Quick Definition
King of the Cage (KOTC) is an American mixed martial arts promotion founded in 1998. It runs regional events, mostly at casinos, and is known as an early proving ground for fighters who later reached the UFC.
What is King of the Cage?
Terry Trebilcock founded King of the Cage in 1998, building the company out of Southern California at a time when the sport was still fighting for legitimacy in much of the country. It has grown into one of the longest-running MMA promotions in the United States.
The promotion sits well below the UFC and Bellator on the MMA ladder. It operates as a regional circuit where amateurs turn professional, and prospects build a record before bigger promotions come calling. Established fighters also use it to stay active between larger opportunities. Most KOTC cards run at Native American casinos across the country, which became the promotion’s signature setting.
That regional role is why the name matters to fans. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans both won UFC light heavyweight titles after starting on the regional scene. Diego Sanchez, Mac Danzig and Daniel Cormier fought in KOTC too. When a broadcaster says a fighter came up through King of the Cage, this is the promotion they mean.
How King of the Cage works
A typical King of the Cage event looks like most regional MMA shows: a stacked card of mostly local and regional fighters, topped by a title fight or a bout featuring a recognizable veteran. The company crowns champions across a wide set of weight classes, including a few that larger promotions do not use, such as cruiserweight and super middleweight.
Volume has always been part of the identity. Sherdog’s records list more than 600 KOTC events and roughly 3,600 fights over the promotion’s history, a total that dwarfs most regional rivals. KOTC has also run cards outside the country, in Canada and Australia as well as Japan and England, on top of its home base in the western United States.
Where fans can watch has shifted over the years. KOTC events aired on Mark Cuban’s HDNet around 2010 and later moved to MAVTV under a multi-year deal. More recently, the promotion has streamed cards on PlutoTV, keeping with the free, ad-supported model that suits a regional audience.
King of the Cage vs. the UFC
The most common mix-up is treating King of the Cage as a competitor to the UFC. They are not on the same tier. The UFC is the sport’s premier global promotion, home to the highest-paid and highest-ranked fighters in the world. KOTC is a regional promotion, one rung on the ladder that talent climbs toward organizations like the UFC, Bellator, or the PFL.
| King of the Cage | UFC | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Regional / developmental | Premier / global |
| Founded | 1998 | 1993 |
| Typical roster | Regional prospects and veterans | Top-ranked fighters worldwide |
| Main venues | Casinos and regional arenas | Major arenas worldwide |
| Role in the sport | Talent pipeline and proving ground | The sport’s top destination |
The clearest way to see the relationship is through the fighters themselves. A fighter wins a KOTC title, draws interest from bigger matchmakers, then signs with a larger promotion. Daniel Cormier held a KOTC belt early in his career, years before he became a two-division UFC champion and one of the best heavyweights the sport has produced. They are partners in the same pipeline, several rungs apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does KOTC stand for?
KOTC is the abbreviation for King of the Cage, the promotion’s full name. Fans and broadcasters use the two interchangeably.
Is King of the Cage still active?
Yes. KOTC still runs events, mainly in the western United States, and streams cards on PlutoTV. The promotion marked its 25th anniversary in 2023.
Who owns King of the Cage?
Founder Terry Trebilcock has owned KOTC for most of its history. He sold the promotion to ProElite in 2007 and bought it back in 2009.
Is King of the Cage the same as the UFC?
No. The UFC is the sport’s top global promotion. King of the Cage is a regional promotion a level below it, often acting as a stepping stone toward the UFC and similar organizations.
Which famous fighters competed in King of the Cage?
UFC names such as Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Rashad Evans, Diego Sanchez, Mac Danzig, and Daniel Cormier all fought in KOTC earlier in their careers.
Sources
- Wikipedia. “King of the Cage.” Accessed August 2026.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_the_Cage - Sherdog. “King of the Cage organization page.” Accessed August 2026.
https://www.sherdog.com/organizations/King-of-the-Cage-1 - King of the Cage. “About Us,” “Events,” and “Fighters.” Accessed August 2026.
https://www.kingofthecage.com - MixedMartialArts Fandom. “King of the Cage.” Accessed August 2026.
https://mixedmartialarts.fandom.com/wiki/King_of_the_Cage - Elite Sports. “UFC Fighters Who Started Their Careers Late.” Accessed August 2026.
https://www.elitesports.com/blogs/news/ufc-fighters-who-started-their-careers-late - Wikipedia. “1999 in King of the Cage.” Accessed August 2026.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_in_King_of_the_Cage
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