The Most Popular MMA Company, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the company you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:44
In the dynamic world of mixed martial arts (MMA), fans often debate which organization delivers the most thrilling fights, showcases the best talent, and provides an unforgettable viewing experience. Having a ranked list of the top MMA companies helps clear the confusion and sets a common ground for discussion. It not only assists new enthusiasts in identifying where to start their journey into MMA viewership but also engages the seasoned fans in a spirited discussion about the merits of each organization.
By participating in this ranking, every vote submitted contributes to a real-time assessment of each company's popularity and reputation in the MMA community. This interactive process ensures that the rankings reflect the current opinions and preferences of the global fan base. As more fans participate, the list becomes a more accurate mirror of the MMA landscape, encouraging organizations to strive for excellence and continuously improve their events to climb the ranks.
What Is the Most Popular MMA Company?
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183votes
Ron Hall · CC BY 2.0Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
Art Davie and Rorion GracieThe UFC is by far the most popular MMA company, with a global reach and a long history of producing top-level MMA talent. It has established itself as the premier organization in the sport and has many of the biggest stars in MMA on its roster.The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a mixed martial arts (MMA) company that is widely recognized as the premier organization in the sport. It was founded in 1993 and has since become a global powerhouse in combat sports.- Annual Events: More than 40 events per year
- Fighters: Over 500 fighters under contract
- Weight Divisions: 8 male divisions and 4 female divisions
- Pay-Per-View Events: Regularly holds high-profile pay-per-view events
- Fighter Safety: Strict regulations and medical testing procedures
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular professional sport in the United States
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234votes
Bellator MMA
Bjorn RebneyBellator MMA is the second-largest MMA company in the world, with a roster of top-level fighters and a growing global presence. It is known for its exciting fights and innovative approach to promoting the sport.Bellator MMA is a well-known mixed martial arts promotion company that was founded in 2008. It is one of the major competitors to the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) and has gained a significant following among MMA fans.- Established: 2008
- Headquarters: Santa Monica, California, USA
- Owner: ViacomCBS
- Events per Year: 20+
- Fighters: 300+
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341votes
ONE Championship
Chatri SityodtongBased in Asia, ONE Championship is one of the fastest-growing MMA companies in the world. It has a focus on martial arts values and has a strong presence in countries like China, Singapore, and Indonesia.ONE Championship is a leading mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion based in Asia. It was established in 2011 with a goal to showcase the best martial artists from around the region. With a unique blend of martial arts disciplines including MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and more, ONE Championship aims to entertain and inspire fans with world-class events.- Events per year: 30+
- Countries of operation: 30+
- Broadcast reach: 150+ countries
- Fighters signed: 500+
- World champions: Over 140
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421votesPFL is a relatively new MMA company that has gained a lot of attention for its unique tournament format. It features some of the top fighters in the sport and offers large cash prizes to its winners.The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is a popular mixed martial arts (MMA) company that features a unique tournament-based format where fighters compete for a chance to win a championship and significant cash prizes. The PFL offers a season-based system, much like traditional sports leagues, with playoffs and a year-end championship event known as the PFL World Championship.
- Weight Classes: The PFL currently features six weight classes - Men's Lightweight, Men's Featherweight, Men's Lightweight, Women's Lightweight, Women's Featherweight, and Women's Lightweight.
- Regular Season and Playoffs: The PFL season consists of regular season fights where fighters earn points based on wins and finishes. The top fighters then advance to the playoffs, culminating in the championship event.
- Fighters' Earnings: PFL offers significant prize money, with each weight class winner receiving a $1 million prize.
- Prominent Fighters: The PFL has attracted several high-profile fighters, including recently retired UFC star Rory MacDonald and MMA legends like Fabricio Werdum and Anthony Pettis.
- Broadcast Partnerships: The PFL has broadcasting deals with prominent networks such as ESPN in the United States and TSN in Canada to reach a wide audience.
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58votes
Rizin Fighting Federation
Nobuyuki SakakibaraRizin is a Japanese MMA company that has recently gained a lot of attention for its flashy events and high-profile signings. It features both MMA and kickboxing fights and has a strong following in Japan and other parts of Asia.Rizin Fighting Federation is a popular Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) company based in Japan. It was founded by Nobuyuki Sakakibara, previously the president of Pride Fighting Championships. Rizin is known for promoting high-level MMA events featuring fighters from various organizations around the world. It follows a tournament-based format with a mix of different weight classes and rule sets.- Tournament-based events: Rizin follows a tournament-based format for its events
- Global talent: Rizin invites fighters from different organizations globally
- Open-weight fights: Rizin features open-weight fights, allowing fighters from different weight classes to compete
- Multiple rule sets: Rizin offers various rule sets, including both MMA and grappling
- Ring, not cage: Rizin events take place in a traditional ring, rather than a cage
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68votes
Cage Warriors
Dougie TrumanCage Warriors is a European MMA company that has been producing top-level fighters since 2001. It has a strong presence in the UK and has helped launch the careers of many notable fighters, including Conor McGregor.Cage Warriors is one of the most popular Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotions based in Europe. It was founded in 2002 by Dougie Truman.- Location: Europe
- Founding Year: 2002
- Weight Classes: Various, including featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, and others
- Events: Regular live events featuring professional MMA fighters
- Broadcast: Live streaming and televised events
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719votesKSW is a Polish MMA company that has gained a lot of attention in recent years for its exciting fights and high production values. It features many of the top fighters from Poland and other parts of Europe.KSW (Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki) is a popular mixed martial arts (MMA) company based in Poland. It is known for organizing high-profile MMA events featuring both local and international fighters. KSW was established in 2004 and has since gained a significant following in the MMA community.
