more ticket sales.
If they love to hate you as a fighter, millions of people will still tune in because they want to see you lose! Either way the fighter still wins because people are taking about him, and paying to see him.
Here are fighters with larger than life personas that shot them to fame:
- Connor McGregor
- Jon Jones
- Michael “Venom” Page
- Tony Furgeson
- Coby Covington
- Valerie Loureda
- Chael Sonnen
- Derrick Lewis
- Israel Adesanya
- Itsuki Hirat
- Nate Diaz
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6 – MMA’s International Appeal
One of the things that MMA prides itself in is appealing to a world wide audience. Think about, there isn’t a Fortune 500 companies that is local and successful.
In order to have major sales of your product you have to offer it internationally. Mixed martial arts does exactly that.
They have fighters from all over the world representing their respective countries, and their fellow men and women tune in to see their fighter.
7 – Full Body Combat Sport
Unlike sports like boxing and wrestling, MMA is a full body combat sport. Meaning these fighter use the majority of their body limbs as weapons against their opponents.
This makes it really exciting because a fan watching gets to see a fighter do back spinning elbows, front kicks, side kicks, punches to the face and guts, take-downs, submissions and many more techniques.
It’s an amazing thing to witness especially live because you never know what move the fighter will execute next, and you don’t know how he’s win.
Even if it goes to decision you know that the fighter used his full body to entertain you. That’s all you can really ask for as a combat sports fan.
8 – Women Love MMA Also
Let’s face it the majority of women don’t watch or like sports. They don’t have that much interest in it like guys do. They rather watch shows that are more geared towards them, and that is understandable.
The thing my colleagues and I have noticed is a lot of women love mixed martial arts, especially the UFC in particular.
They can name the events that took place, the top fighters, and can tell you when the next major event are taking place. It’s really cool to see.
Women are helping push the MMA culture forward and getting more people interested in it. Women being apart of the MMA experience has boosted its popularity world wide.
9 – MMA Companies Are Ran Successfully
Since the inception of MMA promotions becoming popular many have come and went. Some where riddled with sandal, while others went out of business due to poor management.
In todays MMA world, there are a handful of successful promotions due to solid investors backing them, and also smart management.
A successful company needs a competent C.E.O., president, management team, and staff. Although there are not many MMA promotions, the ones that are popular are doing a good job.
This is the major reasons why they’re around and if they keep up the good work, they will still be hear in the future.
10 – Aligning With Popular And Successful Brands
The final reason why MMA is so successful becuase major promotions like the UFC and Bellator align themselves with the most popular brands through partnership and endorsement deals.
They team up with brands that serve billions of people across the world with their services and products, and can give these MMA companies access to their customer base.
This allows them to grow tremendously in popularity and expand their brand further than if they were not to team up with these reputable companies.
Brands like Reebok, Monster Energy drink, Bud Light, Dave and Busters, Esports, Logitec etc. Have been able to contribute the the expansion of MMA and will continue to do so as the sport and art expands.
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