In any sport, there will be a series of governing bodies. We’ve seen in boxing that there are a number of sanctioned title fights across different organizations. It’s a similar set up in the world of mixed martial arts.
Across most combat sports, those bodies tend to hold equal billing but, in MMA, it all works differently.
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Rising to the top
Ultimate Fighting Championship, (UFC), is the biggest promotion of all when it comes to Mixed Martial Arts. This is the division that all of the best fighters aspire to when starting out on their respective careers.
UFC hosts the biggest matchups between the top exponents of MMA and there is enhanced interest among associated industries. Higher viewing figures for the big UFC fight nights mean that the organization can charge a premium for broadcasting rights.
The TV companies may have to pay higher fees for UFC fights, but they can recoup outlay through subscriptions and via premium rate advertising.
Other sectors to benefit from the increased interest in Ultimate Fighting Championship include the sports betting industry. Considerably more money is staked on UFC flights than those sanctioned by other MMA organizations.
The sportsbooks take UFC far more seriously with competitive odds and a wider choice of MMA betting markets available for each fight night. That approach is another endorsement for the division and a clear indication of UFC’s dominance of the sport.
The Same Game
The essential rules of mixed martial arts are the same throughout the organizations. The two fighters have three rounds in which to defeat their opponent via a number of methods including knockout, submission and decision.
Those fighters could also find themselves disqualified for a range of different rule infringements.
The differences between UFC and rival promotions are subtle and are not necessarily tied into the rules. For example, fight fans may have heard reference to opponents facing off in the ‘Octagon’. This is the caged arena in which the fight takes place, but the Octagon is a trademark that is specific to UFC.
The Closest Challengers
The second most popular promotion in the world of Mixed Martial Arts is Bellator. Founded in 2008, the organization has provided a healthy and tangible rivalry for UFC in nearly 15 years.
Bellator provides numbered fight nights and there have been some notable champions since that 2008 inception. Ryan Bader, Douglas Lima. Michael Chandler and Eddie Alvarez are just four of the best that Bellator has produced.
Many of the champions stay loyal to Bellator, but it’s obvious that some will see the division as a stepping stone. Promising young fighters will want to test themselves against the best in the sport, and they can only really do that at Ultimate Fighting Championship.
That scenario is repeated through other competing promotions, but will a new entrant finally provide genuine competition to UFC?
The Eagle Has Risen
Eagle Fighting Championship is the newest brand in mixed martial arts. It’s a Russian based organization and clearly that could prove to be a barrier in the current world climate, but it’s already building an impressive roster.
Established in 2020, Eagle is helped by the fact that it was set up by one of the biggest names in the sport. Khabib Nurmagomedov was a huge draw within the UFC stable and he’s now looking to provide the biggest rivalry for the organization.
The majority of fighters on the books are from Russia and Kazakhstan. The situation can change and Eagle will attract a more global base, but that’s clearly going to be dependent on world affairs moving forward.
Best of the Rest
Bellator and Eagle are the two biggest threats to UFC’s long dominant reign, but there are other promotions within the sport. The ONE Championship has a loyal following and there are some who believe that this promotion is second only to UFC.
Other notable competitions within Mixed Martial Arts include M-1 Global, Fight Nights Global, Invicta Fighting Championships and Pancrase. It’s a wide and diverse set up, even if all of those organizations struggle to match the might of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The target for any fighter is to be the best in their weight division and, they can only truly say that when they have won a UFC title.
Room for Everyone
Fans of mixed martial arts are lucky to have so many organizations taking care of their sport. It’s true to say that Ultimate Fighting Championship is the pinnacle and this is where the biggest names in the game can be found.
By comparison, promotions such as Bellator, Eagle and others may showcase a range of fighters. Some will be up and coming young sportsmen and women while the organizations may also contain those coming to the ends of their careers.
This doesn’t mean, however, that the action is any less thrilling. Each promotion works hard to make sure that their fighters are evenly matched and that any one-sided contests are kept to a minimum.
Even those fighters who drop down from the UFC have something to offer. Their experience and impressive records in the top flight means that they will remain competitive in Bellator, ONE Championship and elsewhere.
That can only spell good news for all fans of mixed martial arts. While the Ultimate Fighting Championship may be the pinnacle of the sport, there are a host of competing promotions looking to showcase fighters at the top of their game.