- Founded: 2004
- Headquarters: Warsaw, Poland
- Weight Classes: Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, Featherweight
- Ring/cage Type: Hexagon-shaped cage
- Events Per Year: Approximately 10-12 events
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87votesLFA is a US-based MMA company that features up-and-coming talent from around the country. It has a partnership with the UFC and has helped launch the careers of many notable fighters, including current UFC champion Kamaru Usman.The Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) is a well-known American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company. It was founded in 2017 and has quickly gained popularity within the MMA community.
- Headquarters: Houston, Texas, United States
- Weight Classes: Men's and women's divisions ranging from flyweight to heavyweight
- Title Belts: LFA champions are awarded championship belts in each weight division
- Fight Format: Cage fights following the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts
- Fighters' Pathway: LFA is known as a feeder organization for larger promotions like UFC and Bellator
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95votes
M-1 Global
Vadim FinkelchteinM-1 Global is a Russian MMA company that has been producing top-level fighters since 1997. It has a strong presence in Russia and other parts of Europe and has helped launch the careers of many notable fighters, including Fedor Emelianenko.M-1 Global is a leading mixed martial arts (MMA) organization that promotes events worldwide. It is known for showcasing top-level fighters from various countries and has gained a reputation for its high-quality production and competitive matchups.- Year Established: 1997
- Headquarters: Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Events: Regularly holds events globally
- Weight Classes: Covers multiple weight divisions
- Championships: Has multiple title belts up for grabs
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104votesACB is a Russian MMA company that has gained a lot of attention in recent years for its high-level fights and top-notch production values. It features many of the top fighters from Russia and other parts of the world.Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB) is a popular mixed martial arts (MMA) company that originated in Russia. It was founded in 2014 by Mairbek Khasiev, a Russian businessman and former MMA fighter. ACB quickly gained recognition in the MMA world for its high-profile events and talented roster of fighters. The organization organizes professional MMA events across multiple weight classes and showcases both up-and-coming prospects and established fighters. ACB has a global reach and has held events in various countries, including Russia, the United States, Brazil, and England. Its events feature a mixture of disciplines, including MMA, boxing, Muay Thai, and kickboxing. ACB is known for its commitment to competitive matchups and high production values, offering an exciting viewing experience for MMA fans worldwide.
- Year Founded: 2014
- Headquarters: Russia
- Number of Weight Classes: Multiple
- Global Reach: Yes
- Disciplines Featured: MMA, Boxing, Muay Thai, Kickboxing
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Ranking factors for popular company
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Number of events heldA key factor for determining the popularity of an MMA company can be the number of events they hold each year, which gives an idea of how active and in-demand the promotion is.
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Fighters rosterThe quality and popularity of the fighters contracted under the MMA organization are crucial factors determining its attractiveness to fans. The presence of big names like Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, or Jon Jones can significantly boost a company's popularity.
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Television ratings and viewership numbersThe TV ratings and viewership for events held by the MMA company can indicate its popularity. High ratings suggest that its events are well-received and widely watched.
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Pay-per-view buysSimilar to television ratings, the number of pay-per-view (PPV) buys for an MMA company's events can indicate how popular and in-demand its fights are among fans.
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Social media presenceThe number of followers and engagement levels on popular social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram can be a way to gauge how popular an MMA organization is among fans.
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Sponsorship dealsHigh-profile sponsorship deals with major companies can increase visibility and credibility for an MMA organization, adding to its popularity.
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Media coverageProminent coverage by major sports news outlets, newspapers, and websites is an indication of the popularity and significance of an MMA company.
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Attendance at live eventsThe average attendance at a company's live events can show how much interest it is generating among fans.
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Fighter earningsThe amount that an MMA organization is willing to pay its top fighters can be a good indicator of its overall success and popularity.
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Championship history and prestigeA history of high-profile, exciting title fights and well-regarded championships can play a role in determining the popularity of an MMA company.
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International reachThe geographic spread of a company's events and broadcasts can indicate how well-known its brand is worldwide.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular MMA company. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or company is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 4821 views
- 177 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each company once every 24 hours. The rank of each company is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular mma company
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has become an immensely popular combat sport in recent years, with millions of fans tuning in to watch their favorite fighters compete in the octagon. While there are numerous MMA companies around the world, a few stand out as the most popular. These companies have gained a reputation for showcasing the best fighters, putting on exciting events, and providing a platform for up-and-coming talent to make their mark in the sport. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the most popular MMA companies and what makes them stand out from the rest.
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